Republicans can admit they're wrong (part 2)

Few people have been more vilified by gay activists than former U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C.). Helms, along with former President Ronald Reagan, is one of the most-blamed for not doing anything during the '80s AIDS "crisis." Now, in his new book, "Here's Where I Stand," Helms says he was wrong about AIDS.

"Until then," Helms writes, "it had been my feeling that AIDS was a disease largely spread by reckless and voluntary sexual and drug-abusing behavior, and that it would probably be confined to those in high risk populations. I was wrong."

In the book, he also apparently talks about his later-year advocacy for AIDS prevention in Africa and his friendship with U2 leadman Bono that has sprung from that.

In 1990, Reagan also saw the error of his thinking and did a TV spot in which he said, "We can all grow and learn in our lives and I've learned all kinds of people can get AIDS, even children. ... I'm not asking you to send money. I'm asking for something more important. Your understanding. Maybe it's time we all learned something new."

While it's tough for many to "forgive" the politicians on both sides of the aisle who did little to curb the early spread of AIDS, it takes a big man to admit he's wrong and to try to help once he's realized that. I'm happy that both men saw fit to do so.

Earlier: Frist admits Schiavo wasn't coming back