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I, myself have been living with HIV for 8 yrs now. I am fully aware of the stigma related with HIV/AIDS positive people and I have educated myself on many aspects of HIV, including possible ways of transmission. I know that the chances of a CO/guard being infected by a saliva or blood soaked dart from an HIV positive inmate is nearly impossible... but the chance is there reguardless of how likely it is. If an HIV positive inmate shoots or throws a blood soaked dart at a CO/guard, he is doing so with the malicious intent of infecting them. Anyone knowingly trying to infect other people should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Sure it isn't quite a death sentence anymore but it does permanently affect your life in very negative ways. Health and social problems and more than likely an untimely death due to HIV related OSI.
Aw shucks, Sean. Thank you very much! As 'they' say: "It takes one to know one." Edwin
Edwin, Welcome to the POZ blogs! You are a great addition to poz.com, as you have been to the Positive Justice Project as well as the global discussion of HIV criminalization. Thank you for your leadership of and advocacy on behalf of people with HIV, especially on the criminalization issue but also on a range of other topics. It is much needed and much appreciated. Sean Strub
Yesterday LGBT health blog, Crowolf, posted an email response from Rep. Taylor that states: "I have tried to answer every email, even the ones that were not professional, as you worded it. My words were very poorly chosen, and I apologize for them. Montanans with HIV are simply people living with a virus. I was intending to illustrate that there are scenarios we cannot currently conceive of that may warrant the death penalty, and to remove it from the available options for punishment at this time would be misguided. HIV transmission was not an appropriate example. Again, I sincerely apologize for my inappropriate and inelegant statement, and I encourage all Montanans to become better educated about HIV." Link: http://sayencrowolf.net/2011/02/those-hiv-tainted-darts-yeah-rep-taylor-replied-to-my-email-sent-her-hiv-aids/ It's all well and good to respond to individual emails, but there's nothing yet on Rep. Taylor's own website making her HIV U-turn clear to her constituents and the rest of the America.
B.P.K
Edwin, I'm kind of confused on your views about an HIV positive inmate/person that throws blood saoked darts or urine etc; at someone with the intent on infecting them. Certainly you don't condone such behavior? I think people who throw bodily fluids on other people should be punished excactly the same as someone who purposefully maimes someone. Example; A jealous ex lover throws hot bacon grease in the face of their ex. Sure they didn't kill their ex lover, but they severely diminished their quality of life. That person will suffer for the rest of their life and so should the offender.
February 16, 2011