Submitted by Yao Yao Chen, Jul 30, 2007 18:05

Too bad all the evidence points the other direction. Since the prostitution pledge has been put in place, there is overwhelmingly conclusive evidence that it worsens the HIV/AIDS pandemic and doesn't in any way reduce prostitution. Just like with the Global Gag Rule, this is just the Bush administration taking a short-sighted moral stance without realizing the consequences, simply to make themselves feel good and righteous. And while we place ourselves high on our moral pedestal, millions continue to die around the world due to our policies. Oh, and AIDS cannot be transmitted through a properly used condom. In fact, the only sources from which I've heard the "AIDS is smaller than sperm and will go through the condom" theory have been conservative Catholic organizations (opposed to contraception for religious reasons, and thus making them uniquely biased) and the Pope himself (certainly a credible scientific source). Again, overwhelmingly conclusive evidence indicates condoms most certainly do work when properly used. And sure: inevitably prostitutes will get AIDS through a misproperly used condom, but that's hardly a reason to reject condoms altogether; that's a reason to increase funding for education and distribution of quality reliable condoms. The prostitution pledge is simply religious ideology trumping pragmatic solutions. So much for the separation of church and state, huh?

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