October 2005 Archives

With the recent scandals emerging from Washington D.C. it once again becomes painfully obvious that our political system is in dire need of a makeover. This is not an issue of Republican vs. Democrat as both parties are equally guilty of subverting the will of the public. While the Founding Fathers laid a remarkable foundation for this country, it needs to be brought into the 21st Century. Remarkable changes have occurred in technology, that amplify some of the original framework shortcomings and necessitate changes to take into account, the use of that technology. The America of 2005 is very different from the America of 1776 and it’s time that we start to reflect those changes in the way we elect our government, as well as in how they govern.

Maybe the time has come to start asking some hard questions regarding the role that drugs, community and sex play in HIV infections. We’ve come so far, but as increasing infection rates show, we are still missing something in the gay community. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but I know it involves all of the above.

When I read the Forums, I am often dismayed at the self-depreciating attitude of many of the posters and I wonder if they realize how unfair they are being to themselves. Just because you have not walked in another’s shoes, does not stop you from offering support, in whatever fashion that you can. To denigrate yourself because you deem your support to be less than ideal is just foolish. The sooner you learn to be accepting and forgiving of yourself, for just being human, the sooner you will start to see those traits in others. You offer support based on your ability and not as a reflection of the caliber of your heart or soul. So stop worrying about what type of support you have to offer, rather recognize the power that support will have on others. Often it is not what you say, just that you say something in support of another, so stop minimizing yourself.

I gauge the quality of my life based on what I experience, as opposed to what I perceive myself to be missing. Often perspective is everything.

To all of you looking for love I submit that you stop looking for love and instead look for contentment. I know too many people who lament their lack of a love interest, but seem to overlook their overall contentment. Many of us seem to be so conditioned that we should have a love interest that we often miss our satisfaction with what we already have. Sure, having a special someone is great, but don’t let someone else dictate what makes you happy. Love may only come along once in a lifetime, whereas contentment can be lurking around every corner.

How is it that many Christians can vote to discriminate against their gay neighbors, those same neighbors that their God commands them to love?

I believe that the only way for us to effectively address the HIV pandemic will require that strong bridges be built amongst all segments of the HIV community. Whether it be the need to ensure adequate funding, or prevention efforts, we can’t expect to keep making progress unless we are willing to change the way we do battle. In fighting or ignoring segments does nothing to advance the overall cause of halting infections, securing treatment and encouraging research. Until all segments of this pandemic are willing to stand up and not be ignored, the fight against HIV will remain a fragmented, fairly ineffective battle. We can certainly do better.

How do you convince a spiritual person that having HIV is not a divine retribution from their God, when their own family, community and church tell them it is so?

How can we be surprised by terrorist activities that are reflections of our own actions, except under different names? Isn’t it wrong to force your views on others, no matter what the means? Whether it is the bombing of innocents, or condemning the innocent to death from a lack of HIV medications, is that so different? Or is one just easier for us to stomach?

Those of us who truly enjoy life are grateful, that while we might not always get what we want, we often get just what we need.

Just some more random thoughts.