Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
Foo Fighters, HIV Deniers (2000) (motherjones.com)
7 points by edward on April 30, 2015 | hide | past | favorite | 9 comments



"Maggiore's promotion of AIDS denialism had long been controversial, particularly since her 3-year-old daughter, Eliza Jane Scovill, died of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, considered to be an AIDS-defining illness. Consistent with her belief that HIV was harmless, Maggiore had not taken medication to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to her daughter during pregnancy, and she did not have Eliza Jane tested for HIV during her daughter's lifetime.[3][4] Maggiore herself died on December 27, 2008 after suffering from AIDS-related conditions.[5]"

I'd suggest she be tried for, at least, negligent homicide but she's already dead. She should be held up as a poster-child for what happens to you when you deny reality.


Should a parent who allows their child get fat be tried for negligent homicide for knocking years off their life?

Stay out of other peoples decision on how they raise their kids. (As in by force, enticing / propaganda I have np with)

She believed she was doing the right thing and didn't do it to hurt the child. AFAIK she wasn't diagnosed as mentally ill.

Do we really want the government raising our children by rule of law?


"Should a parent who allows their child get fat be tried for negligent homicide for knocking years off their life?"

No, but parents who allow their children to become morbidly obese should be investigated for child abuse.

"Stay out of other peoples decision on how they raise their kids."

I do. She didn't raise her kid; she killed her kid.

"Do we really want the government raising our children by rule of law?"

Yes. The rule of law is what distinguishes civilisation from savagery.

Edited: although I'm not sure that's what you meant by 'the rule of law'. If you're against Government intervention in parenting I'm in agreement, by and large, but there is clearly a point at which intervention is reasonable. Consider e.g. infanticide; does your rejection of Government interference in parenting extend that far?

The interesting cases are the grey areas. What about parents who encourage their children to participate in dangerous sports? That seems reasonable to me, although I know some of the wrap-children-in-cotton-wool brigade disagree.

I don't see withholding life-saving medical treatments as a legitimate parenting option, however.

Maybe we should ask the parent in question?

Oh, wait, her bad ideas killed her as well.


This is absurd. Research into HIV and AIDS has been ongoing for decades and remarkable progress has been made with drugs that slow the progression from HIV to AIDS (I have no idea of side effects or strength of the drugs however).

HIV wears down your immune system which leads to AIDS. Whether other causes could lead to AIDS I don't know, but HIV definitely does.


The inventor of PCR, Kary Mullis, has something to say about this too.

Can you cite any research that shows definitively that HIV causes AIDS? Mullis says that he can't find a reference. Can you?


"The Evidence That HIV Causes AIDS" - http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/hivaids/understanding/howhiv...

Speaking of PCR, it says: "Recently developed sensitive testing methods, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and improved culture techniques, have enabled researchers to find HIV in patients with AIDS with few exceptions."

Linus Pauling thought that megadoses of vitamin C would reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. He was wrong. A Nobel Prize, even in a related field, does not make someone infallible. (This is also the Mullis who believes in astrology, yes?)

I've read of many a young earth creationalist who says there is no evidence of evolution, and can't find a reference which proves that evolution exists. Every argument for evolution is declaimed as insufficient. The problem is, if you can pin them down on what would count as evidence, they demand ridiculous things, like a cat that gave birth to puppies.

What are his requirements, can they be met by other diseases, and can they be evaluated by people who aren't him?


This is a little old, surely? That's 15 years ago; not even an update to whether they've changed since?


Mother Jones, sensationalists.


AIDS deniers are pretty sensational if you ask me.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: