Photo ops aside,this is a serious situation,and I commend Prez Bush on doing his part.

While this could be more of a publicity stunt, I admire Mr. Obama and his wife for being tested. And for being so open about it. Could you imagaine any other US Senator walking into a HIV clicic and doing the same thing? It would never happen.

OBAMA PHOTOGRAPHED

Posted by U. Stirdley
KISUMU, Kenya– Sen. Barack Obama and his wife posed for a novelty photo in one of those billboards with head holes cut into cartoon characters. The billboard was a beach scene, with Sen. Obama's head protruding from the figure of a musclebound man in a speedo while his wife's head was appended to a bikini clad beauty.

A source close to the Obama vacation said, "We have plenty of photos of 'contemplative Barack', quite a few 'decisive Barack' and even a few 'wistful Barack'. But oddly, there are no 'wacky Baracks'. This will be a fun postcard to send back home to friends, but more importantly we can use this in the presidential campaign -- you know it's important to show that Barack can be a fun guy too."

Former uptown opines "Can you imagine any other US Senator walking into a HIV clinic and dong the same thing?" Once they know about the free publicity they can garner by doing so, senators will break down the doors to get tested for HIV, for breast and prostate cancer, for mumps, measles, smallpox and the common cold.

Yes, it is a publicity stunt, since Obama has already been tested for HIV (a fact the article doesn't mention). And yes, willing journalists (not all of whom are named Jeff) will know it's a publicity stunt and will nevertheless publicize it.

I still can't figure out why Barack Hussein Obama tries so hard to hide his muslim heritage. His true motherland is the middle east, not africa. Does he think these lame photo ops will hide that?

Saed, what are you talking about? His true motherland is Africa. He's half African. His father was African, as are his grandparents. And like many people in that part of Africa, they are Muslim. So what? B.O. himself is not. He is a Christian, with as good of a born-again story as GWB.
I don't understand a lot of the hostility that Obama gets from a lot of people on this message board. Is it because he is popular? Is it that he is a gifted speaker?
Often there's the complaint that he's a do-nothing senator. What do you expect him to do? Lower the price of gas? Give you free healthcare? Fix your marriage? I feel like some of you have a very limited understand of what the government actually is/can do.
As a Freshman senator with no seniority, he's done quite a bit, working with both sides of the aisle. He is eloquent, intelligent and has the capacity to unite us (or at least those of us who want to be united).

Kudos to Obama. Anytime a person of influence can model appropriate, responsible behavior, it can have a tremendous result with the public. HIV is a serious problem. What better issue for a local hero to address. Criticizing Obama's actions for this is nothing more than right wing smear tactics.

Obama has achieved more in Africa within the past week than he has in the senate for the last 20 months.
Paulo

Why does one of the posters feel it is necessary to
post under Hispanic names as well as Muslim names,
as if it wasnt apparent that the irrelevant comments
are authored by the same person?

let me tell you something: i sit here in my new york apt, reading all about obama getting tested for hiv/aids in a small kenyan town with that many hiv infected people, a town i was born in but which i haven't been back to these many years, and all i can say is kudos to barack; not everyone can go that far, including those badmouthing him; in light of the fact that many politicians, especially US senators, are so unprincipled they'll do anything to get elected, you have to say barack is one of the few one can admire. if we had many like him and less like bush, joe lieberman or hillary, this country would be much greater

What a wonderful publicity "stunt"...

Now just how much tax payer dollars would it cost in probably our #1 priority initiative in Africa (HIV prevention) would it cost to buy this kind of publicity? My guess tens of millions of dollars...

Apparently from reporting, Obama is taken as a hero... a brother... a favorite son... how wonderful that he is using his celebrity to foster good works...

Does it do Obama good back here? Sure it doesn't hurt his image... but exactly when is his re-election... 2010.... I don't see that any but an authentic desire for helping raise HIV awareness and prevention went into the calculation behind this "stunt"... Good for him and his wonderful wife!

That was a PR gimmick he was so sure it was negative since he must have undergone a first one before. too be sincere even if you come out of the testing rooms negative the anxiety is too much that you cant even smile atleast immediatley after the test. anyway hope people will go for tests now.

Stan,you are right on.I think Obama is starting to get to popular for the Busheviks.They're starting to see him as threat,hence the attacks.

Maybe a sniff of bigotry also.

