are you sure the author writes for the NYT? Since when have they reported that responsible behavior could prevent tragedy? With them it's always been "do whatever you like and shame on the government for not providing a safety net and/or picking up the pieces." Personal responsibility has never been something they've espoused.

It is so sad to me that knowledge exists to prevent the spread of AIDS but humans are not willing to protect themselves from this miserable condition. Knowing and doing are so far apart on this issue. All the treatment programs and all the money in the world is not enough to protect mankind from their own foolishness. Agency, or choice, is the only way AIDS will ever be contained. People have the opportunity to protect themselves by their choices, but some refuse to do so.

I realize that smallpox, measles, polio, and other terrible killers have taken years to control, even with effective vaccines. Some people refuse the vaccine. If there was a certifiable way to keep yourself from getting cancer or heart disease I wonder how many people would pay the price to avoid these disasterous illnesses.

Personal choice and taking the responsibility for those choices is a tough lesson to learn.

Our government is guilty of the same policies. That's why the Utah AIDS Foundation turned down Federal Funding this year, because the Feds objected to the use of the word or images of condoms in their ad campaigns. Also, you cannot discuss condom usages in school sex ed classes. So, how can you act surprised by this??