Charlie Sheen

Samaris

CruelCoin wrote: »

Depends on the work. I work largely outdoors and have several outdoors hobbies, and i have cuts on my hands most of the time.

If i knew someone had hiv, i wouldn't touch them without a hazmat suit first.

Crikey, I hope you're not overly aware of all the other things you can get from cuts on your hands, or I suspect you'd never leave the house again!

R.D. aka MR.D

brevity wrote: »

Sounds like he was too young to be doing any of that business.

He was in his mid-20's. It would be somewhat understandable from a teenager. I often wonder if he ever got help/figured it out.

asherbassad

errlloyd wrote: »

It is ridiculously difficult to contract it from vaginal sex alright. A German pop star who was hiv positive was sued by some of her sexual partners, but got off becuase her doctor had advised her the risks were very low.

However. Charlie Sheen was reported as having sexual partners from both genders, and I wouldn't rule out him being more adventurous than just vaginal sex.

I dunno if CS ever did intravenous drugs, but obviously that raises all sorts of issues too. Weird, when this thread opened, he'd already been diagnosed.

Even if Charlie Sheen was shooting up I very much doubt he would need to share a needle with someone. The guy has enough cash to buy all the needle factories in the state.

osarusan

I remember when I was in primary school, somebody had gone home for lunch and come back with some ice-cream between two wafers.

They wouldn't share it with me 'because of the AIDS.'

Seems like we've still got people with that mentality.

Effects

asherbassad wrote: »

Even if Charlie Sheen was shooting up I very much doubt he would need to share a needle with someone. The guy has enough cash to buy all the needle factories in the state.

It's not about being able to afford needles. You can get all the needles you want for free here in Ireland. It's about the hold the drug has on you and you don't take the same precautions you think you would.

Son Of A Vidic

So Sheen is HIV positive, well that has to be one of the least surprising pieces of new I've heard in a long time. He's now become a poster boy for how not to live your life. I only hope he has not infected anyone else due to his own stupidity.

asherbassad

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I've seen him named all over the net for over a week now so it was no real secret, apparently he paid some of his former partners millions to keep quiet up until now.

If he went bareback knowing he had HIV he was a Grade A scumbag but I think people should wait and see if it's true first before judging him.

Doubt many would want to be with him now, no way would I go near someone who has HIV and I doubt I'm alone in thinking this.

I would imagine that he will now be getting in touch with as many HIV+ hookers, strippers, porn queens as he can. They can now have no holds barred orgies and nobody need worry about condoms, etc.

ThinkProgress

CruelCoin wrote: »

Depends on the work. I work largely outdoors and have several outdoors hobbies, and i have cuts on my hands most of the time.

If i knew someone had hiv, i wouldn't touch them without a hazmat suit first.

I agree with this. (not the hazmat suit part - but I think you're only saying that for dramatic affect. I don't think you're being 100% serious with that part)

Sometimes the practicalities of life and the need to keep yourself safe from a dangerous disease, supersede the desire to avoid hurting someone's feelings. Imho!



I also feel like I need to expand a bit on my earlier point, because people seem to be enjoying jumping on me from their ivory towers and beating me with their stick of self righteous indignation!

(not that I'm going to waste too much energy defending myself on here from the hordes of SJW sharks that will more than likely see me as an easy meal)

It's not just the disease that would make me think twice about shaking a HIV-positive person's hand... it's also the person themselves. Let me explain.

Let's take Charlie Sheen as an example - since that's who this thread is about.

Even if Charlie Sheen didn't have HIV, I still probably wouldn't shake his hand... because I don't like or respect him. I disapprove of what he is and how he leads his life.

I wouldn't want to be in the same room or building as someone like Charlie Sheen. He doesn't care about his life or anyone else's... his behavior and lifestyle over the years show me this.

There are many people just like "good time charlie" out there... you see them most nights if you go out for a drink in any major city in the world.

In most cases of HIV, it's the person's lifestyle choices and reckless behavior that leads to them contracting the disease. I know there are exceptions to this, and some careful people can just be very unlucky... but I maintain that the vast majority get it through bad choices.

Why should I be comfortable shaking the hand of a person who quite likely has (or had) a careless disregard for their health and other people's? In addition to the fact that they have a deadly disease that could ruin my life...

AND

Science is always discovering new things that we didn't understand yesterday or today.

We don't fully understand HIV or AIDS. (The fact we haven't developed a cure for it yet, is strong evidence of this)

Yes we have better understanding of it today than we did 20 years ago. But it's still a bit of a mystery illness in some regards....

So while I acknowledge that my behavior is somewhat potentially damaging to the welfare of those with the condition, my instincts tell me to be very cautious around an incurable disease that we don't fully understand yet.

I should also clarify - I don't hate people with HIV/AIDS. And I certainly would never discriminate against them in any avoidable way. (other than being uncomfortable being in their presence - which I would always try to hide for their benefit)

People can attack me if they wish, but I'm unapologetic for being a careful person in certain circumstances. I value my life and health... even if that means potentially someone might get their feelings hurt. Or feel stigmatized.

