Pandemic

I've just finished reading Mr. Lewis's "Pandemic"and frankly I'm appalled at the lack of high quality aid being supplied to African countries during this time of great need. While we sit in our cozy living rooms, thousands of people die because of AIDS. Mr. Lewis noted in his lecture that when he visited Africa in the 60's there was definitely poverty rampant, but everyone seemed to have food. These days if you were to walk through the streets of Ethiopia, you would see starvation everywhere you turn. Mr. Lewis does however notice the things that are being done to combat the AIDS pandemic. Doctors without borders is a great start, but more needs to be done. If the AIDS pandemic is to be stopped or even treated, the wealthy westerners are going to have to dig a little deeper when they donate. There has to be a way in which the bright minds out in the western world can come up with new advances in technology to help make the lives of the African's easier. As Mr. Lewis said, even having healthy nutrition is a huge help to fighting off AIDS. He even coined a phrase "If the body has nothing to eat, then the virus will eat the body". This is a terrible thing to have to realize. The things we take for granted in our lives, even the simplest meal, is enough to make the lives of many African families many times easier. So I ask you, the curious reader, what can we do to help? Can we make a difference? 

Margaret Atwood's Letter to America

I just finished reading Margaret Atwood's "Letter to America" and I can't quite understand how she has so much insight into the modern world. I've read a couple of her books and each time I am amazed that the conclusions she draws are so apt and conceivable. Specificlly when she refers to America's current strategy with the conflicts overseas, as a slippery slope, she's right on the button. I don't know how many of you have read any of the news about what's going on over there, but in my opinion it's almost like they're taking one step forward and three steps back. I may not really be old enough to know how America was before the gulf war or the cuban missile crisis, but from what I've read, it was't all about the quest for the bigger stick. Ms. Atwood refers to all the pleasent things that have come out of the United States, and I must admit, it's hard to imagine an Americawithout all the turmoil that they experience today. I wonder, as does Ms. Atwood, when will things go back to the way they used to be? Is it even possible to go back to the way things were?