Deer have it so much easier ... their hunting season only lasts a short time. Folks with HIV are targets all year long.

Ft. Lauderdale... or Urinetown? I had taken a much needed break from the strip... but this news story got me back in action. I'm sure Lauderdale has bigger problems than what Mayor Jim Naugle's obsession with gay sex and public restrooms. And to use the spread of HIV as his reasoning? It's even more absurd than the premise of the wonderful Broadway musical Urinetown...

A Letter from Bill Frist Sometimes I wonder how I get on some campaign donation request mailing lists. This year I was innudated by ones from the Republicans (I think I voted in a Republican primary in 1988?) all with various big wigs of the party having their name on the return address. But when one came from the only Republican more out of touch than "W," well, let the fun begin...

Sleeping Beauty This plea for sanity in our country's war on drugs was such a hit, it appeared in POZ Magazine, landed onto Donna Shalala's desk, and even got the attention of Miss America Kate Shindle. I first realized the importance of needle exchange programs during my first lobbying to Congress. ("Mr. Companik goes to Washington") and its need to curb the rise of HIV infections among the IV drug-users.

The Good Name of Tina OK, I will admit in my youth (about one score ago, so to speak) I had partaken of my share of party "favors" but in the end, I decided clearer judgment and not enfangering my body were more important. That's not to say I don't have my vices, but the rise of crystal meth in the HIV community frankly scares the shit out of me. (And yes, I know my drawing of Tina Yothers looks more like Sally Struthers...)

Another Day the Earth Stood Still You might think was the first strip I did that went after Senator Jesse Helms, but actually a much earlier from strip ("Vengeance Is Mine...") did as well, though he went unnamed. No fear of Jesse coming after me (*brrrr*) even though both strips I did use exact quotes from the inhumane politician.

The John Rocker Horror Pitcher Show In a Sports Illustrated article, Braves closer John Rocker went off on his own hunting spree, attacking gays, people with AIDS, minorities, unwed mothers, immigrants who couldn't speak English, even his own team mates. Though he made some minor excuses he wasn't a racist, he never said one word about his homophobia and AIDSphobia. That led to a second Rocker cartoon, Rocker's Sensitivity Training, Day Two

Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs? It was at a party in New York City during the 1999 heat wave that I learned the answer. And no, the heat didn't have anything to do with it. As they say, it's not the heat, it's the stupidity.

Traveling Medicine Show A precaution to keep an eye out for AIDS-related fraud.

Phantom of the Office Building Being disabled doesn't automatically mean you must stop working, though a lot of employers think it does. The law is on your side, pal.

Dr. Laura and the Tribal Council What a scary bitch. Though an ex of mine used to listen to her way before anyone else heard from her, I first heard of her when she claimed it was the "moral responsibility" of HIV+ people to abstain from sex. (She however thinks that also seems to apply to everyone outside of marriage.) I had done an earlier cartoon ("Dr. Laura & Ms. Hyde", not part of this series, attacking her. Apparently it was enough to get a mention on her show. I never heard it.)

"Vengeance Is Mine" Sayeth the Fool This is an even older strip, spurred on by watching Jesse Helms puff and rant on CSPAN. I missed the Catechism class when Jesse got canonized.

I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing If you're old enough, you probably remember Coca-Cola's commercial that introduced the song. (Trivia heads like me will recall the song was then recorded by the Hilltop Seekers who later charted with it.) The facts about Coke's African employees is covered in the strip -- feel free to sing along -- and was motivated by a couple of powerful ladies, Mona Bennett (a.k.a. Mona Love) and Kellie Casper, who reminded me that HIV doesn't stop at our borders.

The Football I'm just as surprised to have done a second Peanuts parody in this strip's history, but while I didn't find the strip that funny in the later years, having the football pulled away is just part of the American conscience. And having been jerked around by all politicians on one issue near and dear to my heart fit the set-up.