Administration defends nominee’s anti-gay remarks.
By on Jun 7th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Administration defends nominee’s anti-gay remarks.
The Bush administration has mounted a defense of surgeon general nominee James Holsinger’s 1991 anti-gay remarks, offering the following rationale:
“It should be noted that in 1991, homosexuals were banned from the military and several years before that, homosexuality and Haitian nationality were considered risk factors for HIV/AIDS.” said Health and Human Services spokeswoman Holly Babin. “Over the last 20 years, a clearer understanding of these issues has been achieved.”
Frank Lockwood of Bible Belt Blogger notes, “Of course, gays are still disproportionately impacted by AIDS in the United States. And gays are still banned from the military.”
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a physician should know better. clearly this one doesn’t think much of science. a perfect fit when you are trying to destroy science.
what are our elected fools doing? where are they on issues that matter?
June 7th, 2007 at 10:50 amAnd the misadministration also neglected to offer a statement that the good has changed his stance. They open their mouths and bullshit spews forth.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:50 am“Over the last 20 years, a clearer understanding of these issues has been achieved.â€
Enlighten us, Holly dear….
June 7th, 2007 at 10:53 amAnd former Senate Majority leader, Republican, and Doctor, Bill Frist thinks AIDS can be transmitted through tears. He better stay clear of John “The Crybaby” Boehner.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:57 amI don’t like science very much. It’s hard. It’s just easier to be a faith head.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:57 amDaryll?!?!?
June 7th, 2007 at 10:57 amHolly Babin sez:
And how is that different now?
Oh yeah…”don’t ask, don’t tell”. You can serve our country as long as you pretend to be hetero.
Thanks for that one, Bubba.
…and several years before that we believed disease was caused by a dwarf living in your stomach. What’s your point, Holly?
June 7th, 2007 at 10:58 am“And gay people are still icky,” Holly did not add.
June 7th, 2007 at 10:59 amI wonder how many closet cases are in or have been in Chimpy’s admin?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:11 amIn his defense, this candidate has been consistently bigoted for over sixteen years. Now that’s consistency!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:21 amAh yes, 1991. The good old days when Guantanamo Bay was used as a prison for HIV-infected Haitian refugees instead of Pakistani humor columnists.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:23 amDid’t the FDA recently ban blood from male homosexual precisely because, as they put it, being gay was a risk factor for HIV?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:29 amIsn’t AIDS more prevelant in gay men?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:32 amno, timmy.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:34 amIf Sen. Harry Reid allows this creep to become Surgeon General, then he must resign from the Senate and take the other Mormons with him.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:39 amno, timmy.
Comment by heyzeus
Apparently the Centers for Disease and Control think differently.
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/resources/factsheets/msm.htm
In the United States, HIV infection and AIDS have had a tremendous effect on men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM accounted for 72% of all HIV infections among male adults and adolescents in 2005 (based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting), even though only about 5% to 7% of male adults and adolescents in the United States identify themselves as MSM [1, 2].
June 7th, 2007 at 11:47 amIsn’t stupid commentary more prevalent in Trolls?
June 7th, 2007 at 11:51 amI was thinking in global terms, timmy.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:52 amI was thinking in global terms, timmy.
Comment by heyzeus
I doubt we can really determine global terms, especially in places like Africa that are very improvished. However, it is clear that gay men are much more at risk of contracting AIDS in the United States.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:58 amIsn’t stupid commentary more prevalent in Trolls?
Comment by RUCerious
Probably
June 7th, 2007 at 11:58 amThis defence doesn’t explain the link between AIDS and God’s judgement on homosexuality. That’s what disqualifies this Dr Clown.
That HIV/AIDS showed up first in Gay community should have been regarded as part of the puzzle, not some bizarre Divine Justice. The disease is easily spread between sexual active persons, whether straight or gay, as well as anyone using unsterilized hypodermic needles.
Clearly, Dr Clown was mixing up science and religion in a most unprofessional and dangerous way. His judgement cannot be trusted. This is only one issue, but one can easily imagine his “medical” opinion on a number of women’s health matters and see that he cannot be approved for the job.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:03 pm#19 “I doubt we can really determine, etc…..”
Comment by timmy
Suggest you leave out the inclusive “we” in your assumptions.
Account for your own knowledge, or lack of it, or the selectiveness of your knowledge, as you so eloquently did in your response to RUCerious.
There is plenty of documentation to prove the global scope of the AIDS epidemic.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:16 pmAnd the global realities do not mirror the situational statistics here in the United States.
