From: dpipes@spica.srg (Dave Pipes x4552)
Subject: Re: aids started by cia?
Organization: just me
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 19:37:58 GMT
Followup-To: sci.skeptic

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
Newsgroups: alt.conspiracy