Canada used to be a leader in supporting research to monitor HIV in key populations -- terrifically difficult because the activities that put them at risk are covert and illegal in many countries; surveillance can expose vulnerable populations to authorities and create risks for them. But Canada bowed out of supporting the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Project this year, just one more brick in a wall that is contributing to exclusion and marginalization of those most vulnerable to HIV infection. It's such a shame that our government has lost its vision of never leaving anyone behind.

Yao Ming's legacy will be a double barrier breaker: as a catalyst for basketball's global appeal and as a non-Western star who is willing to commit himself to not only the pursuit of private gain but issues aimed at the enhancement of the public good.