Media will be media, but there are some things that just ain’t right!
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!
Classic Dolts! Were they actually serious when they said that??
They definitely crossed the line with these comments. I mean free speech is one thing but that’s just ignorant and dumb to say that about Magic.
This isn’t free speech, it’s slander, which is illegal.
He was diagnosed in 1991. Average lifespan for someone with this virus…10-15 years.
Do the math…he should be dead by now, the faker!
most people diagnosed with the disease aren’t multimillionaire celebs..
Ok this is to the dumb radio hosts as well as the “Larry Bird” idiot who tried to make his point by “doing the math” on the lifespan of someone with the virus. Magic was diagnosed wit HIV not AIDS which is a big difference if you knew anything about topic. A person is very capable of living with HIV for the rest of their life if they start treatment early enough and are diligent in their therapy. However, if the disease progresses to AIDS then that’s where you have the ability to put a timetable on someone’s life. So to say that he was cured of AIDS and/or faked it is WRONG because he never had it. He’s HIV positive people…it will never go away but give the man credit having the will power to continue on with his life as opposed to letting the virus take over him. This entire story is a result of ignorance by people who clearly know nothing about the epidemic. Educate yourselves!
@Shawny
very well put! It’s true that having HIV is not the same as AIDS. It can lay dormant for many many years and then inexplicably it turns into AIDS and your immune system can’t fight off even the most basic of disease.
I’m sure Magic takes lots of immune supporting medications and can afford cutting edge treatments.
@ Larry Bird
the real larry bird would be ashamed of people like you using his namesake on forums and blogs on the internet. You are an idiot.
Hit these bone heads in the Wallet. I’d sue them so there grand kids would owe me money if I was Magic Johnson.
I remember when this story broke…I truely believe that no one with the character that Magic has would “fake” something this horrible!
God Bless him that he is still healthy many are not and can not afford the medicines like he can..
These 2 “radio personalities” belong right where they are behind a mic….because they might get punched saying it when people can see them..
Keep up the magic Magic…many more years..
A problem here is, why would he do it? Sympathy? So? To be honest, I feel that he faked having AIDS…considering the fact that there have been no other people cured of the disease. The reason behind this is unknown but it’s awfully suspicious.
@Jay – Nobody has said he is cured though. The HIV is just lying dormant within his system. It’s actually quite common for it to be dormant for many years before you actually are diagnosed as having full blown AIDS.
The conspiracy theories are too far fetched. Why would he have put himself through the embarassment and ridicule during the peak of his career? Then have to attempt a comeback while other players were lobbying against it because they didn’t want to play against you…..no way he would make it up…..it’s too ridiculous to even think about.
These conspiracy theorists are idiots and have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about. Little was known about it, players were literally scared of touching him. He’s been living with HIV negative since he caught the virus, thanks to good treatment and careful management.
@snappy…he was diagnosed w/HIV not AIDS–HUGE difference. My brother died of AIDS & let me tell U I wish he had of been just HIV positive, at least we’d still have him around. The KTLK radio hosts surely slept through many of their formal years.
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