Isn’t AIDS more prevelant in gay men?
Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 11:32 am
It depends how you measure the statistic. According to 2005 CDC estimated statistics, the about half of the new cases in the United States occur from male-to-male sexual contact, one third from heterosexual contact, and one-sixth from IV drug use, with smaller numbers for other causes. African-Americans are disproportionately affected, as are men of all races.
What these stats don’t tell you are other, possibly more important risk factors such as socioeconomic status, as Paul Farmer notes in Pathologies of Power. They also don’t tell you sexual preference. Male-to-male contact does not necessarily occur between homosexuals. Victims of prison rape or male prostitutes may not report themselves as “gay” on surveys, even though they
June 7th, 2007 at 12:17 pmare likely to contract the disease from this type of contact.
Suggest you leave out the inclusive “we†in your assumptions.
Account for your own knowledge, or lack of it, or the selectiveness of your knowledge, as you so eloquently did in your response to RUCerious.
There is plenty of documentation to prove the global scope of the AIDS epidemic.
And the global realities do not mirror the situational statistics here in the United States.
Comment by heyzeus
Please provide it. I gave you a link that shows gay men are much more at risk of getting AIDS in the United States, which by the way is where Holsinger has been nominated to be Surgeon General. So prove me wrong. Show me that gay men are not more likely to get AIDS globally.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:21 pmWhat these stats don’t tell you are other, possibly more important risk factors such as socioeconomic status, as Paul Farmer notes in Pathologies of Power. They also don’t tell you sexual preference. Male-to-male contact does not necessarily occur between homosexuals. Victims of prison rape or male prostitutes may not report themselves as “gay†on surveys, even though they
are likely to contract the disease from this type of contact.
Comment by toasterhead
I agree that all information is not there and factors you mention need to be taken into account. The link I did provide only gave AIDS numbers for males. Obviously the report is only as good as what patients say. If they are really gay and say they are straight or vice versa it is skewed. With that being said, it is pretty hard to discount the fact that gay men are more likely to get AIDS than straight men.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:25 pmActs 28:12-14, timmy
June 7th, 2007 at 12:28 pmActs 28:12-14, timmy
Comment by heyzeus
?
June 7th, 2007 at 12:35 pmactually, verses 1 thru 11 are pretty cool, too.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:37 pmespecially the part about the viper coming out of the bundle of sticks when they threw it on the fire….
If it ain’t good enough for ya timmy, crucify me….
June 7th, 2007 at 12:38 pmTimmy,
June 7th, 2007 at 12:39 pmIn Japan, around 45% of the hemophiliacs so designated before 1995 were also found to be HIV-positive because of tainted transfusions. A much higher percent than that for HIV-positive or full-blown AIDS among homosexuals.
In Africa, most AIDS patients have contracted the disease through heterosexual sex; in Southeast Asia and India, through contact betwen female prostitutes and their customers.
If it ain’t good enough for ya timmy, crucify me….
Comment by heyzeus
I guess you are unable to provide any backup to what your statements.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:42 pmTimmy,
In Japan, around 45% of the hemophiliacs so designated before 1995 were also found to be HIV-positive because of tainted transfusions. A much higher percent than that for HIV-positive or full-blown AIDS among homosexuals.
In Africa, most AIDS patients have contracted the disease through heterosexual sex; in Southeast Asia and India, through contact betwen female prostitutes and their customers.
Comment by Lora
I don’t doubt what you are saying. Do you have a link for any of this? I can’t find anything on sexual preference in AIDS patients on a global scale.
June 7th, 2007 at 12:43 pmI don’t doubt what you are saying. Do you have a link for any of this? I can’t find anything on sexual preference in AIDS patients on a global scale.
Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
There’s some data from UNAIDS: AIDS Epidemic Update 2006. See page 3. Male-male transmission is 26% in Latin America and far less in Africa and Asia.
However! These statistics, I believe, are to be viewed with some caution. Homosexuality is still a very taboo subject in many countries, particularly in South and Central Asia, and I believe there is significant under-reporting of MSM contact in these surveys. Many of these statistics are gathered at predominantly urban neighborhood clinics, or from household surveys that exclude migrant and military populations.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:16 pmThere’s some data from UNAIDS: AIDS Epidemic Update 2006. See page 3. Male-male transmission is 26% in Latin America and far less in Africa and Asia.