Some of the stigma around HIV/AIDS is perfectly legitimate imo. And the stigma around someone like Charlie Sheen's lifestyle and character is even more legitimate...

I wouldn't go as far as saying he got what he deserved for his bad choices, because that's a bit too callous for me... but I could understand those who hold that view.

beyondbelief67

ThinkProgress wrote: »

I

Science is always discovering new things that we didn't understand yesterday or today.

We don't fully understand HIV or AIDS. (The fact we haven't developed a cure for it yet, is strong evidence of this)

I really hope you get the help you so badly need, no they don't know how to cure it yet, but they do know how it is passed on, and it certainly isn't through shaking hands or giving the person s hug, and Christ On a bike do they need a hug with what they are going through !
Especially when they have to contend with people like yourself.
I worked voluntary in a hospice that had aids patients, and on the buddy scheme for young people who were diagnosed, and I truly thought people with ideas such as your own were a thing of the past and so wish you were, you truly haven't a clue how hurtful your words and actions could be.
Please get help and enlighten yourself.

ThinkProgress

beyondbelief67 wrote: »

Especially when they have to contend with people like yourself.

If you read my point, you would have seen that they would not have to deal with me...

A) I would actively avoid anyone who I knew had the disease, so they wouldn't need to worry about being burdened with my presence.

AND

If for some reason I did have to be in their presence, I would make the effort to hide any discomfort for their benefit. (as I already explained)

Kevhog1988

im 27 and i can safely say i know very little about aids etc

ThinkProgress

ThinkProgress wrote: »

If you read my point, you would have seen that they would not have to deal with me...

A) I would actively avoid anyone who I knew had the disease, so they wouldn't need to worry about being burdened with my presence.

AND

If for some reason I did have to be in their presence, I would make the effort to hide any discomfort for their benefit. (as I already explained)

Your information is out of date and your understanding is very limited. If you are interested in being more informed, there are vast resources available on the net to help you gain a more educated perspective on the risks of being around people with HIV, and casual contact.

You are more likely to be run over by a pink bus, on a Thursday, while wearing a unicorn costume, than you are to become infected with HIV from shaking someones hand.

Canterelle

ThinkProgress wrote: »

If you read my point, you would have seen that they would not have to deal with me...

A) I would actively avoid anyone who I knew had the disease, so they wouldn't need to worry about being burdened with my presence.

AND

If for some reason I did have to be in their presence, I would make the effort to hide any discomfort for their benefit. (as I already explained)

So you'd avoid anyone with hiv, even friends or relatives? Because as you said earlier it's most likely that they contracted it by being the wrong sort or some such rubbish. And then if you had to be in their presence, you'd try and hide your discomfort although no way would you shake hands. Jesus that's just so self righteous, selfish and in humane. A little bit of education and compassion needed here.

retro:electro

ThinkProgress wrote: »

If you read my point, you would have seen that they would not have to deal with me...

A) I would actively avoid anyone who I knew had the disease, so they wouldn't need to worry about being burdened with my presence.

AND

If for some reason I did have to be in their presence, I would make the effort to hide any discomfort for their benefit. (as I already explained)

And how would you know they had it? Not eveyone greets people like "Hi I'm Adam and I don't have AIDS", never mind disclose the fact to people upon meeting them that they do have it. Or do you have some kind of telepathic super sense where you can locate and detect someone who has AIDS upon first glance?? My point is HIV and AIDS are invisible illnesses. You could shake hands with someone at mass who has it, or someone in a supermarket handing you your change could have it, how are you going to intercept or prevent those occurrences? You can't.

jam_mac_jam

I am amazed by the lack of knowledge about HIV and AIDS. It sounds like 1995 in here.

jam_mac_jam

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

I am amazed by the lack of knowledge about HIV and AiDS. It sounds like 1995 in here.

Some obviously think they're the same thing, too.

One eyed Jack

ThinkProgress wrote: »

(not that I'm going to waste too much energy defending myself on here from the hordes of SJW sharks that will more than likely see me as an easy meal)

...

People can attack me if they wish, but I'm unapologetic...

Something tells me you only love it when you are getting a rise out of people and the attention is all on you :rolleyes:

NachoBusiness wrote: »

Because you can't catch HIV by shaking hands with someone?

I haven't heard such nonsense in this context since the late 80's / early 90's. It was at least understandable then as people could be excused for being ignorant. There is no such excuse today however.

Have you ever seen the film Philadelphia? Watch it. You might recognize yourself in one or two of the characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkpHalgTqpw

Quality post, and I'd recommend that film to anyone, everyone, because they could all recognise themselves in one or two of the characters. Prejudice and ignorance are all too often interwined.

