AIDS conference seems surreal

[moviefan]

Still seeking the truth

They estimate 1/10 people are gay. So would you be happier if the media focused on that minority and act like the other 9/10 are safe?

In Africa it's affecting a whole generation of people, isn't that enough proof that it's gone well beyond being a gay thing?

I would be happier if the issue could be discussed honestly, without fear that anything that strays beyond some accepted talking points is proof of hatred or intolerance.

It was implied in a previous post that I might be homophobic. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I do believe the gay population has been unfairly hit by HIV and AIDS, but that is because I believe the most likely way that HIV is sexually transmitted is through anal sex. Since gay men who wish to have intercourse have no choice but to have anal sex, they are often the victims.

Fuji has made this point better than I have, but the point still stands: if AIDS education is going to have an impact, it has to be credible.

I think the organizers of the AIDS conference should have pushed for better education and a more honest discussion of how HIV is transmitted. And yes, of course I agree that women in much of the world need to be empowered to better protect themselves.

 

[frankcastle]

What exactly is missing or what have they been dishonest about?

In other words what would you like to hear or what wasn't said?

BTW what events have you attended? I'm curious because you seem to be slamming the whole conference but I really doubt that you've attended enough functions to be able to know exactly what they are doing. If anything I'll bet you went to stuff with performances and celebs and none of the hardcore informational type stuff.

Sorry but the conference is a lot more than just a few sound bites.

 

[acutus]

I would be happier if the issue could be discussed honestly, without fear that anything that strays beyond some accepted talking points is proof of hatred or intolerance.

I agree. Sincerely, Jon .

 

[reg]

Everyone in my World knows in their heart what the Truth is about where AIDS comes from and how it got started.

Still at it acutus? Have you come up with any documentation yet to support your allegation that homosexuality 'causes' aids?

That's the problem in 'your World' - facts don't seem to be required.

Spare the rhetoric and provide facts please.

 

[acutus]

Lol...

Still at it acutus? Have you come up with any documentation yet to support your allegation that homosexuality 'causes' aids?

That's the problem in 'your World' - facts don't seem to be required.

Spare the rhetoric and provide facts please.

This topic seems to interest you very much, Mr. Reg. Why not start your own Thread on this particular subject? With Best Wishes. Sincerely, Jon .

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Does Eye Weekly still name an "Asshole of the Week"? I would like to nominate James P. Pinkerton, columnist for Newsday in New York. The Montreal sex worker organization Stella was at the International AIDS Conference,
http://www.chezstella.org/stella/?q=en/toronto2006

and here is his reaction.
AIDS activists misguided in goal to legitimize 'sex work'

Just skimmed it over right now but see what your saying. I will take a closer look in the morning and pass on to our news editor.

 

[frankcastle]

Been thinking about this a bit and it seems like there's some other things to consider here.

How can we say what the aids conference is all about based on our interpretations of a new segment? This information has been filtered so many times by the news agencies and then by our own brains so that it's quite possibly so far removed from reality.

I mean I can't honestly say I've watched any program list the entire plans for the whole conference so to say what they are emphasizing can't be fairly assessed. Especially when it's presented by another source.... the media and not the conference itself.

 

[moviefan]

Fair enough

Been thinking about this a bit and it seems like there's some other things to consider here.

How can we say what the aids conference is all about based on our interpretations of a new segment? This information has been filtered so many times by the news agencies and then by our own brains so that it's quite possibly so far removed from reality.

I mean I can't honestly say I've watched any program list the entire plans for the whole conference so to say what they are emphasizing can't be fairly assessed. Especially when it's presented by another source.... the media and not the conference itself.

That's a fair point.

When I started this thread, I did say that my take was based on the media reports of the conference. It may very well be that the media reports don't actually reflect the true value of the information provided at the conference.

Perhaps the main problem is with the news media. That's still troubling, when we're talking about something as deadly as AIDS.

