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Subject: 
Re: Why is AIDS such a big deal?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Mon, 1 May 2000 02:17:07 GMT
Viewed: 
267 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Christopher L. Weeks writes:

Why is AIDS such a big deal?

Oh, man, you are bringing up a topic that perhaps is more explosive than just
about any other in modern american society. I love it.

This is not going to make me any friends, but in my opinion the attention AIDS
gets is a testimony to the power of certain special interest groups who want it
to get more attention than other threats to longevity that actually are more
serious.

Reason did a long write up or 7 on this topic and the reasons seem to be quite
complex. Some factors (none of which I claim are complete explanations)

- Research establishments live to get funding, so it's in their interests to
make things they're researching seem bad. Sort of. No one researches ways to
prevent slivers after all.
- Politicians can "support the gay community" by supporting AIDS research
funding instead of addressing issues that are tougher to tackle but actually
matter more, like ensuring that the government doesn't discriminate against
one orientation in preference of another. After all, who is going to go on
record as against research into a disease which, after all, actually IS a
particularly nasty way to go, so that's a safe option.
- AIDS drugs are about the most expensive out there on a per dose basis.

Is Clinton off his rocker to
declare it a threat to national security?

Sure. No worse than usual though, and it's a chance for him to emote publicly
which he seems to relish.

++Lar



Message has 3 Replies:
  Re: Why is AIDS such a big deal?
 
(...) it (...) Wow, for once, Larry, I actually agree with you! On all points! I hope this isn't a continuing trend ;-) Whilst the ill-informed will brand it a "gay disease", the fact that AIDS is indiscriminate across the sexual spectrum makes it a (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
  Re: Why is AIDS such a big deal?
 
(...) What are these threats? (...) Who is Reason? (...) It is a threat, maybe not to national security, but a threat nevertheless. HIV/AIDS could cause the deaths of millions of people in a short time, it already has, it will in the future. HIV, (...) (24 years ago, 1-May-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
  Re: Why is AIDS such a big deal?
 
(...) Geez Larry, instead of answering the question, your first thought is to relish the debate. (...) it (...) Special Interest groups huh. Need I remind anyone reading this that until "certain special interest groups" fought, protested, and (...) (24 years ago, 2-May-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)  

Message is in Reply To:
  Why is AIDS such a big deal?
 
Hi all, The feature story at cnn.com right now is that the "AIDS pandemic [has been] declared [a] threat to U.S. national security." I've wondered about the cultural significance of AIDS and the related syndromes for about a decade, but haven't come (...) (24 years ago, 30-Apr-00, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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