A cartoon with an AIDS reality check!

I came across this cartoon this weekend and once again found myself reading about the recent statements made by the Pope concerning abstinence and fidelity as a measure to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. I find it amusing that people are so surprised that this is the message from the Vatican church. It is not a new attitude or sentiment that the Catholic church formulates concerning the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, I do find the title of this caricature; 'the Pope tours Africa', very amusing. I find this amusing because it is not only the Pope or the Catholic church that 'tours Africa' on a mission with their own self-interested messages, but also leaders and international figures. For example, George W. Bush, while President of the United States executed a foreign aid policy concerning HIV/AIDS funding on 'conditionality'. By this I mean conditions that must be met in order to receive financial aid, such as promoting the Bush policy of abstinence as the vaccine for HIV/AIDS. This is the unfortunate truth behind international aid and foreign policies. Most of the time these foreign policies are backed by self interests and any sort of plan of action in regards to aid has to be in some degree rewarding. This is why many times there are nations dying of extreme poverty, hunger and disease and not a finger is lifted but once war and economics come into play many state actors become interested and involved.