Can We Talk? Please?

No, I'm not trying to imitate or emulate Joan Rivers with her routines but I'd really like to take a few moments of your time to talk about something that I think is one of the biggest issues facing society today. And, maybe, just maybe from reading this and another blogger's post here, it might help save someone's life too - maybe even yours!

The subject is one that many people - even after twenty years since this was first noticed on the radar screen of medical researchers is still a very misunderstood thing and often, way too often, it either joked about or discussions on it are TABU!

I'm referring here to the epidemic known as AIDS.

This disease, once believed to affect only gay men, is no longer regarded in that manner as it strikes young, old, gay, straight - all races, ethnic groups - no one is truly safe from this illness. There are ways that it can be prevented but these do require several things - precautions, safe sex practices, and educating yourself as to how easily people can be infected by the HIV virus.

I'm not going to go into detail here about the who, what, where, how of AIDS.

I am however asking that you please read the blog - shown on my "Blogs I Like To Read List" and called "Reading Rucker. (readingrucker.blogspot.com) My friend and author, Linda Rucker, has posted an excellent piece there with very valuable information about this epidemic - and yes folks, it is an epidemic and is growing by leaps and bounds every day!

Linda, along with another writer friend, Mike Morris, whose blog "The_Author_Mike" freewebs.com/the_author_mike/ also appears in my list of favorites, are joining forces and resources in a concerted effort to try to raise awareness and yes, money too, towards the treatment and/or prevention of this illness.

Please, please, pretty please with sugar on it - stop by Linda's blog and read about ways this illness can and is being spread, methods that can be used to reverse the spread of AIDS and learn some of the plans Linda and Mike are working on in a great undertaking of the group - W.H.A.T. (Writers Helping with AIDS Treatment) to do whatever they can to help combat this scourge.

And please too, spread the word to your family and friends about Linda's blog, about her book "Dark Ridge" from which she has pledged to donate 40 percent of her profit from each sale to combat AIDS spread and helping those already affected/infected by it.

The message you spread and the life you save by doing this could very well be that of a family member, close friend or who knows, maybe even your own.