hummalumma
07-14-2004, 02:04 AM
I wish he did not say this. But I guess he used it as a reference to the seriousness of the AIDS epidemic plaguing the world today. It does however put the Tibetan issue in a lesser light and perhaps it would have been better for Gere to use another reference. As Tibet's greatest publicized proponent, it is quite unfortunate in my eyes. I believe that in the entire history of man (recorded literature), about 3000 years, less than 10% was spent NOT fighting. If the world fails to support Tibet, I'm afraid apathy will rule the next 3000 years of mankind.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
1. Richard Gere says fighting AIDS more important than Tibet issue (AFP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANGKOK, 14 July, (AFP) - Hollywood movie star Richard Gere said the AIDS
(news - web sites) fight was more important to him than the Tibet issue,
adding he had wept for the plight of infected youths since arriving here for
a global summit.
"I found myself in the last few days getting very teary about this and in
the middle of the night I started crying and it all came back to me," Gere
told reporters at the 15th International AIDS Conference which began Sunday.
"This has been a very emotional time for me, it has kind of snuck up on me,"
said Gere, adding that many of his friends in the entertainment world had
been infected by the deadly virus.
The Buddhist movie star said that while he remained firmly committed to his
much publicized campaign for an independent Tibet and his support for its
exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, AIDS was the biggest single threat
to the planet.
"The most important (issue) is this one, to this planet, to this time and
place is AIDS," he said.
Gere made the comments during a discussion on AIDS awareness and the media,
taking a swipe at tough media censorship on condom awareness under the Bush
administration.
"We may well have hopefully another administration in about four months in
the US and along with that some sanity on this subject," Gere said.
The actor is one of a handful of celebrities including US soul singer Dionne
Warwick, British actor Rupert Everett, Australian Miss Universe (news - web
sites) Jennifer Hawkins and Hong Kong singer Coco Lee who have joined about
17,000 delegates at the AIDS summit, which is entitled "Access for All".
Some 38 million people are currently living with HIV (news - web sites) and
the UN has warned of an explosion in cases in Asia and Eastern Europe unless
immediate action is taken.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
1. Richard Gere says fighting AIDS more important than Tibet issue (AFP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
BANGKOK, 14 July, (AFP) - Hollywood movie star Richard Gere said the AIDS
(news - web sites) fight was more important to him than the Tibet issue,
adding he had wept for the plight of infected youths since arriving here for
a global summit.
"I found myself in the last few days getting very teary about this and in
the middle of the night I started crying and it all came back to me," Gere
told reporters at the 15th International AIDS Conference which began Sunday.
"This has been a very emotional time for me, it has kind of snuck up on me,"
said Gere, adding that many of his friends in the entertainment world had
been infected by the deadly virus.
The Buddhist movie star said that while he remained firmly committed to his
much publicized campaign for an independent Tibet and his support for its
exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, AIDS was the biggest single threat
to the planet.
"The most important (issue) is this one, to this planet, to this time and
place is AIDS," he said.
Gere made the comments during a discussion on AIDS awareness and the media,
taking a swipe at tough media censorship on condom awareness under the Bush
administration.
"We may well have hopefully another administration in about four months in
the US and along with that some sanity on this subject," Gere said.
The actor is one of a handful of celebrities including US soul singer Dionne
Warwick, British actor Rupert Everett, Australian Miss Universe (news - web
sites) Jennifer Hawkins and Hong Kong singer Coco Lee who have joined about
17,000 delegates at the AIDS summit, which is entitled "Access for All".
Some 38 million people are currently living with HIV (news - web sites) and
the UN has warned of an explosion in cases in Asia and Eastern Europe unless
immediate action is taken.