From: markham@brtph600.bnr.ca (Andrew Markham P205)
Subject: Ignorant (was Re: Selfish)
Organization: Bell Northern Research Inc.
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1992 17:58:15 GMT

tim@kudzu.viewlogic.com (Tim Foster) writes:
>
>If you expected this article to be about Magic, you're right.

I must say that I'm growing tired of these anti-Magic postings.
It is people like you, Tim, who think you know so much about the NBA and
HIV, that you know the best for all worlds.  To be honest, you and those
like you make me sidk.

>I believe that what Magic is doing is very selfish.

I think what you are saying is stupid.  Does that mean you shouldn't do
it?  Does that make it wrong?

>I continue to have little respect for the man.  Why?  Not because of the 
>money.  If the Lakers are foolish enough to pay him, that's their problem.  
>It is a business transaction for both parties, from which both stand to 
>profit.  

Pull your head out of you ass.  Magic was going to receive the money for the
next two years no matter what, and rumor has it that the Lakers were planning
on giving him an extension even if he never came back.

It isn't a business transaction, it's a payback.

>But because I believe he is putting himself before all the other players in 
>the league.  Magic has a disease which is fatal to all who contract it.  

It is my understanding that Magic has tested HIV positive, but has not,
as of yet, contracted the AIDS virus.  HIV <> AIDS.

>The way that this disease is communicated is through blood.  

Shows you know a little something.  I figured you were going to say that
Magic might pass it to Isiah when they kiss cheeks at mid-court.  You make
it sound like HIV blood is like acid.

>Although the odds are probably pretty low, there still remains a chance 
>that some contact with Magic might cause blood to flow.  Teeth can easilty 
>break through someone's skin if hard contact is made.  That is the nature 
>of the game of basketball, especially in the NBA.  

Sure it's possible.  It's also possible that 50 other NBAers would test 
HIV positive, so should we then test them all and toss out everyone who
comes up positive?  I think not.

It's also positive that someone you work with might have AIDS, and might
bump into you coming around the corner.  You might cut him with a fingernail
and then accidentally contract AIDS.  LET'S QUARANTINE THEM ALL!!!!!!

Too many people sound this ignorant.  If Magic starts to bleed, everyone 
in the Palace isn't going to fall over with AIDS.  Another individual must 
not only come into contact with the blood, but must also have it enter an 
open sore, etc...  And then there is only the possibility that they will 
actually later be diagnosed HIV positive.  You make it sound like 'if Magic 
bleeds, someone will get AIDS' and that simply isn't true.

>Anyone who denies that this is a possibility is just fooling themselves.  
>If Magic was concerned about his peers, he would not put them in the 
>situation where they are threatened.  I know most of his peers say that
>they support Magic, and that's great.  But it would still be the "right"
>thing to do for Magic not to risk their lives, just for his own 
>happiness.

So I guess you know what is right.  Magic and all others that have tested
HIV positive should live a secluded life behind closed doors, just to make
sure that no freak accident ever occurs that could jepordize anyone
else's livelihood.  Magic is just trying to live like a normal person,
which he is.

You aren't the first person to consider all of these possibilities.  And
you certainly won't be the last.  I'm sure that Magic, his staff of doctors
(and you can bet they aren't a bunch of bums), the Laker front office,
his teammates, other NBA players, the NBA as an association, the players
association, etc... have discussed these topics.  If you think you have
come to a better conclusion that all of the aforementioned people, maybe
you should wake up.




Sorry for the babbling folks, but this has been really bothering me.



-- 
Andrew W. Markham (markham@bnr.ca)
Bell Northern Research, Inc.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro