Comments on: Open Letter to The Oprah Winfrey Show-Response to HIV show. http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/ Memoirs of a Gaysha Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:44:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: BOBi http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1196 BOBi Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:11:36 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1196 Susan, it is sad that you have to be everywhere to explain and reexplain your motives for putting Monsieur Padieu behind bars. Some people got you and some don't. All I can say is that Padieu is a psychopath. Even if it was his desire to infect you and other women, and that it was you and other women who accepted to have unprotected sex so that he can infect all of you, he should have known better that there is a law in place that will punish him as well. The law of the land forbids anybody to transmit HIV to another or expose another to HIV whether intentionally or unintentionally. Nevertheless, what really surprises me in all this is how someone like you whom seem to be very articulate could fall for a beast like Padieu. I do not call him a beast because of his HIV but because of his meaness, deceitfulness, lies, dishonesty, promiscuity. I mean I do not understand. Don't you know that not all men that compliments you have the capacity to fall in love and to protect you. Most are sexual predators who could never fall in love, would love to see you in pain while making love to you, would like to see you in problems during the relationship and after the relationship. There are horrible people out there whom I nicknamed EVIL-BACKED HUMANS. There are plenty of them and if you had been conscious that this type of humans live around you, I sincerely believe that this HIV stuff would have never happened to you and countless others who fell for mean kings like Padieu. Sad Sad! HIV is not a virus I wish for anybody, not even to those EVIL-BACKED HUMANS. I am happy, I never caught that shit. It is deadly and hard to treat virus let alone curing it. Again if you add all the stigma that goes with it, then you would prefer the end of the world the next minute. Anyway, no need to dwell in the past. Just continue to spread the message about protection, testing and all that. It is all you got to do to make the world a better place for all of us. Cheers, BOBi Susan, it is sad that you have to be everywhere to explain and reexplain your motives for putting Monsieur Padieu behind bars. Some people got you and some don’t. All I can say is that Padieu is a psychopath. Even if it was his desire to infect you and other women, and that it was you and other women who accepted to have unprotected sex so that he can infect all of you, he should have known better that there is a law in place that will punish him as well. The law of the land forbids anybody to transmit HIV to another or expose another to HIV whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Nevertheless, what really surprises me in all this is how someone like you whom seem to be very articulate could fall for a beast like Padieu. I do not call him a beast because of his HIV but because of his meaness, deceitfulness, lies, dishonesty, promiscuity. I mean I do not understand. Don’t you know that not all men that compliments you have the capacity to fall in love and to protect you. Most are sexual predators who could never fall in love, would love to see you in pain while making love to you, would like to see you in problems during the relationship and after the relationship. There are horrible people out there whom I nicknamed EVIL-BACKED HUMANS. There are plenty of them and if you had been conscious that this type of humans live around you, I sincerely believe that this HIV stuff would have never happened to you and countless others who fell for mean kings like Padieu. Sad Sad!

HIV is not a virus I wish for anybody, not even to those EVIL-BACKED HUMANS. I am happy, I never caught that shit. It is deadly and hard to treat virus let alone curing it. Again if you add all the stigma that goes with it, then you would prefer the end of the world the next minute.

Anyway, no need to dwell in the past. Just continue to spread the message about protection, testing and all that. It is all you got to do to make the world a better place for all of us.

Cheers,

BOBi

]]> By: David http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1021 David Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:37:03 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1021 I suggest you look at the timeline of the HIV?AIDS epedemic. In general terms 1981 is the date that HIV/AIDS first started to appear but scientists believe it was around for a number of years prior to 1981. http://www.kff.org/hivaids/timeline/hivtimeline.cfm I suggest you look at the timeline of the HIV?AIDS epedemic. In general terms 1981 is the date that HIV/AIDS first started to appear but scientists believe it was around for a number of years prior to 1981.

http://www.kff.org/hivaids/timeline/hivtimeline.cfm

]]> By: Susan Brown http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1013 Susan Brown Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:39:22 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1013 To all, the show will be aired again on December 9. To all, the show will be aired again on December 9.

]]> By: Susan Brown http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1012 Susan Brown Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:35:31 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1012 Hi Sonya and all - I'd like to give Oprah another big hug and let you all know my take on some of the controversy. A lot of editing was done for the show, and it just was not possible to fit everything in. I think the role of Oprah, Larry King, and others, is to ask the questions and address the fears that people want to know. So if she asks what seems like a dumb question a la "Can you kiss someone when you have AIDS?" she is addressing a commonly held misconception and let her guests and the Dr. respond. She really is not that dumb, believe me! Also, when we freaked out about sharing our cosmetics, etc., that was part of our initial panic about HIV, when we didnlt know anything and were scared of everything. So talking about these things on the show was educational but may seem absolutely ridiculous to people who have been living with the disease. After my diagnosis I spent several weeks scouring the internet to learn as much as possible. BTW this controversy is good so long as we learn from it. Love to all. Hi Sonya and all -
I’d like to give Oprah another big hug and let you all know my take on some of the controversy. A lot of editing was done for the show, and it just was not possible to fit everything in. I think the role of Oprah, Larry King, and others, is to ask the questions and address the fears that people want to know. So if she asks what seems like a dumb question a la “Can you kiss someone when you have AIDS?” she is addressing a commonly held misconception and let her guests and the Dr. respond. She really is not that dumb, believe me! Also, when we freaked out about sharing our cosmetics, etc., that was part of our initial panic about HIV, when we didnlt know anything and were scared of everything. So talking about these things on the show was educational but may seem absolutely ridiculous to people who have been living with the disease. After my diagnosis I spent several weeks scouring the internet to learn as much as possible. BTW this controversy is good so long as we learn from it. Love to all.

]]> By: Susan Brown http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1011 Susan Brown Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:15:22 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1011 Hi Warmheart, Thanks for your comments. There are a lot of entries in this blog, and so I will refer back to an earlier one I made regarding a key reason why I have not fully disclosed. I recently married and my new stepson lost his mother to complications from AIDS and cancer. He has some mental issues and we don't want him to fear losing his dad and me on top of everything esle. So until we are comforable that he can handle it we are trying to protect him from the news. Right now I'm keeping the circle tight, and still trying to advocate through appearances on 20/20, Oprah, and others in the works. I am sure the day will come when it all comes out - but family is first. Thanks for your understanding. Hi Warmheart,
Thanks for your comments. There are a lot of entries in this blog, and so I will refer back to an earlier one I made regarding a key reason why I have not fully disclosed. I recently married and my new stepson lost his mother to complications from AIDS and cancer. He has some mental issues and we don’t want him to fear losing his dad and me on top of everything esle. So until we are comforable that he can handle it we are trying to protect him from the news. Right now I’m keeping the circle tight, and still trying to advocate through appearances on 20/20, Oprah, and others in the works. I am sure the day will come when it all comes out – but family is first. Thanks for your understanding.

]]> By: warmheart http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1004 warmheart Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:32:44 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1004 Susan, If you aren't ashamed than why in the world do you not disclose yourself? If per chance your children and grandchildren are treated poorly because of your disclosure, than surely dont you think this is all the more GOOD reason for you to join in the crusade to remove the stigmatism?! How ignorant to think that this disease revolves around your disclosure. I would like to see more people disclosing their status openly... silence is the only killer.... we need to speak out and not be ashamed!! Susan, If you aren’t ashamed than why in the world do you not disclose yourself? If per chance your children and grandchildren are treated poorly because of your disclosure, than surely dont you think this is all the more GOOD reason for you to join in the crusade to remove the stigmatism?! How ignorant to think that this disease revolves around your disclosure. I would like to see more people disclosing their status openly… silence is the only killer…. we need to speak out and not be ashamed!!

]]> By: warmheart http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-1003 warmheart Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:18:58 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-1003 Thank you for your post! I agree with all you have said. I love your tenacity and appreciate your courage to continue in the crusade to educate and inform people about living with HIV/AIDS. I was recently diagnosed Positive, and within weeks of my first blood test went down to being diagnosed with AIDS. I am a white female, heterosexual, and in my fifties. Where did I contract this disease from?... no drug use, no promescuity... Husband???? I wish I did know, but I have learned that figuring out where you contracted the disease isn't as important as TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF! I would love to help you bring much needed light and education to others about this disease! I'd be more than happy to compile A LOT of information and present it to Oprah. Let me know if you would like my assistance! Thank you! Carrie cson88@yahoo.com Thank you for your post! I agree with all you have said. I love your tenacity and appreciate your courage to continue in the crusade to educate and inform people about living with HIV/AIDS. I was recently diagnosed Positive, and within weeks of my first blood test went down to being diagnosed with AIDS. I am a white female, heterosexual, and in my fifties. Where did I contract this disease from?… no drug use, no promescuity… Husband???? I wish I did know, but I have learned that figuring out where you contracted the disease isn’t as important as TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF! I would love to help you bring much needed light and education to others about this disease! I’d be more than happy to compile A LOT of information and present it to Oprah. Let me know if you would like my assistance!
Thank you!
Carrie
cson88@yahoo.com

]]> By: Jerry http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-985 Jerry Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:52:19 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-985 I really am not happy with what I just read about your show that day. It does put phobia back in to peoples minds about HIV/AIDS We need for you to have another show with a real Infectious Disease Doctor and have a Q&A with him and you and your audiance with him . And please pick a Doctor thatisn't phobia striken himself. Sincerely, Jerry I really am not happy with what I just read about your show that day. It does put phobia back in to peoples minds about HIV/AIDS We need for you to have another show with a real Infectious Disease Doctor and have a Q&A with him and you and your audiance with him . And please pick a Doctor thatisn’t phobia striken himself.

