I never thought I'd ponder this question. Do you think if we asked Bill Gates nicely he might become a Canadian citizen and run for Prime Minister of Canada? Watching Bill and Melinda at the AIDs conference yesterday, one could only be left with the impression that these two care what happens to the world's poor. When Stephen "Steve" Harper decided to give the conference a miss and go as far as possible from Toronto while staying in Canada, he made a statement about his priorities: Tackling a disease that has killed tens of thousands of Canadians and millions elsewhere does not concern him. We have to wonder why. What would cause a consummate politician like Harper to make this statement?

Whatever the answer, the Gates family is committed to advancing the human condition without playing politics. We thanks them for their work to benefit everyone, not only conservatives, liberals, blacks, whites, rich, poor . . .

UPDATE

BBC.com has a video excerpt taken today at Toronto's AIDs conference of Bill Gates and Bill Clinton discussing how we can work together to more effectively tackle AIDs. Leadership, says former US President Bill Clinton, is essential. Now, if you were the Prime Minister of Canada, wouldn't you want to be sitting between that pair?

1. Actually, I prefer my Prime Minister to govern rather than take photo-ops with has-beens.

   Posted by  on  08/14  at  06:34 PM

2. I’m not sure I understand the “has-beens” reference. Whether or not you agree politically, these are two immensely accomplished, influential, and articulate people. They are DOING something about a problem that has, for example, killed or hurt more people than any other issue—political or otherwise—I can think of.

   Posted by  on  08/14  at  06:46 PM

3. Watching Bill Gates speak at the opening of the AIDs conference caused be to leap about and talk loudly and emphatically. Mr. Gates spoke plainly, openly, rationally, logically and constructively. This is the rarest of things in the media today. We have so much media and so little content. I applaud Mr. Gates for his foresight and dedication. Bill Gates for Prime Minister, OK, just as long as Stephen Lewis get a cabinet post.
   (I still hate Windows)

   Posted by  on  08/14  at  07:43 PM

4. I don’t usually feel ashamed to be a Canadian because of something one of our elected officials have done, but this is one of them, and maybe the worst example. Fucking shameful.

   The dustbin of history is waiting for Stephen Harper right now.

   Posted by Shawn Micallef  on  08/16  at  05:46 AM

5. Shameful? Had Harper shown up you’d be the first one to whine that he’s exploiting the situation for PR purposes. Clinton has been parading around these conferences for 15 years yet the AIDS problem has actually gotten worse. Speaking of dustbins of history, what’s Clinton going to be remembered for if not for getting blow jobs from White House interns. At least Harper isn’t bullshiting anyone – he knows that this convention is nothing more than a gathering of leftist do-gooders desperately seeking attention.

   Posted by Andrew Eno  on  08/16  at  09:37 PM

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