text:
Discover a selection of top forums creating connectjesus on the internet. Come to share your passion on forums creating connectjesus and meet other fans of creating connectjesus. Then, why don't you create your own forum of creating connectjesus ?
Need for speed forum which is a home to the modders and researchers of need for speed games. We are creating resources and mods for nfs games, as well as fixing bugs in the games.
need, speed, forum, modding, resources, most, wanted, latest, patch, community, tweaks, glitches, games, v1.4, carbon, undercover, underground, secrets
Welcome, Project Phoenix Fire was created to inspire communication between people around the world. In short, we are creating a global village.
community, project, phoenix, fire, friendship, discussion, inspiration
This forum replaces the "Private Lobby" and the of Facebook. We communicate easily and with no misunderstandings by creating discussions topics.
fabulaedramatis, replaces, "private, lobby", facebook, communicate, easily, #creating, discussions, topics
We're just four friends creating a space to write together.
mirkat, pawprints, we're, just, four, friends, #creating, space, write, together
A community of writers, role players, and friends. Dedicated to expanding their skills, and creating a world that transcends the normal and reaches the
free, forum, roleplay, palace, where, just, about, anything, else!
A Sim XBOX One Madden League dedicated to creating a community of sim Madden players who display competitiveness and sportsmanship.
moment, counts, madden, league, xbox, dedicated, #creating, community, players, display, competitiveness, sportsmanship
A world emerged in magic and hardship, the tale of the six kingdoms. Create characters, build families, raise armies, and make legends in battle. The world is in your control join now and you can introduce your ideals.
kingdoms, forum, battle, action, fantasy, para, style, join, #creating, character, building, story
as the name says everyone and anyone can use this forum me included I someone who knows nothing about creating a forum but I felt it was worth a go
Hi, welcome to my forums! My name is Cait, and I'm creating a site so you can all role play.
cait's, role, play, forums, forums!, cait, i'm, #creating, site
Friendship community first creating on MSN, recreated on YUKU in 2015.
brenda's, heart, gold, friendship, community, #creating, recreated, yuku, 2015
A Forum for Networking, Openbor & Mugen Creating.
c.r.o.m., interactive, forum, networking, openbor, mugen, #creating
Welcome to Fulldeamon Prouctions! This is a community for creating content to use, sell, or give away for free. Join us and start making video games and more!
fulldeamon, productions, prouctions!, community, #creating, content, sell, free, join, start, making, video, games
This forum is for the city RP game me and other designers are creating
We are a community of digital creating people. This is a place to create, snag, and most of all, have fun!
havenly, creationz, community, digital, #creating, people, place, snag, fun!
KREIS Fda job is like a thankless job, work unlimited but no solutions applies so here we creating a place to discuss and solve some issues
kreis, problems, solutions, thankless, work, unlimited, applies, #creating, place, discuss, solve, issue
private site fore creating the world and legends of niten
Heroes: Expanded Universe. An ambitious community creating fan-made stories based on the NBC series Heroes and Heroes Reborn. The special part, all sharing the same continuity.
heroes, expanded, universe, ambitious, community, #creating, fan-made, stories, based, series, reborn, special, sharin
A video editing studio dedicated to challenging and creating amazing videos together!
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recycling items into jewelry and creating necklaces from hemp and what not.
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The home base of the homestuck act omega project, a team dedicated to creating a cool ending for our beloved webcomic.
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A forum for those who enjoy Final Fantasy who want to enjoy making, creating and playing as their own character as well as chat with other fans who feel the same way
surudoi, enjoy, final, fantasy, making, #creating, playing, character, chat, fans, feel
A roleplay site for traditional, oldschool role-players based in the universe of DC comics. Players will enjoy creating their own teams and exploring new worlds.
young, justice, roleplay, site, traditional, oldschool, role-players, based, universe, comics, players, will, enjoy, #creating, their, teams, exploring
A roleplaying game set in an alternate world. In this world Pokemon and humans have been spliced together through genetic engineering, creating humanoid Pokemon.
pokegijinkas, roleplaying, game, alternate, world, pokemon, humans, spliced, genetic, engineering, #creating, humanoid


