Retooling this blog slowly but surely.

Once again, I've fallen victim to blogger fatigue, but I didn't want to delete the entire thing, so I'm going to think of stuff I actually want to post about...

American Prospect Looks at What HIV/AIDS Policy Might Look Like In A Giuliani Administration

Since I love blogging infrequently, here is an article that follow's up on my last post about a month ago! The article from the The American Prospect examines what the U.S. HIV/AIDS policy would look like if Giuliani became the next president.

Giuliani's Awful Record on HIV/AIDS

Also worthwhile from the current issue of The American Prospect is the cover story on how comic books and graphic novels are taking on current issues in American Politics.

The Revolt Of The Comic Books

Giuliani's Healthcare Advisor Says To Thailand: "Quit Thievin' Our Patents!!"

Okay, the headline is a lot more simplistic than what the post is really about. But I thought it was funny.

Anyhow, The Hill has an op-ed today from Sally C. Pipes, the president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute, a research institute partially funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Oh, did I mention she's Rudy Giuliani's healthcare advisor? In the aforementioned op-ed, she admonishes Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) for sponsoring a resolution commending the government of Thailand for allowing for the manufacture of generic versions of branded anti-retrovirals.

Of course, the entire piece reads as thinly disguised partisan tripe and I have a real tough time taking it seriously given her affiliations. However, where is the counterpoint to this op-ed? Either The Hill is doing us a disservice or they're playing the good showman and keeping us waiting.

What do you think? Should we take this seriously and accept the usual argument of "stolen patents will destroy the pharmaceutical industry's innovation?" Or is this really a case of drops in a bucket considering how much pharmaceutical companies make from drugs sold in developed nations?

WHOA! BACK FROM HIATUS!!! With a new article to read!

I know, crazy right??

Anyway, the New York Times today has an article regarding the debate over the distribution of mosquito nets for the prevention of malaria in poor countries. The article touches on WHO's new malaria czar and his blunt declaration that the social marketing of these bednets is now over.

Distribution of Nets Splits Malaria Fighters [NYT] (Thanks Rachel!)

Also, I'm planning on posting more now, but the newslinks section is being scrapped, because who wants a blog of all links and no real content?

Blog Hiatus Again

To My Loyal Reader:

I'll be posting intermittently again as my daily schedule has gotten a lot busier again and I'm trying to figure out how to manage my time appropriately.

Back soon, hopefully.

(Back From Hiatus) Newslinks - September 10th, 2007

•China reports leap in new HIV/AIDS cases [Reuters]

•African Leaders To Meet To Discuss Ways To Fight HIV/AIDS, Improve Women's Health [Kaiser]

•China's Blood Supply Not Being Monitored Properly for HIV, Needs International Assistance, Report Says [Kaiser]

•Senate Passes Foreign Aid Bill That Increases Funds To Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB Worldwide [Kaiser]

•Vietnamese City To Launch Methadone Program To Reduce Spread of HIV Among IDUs [Kaiser]

•British Prime Minister Brown Announces Campaign Aimed at Improving Health Systems, Fighting Diseases, Better Coordinating Aid in Developing Countries [Kaiser]

Bloggering Break!

I will be out of town until next Wednesday. Regular updates will resume next Thursday.

Enjoy the 3-day weekend!