For much of the nearly three decades of the AIDS pandemic there has been a basic message that has proved helpful in educating people about HIV infection and reducing the spread of the disease. It's A-B-C. The letter A stands for "abstain," B for "be faithful" and C for "use a condom."

It's a prevention model that has been used in geographic areas hard hit by HIV such as countries in Africa and Asia and with specific high-risk populations, like men who have sex with men. Besides being an effective tool in the reduction of HIV, the A-B-C model also eliminates, or lessens, the risk of other sexually transmitted diseases and infections and can prevent pregnancy. We expect millions of people around the world to practice A-B-C, but that expectation apparently isn't the same for people with power and privilege in places like Hollywood and Sacramento.

Anyone who followed Arnold Schwarzenegger's career knew that abstinence was not an option for the libidinous bodybuilder/actor/politician. Celebrity gossip magazines were filled with stories about the actor's love life and his campaign for governor of California was threatened by accusations of infidelities, groping women and even rumors of a "love child." Abstinence aside, it seems that being faithful to his wife, Maria Shriver, also wasn't working for one of the world's most recognizable men. That left only the letter "C" in Mr. Schwarzenegger's arsenal of ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. It's possible that Mr. Schwarzenegger used a condom in the act that has led to his current imbroglio, though highly unlikely. There is, in almost every situation, a teachable moment. The Schwarzenegger love child scandal does not need to just play to our prurient interests. This can be an opportunity to remind everyone that the A-B-C model can be effective for poor people in rural areas of Africa, as well as for powerful men in places like California. Now that Arnold Schwarzenegger is returning to the silver screen, he will need a cause to be associated with. Perhaps he should consider promoting A-B-C: Abstinence – Be Faithful – Use a Condom. After all, the former governor is the poster boy for what happens when you don't know your ABCs.