 

[frankcastle]

I think I'm starting to see your point but isn't the news more conservative message better? In the sense that you shouldn't feel safer being hetero or gay or whatever? In other words the general message when it comes to AIDS is err on the side of caution. However, most don't e.g. rampant bbbj going around.

 

[acutus]

Still seeking the Truth...

Is it just me, or does the AIDS conference as it has been described in the media seem almost surreal.

To me, it feels like the conference is trying to reinforce the old idea that 'everyone is at the same risk' of getting AIDS.

It's almost like there is a fear of looking politically incorrect by mentioning the extent to which the disease has hit the gay community, and there is an over-the-top emphasis to promote cases of people with HIV who aren't gay men. We all know that certain activities are riskier than others, yet this doesn't seem to be a topic at the conference.

Health Canada's website has the same problem. If you read the page on AIDS, you would think the chances of contracting HIV from oral sex are about the same as the chances of getting it from anal sex, when we know that isn't true.

I guess what bothers me is that no one wants to provide an honest assessment of the real risks of contracting HIV from certain activities, and we hide behind the idea that every sexual behaviour has the same risk.

Yet, at the same time, our politicians and media criticize young people for not knowing the risks.

Anyway, that's my view of the conference so far. What do others think?

As I see it, the major problem of trying to honestly address the issue of AIDS and all of its ramifications is one of perspective. Is AIDS a 'Civil Rights' issue or a Public Health issue? It can't be both at the same time. Sincerely, Jon .

 

[Asterix]

This topic seems to interest you very much, Mr. Reg. Why not start your own Thread on this particular subject? With Best Wishes. Sincerely, Jon .

Like listening to Hal from 2001. One of the benefits of genetic testing is that scientists are able to more accurately identify certain strains of viruses and how closely they match other strains. There is a growing amount of evidence that the first cases of HIV were a cross species jump from a specific group of chimpanzees in southeastern Cameroon. Take some time to read the Frontline link provided earlier.

 

[acutus]

Lol...

Like listening to Hal from 2001. One of the benefits of genetic testing is that scientists are able to more accurately identify certain strains of viruses and how closely they match other strains. There is a growing amount of evidence that the first cases of HIV were a cross species jump from a specific group of chimpanzees in southeastern Cameroon. Take some time to read the NOVA link provded earlier.

Because a strain of virus may resemble another seperate strain of virus is no reason to jump to conclusions regarding correlation, Mr. Asterix. There is in fact no 'growing amount of evidence' that I am aware of that the 'first cases of HIV was a cross species jump'. On that point there is only speculation, theory and conjecture. The virus that occurs in some primates in Africa which appears similiar to HIV/AIDS is not lethal to the host. What is known as a fact is that the first known and documented case of HIV/AIDS appeared in Homosexual men in New York City in 1981. I rarely watch PBS now because of their open support of the Homosexual Lifestyle and the obvious bias that that perspective represents. Sincerely, Jon .

 

[Asterix]

The virus that occurs in some primates in Africa which appears similiar to HIV/AIDS is not lethal to the host.

Which is why researchers are so interested in how chimpanzees can carry the virus without it adversly affecting them. It is not a matter of the viruses simply resembling each other, they are very closely related. There are many diseases that do not harm the host, but can be transmitted to others who are.

 

[acutus]

Which is why researchers are so interested in how chimpanzees can carry the virus without it adversly affecting them. It is not a matter of the viruses simply resembling each other, they are very closely related. There are many diseases that do not harm the host, but can be transmitted to others who are.

The flaw in that line of reasoning is that there could very well be other non lethal ID type viruses that occur naturally in other animal species as well and to solely focus on that area only instead of what is known as fact is avoiding the issue. The issue, and it may or may not be a Moral issue for some, is that Homosexual behaviour causes AIDS. This is not theory or speculation. This is fact and reality. That the small minority Homosexual community and their supporters demand that their Lifstyle be treated as 'equally' as the Heterosexual majority knowing that their behaviour is profoundly unhealthy, deadly and destructive to all of Humanity represents a serious Moral question. So again, that question remains: Is AIDS and all of its ramifications a 'Civil Rights' issue or a Public Health issue? It cannot be both at the same time. Sincerely, Jon .