I work with those that are either HIV+ or have AIDS, in the Chicago area. This epidemic touches everyone. To have a man with connections to Africa, and his wife, be tested at the same time can have a tremendous impact on that nation.

Men refuse to be tested and the wives are fearful of asking their husbands about their status. Having someone they respect be tested with his wife can go a long way in changing that attitude.

Whether he is a Democrat or a Republican does not matter. What does matter is helping to stem the spread of this virus.

I am from Chicago and my opinion stands now that I will be voting for Obama again.

Yes, his testing may have been a stunt. But it did so much good. Bush reads a story to kids, they are amused for half an hour. Obama gets tested and then people do, it makes them aware of their health.

Most of the people I know love Obama. I went to march he spoke at and after his speech people stormed him (myself included).

Raving Loon-You said you commend Bush for doing his part? What are you talking about? The article doesn't mention Bush at all, and I am not aware that he has done anything to help those with AIDS.

Personally, as a Muslim, I am proud to call Barack Hussein Obama my brother. It is the infidels that are jealous of us. Allah Akbar.

It is indeed a PR op, but it sounds like a lot of commenters are missing the point for Africans.

HIV infection carries an enormous cultural stigma in Africa. For a perceived "American son of Africa" (as the press is painting him) and his wife to be publicly tested sets a powerful example for many couples: that a test is not a mark of shame, of uncleanliness, but an act of responsibility and caring to one's partner.

It saddens me to see so many people of color down this man and his wife for raising HIV/AIDS awareness. How could anyone in their right mind worry about this being a publicity stunt? If this so called publicity stunt can save one life, I am for it. What he is doing is possibly saving the life of an African American who may read this article. For those critics don’t forget the HIV/AIDS epidemic is tearing apart the African American community. Where is your voice? Where is your photo op? Where is your publicity stunt? If you not involved you do not have the right to criticize this mans efforts. Let’s get behind his efforts and save our community.

I think it's wonderful that at least one reader is so irate at Obama that he feels the need to deride the Senator at every turn. Why is it wonderful? Because that poster reveals a sickness in the body poiltic, a metastasizing cynicism.

As another poster commented, the cynics don't really understand how government works. Keep in mind that Obama is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee panel on African Affairs.

Get it?

This is part of his job description. The fact that it's a global media story can be attributed to the fact that Obama is a U.S. Senator and also that the man has got "it"...people find him fascinating.

I'd like to add that that poster would be paralyzed by indecision and inaction if he were in Obama's position.

I am a black African. All along we have been told to believe that Americans are some of the smartest people in the world. I must say I have been disappointed. Can any one tell me - how can an HIV negative person taking an HIV test, which will turn out to be negative, encourage those who fear to be positive to take the test? What is disturbing to me is that reading through the American press no reporter seem to ask this question. Where are the intelligent Americans? Maybe Americans watch too make Hollywood movies. The reason Africans dont go to take the test is the same reasons Americans fear to be tested for cancer - they are simply afraid of the result not the test.

Hey Paulo,and Bruce,
I know it kills you guys to see a political figure such as Obama,that actually wants to learn,and be enlightned.
And talk about not being qualified for President,How about a guy who ditched his National Guard duty during Vietnam,or left the state of Texas in a financial mess when he "graduated" to President.
I'm waiting on the Republicans to send President DumDum on a soul searching trip to Saudi Arabia,there he can photo op while wraping his arms around his beloved oil wells.

Paulo,

Just exactly what did you expect a freshman senator in the minority party to achieve two years into his 1st term?

If nothing else Senator Obama is a great role model.

Why anybody badmouth Mr. Obana is beyond me. He doin good things in the motherland. Those peoples are unaware and he is trying to get them aware. HIV is a nasty sickness and moe people need to not get it. I say good for him and I will continue to vote for him just like afore

Errol,

His senate re-election campaign is 2010. Is there another election he might be trying to get some publicity for?

are we only supposed to post pro Obama comments???? Typical Amerrican press

Bruce...I would only hope more politicians would help raise awareness to all those causes you mentioned. Doesn't matter to me whether they're democrats or republican....because quite frankly
there has been little else they've done.

Watch this week when the anniversary of Katrina hits...They'll be out in full force from both sides of the aisle...yet I'm sure you'll only complain about the democrats.

Bravo, Stan and Errol.
Even if this were a "publicity stunt," who cares if it ends up helping people? If he can inspire positive change then where's the downside? He didn't take the test to find out the results. He took it to serve as an example.
I do hope he addresses the crazy idea they have that AIDS can be cured by having sex with virgins. The younger the better they say. When I read about a 9 month old being raped I pretty much lost faith in humanity.

