Oh Good Lord, Pope. Really??????????

"Radio host Don Imus believes stress may have contributed to his prostate cancer diagnosis."

Yup, I agree--if the most popular thing about my job in the last year was related to calling some women nappy-headed hos, I'd totally be stressing out as well.

Robert Gibbs really sounds like an unprofessional ass.... since when do press secretaries stoop to that level and comment on what other people say? Ugh, it is like constant campaigning from that team. They always have to make the other side look worse so they look better. They like to deflect attention away from the real comment Cheney made, that we are less safe as a nation with Obama in control, and throw in a Rush Limbaugh comment. Seriously Gibbs, GROW UP!

He made a joke and then went on to state his opposition to Cheney's claim. Mildly childish but I don't see that he was deflecting attention since he addressed the statement specifically.

I forgot to comment on the pope/condom story. Is he serious? Way to aid in the death of thousands more in Africa, Pope. Is religion based in reality at all?

The pope is so cute in his naivety... Unfortunately, there are too many people follow his advices when it comes to sex. I mean, he's a specialist when it comes to sex, right?! *rolls eyes*

However, he's got a point: abstinence is way safer than a condom, but does he seriously think people would stop having sex just because he isn't allowed to have sex at all? Or, that they only have sex when they are married? With their partner? And, that they wouldn't cheat? Or rape? Or do anything else?

The Catholic Church and the Pope are still causing me headaches. *sighs*

yet another ridiculous idea from this crazy pope. that man is insane.

Obama needs to reign in his press secretary. Does RG want to host the Daily Show after this gig?

It's not the whole 'abstinence' thing that bugs me--granted, yeah, I think it's good to tell people about it, but they need to do the whole 'comprehensive sex ed' thing, IMO--but...c'mon. Condoms exacerbate the problem? How so? By what mechanism? Gah. I'm Catholic and this just sounds so embarassing to me.

I'd like more context than the article provides on the Pope's comments. I do agree with his assertion that the AIDS crisis in Africa "cannot be overcome by the distribution of condoms alone."

And Tyffi, I'm a little confused by your statement that "too many people follow his advice when it comes to sex." The rest of your statement seems to imply that you believe people don't follow his advice. (And I would agree that people don't.)

Additionally, his belief that people should abstain from sex outside of marriage isn't based on the fact that he doesn't have sex. Also, I don't necessarily think he believes people won't have sex outside of marriage; he simply believes that they shouldn't. (I can't say I really agree, although, I do agree that abstinence is the only 100% safe option.)

If I were the leader of an African nation hard hit by AIDS, I'd invite the Pope to go elsewhere. He has no business undermining serious efforts to save lives.

well said stephley. my thoughts exactly.

Yep, because abstinence only education is obviously working for the young people in our country that are only taught in this manner.

we used to have the highest rate of AIDS in Africa, but a very very good sex ed programme, distribution of condoms and their ridiculously low price(you can get them for like 50c) , adverts on tv, radio and in the newspapers and people talking about their status and our celebrities making a big deal out of it, our rates have dropped. Condoms aren't the only thing that will stop HIV but they are really very effective at helping so the pope needs to his research or pipe down.

The Pope could never advocate condoms, it goes against Catholic teaching. I would appreciate if he didn't even mention condoms but just came with a message of abstinence. Having a message against condoms just isn't productive in the fight against AIDS.

Hey I may dissagree but the Pope is just being true to his convictions and holding up the rule. Will it cause unwanted pregnancy's and wider spread of std's sure but what can you do put tape over his mouth.

I think the rate of new home growth jumped in anticipation. Let's see if it keeps on jumping.

I'm happy that Pakistan has taken a moment of pause for reason.

Robert Gibbs is an F'ing idiot not for his opinion but for his chosen response.

Heck, why doesn't the Pope just talk about not killing each other or not ransacking your country's treasury leaving citizens to starve, and leave sex/condoms/abstinence out of it all together? There are plenty of other important issues to talk about.

In my opinion, coming out against birth control and abortion is the most important item on the Pope's agenda. Both of these things will encourage more Catholics and keep the church going. The church does do a lot of good work at the lower levels all over the world, but the Pope is more concerned with continuing and growing the number of faithful

I agree that's why he's coming out against birth control mydia.
And I really don't think that's the right thing to do, It's probably much more realistic for people to use condoms than practice abstinence.

~ Ah, sexual health advice from an aged celibate virgin.
~ His father should have used it.

it is disgusting for him to say stuff like that. how dare he? as head of the catholic church he should be more informed about the things he preaches.

Dear God, we pray that the Pope will stop treating Africa as if it is a country rather than an entire contitent made up of many countries, most of which have several nation/tribes within. We pray that he comes to understand that AIDS is epidemic in many of these countries, a life or death tragedy affecting innocent wives and children. We pray also that he refrains from speaking of condoms in countries where his Church is having more and more influence. But if he cannot stop his dogmatizing due to his religious beliefs, then we pray that he will use Vatican monetary resources on behalf of the destitute orphans of the AIDs victims; they no longer have parents to raise them, no way to alleviate their suffering, and may be infected with HIV themselves. For this we pray. Amen.

I applaud the Pope for preaching his beliefs. I don't necessarily agree with them (Although I do believe that abstinence is the best way to prevent the spread of aids), but I support his desire to lead the Church to the best of his ability.

Amen Janneth.

What makes me sick is that the Pope is considered a "religious" figure. Because of this people look at religion as if it is ridiculous. The concern here is to save lives and not kill people off. Nya, I am happy that your country's numbers have improved due to education. Let's me know that awareness is DEFINITELY effective.

Very nice site!