 

[Sasha Jones]

The issue, and it may or may not be a Moral issue for some, is that Homosexual behaviour causes AIDS. This is not theory or speculation. This is fact and reality.

Are you kidding me?

I don't know if you have heard or not but ANY sexual behaviour with another human being can transmit (not cause) HIV. Homo/hetero.

 

[frankcastle]

YEah homosexuality didn't cause AIDS. Actus the whole bit about homosexuality is way off base.

Wanting to do things bb, greek, oral, multiple partners these are things guys are seeking out here on terb as well. Guess we're all a bunch of homos, eh?

The fact that it's between two men or two women or one of each doesn't make a difference it's the various acts...... and I can't think of an act that occurs in homosexual sex that heteros don't do.

Yes the diesease was most prominent in the gay community but that was prior to people knowing how it was spread etc etc etc. Now with knowledge people are safer. And just read terb and you'll find a number of posts of men choosing to pursue unsafe activities.

 

[reg]

The issue, and it may or may not be a Moral issue for some, is that Homosexual behaviour causes AIDS. This is not theory or speculation. This is fact and reality. .

You, sir, are a liar. There is no documented fact to support your allegation. You spew theory and rhetoric that is at odds with documented fact.

Prove your point. You have been asked to do this many times, yet you seem unwilling (or dare I say, unable?) to do so.

Otherwise, I ask you to quit lying and spreading falsehood.

 

[frankcastle]

Even without homosexual behaviour aids would have still spread it just would have taken longer than the 80s for us to notice it but by the time we did it'd still be very serious..... as it crept up on us.

Take a look at the wide incidence of AIDS in certain areas of africa. It's almost at epidemic proportions in some places and the mode of transmission has been primarily hetero sex.

 

[jeffham29]

Because a strain of virus may resemble another seperate strain of virus is no reason to jump to conclusions regarding correlation, Mr. Asterix. There is in fact no 'growing amount of evidence' that I am aware of that the 'first cases of HIV was a cross species jump'. On that point there is only speculation, theory and conjecture. The virus that occurs in some primates in Africa which appears similiar to HIV/AIDS is not lethal to the host. What is known as a fact is that the first known and documented case of HIV/AIDS appeared in Homosexual men in New York City in 1981. I rarely watch PBS now because of their open support of the Homosexual Lifestyle and the obvious bias that that perspective represents. Sincerely, Jon .

Such profound ignorance can only be pitied. I am a person with a disability, paralyzed from the neck down for almost 30 years. I have been an object of pity all my life, but that is nothing compared to the pity I have for you when you espouse such utter nonsense.

PBS is the ONLY source of solid science left on television.

I quote again;

AIDS started when African tribes that hunt and eat Pan troglodytes troglodytes became contaminated with SIV (simian immune deficiency virus), usually from the butchering of the animals. Urbanization of many African countries brought these infected tribes people to big cities where the virus flourished.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids/

African tribes that butchered chimps brought the disease to the major South-Central African cities as early as the 30's or 40's.

They even traced the virus back genetically to the original group (family) of chimps!!! The know exactly where it came from.

 

[jeffham29]

Because a strain of virus may resemble another seperate strain of virus is no reason to jump to conclusions regarding correlation, Mr. Asterix. There is in fact no 'growing amount of evidence' that I am aware of that the 'first cases of HIV was a cross species jump'. On that point there is only speculation, theory and conjecture. The virus that occurs in some primates in Africa which appears similiar to HIV/AIDS is not lethal to the host. What is known as a fact is that the first known and documented case of HIV/AIDS appeared in Homosexual men in New York City in 1981. I rarely watch PBS now because of their open support of the Homosexual Lifestyle and the obvious bias that that perspective represents. Sincerely, Jon .

P.S. The Earth is round...