Obama is against Gay Marraige, based on his religious beliefs. He said so in is campaign against Keyes.

I think a good photo-op would be him walking up Halsted Street with a bible asking people to follow his example in Africa and get tested for AIDS.

You think he would do it here in the country and state he represents?

Obama looks skinny and sick. I am guessing his HIV test comes back positive. I pray for Obama and his Muslim soul.

this man john malamba seems to have had his information backward; i don't see any reason to criticise obama because he has done nothing wrong publicly, not that we know of anyway; the fact that he may have known of his negative hiv status is no reason not to get tested again; lots of africans and non-africans don't do that, and sometimes they end up passing on the virus to loved ones. obama is consistent -- he chastised the south african govt the other day for ding nothing about aids/hiv. if the aim of getting tested was to get others do the same, that's a good thing. celebrities use their position to champion good causes all the time, why shouldn't obama? seeems to me there are people who are either jealous or like criticise for the sake of it, and this guy john is one of them; john's african heritage isn't helping, and there's no reason to disparage Americans, unless his understanding of the role of the media is just as bad as his attitude on obama and everyone else he criticises. let's give praise where it's due and criticise for cause. some people complained earlier about obama using thier tax dollars; well i've just been reading kenyan papers and they say obama paid for his wife and kids trip and also paid for part of the trip that's personal (he actually took a commercial plane to kisumu); sooooo don't fret, you tax dollars aren't being used for personal expenses. the great thing about his official trip to africa, as part of foreign relations committee, is that he doesn't have to rely on the propaganda from those govts--he knows the stuff already from his contact with the locals, and yet he also stands firm for US interests-- so US voters are better served through competent representation. at a time like this when most politicians don't do much to reach out to other cultures we don't understand (think iraq), we are better off with many obamas

JD,JUST DUMB or Jermaine Dye,thanks for bringing up Alan Keyes.One of the finest moments in wing nut history.

How many wing nuts will admit to voting for him?

And you nut cases have the gall to criticize Obama.

I think a good photo op would be you and Keyes walking up Halsted.

Just another example of wing nut lunacy.The best you guys could do was to import Crazy Keyes and you actually supported him.WOW.

John Malamba..or what ever your real name is. I doubt very much you are a black African. Anybody that would come from a country with such a problem as Aids and mock any effort to help thier supposed countrymen doesn't ring true with me. I think your hidden agenda is to criticize the press coverage of this event. More than likely..your some poster that thinks they can sway people if they thought this poster came from
this area. But in reality your a fool!

And that goes for the muslim camel jockey too!

I would put it to the trib..is there anyway you can eliminate bogus posters..Ones that use two identities or more. They obviously need to do this because after they spout enough ranting they know that no one will read their crap under their posts. You are chickensh*ts!!

Senator Obama is brilliant, eloquent, popular and good looking..........so naturally people will be jeolous. Aside from that, his purpose to get tested was to show African people it is important to be tested and with your partner/spouse. Tens of thousands of people would live if they were tested and treated. So, kudos to the Obamas for going public with their tests, for traveling to Africca and for serving the public. Personally, I wish he was my Senator.

John Malamba...I have a friend in Africa..but I'm sure you don't know Jack.

Hey, Its great Obama is teaching his kin to test for aids, will he teach prevention be for he leaves. (Condoms) cliff

Well atleast, unlike you, he'll probably know how to put them on!

Hey Cliffy....Do I detect a little racist tone in your posts? The post on Katrina you say "has the mayor left town yet?" Here you facetiously
said "it's great that Obama is teaching his kin".
Is that what you do? Do you go home at christmas to see your "kin"? Being a Chicago paper I doubt
very much you're southern. You need to put alittle uv on your neck...I think it's turning red!

Uh OH, I struck a nerve with Raving Loon and he/she turned into....well... a Raving Loon. Maybe a little cranky that the Sox are going south.

Care to address my point instead of changing the subject?

Should Obama walk up Halsted street with his bible and ask people to take an AIDS test?

Would he do that?

The awareness of AIDS in Boystown couldn't be higher. And, except for meth tweakers practicing unsafe sex, I think the problem of AIDS in that community is under control.

So what's your point? That Obama should make an anti-gay statement? That he should antagonize gays?

