Better late than never, Hillary

"This week, at Nancy Reagan's funeral, I said something inaccurate when speaking about the Reagans' record on HIV and AIDS."

Thus began Hillary Clinton's belated real apology, after the terse unempathic retraction didn't silence her aggrieved critics (see post below).  Hillary continues:  "Since then, I've heard from countless people who were devastated by the loss of friends and loved ones, and hurt and disappointed by what I said. As someone who has also lost friends and loved ones to AIDS, I understand why. I made a mistake, plain and simple. . . .

"To be clear, the Reagans did not start a national conversation about HIV and AIDS. That distinction belongs to generations of brave lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, along with straight allies, who started not just a conversation but a movement that continues to this day.

'The AIDS crisis in America began as a quiet, deadly epidemic. Because of discrimination and disregard, it remained that way for far too long. When many in positions of power turned a blind eye, it was groups like ACT UP, Gay Men's Health Crisis and others that came forward to shatter the silence -- because as they reminded us again and again, Silence = Death. They organized and marched, held die-ins on the steps of city halls and vigils in the streets. They fought alongside a few courageous voices in Washington, like U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, who spoke out from the floor of Congress."

She then goes on to mention the other unsung heroes whose courage "-- and refusal to accept silence as the status quo -- saved lives."   She contrasted the earlier silence with how the Clinton administration, as well as she as senator and Secretary of State, had worked to make progress.   And they did, starting with having two HIV positive speakers at the convention that nominated Bill in 1992, and culminating with her work on the global problem of AIDS as Secretary of State.

Thanks, Hillary.

Ralph