I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS

What-A-Coincidence

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/10/10/magic.radio.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Talk radio hosts: Magic faked AIDS

Story Highlights

Two Minneapolis talk radio hosts accused Magic Johnson of faking AIDS

Magic released a statement expressing outrage over the remarks

The former Lakers great was diagnosed with HIV in 1991

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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Former NBA star Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show hosts Friday for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn't want them to be fired.

Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker's conservative radio show on Wednesday. After Johnson condemned the statements, the station said it regretted "some offhand remarks" by the pair.

"We can't have people out here making false statements and putting out bad information, because this battle is too big when it comes to HIV and AIDS," Johnson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

"I poured my life into it and a lot of other people have poured their life into it, into getting out the right information so people can protect themselves and know what HIV and AIDS is all about."

Johnson called the remarks "so stupid," and said he hadn't heard from the station. He also wants the hosts to keep their jobs.

"I would rather they educate their audience," he said.

According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted that health care isn't a basic right. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time "if you just get some basic drugs."

Baker responded, "Like Magic Johnson?"

Perry replied, "Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS."

Baker said, "You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?"

Perry replied, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS."

"Me too," Baker said.

Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and then retired from the NBA at 32.

KTLK's statement said it recognized the seriousness of AIDS and the "great work" Johnson has done to call attention to the disease.

"We regret that some offhand remarks by commentators on KTLK did not reflect that," the statement said. "To better inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching out to Mr. Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts."

Program director Steve Versnick said the station wouldn't comment beyond the statement.

Johnson, 49, said his health is "wonderful." He also noted that he has HIV, not AIDS.

"You have incredible drugs now," he said. "I'm working out every day."

minimus

Stupid to be "convinced".

funkyderek

minimus:

Stupid to be "convinced".

That's typical behaviour for W-A-C. He can apparently be easily convinced of anything as long as it is patently false.

avishai

Oh, yeah. At the peak of one of the best NBA careers EVER, fake a disease that then (and still) had a HUGE stigma too it. Commit career suicide for fun. This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I have friends that died of AIDS and some that have been HIV positive for nearly as long as Magic. This is a new low for you, WAC.

IP_SEC

AIDS is not a disease to fake or not fake. AIDS is a set of symptoms. I dont think a person can fake Kaposi Sarcoma which is by itself not a symptom of AIDS but a pretty good indicator. Couple it with another rare disease and you call it AIDS

Some people get sick and die after testing positive to HIV antibodies. Some do not. Either the test is Positive, Negative, or Inconclusive. His test for HIV antibodies was positive.

Its 2008 and some people still dont know this stuff?

BTW WAC did not say that he was convinced that MJ "faked AIDS". He was quoting from an article. Big difference.

So what you think WAC? Did MJ fake AIDS?

LDH

I have no idea why you would say something like that. Do you not know that HIV, when well controlled, doesn't make you 'look sick?'

White Dove

It's 2008. I'm surprised that there are still some out there who are so uninformed about a much publicized disease. Do some not read the brochures while waiting for a dr.'s appt? They are everywhere. There is no excuse for not knowing, now. The only excuse that I can think of is...prejudice.

shamus100

Strange... I'm convinced of something too.

ColdRedRain

Because I've had such a wonderful, and I use the term loosely, wonderful series of relationships, I've had to worry about getting HIV from my unfaithful partners plenty of times. So, here's what the doctors told me at the clinic when I thought I had HIV.

1. HIV infection is a long, slow process. It usually takes 10 years to die from AIDS before you're first infected with HIV, provided you do not take your meds. Some people are slow progressors. Magic Johnson, a professional athlete, is a very slow progressor due to his extreme physical fitness. He's been infected since 1991 and has been healthy ever since.

2. HIV does cause AIDS. You can search up on Google images where there are microphotographs of HIV infecting lymphocytes.

3. Anybody who says otherwise is a fool.

And of note, I live in the market where Chris Baker is in. He's a fool. There are a lot of good conservative commentators in the market, and he's not one of them. Bob Davis of KSTP in Saint Paul is a much better, more intelligent conservative commentator on the same time slot.