Newsgroups: sci.skeptic
Subject: Re: aids started by cia?
From: hcollings@vax1.umkc.edu
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 19:29:01 GMT
Followup-To: sci.skeptic
 <16AUG199221553913@skyblu.ccit.arizona.edu> <16ncq5INNia4@agate.berkeley.edu> <1992Aug19.193758.24227@srg.srg.af.mil>
Organization: University of Missouri - Kansas City

In article <1992Aug19.193758.24227@srg.srg.af.mil>, dpipes@spica.srg (Dave Pipes x4552) writes:
> In article <16ncq5INNia4@agate.berkeley.edu> gertben@ocf.berkeley.edu (Benjamin Gertner) writes:
>>was aids started by the us government in secret (the cia or military)? A lot
>>of time and money is spent on bacteriological warfare and it seems obivious
>>that someone would want to test the effects of one of these diseases in the 
>>outside world. AIDS primarily affects IV drug users, homosexuals, the promicous,
>>the uncareful, prostitutes, and those in third world nations such as haiti and african nations. a very expendable group from their point of view. AIDS has    
>>resulted in shifting people's attention from other issues unfavorable to the
>>ruling class such as nuclear arms. It has also encouraged people to become more conservative in their sexual habits and helped legitmize prejudice against
>>
>>seen a video that featured some scientist who explained how this is done.
>>
>>-Ben
>>gertben@ocf.berkeley.edu
>>
> 
> Presumably he was able to explain why examples of the virus were present in
> the 1950's and contributed to several deaths between then and the onset of
> the epidemic begun (?) by that airline attendant.
> 
> Really, what possible military effect would killing a bunch of drug addicts 
> and other "expendables" have?  I note that you have left out hemophiliacs and
> heterosexuals and transplant patients.  Since you included the traditional
> hated/feared minorities (druggies, alternate lifestylists, foreigners,
> prostitutes, the "uncareful" (heathens all!)) I conclude that you likely are
> operating on your own fears and hatreds.
> 
> AIDS is not now, and never has been, limited to homosexual acts or drug-related
> acts for transmission.  YOU could go to the hospital for an emergency and get
> it.  It is naturally occuring.  The human race, and other races, suffer such
> plagues every so often.  Seals in the Atlantic just went through one, for
> example, which killed off massive numbers of them over a year or so.
> 
> When the Black Plague hit, many people said it was divine will, or a Muslim
> Plot, or a Papist Conspiracy, or punishment of non-Catholic Heresy, or...
> The point is that it is very comforting to us to say that we will probably
> not get it because it was caused by X and we support X, or it only afflicts Y
> and we are not Y.  So conspiracy theories about AIDS are a means of 
> psychological self-protection.  Like the Black Plague, AIDS is naturally
> occuring.  Like the Black Plague, it will kill a lot of us...almost certainly
> someone you know by the year 2000.
> 
> Also, note that the disease has no military use at all.  Diseases for use
> in germ warfare are virulently contagious, like the flu only worse.  AIDS
> is not.  They have a short incubation period with no signs, then a sudden
> devastating onset.  AIDS can take up to 10 years or more to show.  They kill
> quickly - usually within 24 hours.  AIDS takes years.  Finally, germ warfare
> agents break down quickly, so your own troops can move in and take over.
> AIDS doesn't even survive well in the air...breaks down too quickly.  So
> the usual method of dispersion - by vapor - would fail.
> 
> Still think it is military? or are you willing to question your own beliefs?
> 
> 		David Pipes
> robear@digex.com
I agree with most things you have said here but my senses tell me that just
because it is not necessarily a GOOD military weapon that it did not begin as
a military weapon or some experiment of the military and the CIA gone awry.
Newsgroups: sci.skeptic,talk.origins