What Is That Ribbon?

Seeing all those goofy yellow and red, white & blue "support our troops" ribbons on cars reminded me of this scene from the web series "Boy George Michael Jackson Browne" (Episode 6). The difference is, I don't think the "troop support" ribbons are fund raisers for anything for the troops.

The scene setup is, Jack is an alien visitor, here to "provide that witty outsider's view". He and his earthling buddy Matt are in a diner, and the waitress just walked up.

Jack: What is that ribbon on your shirt there?
Waitress: Oh, this! This is a ribbon for AIDS awareness.
J: I'm sorry, I don't understand.
Matt: See, he's from another country, so he's, you know...
W: Oh, okay... Well, it's like this. I bought this ribbon from a woman. You buy them for a dollar. It's like a donation. You buy these ribbons for a dollar, and they use the money to continue researching AIDS. To see if they can find a cure!
J: Oh, I see, so they buy ribbon, and then they take the money; do more research; buy more medical equipment.
W: That's right! Pretty good!
J: Well, wouldn't they make more money if they didn't have to buy all those ribbons? Wouldn't they have more money for research? If you just gave 'em a dollar?
W: Uh, yeah, I guess so... but, you know, I think the idea is that, you wear the ribbon to show that you support AIDS awareness.
J: AIDS...? What is "AIDS awareness"?
W: It's like teaching people about AIDS. So that they're aware of the problem!
J: Are there people that aren't aware of AIDS? Uh, uh... Is this true?!
M: (shrugs) Uh-uh...
W: Uh, may... I guess.
J: I live 18.5 trillion light-years from here, and I'm aware of your AIDS problem.
M: Hey Jack, you wanna get a round of dessert or somethin'? Some ice cream? Piece of pie or somethin'?
J: No, I uh, uh... is there an inscription on there that makes people aware of the...
W: No! It's just... I mean... Everybody just sort of knows that these red ribbons are for AIDS.
J: But logically, doesn't it make sense, that if they know the ribbon is for AIDS, that they should already be aware, aware of AIDS anyway?
W: They're not supposed to teach anybody anything, it's just that... I guess... It's just to show other people.. that you support AIDS research. That you care about it.
J: Are there people that don't care?
W: Maybe they're not thinking about it very much. And then when they see you wearing the ribbon, they're more inclined to support AIDS research, too!
J: Ahh, I get it! See, when a human being realizes that a significant group of people like an idea, then, they're more inclined to support that idea as well. You know, I've seen that on your television shows.
W: ...
W: Can I get you something else?
M: Yeah, you know, a bill would be great.
J: You know, on TV, on your sporting events, it's the same thing. And like, fashion shows, with the trends, you know, fashion trends?
W: Yeah, that's just the way some people are!
J: And on television, on the historical stuff, I've seen, you used to believe that people with dark skin were animals. But now, you believe completely the opposite!
M: Well, you know, we try to get better, that's...
J: And then, then there's the "Nazi Party". And evidently they were pretty popular, but...
M: How much do we owe?
W: ... I'll get your check.