Capitalizing on criticism

Josef Berger, a speechwriter who worked for Harry Truman, Sam Ray‐burn, and Claude Pepper, and who wrote the first draft for Franklin D. Roosevelt's “Last Speech,” commented in an interview recorded in 1965 on his earlier work with Lyndon B. Johnson. Berger felt that Johnson had lost control over decisions leading to escalation in Vietnam, but that once set on his course he stubbornly resisted counter arguments. Berger was worried that ghostwritten speeches were not a reliable indicator of a politician's character or intentions, and that speechwriters too often became invisible shapers of policy.     

Recent developments in HIV/AIDS prevention for Russian adolescents

This article reports on the educator qualities that are valued by Australian teachers involved in sexuality education in high schools. Focus groups were conducted with school sexuality education teachers in 19 high schools in five Australian states. Data indicated that teachers valued being trustworthy, being open and honest, being willing to listen, having a sense of humour, and being able to relate to the students, especially being able to relate in a trustworthy and confidential way. Also valued were being comfortable with one's own sexuality, being approachable and being flexible. These qualities are similar to those recommended in the literature in the 1970s and 1980s and correspond closely to the qualities sought by today's high school students. Australian schoolteachers currently enjoy a positive climate for teaching sexuality education, as do many European schoolteachers. This contrasts with the climate for many American teachers where Abstinence Until Marriage programme requirements place many restrictions on what can be taught and may compromise the expression of teacher qualities such as being non-judgemental, flexible, open and honest. The findings have implications for teacher professional development, pre-service teacher education training, and the selection of teachers to teach sexuality education.