However! These statistics, I believe, are to be viewed with some caution. Homosexuality is still a very taboo subject in many countries, particularly in South and Central Asia, and I believe there is significant under-reporting of MSM contact in these surveys. Many of these statistics are gathered at predominantly urban neighborhood clinics, or from household surveys that exclude migrant and military populations.
Comment by toasterhead
Thanks for the link toasterhead. I agree that it should be looked at with caution as reporting in places like Africa is very difficult, so it is hard to trust the stats. Even though heyzeus believes that all information out there is relevant and true, even though he can’t provide any links.
If we assume that 26% is correct, and also assume that 10% of males are homosexual then it shows that gay men are much more likely to get AIDS. 1/10th of the population makes up 1/4th of AIDS patients. That is alarming.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:24 pmThat’s inaccurate, Homosexuality doesn’t increase risk of HIV/AIDS, unprotected sex does and due to poor educate in schools about the danger of unprotected for both Heterosexual and Homosexual students many are at greater risk of contracting the disease. Also, you must make assumption that every homosexual men has intercourse and also believe every homosexual male has unprotected sex. Grande countries, the using of drugs among heterosexual people is increased the risk of HIV/AIDS.
I must apologise my English is not of the brilliant
June 7th, 2007 at 1:42 pmIf we assume that 26% is correct, and also assume that 10% of males are homosexual then it shows that gay men are much more likely to get AIDS. 1/10th of the population makes up 1/4th of AIDS patients. That is alarming.
Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
Juxtaposing those two numbers does not necessarily give you the result that homosexuals are more likely to get AIDS. By the same logic, African-Americans in the United States are much more of a risk than homosexuals. Just over 1/10th of the population makes up more than 1/2 of AIDS patients. Why isn’t that the headline?
June 7th, 2007 at 1:48 pmJuxtaposing those two numbers does not necessarily give you the result that homosexuals are more likely to get AIDS. By the same logic, African-Americans in the United States are much more of a risk than homosexuals. Just over 1/10th of the population makes up more than 1/2 of AIDS patients. Why isn’t that the headline?
Comment by toasterhead
Actually in the U.S. in 2005 32% of new male AIDS patients were black, and in the 2000 Census 13% of the population is black. Compare that to the 72% of new male AIDS patients in 2005 and only 5-7% of males being gay the headline points more toward gay men being the most prevelant class.
June 7th, 2007 at 1:57 pmSorry I gave the wrong number for black AIDS patients-it actually was 49%, which is still much lower than the 72% of gay men.
June 7th, 2007 at 2:00 pmSorry I gave the wrong number for black AIDS patients-it actually was 49%, which is still much lower than the 72% of gay men.
Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
Except that the statistics do not cover sexual preference. Only the method of transmission. It’s a matter of high-risk behavior rather than homosexuality. A homosexual man in a monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is at zero risk of contracting HIV, whereas a heterosexual man or woman with multiple unprotected partner or a heroin addiction is at extremely high risk. It’s an oversimplificaton to frame the issue as gay/straight.
June 7th, 2007 at 2:23 pmI guess some might understand why I chose to pull some bible verses out of the air and throw them out for timmy to trip over, rather than bothering to waste time stumbling around trying to find links to provide info which is years old, and common knowledge outside of insular enclaves in the United States.
June 7th, 2007 at 2:24 pm(Actually, I did google the bible chapter I pulled out of the air, and it was uncannily apropo, in that it described the misadventures of a misguided second century delusional carpetbagger, and how his iteractions with the various peoples he met echoed the spread of infectious diseases….)
#40
The surest way to get AIDS under control:
One man one woman forever. This is the Jesus Christ endorsed method of expressing human sexuality recorded in Matthew chapter 19. Here Christ quotes Genesis which says that a man and a woman will be one flesh – married.
June 7th, 2007 at 2:41 pm#16 – “In the United States…” Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Everywhere else in the world (Except maybe Canada) it’s heterosexuals that are most at risk for HIV/AIDS.
We must ban heterosexuality everywhere else in the world to stop the spread!
Just following your logic. . . .
