Diseases Soar Among San Fransisco 'Gays'

WorldNetDaily ^ | 5/13/02 | Rene Sanchez

[Nonstatist]

Context is important: the article stated that the above was "suspicion" amongst some, not a statement of fact... I've heard the claim that AIDS is considered by some homosexuals as a "badge of honor" by both pro and anti homosexual sources .. but I've never seen any solid evidence that it's really the case

Well, I too have not "heard" any homosexual make this claim directly, but the author of this article is from the Wash Post, which is hardly a "homophobic" newspaper. Quite the opposite, actually..Also, this is not the first place I've heard this from, and it is fact that the AIDS cocktail is paid for by most med. insurance companies and so on.

The fact that AIDS cases are rising quickly as well as HIV infections,would seem to support, at least indirectly, most of the arguments made in this column ( as well as my subjective conclusion ?)

[galt-jw]

soar or SORE?

[Dimensio]

Well, I too have not "heard" any homosexual make this claim directly, but the author of this article is from the Wash Post, which is hardly a "homophobic" newspaper.

I've seen it in The Advocate. I've not seen any solid documentation that it's the case, however, I've not seen any quotes from people who actually espouse such a philosophy and I've not seen any real reason to believe that homosexuals engage in risky sexual behaviour for any reason other than self-destructive denial of the consequences. They go out and do what "feels good" without considering the consequences. That they don't see anyone "suffering" from AIDS might make the consequences less real but I don't think that they see AIDS as some kind of status symbol and I think that it's mostly an arrogant sense of invincibility where AIDS happens to "other people" that leads to their behaviour. That kind of arrogant denial is common amongst people engaging in all kinds of self-destructive behaviour, it's one way of rationalizing what is known to be a dangerous activity.

[Dimensio]

Why don't we force them to pay higher premiums for their habits??

Would you want this applied to all homosexuals or just those who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour?

I'd not have much problem with the latter, but I would disagree with the former, however I don't see how you can easily determine either without serious privacy invasion issues. A smoker's habits can be easily discerned through some specific medical tests, but I'm not sure that the same holds for promiscuity.

[sandydipper]

And to think that this whole epidemic was started when some horny dude with a bone for an ear ring had sex with a really good looking chimpanzie.

[Nonstatist]

I've not seen any real reason to believe that homosexuals engage in risky sexual behaviour for any reason other than self-destructive denial of the consequences

Well, that might be the full explanation. But why does the WP make this contention? I personally do not see a bright side to the allegation; certainly those few people who believe taking the AIDS cocktail 8 times a day is a good thing, are sick individuals indeed.

[Dimensio]

But why does the WP make this contention? I personally do not see a bright side to the allegation; certainly those few people who believe taking the AIDS cocktail 8 times a day is a good thing, are sick individuals indeed.

I don't think that there is a "bright side" to the allegation, I think that it's a rumour or urban legend that's starting to take form fueled by its shocking nature.

I think that you'd be hard pressed to find real people who think of HIV as a "badge of honour". It's being reported by the WP (and other organizations) because it's a current rumour and it's very disturbing.

[lepton]

One of the worst things possible is this partial cure. Sooner or later one or both of two things will happen: It will become able to be easily spread through non-sexual contact; or it will simply become omnipresent so that everyone will have to have a constant supply of the drugs to stay alive. That will be the effective end of our species as a viable lifeform.

[Nonstatist]

It's being reported by the WP (and other organizations) because it's a current rumour and it's very disturbing.

Really? But the WP does not always report "disturbing rumors", especially if it is adverse to current editorial thinking on a subject, or unhelpful as far as propagating misunderstanding and bias, etc. Somebody, somewhere, thinks this is "cool" thinking. You know, Solidarity, Brotherhood, Victimhood and all that.

[Dimensio]

Really? But the WP does not always report "disturbing rumors", especially if it is adverse to current editorial thinking on a subject, or unhelpful as far as propagating misunderstanding and bias, etc. Somebody, somewhere, thinks this is "cool" thinking. You know, Solidarity, Brotherhood, Victimhood and all that.

Then why report something so disturbing at all? I've never seen the "AIDS as a badge of honour" rumour printed anywhere in anything remotely resembling a positive tone, even in The Advocate. It's always printed as one possible explanation for why large groups of homosexuals in specific locales have high infection rates. Perhaps it's an attempt to quell the fears of those whose high-risk behaviour is motivated by arrognace: they aren't seeking to get AIDS, so they should be okay.

Regardless of the WP's editorial bias, I think you're looking for a liberal slant where there might not be one.

[RetiredArmy]

Yee who live by the "sword," die by the "sword."

[bribriagain]

Or, under the famous last words column "may I push your stool in for you Kevin"

[Khepera]

Thud

[Nonstatist]

Perhaps it's an attempt to quell the fears of those whose high-risk behaviour is motivated by arrognace: they aren't seeking to get AIDS, so they should be okay.... Regardless of the WP's editorial bias, I think you're looking for a liberal slant where there might not be one.

Okay, maybe. Maybe the author's just trying to push buttons

OTOH, when I read this..

. Last year, public health officials began accusing pharmaceutical companies of promoting AIDS drugs with misleading advertising messages that glamorized life on the treatments by showing vigorous men climbing mountains and riding bikes. ... . The city is pressuring drug companies to change their ads at bus stops ..and has threatened to ban them

Thats a very leftist reponse, isn't it? The pharmaceuticals want to show that their product is good, so the city is going to take legal action because it "makes" people do bad things. And this is reported neutrally, of course..

Sorry, most of us here know how "biased" the WP is; sometimes its hard to know whether the rumors they report are really based on truth, or leftist propaganda, or just plain propaganda.

[Destructor]

Uuumm...I think you have me confused with someone else. I am Destructor and I'm anti-homo.

[Destructor]

"Or, under the famous last words column "may I push your stool in for you Kevin"

Reminds me of a joke-

Q: How do you get 4 fags on 1 bar stool?

A: Turn it upside down.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Brings to mind the tumbrels that used to creak down the streets during the Dark Ages. "Bring out yer dead!"

Don't forget to beat a cat against a wall a la Monty Python...

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

And some of these people may actually be trying to acquire the disease...the end-all, be-all of victimhood, I guess...