Here's a news flash for you...the debate has moved beyond that point. Were you asleep during the ACT-UP era? Obama is making a point about hetero couples, Africans in a country where the disease is rampant. If anything, he might walk DOWN Halsted Street, say from 63rd to 71st. Or across Madison, from Western to Central.

Why don't you out yourself? What exactly is your point? You seem anti-something.

Are you anti-Obama, anti-gay, anti-Black? What's your deal?

Obama has added his voice to a chorus of people who want to end the scourge of AIDS in Africa? Why, exactly, are you opposed to that?

DZook, Exactly my point...Obama has done nothing and he's a superstar.
I wonder what Dick Durbin is doing on his vacation? Reading about the Nazis and Soviet gulags or the Pol Pot regime?
Oh, never nind...he cried and said ....sorry.
Paulo

Again as a black African I am surprised by this guy Obama. At some level it shows that stereotypes against Africa are not just held by white America but more so by black America. If you really think that Obama taking a test will encouge Africans to do the same, then we have problems. It looks to me that one would first have to beleive that Africans are dull and roboticc before believing that their fear of being infected will go away just because a certain Obama from America who is hiv negative took the test.

His comments to the South African government were very surprising. They looked like coming out of the pages of the apartheid looving right wing white press of South Africa. I was very happy when President Mbeki of South Africa refused to see him.

South Africa's fight against the disease is quite obvious. Kofi Annan commended South Africa for the fight and inceasing spending 3 fold. They have the most robust aids control program in the world. But the white press of course has consistently tried to potray a negative side of this.

nevetheless, you would expect a black senator from the US to at least go beyond the western stereotypes and get the true info about South Africa. Yet he chose to parrot the stereotypes in the white press.

Hey mombo...Nice try...you could care less...
your mumbo jumbo smells of winger!

mombo...Again as a "black African" what are you doing here complaining about someone trying to help...why don't you go and hand out condoms to all your countrymen and stop playing games!

"They (Africa ) have the most robust aids control program in the world. But the white press of course has consistently tried to portray a negative side of this"

Tell me Mombo...What "is" the up side to aids?

I'd like to see an actual accounting from the senator's office about exactly who paid for this little vacation. Several posters have already said it's been paid for privately, but then my question is who paid for it? Was it paid for by Obama or his relatives?

Could it be like Danny Davis' Tamil Tigers terrorist organization trip? Paid for by a third party trying to influence policy? The Tribune was right to editorialize on Davis' terrorist-funded trip that members of congress shouldn't be allowed to take these trips on someone else's dime because it allows them to say "well, it didn't cost the taxpayers a dime," while the funding group still gets a one-on-one audience with a member of congress that's it's giving a free trip to. That's called influence-purchasing.

Who paid for all the press travelling with him? I expect the Tribune paid its own way, as it almost always does for its correspondents, but what about the rest of the pack of reporters that are covering this story non-stop? The size and scope of the Obasm surrounding this story makes me believe that the large entourage following him around can't be entirely independently funded. Some of the magazines I've seen this story reported in don't even have foreign correspondents, which makes me believe that it'd be difficult for them to pay all the expenses of a freelancer travelling to Africa and following Obama for more than a week.

Some oversight committee or enterprising investigative reporter (like they have at the Tribune) really needs to look into this.

"That Obama should make an anti-gay statement? That he should antagonize gays? "

Nice KE. Typical lib point. Asking the gay community to get HIV tests is considered anti gay and antagonizing? HA HA.

How is it not anti Africa then? How is it not antagonizing the poor backward Africans who are supposedly too stupid to get an HIV test? (not my thoughts, but basically what Obama is showing) It's like he is trying to convince a 2 year old that brocolli tastes good by having some first and saying MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Oh, but that's not insulting or antagonizing. All for a photo opp.

They say 15 percent of Kenya is HIV positive. I'd say it's at least that in boystown.

Oh, but there he is a hero, but if done here it would be "antagonizing"

I'm not opposed to stoping AIDS here or in Africa, I'm opposed to the self absorbed politicians and hollywood types who have christined Africa as the latest fashionable worry. They are more concerned about a photo op or feel good votes than anything else.

Again, I love your typical lefty point of: "well if you don't agree with me you must be racist or a homophobe"

Another example of a lefty with a small mind.

Bill...Why do I believe that it's really not the money that concerns you......don't you think there might be some not so hidden adgenda?