Indignation

I would compare those who enjoy engaging in the sport of America-bashing to viewers (and guests) of the Jerry Springer show. It is so much rubbish, and those who enjoy it are usually either human trash or insecure fools desperate to feel better about themselves.

A National Review Online (NRO) column by Roger Bate goes into some detail about bashing America over contributions in fighting AIDS:

To confirm the massive international bias (especially within the media) against the United States, one has only to examine the headlines about the recent major AIDS meeting in Tanzania. Most nations have failed to live up to their international obligations, whereas the U.S. has delivered on them. Yet, by some odd twist, the U.S. is criticized and the rest are not. It's time for Americans to consider ignoring international forums (such as the Global Fund), partner with those who want to work with the U.S. (as they did in Iraq), and just save lives.
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The fund finished its board meeting in Tanzania just before Thanksgiving. Attended by four African presidents, with abundant smiles and large begging bowls, the meeting was supposed to announce a $3 billion anti-AIDS program for 2005. Instead, it has received pledges of only $900 million, and the fifth round of funding may be delayed by several months until the rest of the money is procured. Additionally, under congressionally imposed rules, the U.S. cannot commit more funds until the other parties also pledge more.

The current chairman of the Global Fund board is the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson. When he announced that the fifth round of funding might be delayed by “five months,” the U.S. was immediately attacked by pressure groups for not doing enough. The Global AIDS Alliance accused President George W. Bush of crippling the fund by harboring “an irrational hatred toward all things U.N.-related.” European newspapers reported these attacks gleefully.
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The G-8 group of nations declared last year that the fund should get $3 billion a year, with French President Jacques Chirac proposing $1 billion from Europe, $1 billion from the United States, and $1 billion from other countries.

But since European nations have not donated their share, the U.S. has so far paid more than its share — its support has been as high as 37 percent and is currently at 35 percent, exceeding the originally proposed 33 percent. When Congress agreed to the funding, it capped U.S. support at a third of the total level, not wanting to end up funding the vast majority of a supposedly global effort. As Thompson says: “If other countries were as generous as [the U.S.], we would not be in the situation we are in right now.”

Europeans have defended their stinginess mainly by complaining about America’s faith-based approach. U.S. policymakers insist that abstinence and education are as important a part of disease control as condom delivery, and the evidence shows this to be true. But the truth has not stopped European activists from excusing their governments’ refusals to grant funding on the grounds that they object to American policies.

Such carping at American largesse and annoyance at U.S. demands for accountability demonstrate that the rest of the world is happy to pay lip service to AIDS relief, but is neither serious about funding it nor about making sure that the funded interventions work.

The entire column is a good read, and well worth the time. Additionally, This is London has an article that details similar problems.

Britain attacks EU over Aids

Britain today rounded on the European Union for its paltry contribution to fighting Aids.

Speaking on World Aids Day, International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said the EU spent only £13.5 million on research into the disease last year compared with £224 million spent by the US.

While Americans give generously in the fight against AIDS, we are criticized. The Europeans get a free pass.

It is not unlike Iraq. Americans are giving copious amounts of blood and treasure to secure democracy, prosperity and freedom in Iraq, and are roundly criticized by populations and governments that have, in the entirety of their history, done next to nothing to secure the spread of such things.