Ahem...its been two weeks since my last entry. I've been keeping a low profile while the whole mess associated with Hurricane Katrina has manifested itself. The event has come in a sensitive time during my campaign---so I've spent many days thinking about what to do, where to go, what is my next step, and so forth. Strategically speaking, its an additional challenge to be asking for funds for something that is happening in another country and with much less media focus.

I feel torn; I am warmly inspired that Americans are realizing this event with much generosity---offering living space, jobs, emotional support, and medicines on top of financial contributions. Yet, the potential tragedy in Vietnam will greatly shadow Katrina in terms of lives lost and economic fallout. Imagine the costs of maintaining HIV care for an additional 3/4 of a million people. Economically speaking, it is more feasible to attack the factors that contribute to the rapid spread in Vietnam, having the future benefit of saving money on HIV care.

I know and understand that it is challenging to have foresight in the years to come, when many are considering today's problems. I believe that even if the Big Easy has a different face than it did before, it's spirit is a beautiful one, and will definitely rebuild itself in a galvanizing way. New Orleans will be back, and with an ever richer saga in its young history.

Continue the giving...