Positively Scandalous - Okay, since the Rolling Stone bug-chasers article has really picked up steam since Drew mentioned it yesterday, I'm going to take the easy route and purloin some links from CritPath.org's Federal AIDS policy newsletter to tell the tale.

It seems that Newsweek found fault with the quality of reporting in RS's inflammatory article, which suggested that many gay men seek out HIV infection by looking for bareback sex with sero-positive partners. The Moonie-owned Washington Times, a friend to homosexuals everywhere, decided to run with the story on page one. As a result, it wound up in this morning's White House press briefing:

Q In view of recent wire service reports of an increase -- startling increase in cases of AIDS, HIV and syphilis in New York and California, as well as this morning's Washington Times page one story, does the President believe there are no such things as "bug chasers"?

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not aware of what you're talking about, Lester.

Q Page one. These are people in the homosexual community that feel it's erotic to contract AIDS. And this is what is reported --

MR. FLEISCHER: I've no idea what you're talking about, Lester.

Q You don't read the Washington Times?

MR. FLEISCHER: Of course, I do.

Q You do? Well, then what about it? You must have read the story?

MR. FLEISCHER: Lester, I expressed yesterday the President's thoughts about AIDS and people who have AIDS. And the President's thoughts are that people who have AIDS deserve to be treated with care and with compassion --

Q The ones that went after it to get it?

MR. FLEISCHER: -- that people need to be treated with care and compassion. He is very proud of the fact that his budget has unparalleled amounts of money, both foreign and domestic, to help people with AIDS.

Q Yes, but what about the ones that go after it?

MR. FLEISCHER: You only get two, Lester, and you've sure have had them.

Although not clear from the transcript, "Lester" appears to be Les Kinsolving, a conservative radio talk-show host and the White House correspondent for Talk Radio Network and WorldNetDaily. Be on the lookout for that helpful GLAAD alert any minute now.