2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsBad timing for depressing idea with good intentions
Jerry Garretson
Issue date: 12/4/07 Section: Opinion
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Is it just me or is World AIDS Day the most depressing day ever? What a way to kick off December, with Anti-Christmas. No food, no presents, just constant coverage of dying people and bad music… U2 has apparently licensed their catalogue for use by the entire continent of Africa
I hate AIDS coverage. It isn't that I don't care about AIDS victims - I do. It's just, what the hell am I supposed to do about it? I mean, I know, for the cost of a cup of coffee, or a hamburger, or a pack of cigarettes or whatever, I can get my own foster child, but, dude. Kids? I'm struggling with a cat. And if I just send money, what kind of step-father am I?
President Bush called for faith to aid against AIDS. Always appropriate, he painted a strangely militant picture: "Faith-based groups are the foot soldiers in the armies of compassion… They are helping to defeat this epidemic, one soul at a time." Like… killing people? I think the message was, if you pray hard enough, God cures the AIDS. Can someone get a memo to Magic Johnson? Maybe an e-mail? No-look-pass?
It makes me wonder about the recovery rates of prayer versus prescription medication. I mean, I know how I'm betting, I'd just like to see the hard numbers.
I find it admirable that Bush still has so much faith, but it may be bad news for the infected. I mean, he said faith was the ticket for the war in Iraq, sex-ed, his legacy and I'm pretty sure global warming. It would seem Bush's faith is the kiss of death.
Also celebrating, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "spiritually close" to AIDS sufferers. Is that a comment on Catholicism? Because, if so, that's awesome. Benny, you may look creepy and evil, but you have a sly sense of humor.
It's interesting, too, that he's so close with AIDS sufferers, considering the Catholic Church's anti-condom teachings actually contribute to the epidemic. (Best verse in the Bible: Genesis 38:9)
Slightly related, I want to say, that I hate AIDS ribbons. I mean, if you bought one and the proceeds went to research or aid, that's cool. But, I used to work at a store that had an entire counter of assorted ribbon merchandise for sale, and I know not a cent went to anyone but the owner.
I hate AIDS coverage. It isn't that I don't care about AIDS victims - I do. It's just, what the hell am I supposed to do about it? I mean, I know, for the cost of a cup of coffee, or a hamburger, or a pack of cigarettes or whatever, I can get my own foster child, but, dude. Kids? I'm struggling with a cat. And if I just send money, what kind of step-father am I?
President Bush called for faith to aid against AIDS. Always appropriate, he painted a strangely militant picture: "Faith-based groups are the foot soldiers in the armies of compassion… They are helping to defeat this epidemic, one soul at a time." Like… killing people? I think the message was, if you pray hard enough, God cures the AIDS. Can someone get a memo to Magic Johnson? Maybe an e-mail? No-look-pass?
It makes me wonder about the recovery rates of prayer versus prescription medication. I mean, I know how I'm betting, I'd just like to see the hard numbers.
I find it admirable that Bush still has so much faith, but it may be bad news for the infected. I mean, he said faith was the ticket for the war in Iraq, sex-ed, his legacy and I'm pretty sure global warming. It would seem Bush's faith is the kiss of death.
Also celebrating, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "spiritually close" to AIDS sufferers. Is that a comment on Catholicism? Because, if so, that's awesome. Benny, you may look creepy and evil, but you have a sly sense of humor.
It's interesting, too, that he's so close with AIDS sufferers, considering the Catholic Church's anti-condom teachings actually contribute to the epidemic. (Best verse in the Bible: Genesis 38:9)
Slightly related, I want to say, that I hate AIDS ribbons. I mean, if you bought one and the proceeds went to research or aid, that's cool. But, I used to work at a store that had an entire counter of assorted ribbon merchandise for sale, and I know not a cent went to anyone but the owner.
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