Over the last year, the headlines have grown increasingly strident. A mysterious illness may finally have an effective treatment, and soon a cure. AEBS--thought to be viral in origin, but even that much is still controversial--is believed to have been with Americans for generations, but has become particularly virulent in the last decade. And now, through a combination of three different experimental medical regimens, the end of Acquired Extreme Bigotry Syndrome may be in sight.

The political and medical establishments have been quick to hail the AEBS breakthrough. However, significant barriers remain. The "protean inhabiter" treatment that shows such hope and promise is a complex mixture of conversing with one's neighbors, foreswearing pop culture products that equate violence with sexual gratification, and the removal of professional sports franchises. These prescriptions are rarely covered by health insurance plans.

Moreover, many of the same politicians claiming credit for helping to end AEBS also back legislation (such as public stadium financing and tax breaks for suburban sprawl) that would make the epidemic worse. Corporations and public service agencies that have gotten wealthy with the AEBS epidemic have been reluctant to acknowledge its demise. In particular, law enforcement officials in many cities and towns seem to enjoy prying into the private lives of citizens, intimidating many from seeking treatment. Finally, many of the people most at risk for AEBS insist on pursuing behaviors that seem gratifying at the moment but lead to debilitating and even deadly spasms of bigotry later in life.

In order to clarify the situation, Washington state officials are now proposing putting the question of whether or not AEBS has been cured on a statewide ballot. The move angers many advocates for AEBS victims. "I want three stadiums. No, seven stadiums. Aw, hell, make that twenty- nine stadiums. What, are you talkin' to me?," commented Rev. Allen Gates (R(eallyRich)-Eastside), the state legislator who is sponsoring [cont'd on page 15]

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