I’ve grown up following the AIDS epidemic. In the early 1980’s I recall reading about it when it was still called HTLV. Later one of my friends was so afraid of the disease he “changed” his sexual orientation. Another did not and later died from the disease. Jeff was a bit of a flamer, but he was smart and had a wicked sense of humor that I miss.
In Africa I saw what they called “Slims” - and one of my trackers there, a young Kitongwe by the name of Luhembe, ended up dying from it. Luhembe saved me from getting mugged in Mugambo - a large village on the shores of Lake Tanganyika - back in Nov 1994. While he was a bit of a “lady’s man” he didn’t deserve a death sentence.
So I feel that I have a bit of a grudge with this disease. I want to see the back of it. I want it put down completely - not just controlled. It has killed way too many people for no reason.
So why, after 25 years am I on the fence when it comes to the HIV hypothesis?
Let me be clear: Something killed Jeff Peters way before his time. Something killed Luhembe. They are both dead from something. I’m just not convinced that it’s HIV that killed them.
I’ve read most of Duesberg’s book, and I have viewed Maggiore’s DVD and corresponded with Bialy. I have come to the conclusion that these people aren’t wackos: they are pretty smart people who come from different backgrounds but all have reached the same conclusion: HIV does NOT cause AIDS.
When I first heard about the “AIDS Denialists” it was on the BBC Worldservice while I was in Africa, on a show that mentioned that Thabo Mbeki - future President of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s hand-picked successor - questioned the HIV-AIDS hypothesis. I remember thinking “Great, South Africa is going to elect a looney as president.”
Well it turns out I disagree a lot with President Mbeki - especially with his support of Zimbabwe Dictator Robert Mugabe. But he might be right about HIV having nothing to do with AIDS.
Being on the fence about an issue isn’t easy. It’s not a stable position - so how have I managed it for so long? Mostly from my own weakness: I don’t understand all the arguments - both pro and con. This failure to understand then creates a deep suspicion or distrust in my “gut” - one that can only be convinced through careful examination and understanding of the evidence and arguments.
To answer my question in the title of this piece: I don’t know.
When I do, I’ll be sure to let you know.