June 7th, 2007 at 2:47 pm#31 – “I guess you are unable to provide any backup to what your statements.” Comment by timmy — June 7, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1120333
“60-70% of world-wide cases from vaginal intercourse”
http://www.unesco.org/education/educprog/pead/GB/AIDSGB/AIDSGBtx/pandemGB.html
June 7th, 2007 at 2:56 pm“Region – Main mode of transmission for those living with HIV/AIDS”
Sub-Saharan Africa – Hetero
North Africa & Middle East – Hetero, IDU
South and South-East Asia – Hetero, IDU
East Asia & Pacific – IDU, Hetero, MSM
Latin America – MSM, IDU, Hetero
Caribbean – Hetero, MSM
Eastern Europe & Central Asia – IDU
Western Europe – MSM, IDU
North America – MSM, IDU, Hetero
Australia & New Zealand – MSM”
#36 – ” Just over 1/10th of the population makes up more than 1/2 of AIDS patients. Why isn’t that the headline?” Comment by toasterhead — June 7, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
Probably because the % of newly infected people is highest among heterosexuals. You know, the majority population.
Why worry about the minority when the majority is most at risk?
June 7th, 2007 at 2:58 pmin 1981 i was 16 years old and knew the facts about aids. i knew that condoms could prevent the spread of aids, i knew that you couldnt get it from casual contact and i knew that straight people could get aids. does she really expect people to believe that we didnt have the same facts about aids in 1987 than we do now? just because he chose to believe the bs that was put out there by right-wing anti-gay bigots doesnt relieve him from his responsibility as a doctor to have all the facts. i believe the dr knew the facts but decided to be a hateful bigot when he assisted with the aids disinformation campaign. i remember john hagee telling his congregation that aids could live on a plate for 12 hours. this was in like 1991. dick!
June 7th, 2007 at 4:03 pmI guess some might understand why I chose to pull some bible verses out of the air and throw them out for timmy to trip over, rather than bothering to waste time stumbling around trying to find links to provide info which is years old, and common knowledge outside of insular enclaves in the United States.
(Actually, I did google the bible chapter I pulled out of the air, and it was uncannily apropo, in that it described the misadventures of a misguided second century delusional carpetbagger, and how his iteractions with the various peoples he met echoed the spread of infectious diseases….)
Comment by heyzeus
Don’t worry people know that you are incapable of debating intelligently.
June 7th, 2007 at 4:10 pm“60-70% of world-wide cases from vaginal intercourseâ€
Comment by Democrat Soldier
Thanks for the links! Interesting to see that the global numbers for homosexual AIDS contracting is so low compared to the U.S. and U.K. Why do you think that is? The U.S. and U.K. clearly 48% of the U.S. and 66% of the U.K. being homosexual men is alarming, especially when they comprise such a small percentage of the population. Do you think that reporting is accurate of smaller poorer countries? Do you think that there are more people engaging in unprotected anal intercourse here and in the U.K. to explain such a disparity in percentages?
June 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pmEverywhere else in the world (Except maybe Canada) it’s heterosexuals that are most at risk for HIV/AIDS.
We must ban heterosexuality everywhere else in the world to stop the spread!
Just following your logic. . . .
Comment by Democrat Soldier
I never once said anything about banning homosexuality in the U.S. I would like to have an honest discussion in this if you are willing, if you are going to just attack, I won’t waste my time. Also your numbers really don’t show that homosexuals are any less at risk globally than heterosexuals as the percentages are 5-10% for anal sex, which is the estimated percentage of people that are homosexual.
June 7th, 2007 at 4:29 pmwith all due repsect, i think that timmy embodies the worries that many of us have about mr. holsinger.
he comes from a position (and please forgive me if I am incorrect) that homosexual sex is “dangerous” and wrong. With that in mind, he looks up data to reinforce his beliefs, despite the fact that he seems to be mischaracterizing some of the information.
If you read holsinger’s paper, you will see the same errors when it comes to lack of objectivity.
In his paper, Holsinger admits that heterosexuals engage in anal sex but he gives them a pass for doing so while at the same time criticizing gays for it – i.e. calling anal sex “gay sex.”
This contradicts his talk about the “parts not fitting” in the final part of his paper.
He also talks about the health risks that gays allegedly face because of anal sex but again gives heterosexuals engaging in said same sexual behavior a free pass.
Can Holsinger be objective as surgeon general or will he operate from preconceived ideological notions like he did when writing his paper?
That is the question here.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pmyou don’t debate, timmy, you simply bait.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:40 pmyou don’t debate, timmy, you simply bait.
Comment by heyzeus
I have posted facts all you have done is try and fight. You would much rather post insults than actual truthful information.
June 8th, 2007 at 10:20 am-11chroicles chapter 9 number 25 and 1 king chapter 4 number 26
July 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am-exodus 33:23 holy bible and genesis 32:30 holy bible