Conservative Code Phrases

Typical of the Conservatives, anyone that might disagree with their preconceived positions and stereotypes gets blanked out. The most recent example of this comes from the mouth of the Minister of Health, Tony Clement.

According to Mr. Clement, No rational debate was possible.

Says Mr. Clement:

"That conference, in our view, was becoming a place where you couldn't have a rational discussion," Clement said.

"I think things were way over the top, at least from some of the so-called experts and people that like to have an opinion on these things."

Frankly, I'd say that the delegates - political and medical - to The International AIDS Conference probably know more about the disease, the current state of it in the world, the status of research efforts than Tony Clement and his advisors are likely to know.

I've heard the "No Rational Debate" comment before - it tends to come out of rabid creationists when they encounter substantive arguments.

The CBC article makes a few other interesting observations:

Two cabinet ministers abruptly cancelled planned news conferences during the conference, which drew roughly 30,000 delegates.

Fascinating, hmmm. Cancel a news conference when you might get a few tough questions ?

As an example of the politicization of the conference, Clement cited South African AIDS expert Mark Heywood's call for the resignation of South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, whom he accused of promoting traditional treatments, such as lemon and garlic, instead of anti-retroviral medications.

That's the Conservative idea of something being politicized? If Heywood's accusations are grounded in any kind of reality at all, the man should be run out of town on a rail. Lemons and Garlic as a way to treat AIDS? Hello? Is anybody home? We're talking about a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. I don't think that Lemon and Garlic is going to do much to bolster the immune system when it's under direct attack. (Note: Yes, garlic has some medicinal properties, but so do a lot of foods - right now, I'm unaware of any credible research that suggests garlic is an effective anti-viral)

Your Conservative Government - not only more closed government than we've ever had before, but even less accountable.