October 10, 2008 – Dr. Anklesnap
In this day and age of media overload, there is a certain amount of praise given to journalists and other members of the media that conduct their craft with the goal of ‘Shock and Awe’. I mean c’mon aren’t we all looking for that ‘wow factor’ in each and every piece of work we undertake? But is there a line you just don’t cross? Are there topics you just don’t talk about, and why?
Well I believe there are. Being good at what you do as a member of the media, whether you are a print journalist, blogger, radio or tv personality, etc., does not mean you have to rid yourself of every last shred of moral decency. I figured most human beings with more than two brain cells to rub together would pick up on this fact, but after reading this story today about the two KTLK in Minneapolis radio personalities who said ‘on-air’ that they believed NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson was faking having AIDS to get attention, I realize not all humans are created equal. I hate to further contribute to the success of the attention seeking antics of Chris Baker and Langdon Perry, the two culprits, but i’m not sure people should brush this one under the rug.
During the October 8 broadcast of KTLK’s The Chris Baker Show, Perry asked: “What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?” Baker interjected, “like Magic Johnson,” to which Perry replied, “Like Magic with his faked AIDS.” After Baker asked, “You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?” Perry stated, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.” Baker replied, “Yeah, me too.” Perry added: “It falls apart when you get into motivation. I’m not sure why, but I’m pretty sure he faked AIDS. … Cause he’s the only cured AIDS guy ever.”
Magic Johnson had this to say in response:
“I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am 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.”
Magic Johnson could have done much worse in ripping these two pea brains, but instead chose to show what true class is by qualifying his comments with a statement that could help people and the cause regarding the prevention of AIDS.
I’m sure we’ve all fallen victim to a good conspiracy theory now and then. But for these two guys to actually insinuate that a professional athlete at the peak of his greatness, in his prime, would fake having a fatal disease to get ‘sympathy’, clearly shows how little they know about Sports, Life, Health, or Political Correctness. Sure, maybe these fools were in some round about way trying to say that they are amazed at how healthy Magic Johnson appears to be after all of these years following the announcement that he contracted the HIV virus. But why couldn’t they just say “Wow, Magic is really managing his health well, he must be really diligent about preventative health and immune support therapy.”
Oh wait, I know why. Because that would take some semblance of intelligence. These guys have none. Let the verbal diarrhea continue over at KTLK in Minneapolis.
Well those are my thoughts on the issue? What do YOU think!
