Posted on 12/01/2006 4:31:47 PM PST by wagglebee
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President George W. Bush pledged that the United States would continue assist international efforts to combat the spread of the HIV virus that causes the AIDS epidemic resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of people. However, he said that abstinence education is the "only sure way" to combat AIDS.
"On World AIDS Day, we underscore our commitment to fight the AIDS pandemic with compassion and decisive action," the president said in a statement released concerning the UN-backed World AIDS Day.
"America leads the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and through the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief we are combating the disease in countries around the world," he said.
However, the president said a comprehensive strategy to combat AIDS would only be effective if abstinence education is a major component.
He said other nations need to adopt the American "ABC approach encouraging abstinence, being faithful, and using condoms, with abstinence as the only sure way to avoid the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS."
The abstinence education efforts have proven very effective in African nations like Uganda. Rev. Sam Lawrence Ruteikara of the Anglican Church of Uganda, who has received funds from the U.S. government, says the abstinence message makes more sense to promote to younger teens than using condoms.
"Why give an alternative and have them take a risk," he told the Associated Press.
"This person doesn't have a sexual partner, so why should I report too much, saying that in case you get a sexual partner, please use a condom. I am saying, please don't get a sexual partner -- don't get involved because it is risky," he explained.
The focus on abstinence has paid dividends where it has been used extensively and Uganda rates of AIDS have gone down during the last decade.
Washington-area investigative writer Carey Roberts wrote in a Washington Times article in late 2004 that Uganda has been using abstinence to combat AIDS for 15 years.
"The results were impressive: the HIV infection rate in Uganda dropped from 15 percent to 5 percent. In 1991, 21 percent of pregnant women had the deadly HIV virus. Ten years later, that figure had dropped to 6 percent," Roberts wrote in the Times article.
In fact, only 6.2% of Ugandans in the 15-49 age group are now HIV-positive, compared with more than 15% in the early 1990s.
Rep. Chris Smith, a pro-life New Jersey congressman, told AP he saw the firsthand results of the abstinence message when he toured Uganda in January.
He said he saw abstinence rallies and volunteers conducting door to door campaigns to help people.
"The good news about the faith-based groups is not only the passion they bring to the work, but it is the moral authority and the extended numbers of volunteers they can mobilize to get the word out," Smith said.
AIDS has killed as many as 25 million people worldwide and infected more than 40 million others since it was discovered 25 years ago.
More than 60 percent of the people infected with the AIDS virus live in sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa has the highest number of HIV-infected people in the world.
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No it ain't, I just heard on an earlier thread that condems was the answer. Why, there is less pregnancy with birth control than there is with abstinance. Please forgive me, but I cannot help but chuckle. Apparently, girls who do not engage in sex get pregnant more often than those who use birth control. Go figure?
And don't forget the old surefire AIDS prevention measure -- wearing a red ribbon!
If you don't wear a red ribbon the you are saying that you want AIDS to kill babies.
Jarrod has AIDES
Look, I am really not trying to offend anyone, but when someone is selling a bill of goods to us that birth control is better than self control, I become very cynical. You have been angry with me in the past, but I am very tired of this baloney. I am tired of Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton etc. being the so called icons of our young. The things they do make me ill and I am no saint... but I am a mom of three and I fear for our kids.
1) Put a quarter between your knees, don't let it fall until your wedding night.
2) On your wedding night, put it in your partners pocket.
3) Never sleep with anyone that does not have your quarter in their pocket.
I do not recall what I was angry with you about, so it couldn't have been that important. :-)
However, I agree with you 100% on this issue.
Therefore, the disease will continue to spiral out of control despite the billions spent & empty rhetoric from international liberals.
Well, you reported me to the admin moderator. I admit I was a little out of line, I just get irritated when I hear about Hollywood anymore. This stuff with Spears today just makes me sick, I hate giving any attention to these people. I don't even watch movies anymore. I used to be young and was starry eyed to the movie actors, but I am no more. Their example sets the ugliest notions to the kids. Whatever happened to real talent and real ability to set an example?
Well, it's obviously no big deal and water under the bridge.
I agree with you 100%. God bless you and your kids.
It's the plain and simple truth.
So I shouldn't give my husband's pants to the neighbor? LOL!
I love your 3 steps! I need to pass them on to my niece!
This message will not go over well with the libs. Okay, so anything the Pres. says leaves a bad taste in their mouth, why should this be any different. Just gives them something else to gripe about.
At our church we've had a big connection with Uganda, including helping to build an orphanage for children of AIDS victims. My husband was really impressed with the ABC policy. However, the next letter is also used. It's sometimes called the ABCorD policy.
A--Abstain, B--Be faithful, C--Use condoms or D--DIE.
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