Sincerely,
Jerry

]]> By: Sonya Mallard http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-984 Sonya Mallard Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:38:17 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-984 Woohoo! They say knowledge is power and I am in total agreement with you. I am a HIV Educator and Oprah's Number 1 FAN, but I must agree that the show dropped the ball for America. Oprah is not only a house hold name, but everything you say most people think is the Gospel. Oprah must have a follow up show and get the correct information out there to America! She can start by calling you up and having Positive People Who Are Doing Positive Things on. It is time for us to put a stop to the mis-information and get the right communication and knowledge out to the world. Maybe then we can stop so many HIV+ individuals from dying alone because of the fear of what "we" are going to say or do.....to them. Nice Job! Woohoo!

They say knowledge is power and I am in total agreement with you. I am a HIV Educator and Oprah’s Number 1 FAN, but I must agree that the show dropped the ball for America.

Oprah is not only a house hold name, but everything you say most people think is the Gospel. Oprah must have a follow up show and get the correct information out there to America! She can start by calling you up and having Positive People Who Are Doing Positive Things on.

It is time for us to put a stop to the mis-information and get the right communication and knowledge out to the world. Maybe then we can stop so many HIV+ individuals from dying alone because of the fear of what “we” are going to say or do…..to them.

Nice Job!

]]> By: Trish Steen http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/2009/10/22/open-letter-to-the-oprah-winfrey-show-response-to-hiv-show/#comment-983 Trish Steen Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:51:30 +0000 http://blog.jackmackenroth.com/?p=1147#comment-983 James, I'm sorry, but you are way off base here. The stigma is huge in the gay community. HiV-positive gay men go through discrimination & are stigmatized by their fellow gay men. Stigma is everywhere. Also, I don't believe we are chastising Susan & the other women, my concern is that this show gave viewers the idea that HIV-positive people purposely go out infecting others, which is far, far from the truth. Yes, there are a few idiots out there who cannot be trusted, but the majority of us living with this virus are responsible & educated when it comes to protecting others from contracting HIV. Most of us are NOT criminals or deceitful like Padieu was to these women. I am a white woman, educated and live in a mostly white section of Kansas City. Stigma lives here as well. In the white community, the black community, Latino and gay communities. It's everywhere you turn. It also lives in Brooklyn, NY where I am originally from. In my little neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, NY the stigma is vast and I have done all I could to educate my friends there by coming out of the HIV closet, and also disclosed & educated people I didn't even know. And I still do that in Kansas City, no matter how hard it can be. I had to fight through the stigma & disclose my status for folks to hear me. I do thank Susan & the other women for doing this show on Oprah, and I completely understand their situation, as well as Susan's, more than you could ever know. I am upset with Oprah & the producers. They have put HIV back into the old days and have stirred up some very frightening myths about HIV transmission. Simply put, Oprah had a real chance to educate her viewers and the public. Instead she succeeded in perpetuating the stigma more than ever. And this angers me and makes me sad. I'm sure that one day Susan & the other women from the show will be able to stand up proud and not have to disguise themselves. A note to each of them... be proud, you've done well. People like Padieu (who know their status, but go on to infect others) need to be held accountable, I agree with that 100%. Ladies, I know disclosure is very difficult... I hid for much of my first 11 years of being positive, but after I did so, I became more comfortable with disclosing (one person at a time) I truly felt liberated. I wish you all well on your journey. Trish James, I’m sorry, but you are way off base here. The stigma is huge in the gay community. HiV-positive gay men go through discrimination & are stigmatized by their fellow gay men. Stigma is everywhere. Also, I don’t believe we are chastising Susan & the other women, my concern is that this show gave viewers the idea that HIV-positive people purposely go out infecting others, which is far, far from the truth. Yes, there are a few idiots out there who cannot be trusted, but the majority of us living with this virus are responsible & educated when it comes to protecting others from contracting HIV. Most of us are NOT criminals or deceitful like Padieu was to these women.

I am a white woman, educated and live in a mostly white section of Kansas City. Stigma lives here as well. In the white community, the black community, Latino and gay communities. It’s everywhere you turn. It also lives in Brooklyn, NY where I am originally from. In my little neighborhood of Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, NY the stigma is vast and I have done all I could to educate my friends there by coming out of the HIV closet, and also disclosed & educated people I didn’t even know. And I still do that in Kansas City, no matter how hard it can be. I had to fight through the stigma & disclose my status for folks to hear me.

I do thank Susan & the other women for doing this show on Oprah, and I completely understand their situation, as well as Susan’s, more than you could ever know. I am upset with Oprah & the producers. They have put HIV back into the old days and have stirred up some very frightening myths about HIV transmission. Simply put, Oprah had a real chance to educate her viewers and the public. Instead she succeeded in perpetuating the stigma more than ever. And this angers me and makes me sad.

I’m sure that one day Susan & the other women from the show will be able to stand up proud and not have to disguise themselves. A note to each of them… be proud, you’ve done well. People like Padieu (who know their status, but go on to infect others) need to be held accountable, I agree with that 100%. Ladies, I know disclosure is very difficult… I hid for much of my first 11 years of being positive, but after I did so, I became more comfortable with disclosing (one person at a time) I truly felt liberated. I wish you all well on your journey.

Trish

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