Last night, I went to a World AIDS day lecture with Julie & Carmi. It was a star-studded affair with Ashley Judd and Bono speaking, as well as four-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. There was also a Ugandan woman who spoke on how AIDS had decimated her family, killing her husband and 6 year old son, and causing one of her oldest sons to run away - and has never been seen again.

This was Ashley Judd's "debut" as an AIDS activist - and all in all it was an informative night. For a more detailed account of the night try this Grand Island Independent news article or this article by the UNL campus newspaper, The Daily Nebraskan, or this Omaha World Herald article.

Several people left after Bono spoke, which was only about a 1/4 into the night. Some seemed disappointed that this wasn't some sort of concert - although the Gateway Ambassadors opened the night and Bono sang a song that him and the rest of U2 are working on at the end. This wasn't some sort of concert - it was people bringing us information and wanting people to show that they do care about what's going on.

One thing that the articles aren't telling you, is the statement that was made that the AIDS epidemic in Africa is also turning heads in our government - but for another reason besides mercy. Some agency (I can't remember if it was CIA or FBI ..) had issued a statement saying that if this continues - a vacuum of power will develop only to be filled with extremists - like Afghanistan. It would be in the US's best interests for national security to prevent this from happening. I wish I had taken notes on this...

I got to thinking - is there something I can do? I've seen other weblogs do things for charity - but there needs to be something besides "throwing pennies at the problem" done. I'll be dwelling on this for awhile - if you've got anyideas, let me know, OK?

For more information, I urge you to visit Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa (DATA)'s home page - the group bringing the Heart of America Tour to the midwest, and a place to start if you are looking on doing something.