Posted on 10/10/2008 12:48:04 PM PDT by Dr. Zzyzx
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Magic Johnson says he's outraged that a pair of Minneapolis talk radio hosts accused him of faking AIDS. KTLK's Chris Baker and Langdon Perry made the remarks during Baker's conservative talk show on Wednesday. The context for the remarks wasn't clear. According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller complained about demands on workers. 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 issued a statement Thursday saying he was "outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue." "Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS, and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable," Johnson said. "Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies." Johnson was diagnosed with HIV in 1991 and retired from the NBA at 32. A KTLK program director didn't immediately return a call seeking comment Friday.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
What a couple of idiots.
He’s only doing so well because he sleeps with all that money around him... /obscure South Park reference
Disgusting.
What absolute idiots.
He is one of the longest surviving HIV positive people on record. What, 17 years? No apparent medication side effects. No weight loss or gain. No opportunistic infections. No cancers.
Really suspicious.
Who in the heck is going to fake having AIDS? I mean I am sure there are some, but an african American sports male who was making millions of dollars in advertising? This is the dumbest thing I have heard. He was risking complete disgust from the world. He would not do that when at the time especially it was a disease that people totally looked at as a huge negative.
May be when he said “I have aids” he meant he has assistants? Like in that episode of South Park.
Baker was fired from a Houston station about this time last year for making insensitive remarks. Looks like he did not learn anything.
For everyone that didn't get the reference:
South Park - 12x01 - Tonsil Trouble
After a routine tonsillectomy goes horribly wrong, Cartman comes face to face with his own mortality.
It's a good one. :)
Butters: I think you're a real special little guy....
I think the correct terms is that Magic Johnson is HIV positive, but he does not have AIDS which is actually a byproduct of being HIV positive.
But either one is not something you fake.
Pretty ignorant thing for them to say especially about someone like Magic. Nobody would want that stigma then or now plus he was only 32.
That’s what they get paid to do - be idiots. So what?
They have to have been joking.
What motivation would he have to be an outcast and cut his career short?
Wait a minute are they black and talking to a black audience?
That could explain it. Most of the blacks I know are insane on certain topics (OJ, Obama, racisism).
My first thought was: morning "zoo crew" on an "urban" station.
Don't care enough to investigate. Dumbasses with a microphone. Nothing new.
No idea. Maybe he was tired of the game and had a really good disability policy that would pay him his salary at the time of disability for life.
All that would be required is a positive Western Blot test for HIV which can be forged or spuriously induced. I won’t elaborate how, but it’s not too difficult.
I recall stories of Magic going to Europe for a blood cleaning/exchange/filtration procedure - one not allowed in the USA. Anyone have any info on this? Is it true or not? I dunno...SSZ
WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC’S MINNESOTA PING LIST!
108 MEMBERS AND GROWING...!
FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT ON OR OFF THIS LIST!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.