Talk Show Hosts Accuse Magic Johnson of faking AIDS
Conservative talk radio hosts for station KTLK in Minneapolis crossed the line of between heated but civil discourse and outrageous rhetoric on Wednesday when they accused former NBA star Magic Johnson of faking AIDS. KTLK’s Chris Baker and Langdon Perry were talking about whether or not every American has the right to (affortable) health care when Perry remarked that “Magic faked AIDS.”
“You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?” Baker replied.
” Perry replied, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.”
“Me too,” Baker said.
Liberal media watchdog Mediamatters.org posted clips of the exchange, which led to quite some outraged media attention. Magic himself responded to the outrageous claims made by the two talks show hosts saying: “Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS, and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable. 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.”
Johnson was diagnosed with AIDS in 1991. He retired from basketball at the age of 32.
KTLK issued a statement on Friday, two days after the hosts made the outrageous remarks, saying it condemned them and that they “regret” that the Baker and Perry did not seem to respect and appreciate the “great work” Johnson had done for AIDS victims.
“We regret that some off-hand remarks by commentators on KTLK did not reflect that,” the statement said. “To better inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching out to Mr. Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts.”
It is good to see that KTLK uses the horrific remarks of Perry and Baker to accomplish something good. It remains a mystery to me, however, that there are actually people who listen to these individuals and, worse, that they get paid to spout nonsense.
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