STUDY: conservatives less than HALF as likely as lefties to have sympathy for AIDS victims

[yurbud]

Whenever a righty says it's a cruel stereotype to call them heartless bigots, you can pull out this McNugget--or the Cowboy's comment about gays in Borat.


Borat says in his country they take gays to prison and just finish them off. The cowboy says that's what we are working toward here.

Study: Americans ambivalent about HIV/AIDS; Conservatives 'less compassionate' to victims

Ron Brynaert
Published: Monday November 27, 2006

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A study conducted by an international Christian child development organization finds that many Americans are ambivalent about the world's HIV/AIDS crisis, with nearly two-fifths admitting to having difficulty sympathizing with victims, RAW STORY has found.

***

When asked if they "have more sympathy for people who have cancer than you do for people who have HIV or AIDS because you feel most of those with HIV/AIDS got the disease as a result of their decisions or lifestyles," thirty-nine percent of the people polled agreed strongly or somewhat.

***

"Demonstrating that these issues have been co-opted by political considerations, easily the most significant gap related to sociopolitical ideology," the study says. "Political conservatives (50%) were twice as likely as liberals (23%) to say that they have less compassion for those with the 'lifestyle' disease."

"Also, Republicans’ lack of sympathy outpaces that of Democrats (45% versus 34%, respectively)," the study adds.


FULL TEXT:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Study_Americans_ambivalent_about_HIVAIDS_crisis_1127.html

[Tight_rope]

1. Just wait until is creeps up on their door steps.

[Avalux]

2. From personal experience -

I've worked in HIV/AIDS research for years - it would be IMPOSSIBLE for those taking care of HIV positive individuals to be conservative; wouldn't be able to do it. Those I work with are all good liberals. One has to have compassion in this field.

As far as the general population; it's easy to pass judgment on those who have HIV infection - conservatives (and others too) get all caught up in the social stigmas surrounding the disease. It's very complicated.

[yurbud]

4. and none of the cons drink, smoke, eat stuff that will give them a heart attack...

[Nite Owl]

3. The whole conservative mindset

is based on selfishness. What has this group ever done that is good for America? They are always against something wanting to take something away or punish the weakest and those in need. Unless it affects them or their families directly they don't care. Look at Nancy Reagan, why does she want stem cell research? Only because of her Ronnie, if it were someone elses husband or loved one they would be ignored and it would only be wasted money.

[yurbud]

5. I don't think they go as far as "what good have they done." Just get to caveman level:

"Unnhhh! Different! Bad! Ogg fear! Must kill!"

Same logic applies to immigration. If you agree with righties that there should be limits, but suggest looking at penalizing EMPLOYERS as well as shooting people coming across the border, they show their true colors and go right back to "they use up all the welfare and won't learn English..."

[MuseRider]

6. My experience with HIV/AIDS

is that there is a huge lack of consideration and compassion throughout the population. I have liberal friends who shunned me while I was dealing with my brother who had AIDS. Many still will not have a lot to do with me because I have chosen to be a strong supporter of equality and our AIDS project here. Not to burst any bubbles but lack of compassion does not fall to one political party.

[Iris]

7. if your friends shunned you because your an AIDS activits, I'd be willing to put forth the idea that

they are not liberal at all.

[MuseRider]

8. Nope

just very uninformed and religious (their church says to not hate gays but change them) but very liberal everywhere else. I KNOW a liberal when I interact with one, I seriously doubt I would have made that mistake but if y'all need to feel better about yourselves as a group go ahead. I was just talking about my experience. It is not pretty and tied up in a neat little red or blue bow.

[Iris]

11. well, I think it is.

So being oblivious to the plight of a person stricken with an illness, they are NOT hating?

[MuseRider]

14. I am not certain

what you are saying here. Are you implying that liberals do not hate or are not sometimes oblivious to the plight of someone else? Seriously? Like we are perfect or something?

Please correct me if that is not what you meant, I am sitting here shaking my head.

I have never been able to see a political line drawn in compassion. I was an ICU nurse for years and I can't believe that everyone working there was a liberal but I can tell you that everyone there had care and compassion no matter what the person suffered from.

[EFerrari]

13. My experience has been very similar. It's messy. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

9. God

I work on a transplant unit. We have knife edge ethical dilemma's/decisions confronting us every day. Hepatitis C, cause for half of all ruined livers-- I've seen in Sunday school teachers who had no clue to how they got it, to people who shot dope 20 years ago or were transfused, to people with more recent drug usage. There are other causes for liver failure of course and livers aren't all we do on my unit by no means. We're a surgical floor after all. I've seen self proclaimed conservative patients after surgeries for what could be considered lifestyle choices as well.

But looking past causes, and treating the suffering person is what we do. Providing hope, cheer leading, bullying, teaching, whatever it takes for a successful outcome for these people. How can I judge who should be transplanted? Not after what I've seen and experienced. There is nothing, and I mean nothing black and white in this area.

HIV/AIDS, is a disease, like HCV one can get through lifestyle choices, sure. But anyone who really knows, and I mean really knows what it's like to die of or suffer from, HIV/AIDS, and continues to withhold compassion and sympathy is sick. I'm sorry, but there's is no other way to put it. Just sick in the head. I don't give a shit how the disease was contracted.

[phantom power]

10. Conservatives are less than 1/2 as likely to have sympathy for *anybody*

[fujiyama]

12. Typical of conservatives

and all too typical of fanatical American evangelicism, which has little to do with compassion, and everything to do with establishing a theocracy at home and wielding political power to enrich the wealthy.

Fuck them. I really hate these fundies.

[mom cat]

15. K&R

[Anakin Skywalker]

16. Does Not Surprise Me. CONservatives Have Zero Compassion for Anyone, Period!