von Schmitt

Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil is a land of contradicitons. Rio de Janeiro, for example, the most beautiful city in the world, is also one of the most violent. Catholocism spread throughout Brazil like Staphylococcus in a gay bathhouse. Yet, defying the Pope’s orders, nowhere in the world is it easier to find a condom. And during no other time of the year are condoms more needed… than Carnival!  As reported on The Huffington Post via the AP, Brazil is set to distribute 65 million condoms for Carnival.

While Carnival doesn’t officially start for another 48 hours, I can already hear many of those little 65 million packets being ripped open to a samba beat.  Oh, how I love it when people disregard the word of the Pope. Makes me want to Lambada.  - JVS

This is an increase of 20 million from what the Brazilian government regularly hands out each month, part of its aggressive anti-HIV and -AIDS efforts praised by the United Nations. Health officials said AIDS cases have tripled among women over the age of 50, about 70 percent of whom do not use condoms that group in the last decade, from 3.7 cases per 100,000 people to 11.6. ”We senior citizens are still sexually active nowadays, so these types of campaigns are very important,” said Ana Leila Goncalves, a 62-year-old grandmother who took part in the event.

Earlier this month, the health ministry reported it would also spend $500,000 this year on 15 million small packets of personal lubricant, which it said helps keep condoms from breaking. Church officials in Brazil, home to the world’s largest Roman Catholic population, have not surprisingly opposed the condom program. Read the full article here.

I couldn’t resist a little Lambada treat. I lived in Brazil during the time this dance was THE CRAZE and despite numerous attempts, I just couldn’t get it, not like these kids anyway. This video is Hillll-arious. Look closely to see how many international laws are broken, like child labor, sex trade, physical abuse.   -JVS