Washington D.C.

AND WILL THEY SAY nobody could have foreseen the weakness of the levees?

For the first time, Washington D.C. has collected data on H.I.V. and found that in the nation's capital, the "modern epidemic"—as the Washington Post calls it—is now primarily one affecting blacks.

The numbers most starkly illustrate HIV's impact on the African American community. More than 80 percent of the 3,269 HIV cases identified between 2001 and 2006 were among black men, women and adolescents. Among women who tested positive, a rising percentage of local cases, nine of 10 were African American. [...]

The District's AIDS rate is the worst of any city in the country, nearly twice the rate in New York and more than four times the incidence in Detroit, and it has been climbing faster than that of many jurisdictions. [...]

—Study Calls HIV in D.C. A 'Modern Epidemic'; More Than 80 Percent Of Recent Cases Were Among Black Residents

And big propz must go to the woman who dares try and change the world, as well as shout out the truth as she lives and sees it:

Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Stender has a great invitation for anyone who wants to go from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. to rally in front of the United States Capitol for action on Global Warming. Here's her invitation:

Please join me on Tuesday, March 20th as I bring New Jersey's effort to combat Global Warming to Washington!

I invite you to ride along with me on a bus to Washington, DC where I will be joining the thousands of concerned citizens from around the nation for a rally at the United States Capitol. Your voice will add strength to our message-Global Warming is Real and the Time to Act is Now!

I am proud to be the leader of New Jersey's effort to combat Global Warming by sponsoring "The Global Warming Response Act." This legislation will make New Jersey one of the first states in the nation to establish mandatory reductions on green house gas emissions. I am equally proud to have the opportunity to address the crowd in Washington to tell them about our efforts.

After the rally, you will be provided with a unique opportunity to meet with your Representative in Congress. This is our chance to make sure reversing climate change with a responsible energy agenda is at the top of their To-Do list.

New Jersey has set an example for the nation to follow. Please join me on the 20th and lend your support to this most important cause.

WHEN: March 20, 2007, the bus to Washington will be leaving from the Short Hills Mall at 6 am. The rally begins at 11 am and ends at 1 pm. You will then have the opportunity to meet with your Congressman and then depart from DC around 4 pm.