[caveat emptor]

I mostly agree with you, but differ somewhat on this point:

The high profile people involved with the AIDS lobby have diverted much money from cancer research by pleading for more AIDS money.

Funds for Nixon's anti-cancer initiative were running out, there was little success in prevention and cure, there was little chance of renewal of funds, and an army of cancer researchers were about to be left high and dry. Far from diverting money from cancer research, the Aids lobby provided a much needed (from the researchers point of view) infusion of cash.

[originalbuckeye]

In my career I have seen childhood leukemia go from a highly fatal disease to a cancer that now has a high survivability rate. Cancer research is gaining ground on may cancers. I agree that diversion was a much better word. I am looking forward to more curative medicines in the years to come.