Shady AIDS Charity Ads On Front Page Of USA Today

You'd think in the 21st century most American's would be immune to the 19th century "snake oil " salesman. You would be wrong.

Just watch TV late night and see the parade of demonstrably bogus products being touted for everything from Arthritis cures to "male enhancement", whatever that is. Most of these products are classified as "Herbal Supplements", a sneaky classification that puts them on the fringe of real medicine and yet having some kind of cache of authenticity.

These products are usually a blend of well known herbs that have little or anecdotal effect on the miladies they are intended to treat, and the labels make sure you know that no medical claims are made...but plenty are implied in the TV ads! Just ask Smiling Bob!

OK so this was a long route to get to the point, and that's why I am not a journalist. USA today carries an ad on its web site that promotes "The Center for AIDS Prevention". Sounds like a good thing, and by the name alone you might even consider making a contribution. Here's the catch, the Center for AIDS Prevention is a front.

Created as a money making venture by an herbal supplement marketer whose previous product was touted as a replacement for anti-retroviral therapy. Say what?

Yup. This alleged foundation claimed on its web site to have had a history of "Fighting the HIV Epidemic for over 20 Years". That claim is a lie, and according to the group's PR guy it is coming down from the site. Worse still is the "advice" for prevention that the site carries. In one paragraph it states clearly that birth control pills help stem the spread of AIDS. Most kids in high school can tell you that one is false.

The real crime, and I am convinced that is the appropriate word here, is that this dubious charity is sapping funds from "real" non-profits that are in desperate need of money.

The larger implication is that you don't need any credentials or facts to set up a sham charity in this country or to sell a bottle of colored water as a miracle cure. Such is the legacy of deregulation and something that must be addressed by the new administration as they try to clean up the mess left by 8 years of Bush/Cheney.

Meanwhile, I have a new "male enhancement" product I'd like to sell you. It is a secret blend of di-hydrogen oxide and C₁₂H₂₂O_{11. Guaranteed to put a little pep in your pants!}