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The Sleep Inn Paseo las Damas has been in operation for nine years, and it celebrates this anniversary with some exciting changes. Horlando Salas, the general manager of the hotel, has always looked to the future, keeping the standards of the hotel very high and at their most modern and convenient. The entire hotel complex now has wireless internet service, as do the Casino Club Colonial and the Magnolia Restaurant.
One of Costa Rica's main daily newspapers, La República, detailed some additional changes, which include revamped guest rooms, a new color scheme in the public areas and new furniture throughout the Sleep Inn. Each room now has a new flat-screen television set as well.
Under the new plan, the lobby store is also open round-the-clock. Guests can now buy a snack, a drink or a charming Costa Rican souvenir at any time of the day or night. (We are particularly fond of the chorreador, the traditional Costa Rican coffee-making gadget.)
The Sleep Inn is a four star-rated hotel, and its management is impeccable. The staff is friendly, the rooms are scrupulously clean, and the grounds well-maintained. Its new conference room is ideal for corporate and social events.
Read more about the Sleep Inn Paseo las Damas and its changes.
1,949 views

subset: commoncrawl


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Back to University Catalog 2005-2007
Behavioral Science
College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Linda Groff, Program Coordinator
Mark Carrier, Jerry Moore, Alan Ryave
Betty Melton, Program Secretary
Program Office: SBS B-334 (310) 243-3431
Program Description
The undergraduate program in Behavioral Science is designed to provide the student with a broad systematic understanding of human behavior, and of the biological, psychological, cultural, political and social factors that influence such behavior. The program stresses the mastery of key behavioral science concepts; exposure to significant behavioral science theories drawn from psychology, sociology, anthropology and political science; and the development and utilization of rigorous investigation, observation and research skills common to the behavioral sciences. The program provides practical knowledge and skills with enduring career applicability.
Majors and minors will have exposure to a multidisciplinary approach to the behavioral sciences. Unlike most programs in which students learn about a single discipline, the Behavioral Science program provides a broad range of approaches from anthropology, political science, psychology and sociology.
Academic Advisement
Students are encouraged to contact the Department of Behavioral Science for information and for advising. The behavioral science faculty who come from anthropology, political science, psychology and sociology are available for academic advisement; they would be pleased to discuss the program with interested students.
Completion of the General Education lower division requirements is recommended. Introductory level courses in one or more of the disciplines contributing to behavioral sciences would be helpful.
Career Possibilities
Completion of the strong and diversified Behavioral Science Program will enhance the student's chances for employment in the various helping professions, government and industry. Positions in communication, recreation, gerontology and health sciences would be likely options for behavioral science students. Moreover, the application of behavioral science knowledge and training would be beneficial in the solution of critical social and business problems.
Graduation with Honors
An undergraduate student may be a candidate for graduation with Honors in Behavioral Science by meeting the following criteria:
1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;
2. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the upper division requirements in the major;
3. Recommendation by the faculty of the Behavioral Science Undergraduate Program.
Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science
Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree
See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
Elective Requirements
Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.
General Education Requirements (55-62 units)
See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" in the University Catalog.
Minor Requirements
Student completing this major will need to complete a minor in another field.
Major Requirements (28 units)
The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree.
A. Lower Division Requirements: Select one course from the following (3 units):
MAT 131. Elementary Statistics and Probability (3)
PSY 230. Elementary Statistical Analysis in Psychology (3)
SOC 220. Analytical Statistics for Sociology (4)
B. Upper Division Requirements (25 units)
1. Required Courses (13 units)
Courses on modern theories or systems and their historical origin in the core areas of the behavioral sciences — anthropology, psychology, and sociology.
ANT 388. Anthropological Theories of Behavior (3)
PSY 305. History and Systems of Psychology (3)
SOC 355. Modern Sociological Theories (4)
BEH 490. Seminar in Behavioral Science (3)
2. Select two additional courses from the following, one each in two of the three core areas of the behavioral sciences. Students with a minor in anthropology, psychology, or sociology are to select courses outside their minor (6 units).
ANT 310. Culture and Personality: Psychological Anthropology (3)
ANT 312. Language and Culture (3)
ANT 335. Comparative Cultures (3)
PSY 340. Social Psychology: Psychological Perspective (3)
PSY 350. Child Psychology (3)
PSY 360. Theories of Personality (3)
PSY 363. The Abnormal Personality (3)
SOC 311. Social Organization (3)
SOC 340. Social Psychology: Sociological Perspective (3)
SOC 365. Deviant Behavior (3)
3. Select one course from the following (3 units):
POL 336. Theories of International Relations (3)
POL 370. Public Opinion and Propaganda (3)
POL 371. Conflict, Violence, and Nonviolence (3)
4. Select one course from the following (3 units):
BIO 370. Biological Bases of Human Behavior (3)
SOC 304. Computer Applications in the Social Sciences (3)
Minor in Behavioral Science (15 units)
A. Upper Division Required Course (3 units)
BEH 490. Seminar in Behavioral Science (3)
B. Select four courses from the following (12 units). One course in each of the core disciplines of the behavioral sciences: anthropology, political science, psychology and sociology. However, students with a major in anthropology, political science, psychology or sociology are to select the four courses from the disciplines other than their major.
ANT 310. Culture and Personality: Logical Anthropology (3)
ANT 312. Language and Culture (3)
ANT 335. Comparative Cultures (3)
ANT 388. Anthropological Theories of Behavior (3)
POL 336. Theories of International Relations (3)
POL 370. Public Opinion and Propaganda (3)
POL 371. Conflict, Violence, and Nonviolence (3)
PSY 305. History and Systems of Psychology (3)
PSY 340. Social Psychology: Psychological Perspective (3)
PSY 350. Child Psychology (3)
PSY 360. Theories of Personality (3)
PSY 363. The Abnormal Personality (3)
SOC 311. Social Organization (3)
SOC 340. Social Psychology: Sociological Perspective (3)
SOC 355. Modern Sociological Theories (3)
SOC 365. Deviant Behavior (3)
Course Offerings
The credit value for each course in semester units is indicated for each term by a number in parentheses following the title. For course availability, please see the list of tentative course offerings in the current Class Schedule.
Upper Division
BEH 490 Seminar in Behavioral Science (3).
Prerequisites: Senior standing and consent of instructor.
A seminar designed to
integrate previous course work by approaching selected problems from the
perspective of the various behavioral sciences.
Preparation of seminar paper. Three hours of seminar
per week.


