Informed Speculation

Don’t believe me? See for yourself:

Q. 1. I am the adoptive mother of a West African-born child with AIDS. Our family is often asked what the average American can do to make a difference, even the smallest dent, in the fight to control and treat AIDS in Africa. Which organizations in addition to DATA do you point people toward? Which agencies big and small are making the most difference on the ground?

Whenever we listen to U2, my daughter never fails to say, “I like this man’s big voice, and Mom, he fights for Africa!” Heartfelt thanks for your boundless and tireless generosity and evangelization for all Africans!
- Cristina Merlo, New York

A. [Bono] Question No. 1 is the No. 1 question we get asked: “What can I do?” President Truman said something like, “If you give Americans the facts, they will do the right thing.” He was right. But what is the “right” thing? A few ideas: sign up to the One Campaign to Make Poverty History at one.org. You’ll be in the company of 2 million others, and we’re looking for 10 million by the next election. This campaign is not asking for your money, we’re asking for your voice — to tell the president, the people up on Capitol Hill in Washington — that AIDS and extreme poverty is something you want them to pay attention to. I’ve been in meetings in D.C. with people who’ve said they want to do more, but they don’t think their electorate wants them to. The One Campaign is a movement of people who challenge them on that. A movement of people who believe that America is not just a country, but also an idea and at the very center of this idea is the embracing of people who want to be free and equal. These issues we’re discussing today are today’s battleground for equality. (emphasis mine)

It doesn’t get much clearer than that…