Organizing your writing life

WORLD AIDS DAY: With the little media attention it received in this country, you would never know that 6,000 people died today in Africa from AIDS and 1,300 were children. The pandemic continues to grow. The BBC reported today that the US refuses to allow African nations to buy cheaper drugs, but must buy FDA approved drugs at a higher rate. This is the kind bullshit that will see another 8 million dead in South Africa alone before the end of the decade. First it was Dubya's forcing his moral values on Africa saying that only abstinence-based (read "faith-based') organizations were eligible for funding, now Dubya is helping to line the pockets of the drug companies. The bottom line for the next four years will be Dubya and Cheney (if he lives) making sure they have filled as many of their own and their buddies coffers as possible.

Southern Voice newspaper reported this week that some hick Alabama Republican wants to ban all books, plays and magazines that portray gays in a positive light or have any kind of gay content at all. With the christian right in full control of the south, I wouldn't be surprised if this passed in Alabama. Truman and Tennessee must spinning in their graves. Southern Voice also had an interesting article on gays and lesbians who want to expatriate themselves to other countries. Canada seems to be the easiest bet, but Europe is tightening up its immigration laws to make it almost impossible. If I'm going to move to England in the next five years, I'm gonna have to get a better book deal.