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Linda Warwood walked into the auditorium at Riverton Elementary unaware of what was awaiting her.
As she walked through the door, she found an entire school of children and teachers, as well as family and friends, waiting to celebrate her.
Surprise, indeed.
"I had no idea that that was taking place," Warwood said. "I'm sure everyone saw the look on my face as I entered the gym. I turned around and my brother said 'I think she's going to run.' It was a lovely day and a great thought from the school and the teachers and the kids."
The event held earlier this month was to honor Warwood for her 50 years as a first-grade teacher at the school.
Fifty years. One school.
As the city turned from rural farmland to a bustling city suburb, one thing remained the same. Warwood continued to mold first-graders.
Her tenure has spanned two buildings the old school on Redwood Road closed when the current building opened in the 1990s and generations of students.
Scott Thomas, now an administrator with Jordan School District, was in Warwood's class in 1973. Twenty-four years later, his daughter Kylie learned in her class.
"We were very excited," Thomas said. "When she had been in her class a couple of months, we went to her parent-teacher conference. I got Miss Warwood some flowers, and as we were waiting in the hall, she looked out and pointed and said, 'I think I know that guy.'
"My daughter will tell you, she's still her favorite teacher of all-time. There are those teachers that kind of stand out in your memory that you'll never forget and she was definitely a standout teacher. Just an amazing lady."
Warwood said her approach to teaching has been a simple one if she continues to enjoy it, there's no need to quit. That one-year-at-a-time approach has kept her commuting from Orem, rain or shine.
She may have had chances to leave for positions at other schools or in other grades, but never had the urge for change.
"People used to ask how many years I've been teaching, and I always used to say, 'I don't know. A lot,' " Warwood said. "I never looked at it that way. I always looked at it as it's a new year, and how can I find new ways to teach the children."
Warwood said the biggest differences between now and when she started teaching mostly center on educational tools laptops, SMART boards, iPads and emphasis from outside influences.
There also has been a shift in work ethic of students now, compared to those raised in the farming community in the 1960s.
"Not that they are lazy now, but farmers used to get up early and go to work and that was their thing," Warwood said. "We are much more into computers now, which gives you a different ethic.
"We have a lot more testing now and we have a lot more expectations in education now. It always seems like we're trying to reinvent the wheel, when really what we should be adding to the wheel that's already there and making it better."
Warwood isn't sure how much longer she will teach she turned 72 earlier this month but until she does, she's sure to continue to be a major influence on 5- and 6-year olds in Riverton.
"She was an amazing teacher," Thomas said. "I remember just how attentive she was to her students. She brought her 'A' game every day. She made you feel like you were the most important person in her class."
Twitter: @sltribSouth
Golden anniversary
Linda Warwood is in her 50th year teaching first grade at Riverton Elementary.
The school through a surprise celebration earlier this month to honor Warwood, complete with balloons and bagpipe music.
Warwood, 72, has taught generations in the Riverton community and has plans to retire in the near future.


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Harold M Faries Sr.
22 Feb 2013
Harold M Faries Sr. Born In Philadelphia in 1922. Had two Brothers and a sister, Lincoln, Franklin, Elizabeth.
He died of cancer in 1974 in Dauphin Pennsylvania and is buried at the Harrisburg East Cemetary.
He is Survived by a son Harold M. Jr and a daughter Barbarba Ruth.


