Oakland, CA, USA - In the second part of this series on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the goal to attempt to provide a global overview of its affects, approaches that are being used to address the spread of the disease and perspective on why everyone everywhere should educate themselves about its impact.

There is not much of what will be reported here that is not grim, sad or troubling. Because I've tried to be comprehensive in my gatherings of the facts, this article will be far longer than readers are likely used to reading at G21 and that our publisher advises is a suitable length for a Web-based article. I apologize, in advance. for its length.

I shall try to begin on some up-lifting notes before presenting the catalogue of facts and figures from around the globe.

In an item with the title "Cabbies in South England City to Hand Out Condoms" distributed by Agence France Presse on August 10, 2005, one finds a moment to smile at how people think about prevention, provided by a well-known company.

"As part of a new sexual health initiative, taxi drivers in the seaside resort of Brighton will hand out free condoms to late-night passengers. The 'Safe Ride Home' program, sponsored by condom manufacturer Trojan, will provide the Brighton-based Radio Cabs with some 60,000 condoms to give to any passengers who ask. 'After a night out, many people find themselves in a position where they do not have condoms and often decide to take a risk. By making Trojan available en route to home, there is no excuse and the embarrassment factor of "have you got a condom" is removed,' said a spokesperson for Trojan, which is owned by Church and Dwight. From 10:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays -- typically the busiest nights of the week -- anyone inquiring will receive a black envelope containing two condoms and a pamphlet on contraception."

Berkeley, CA, USA - Moving is always stressful. Eviction is even more stressful. In Michael Moore's film, "Roger & Me," one of the most heartbreaking scenes (of many) is when the sheriff comes to evict a family on a gray, damp Christmas Eve. The children are screaming and crying, the parents are yelling at the deputy who is saying, "I come to put you out." His cavalier tone of voice is less than human, revealing that he's just glad he's employed in the town where GM had suddenly removed 35,000 jobs from the Flint economy. Eviction is ugly, mean and sad. Eviction is a grave tragedy that traumatizes everyone involved, especially children.

The eviction of settlers from the Gaza strip this week calls all of this to mind. In no uncertain terms, the settlers are victims. Regardless of where one stands on the rights of the Palestinians to re-inhabit their land, Israeli settlers who bought into the ideology and agenda of the Israeli right, feel betrayed by their leaders. No one wishes to be forced out of their homes. The younger generations have never known any home but the one they're leaving. The older generations feel betrayed by political leaders who commanded them to settle the Arab lands for over 35 years, and now are ordering them out. Everyone feels a sense of tragedy and betrayal. They are angry at their government and leaders.

More to the point, they're angry at the Arabs who want to reclaim their land. Departing settlers are taking great care to destroy anything of function or value that can't be hauled out. The army is going them one better by staying to raze all structures as the final step of the pull out. Is this really necessary? ... READ MORE


KEN KAMOCHE ON AFRICAN DEBT:

Hong Kong, CHINA - The dust has now settled on the G8 Forum. The jamboree is over and the powerful leaders have gone away to deal with more pressing national matters. Perhaps they are congratulating themselves on having struck a blow against poverty for their African cousins. It is time to take a sober look at what summit meetings like that at Gleneagles really mean for Africa in the long term.

The blow that was struck, for a start, doubling aid to $50 billion in five years' time, has been described by some as too little too late. If it was to make any impact it should have been effective right away. Five years is a long time to wait when millions are dying of preventable disease and poverty across the continent.

But to me there's another crucial question, which is what did Africa really expect either from these powerful leaders or Band Aid artists like Bob Geldof who didn't even seem to realize that Africa has produced 'world artists' for the main Live 8 features? That. in itself, was a sad reminder that Africa cannot take anything for granted, which includes foreign aid, whether it comes in the form of cash or emotional goodwill. The question as to whose interests are really being served remains moot.