Colin Powell, advising the use of condoms to prevent transmission of disease and unwanted pregnancy, has stirred up a bit of controversy . Apparently, the Bush Administration and it�s conservative supporters �strongly support� abstinence as a means of preventing babies and AIDS. Is it just me or is this incredibly unrealistic? Sure, a certain percentage of folks will abstain from sex but a larger percentage, I am sure, will do what comes naturally regardless of what the White House thinks they ought or ought not to be doing � especially young people bursting with hormones! Abstinence only might be a practical view if everybody was operating at the mental level of a Zen master but, let�s face it, most people are slaves to their desires.

In any case, it seems that Powell�s remarks were not actually at odds with White House policy. According to White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, Powell ``limited his answer to people who are sexually active.''

So, there you have it! Protect yourself with a condom if you're having sex. Don't use a condom if you are practicing abstinence.