Fighting the War Against AIDS 
by Travis McSherley

Another war on another terror has been declared by President Bush and, now, the U.S. House of Representatives.

On May 1, the House passed, in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, a bill to set aside $15 billion toward worldwide AIDS relief, particularly in Africa.  This move comes after Bush promised in his State of the Union address such an increase in AIDS funding. 

Yet it is absolutely essential that we spend this aid wisely. 

Money can never win a war on its own.  Increasing the U.S. defense budget, for example, is never going to make a dent in the fight against terrorism unless it is backed by some serious and concerted action.  Iraq was relieved of its evil regime because of a determined use of force, not because we threw money at it. 

And the only way this works is to know exactly who or what the enemy is.  Sept. 11 was allowed to happen because the United States had failed to locate and label our enemies, at least enough to take them seriously.  Only when our leadership finally declared terrorism to be evil and threatening were the proper steps initiated to begin tackling that monster.  The fight against AIDS is no different. 

While AIDS may be an epidemic, it can only thrive when the walls of morality have collapsed. 

To create any impact whatsoever in curbing the spread of this horrific disease requires first understanding the enemy.  HIV, however torturous and awful it may be, cannot be the focus of the attack.  While funds will rightfully be used to treat those who carry the virus, its spread will not be reduced without plainly and clearly admitting where the real threat is -- and that threat is immorality. 
The House nearly dropped the ball on this one.  Fortunately, a couple of late amendments to the bill ensured that at least part of the aid package would be used for proper education.  Now within the House's proposal, a full one-third of the money set aside for AIDS prevention will provide an emphasis on abstinence and monogamy.  This method has already been hugely successful in the African nation of Uganda, where AIDS rates have dropped substantially after use of the "ABC" method: Abstain from sex, Be faithful to one partner, and use Condoms. 

And it cannot come as a surprise that this approach has produced such effective results.  While AIDS may be an epidemic, it can only thrive when the walls of morality have collapsed.  To help rebuild those walls in underdeveloped countries (and at home) is to spare millions of lives the torture of having their bodies ripped apart by disease and pain.  To do anything less is merely to help them die more comfortably. 

Governments and organizations play with fire whenever confronting the AIDS issue.  Well-meaning groups of all ideologies can look very foolish if they do not see the full picture.  Many proclaim the deepest empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, yet they fail to acknowledge the underlying cause of that suffering.  On the other hand, some groups who are highly devoted to an emphasis on family values may appear insensitive to the plight of people already caught by the virus. 

Ultimately, the world is a much better place to live if this vicious illness can be stopped in its tracks.  This is not such a farfetched possibility, but it can only happen if the enemy is clearly identified.  And lest we forget, that enemy is alive and well within the borders of America as well.  We are certainly not immune to AIDS; nor are we free from the depravity that gives it wings.  There is no value in tossing billions of dollars into condom dispersal and treatment efforts without placing equally intense energy into raising moral standards. 

That would be like taking the defense budget and giving it to FEMA.  Sure, cleanup would run quickly and smoothly, but the attacks would continue in a never-ending cycle. 

The assault of AIDS does not look to subside on its own.  But it is a battle that can be won if it is fought properly.  The U.S. government will have made an invaluable investment in this war if it uses its resources not only to treat the ill but also to educate the masses about proper management of the delicate gift of sex.