The Secret War on Condoms
Editorial Desk | January 10, 2003, Friday
 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F5091FFA355A0C738DDDA80894DB404482

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF (NYT) 759 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 23 , Column 6

ABSTRACT - Nicholas D Kristof Op-Ed column says conservative groups in Pres Bush's support base have launched disinformation campaign about effectiveness of condoms that, if successful, could lead to millions of deaths from AIDS around world; says they do not realize that disparaging condoms is far more likely to discourage their use than to discourage sex; says Bush has not fully signed on to campaign against condoms, but there have been some alarming signs that he may do so; says condoms are flawed but far better than nothing; says every few minutes 28 people around world die of AIDS (M) Three thousand years ago an amorous Egyptian couple (probably libidinous liberals) experimented with a linen pouch, producing the world's first known condom. Some right-wingers still haven't gotten over it.

Over the last few years conservative groups in President Bush's support base have declared war on condoms, in a campaign that is downright weird -- but that, if successful, could lead to millions of deaths from AIDS around the world.