I'm not going to judge Charlie Sheen or anyone involved in this story too harshly. Normally things are pretty clear cut either way for me, but on this one, I admired Charlie as an actor, and as a person, and as someone who had inspired me in many ways to overcome my own... moral failings, and to see things turn out so tragically for all the people involved, I just don't have the words tbh.

Samaris

Good grief...having read that diatribe in response, all I can say is that that was alarmingly ill-informed and amazingly callous.

You can get it from sharing needles, yes, I assume that's one of the "bad choices" you speak of. You can also get it from sleeping with a HIV+ person, particularly if you have anal sex, which is a lot more common in the gay male community than in other groups. I assume that's another of your "lifestyle" issues. You can also get it from unprotected or insufficiently protected sex (i.e. using a non-latex condom, which is a problem for the significant amount of people who are allergic to the stuff.)

So, now that we've covered the "bad lifestyle" choices. You can also get it from blood transfusions - you should go look at the thread about donating blood and the six idiots that say they donate without being eligible to. You can inherit it from parents, which is a major problem in certain African countries where the disease has been endemic.

You should be very, very careful who you allow yourself to be in a room with. One of the filthy lepers could be around you at any given moment. Hopefully none of your family or friends ever admit to you that they're going through it, because I can imagine you'd be fairly sharp to cut them out of your life, going by that message.

CruelCoin

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Oh sweet Jesus....

I really hope the ignorance being shown in this thread is because the posters are in their 50's or older and it's just a hangover from the time when their was hysteria about the disease.

You obviously have access to the internet, educate yourself.

It's 2015 :mad:

Did you selectively ignore the part of my post where i said i often (read: all the time) have cuts on my hand?

CruelCoin

ThinkProgress wrote: »

I agree with this. (not the hazmat suit part - but I think you're only saying that for dramatic affect. I don't think you're being 100% serious with that part)

Obviously not, where would i get one for starters? People reading that as if i meant it are just part of the professionally offended brigade.

jam_mac_jam

CruelCoin wrote: »

Did you selectively ignore the part of my post where i said i often (read: all the time) have cuts on my hand?

Which just means you are showing your ignorance even more. Are you walking around with open bleeding cuts that other people are rubbing their blood into or something because otherwise you can't get it that way. Maybe you should put on a plaster.

Canterelle

CruelCoin wrote: »

Did you selectively ignore the part of my post where i said i often (read: all the time) have cuts on my hand?

Do your colleagues get cuts on their hands? Do you know all their health histories and hiv status?

CruelCoin

jam_mac_jam wrote: »

Which just means you are showing your ignorance even more. Are you walking around with open bleeding cuts that other people are rubbing their blood into or something because otherwise you can't get it that way. Maybe you should put on a plaster.

I'm not going to appologise for the fact that i would not shake a hiv sufferers hand. I'm not going to bother my hole asking for him to present his hand and for me to then check it for cuts etc. I'm just not going to shake it.

I value my health and personal well-being far more than i value not momentarily offending someone for the sake of political correctness.

CruelCoin

Canterelle wrote: »

Do your colleagues get cuts on their hands? Do you know all their health histories and hiv status?

You're moving the goalposts.

I said i would not shake their hand if i knew they were hiv positive.

Canterelle

CruelCoin wrote: »

You're moving the goalposts.

I said i would not shake their hand if i knew they were hiv positive.

No I'm not, I'm just pointing out that it's a ridiculous and totally unnecessary way of going on. You are not going to contract hiv by shaking hands with a sufferer, and as many people won't advertise their hiv status, you couldn't protect yourself in this idiotic way anyway

jam_mac_jam

CruelCoin wrote: »

I'm not going to appologise for the fact that i would not shake a hiv sufferers hand. I'm not going to bother my hole asking for him to present his hand and for me to then check it for cuts etc. I'm just not going to shake it.

I value my health and personal well-being far more than i value not momentarily offending someone for the sake of political correctness.

Its nothing to do with political correctness, you are just wrong, you can't catch it that way. Its a lot more simple then that. You are just showing your ignorance on the issue.

Samaris

CruelCoin wrote: »

professionally offended brigade.

CruelCoin wrote: »

I value my health and personal well-being far more than i value not momentarily offending someone for the sake of political correctness.

This one isn't actually about being professionally offended or PCness, it's that you have an astonishing lack of knowledge about HIV, and thus your choices look either ignorant or kinda douchey.

Not -everything- that pertains to acting like a human being is "PC".

osarusan

ThinkProgress wrote: »

(not that I'm going to waste too much energy defending myself on here from the hordes of SJW sharks that will more than likely see me as an easy meal)

Even in After Hours, where the term SJW has such lazy and blindly all-emcompassing use as to never have meant anything, this is an extreme.

Galwayguy35

I wonder how he got it, was it from a needle or from a sex partner?

Canterelle

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I wonder how he got it, was it from a needle or from a sex partner?

He doesn't know, according to interview. So presumably nobody contacted him to tell him to get a test.