skaron@eagle.wesleyan.edu (10/17/89)
In article <28160@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>, brianl@uunet.uu.net (Brian Larsen) writes: > In article <28083@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU> skaron@eagle.wesleyan.edu writes: >> >> There are many pros and cons to getting tested. Below are some reasons you >>may or may not want to get tested, the choice has to be an individual one >>depending on which reasons seem to describe you best. > > See my comments to your "cons" to getting tested > to coin a phrase "they wouldn't hold much water" > AND could ruin lives!!! {Many Flames follow...} Whoa! Let's slow down a minute. First of all I was not speaking for myself,but as a hopefully neutral person giving possible reasons for both sides of the issue. All those reasons were taken directly out of a book about HIV ANTIBODY testing. (Will most of you please stop calling it an AIDS test.) That's why I feel you got the wrong impression about me. If you got problems with the book,fine but please don't jump to assume they are my opinions. Believe it or not, some people do have the opinions expressed...Otherwise they wouldn't be reasons now would they? I have made many posts about this topic, and really regret having to post this letter (but my ego wouldn't let me stand still). It is this type of person bashing that is starting to get annoying. I know HIV,ARC,and AIDS are extremely emotional subjects, but we can't start bashing people everytime they have an opposite opinion. We have to hear BOTH sides of the story (and ALL opinions), if we want to dispel this fear of AIDS. And by the way Brian... I had an Uncle who had AIDS, and I visited him in the hospital every time I could (and this was when I was 14, and the fear of AIDS was very high). So saying my statements were based on a fear of AIDS,HIV,etc., really hurt, and I hope I am one of the peolpe dispelling that fear..(I'm doing AIDS and Sexual Health awareness workshops as a peer educator). So once again...Let's not jump to hasty conclusions about the person at the other end of the screen, as we really know next to nothing about the poster. -Steve Karon (and I hope by signing my name at every post, that shows I'm willing to get back alternate opinions ...but not people bashing!!!) P.S. I noticed you sign your name at the end of a post to...so MAYBE you feel the same way.
brianl@uunet.uu.net (Brian Larsen) (10/20/89)
I want to make a public apology to you Steve. I did jump on you rather hastily, I just get very emotionally charged with this issue. I have experienced more grief of death and illness around this disease than at times I think I can handle. And the meassage I wanted to get across(though through rage, few ever listen) is that knowledge of one's health status is the most important factor in stopping this disease from spreading. I'm at a point where I have very few "old" friends left, and I'm only 26. I will try to keep to the facts. thanks for calling me on my "stuff" --Brian Larsen