Minneapolis yakkers claim Magic faked HIV/AIDS
Media Matters, the folks who brought down Don Imus last year, this week uncovered some disturbing radio banter in Minnesota, of all places.
Turns out a couple of clowns (jokingly?) wondered whether Earvin Johnson had faked getting the virus that causes AIDS, prompting Magic to respond angrily. Click below for all that.
One of the strangest assignments of my career was writing the news story about Johnson's announcement in 1991. Of course no one would have believed you at the time if you had said Johnson would be alive and relatively well in 2008.
The next morning I read The New York Times' account and its lead paragraph and mine differed by a single word, as I recall. That was weird. You could look it up, if you had no life and nothing better to do.
Here's the release from Thursday:
Today, in response to an item from Media Matters for America documenting KTLK radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry agreeing that “Magic faked AIDS,” former basketball star and philanthropist Earvin “Magic” Johnson denounced the comments as callous and insensitive to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
“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.”
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.”
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Comments (2)
[i]This is only a test.[/i]
Another test.