Jerry Thacker, whom I remember from Bob Jones University, withdrew his name from consideration for Bush's Presidential Advisory Commission on HIV and AIDS today after it was revealed that he believed AIDS is a "gay plague." [CNN] He's also well known for believing homosexuality is a sin. Bush immediately distanced himself from the bloke, but, come on, you can't tell me he wasn't aware of his beliefs before he considered him. His web site declares them pretty clearly. Or maybe not. Interestingly enough it's hard to find the words "gay" or "homosexual" on the site. This site seems to be aiming to help primarily good, straight Christian people who get AIDS. HIV is "just a dumb virus!" one brochure on the site exclaims. "It doesn't care if you are religious or irreligious." Watch out Christians, you can get AIDS, too!

On a related note, Mr. Thacker, his wife and daughter all have AIDS, after his wife received a blood transfusion in the '80s. I certainly wish them the best and hope only for their improved health. But I do think it's ironic and terribly sad that they haven't adjusted their intolerant beliefs after having undoubtedly spent a great deal of time around gays over the past couple of decades: they've made it their ministry, you see, to educate people about AIDS and AIDS prevention--and the need for abstinence, of course.