Man Washes Naughty Bits, Declares Himself Safe from AIDS

Never mind the fact that the deputy president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, was aquitted this week of raping a family friend who is HIV-positive. I have my doubts that this encounter was consensual, but I'm almost as disturbed by what he testified at the trial.

This man, who was poised to become the next president and may still be (he seems to have come out of the whole affair rather unscathed), testified under oath that he took a shower after having unprotected sex to help reduce his risk of contracting the disease. In a country with the highest rate of HIV-positive citizens IN THE WORLD, where many people believe AIDS is all a big hoax anyway, he might as well have said people could jump out of a plane without a parachute and survive the fall. As long as they have their toothbrush with them of course.

Many of South Africa's leaders have voiced skepticism about AIDS, its causes, and its cures. Zuma is not alone. But it boggles the mind that he can honestly get away with such ignorance and irresponsibility. I hope no one was listening.

Thank God Matt Damon is around to set the record straight.