BLACKS, AIDS AND THEOCONS

Among the best news on HIV lately is the drop in infection rates among African-Americans. Much of the drop can be attributed to needle-exchange programs. The response from the religious right? Here’s the Family Research Council: “The AIDS virus is spread through voluntary behavior. An unlimited supply of needles will not alter behavior patterns of irresponsible and often psychotic addicts.” Now, there’s the spirit of the Gospels. How many lives would have been lengthened and saved if these needle exchange policies had been put in place years ago? How much African-American health is worth FRC’s version of “morality”?