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YOU! Ok, well it could be- all you need to do is whip an AH-mazing design and enter THIS contest!
To celebrate their first tour, our favorite band, California Wives, is offering you the chance to DESIGN their Tour Poster with Sharpie! The winner walks way with major bragging rights and $500 buck-a-roos!
Are your hands shaking with excitement? Well, then head over and check out all the rules and Start Something!
Be sure to share your entries with us on Facebook or tag us on Pinterest!


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Provo • Clearly, BYU's starting quarterback this year will be Riley Nelson, the senior who basically rescued the season last year when since-departed Jake Heaps was foundering. Fellow senior James Lark is going to be Nelson's backup, as Thursday's scrimmage illustrated.
Nelson and Lark directed four series each, while freshman Taysom Hill and junior Jason Munns got just one chance each to show what they could do. The other quarterback on the roster, Ammon Olsen, did not play and is seemingly headed for a redshirt year.
A day after throwing an interception in practice and another ball that should have been picked, Lark had his best showing ever in a BYU scrimmage. He was 6 for 8 for 60 yards and a perfectly-thrown 15-yard touchdown pass to Kurt Henderson.
But the real battle is for third string.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall said neither Hill nor Munns separated himself in the all-important race to determine who gets a leg up next year, although Munns moved the team a little bit better on Thursday.
"I think it is the same, as of right now," said Mendenhall, who hinted earlier this week that Hill had a slight lead. "I don't think anything emerged differently than maybe what it has been to this point."
Hill was sacked twice, and almost picked off by Colorado State transfer Drew Reilly (ineligible this season) in his three plays from scrimmage before a punt.
Showing some versatility, Hill kicked one of four PAT attempts. Asked if Hill is going to play this season (rather than redshirt), Mendenhall replied: "I would say it is likely."
Sorensen still out
Hill and Riley Stephenson handled the kicking chores Thursday because Justin Sorensen hasn't practiced since having back surgery last winter.
"Every day that [Sorensen] oesn't kick adds increasing concern," Mendenhall said. " I am still not coming off what I am hopeful for, and that is [he's ready for] Washington State. But yeah, each day that there is not kicking from him, I am more concerned."
Moving up
Mendenhall said Wednesday that Eathyn Manumaleuna, Ian Dulan (still out with back pain), Russell Tialavea and Romney Fuga are the main four defensive linemen and that the rest of the pack is battling to be the fifth and sixth guys who will likely make the traveling squad. That changed Thursday.
"If I were to say today, it is probably Mike Muehlmann at five and Remington Peck at six, with Bronson Kaufusi closing fast after his mission," Mendenhall said.
A "really good" officiating crew from the Big 12 worked the scrimmage, Mendenhall said. … Defensive lineman Theodore King of San Jose showed well and "has a lot of potential," Mendenhall said. "Just a true freshman, though, so a ways to go."
Twitter: @drewjay


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I'm now 3 days full testing Bt4 i have found a big bug for the bcm43xx drivers i think so
when i am starting airodump-ng wlan0 on my b43 card it will scan all networks
but afther the command
airodump-ng -c 11 -w work --bssid wlan
will stop the b43 wlan working all and no scans any more
yes m8 but airdump will stop working then
and i have no network any more...
i need to reboot then then everthing will work agian
is there a solution for this?
I'm running into the same problem, not every time though.
From what I see, bt4b is patched for bcm43xx.. now known as b43.
I can see that the correct drivers for injection are installed, but I can not, for the love of god, inject.
aireplay -9 reports no AP's found.
I've been able to inject with this card before, up to 350pps, when installing the drivers myself. (On Ubuntu 8.10)
If anyone else is running into this problem, please let me know. Esp if you have the bcm4311 rev 02 mini pci card.
can't inject either :/
You need to restart networking
As for injection elninio.. you are being vague, which chipset/model?
For people that have a bcm43xx mini-pci card, I was able to fix the injection and hang problem by patching the latest mac80211. I don't know why just yet, but it fixed it.
check out hxxp://aircrack-ng.org/doku.php?id=b43
scroll down to the installation part.
To download the latest mac80211 patch, go to patches.aircrack-ng.org
For you lazy people:
(From the aircrack-ng wiki, just replace "b43-injection-<kernel version>.patch with your mac80211 patch)
Place the patch in your kernel sources or compat-wireless directory
Run 'patch -p1 -i b43-injection-<kernel version>.patch'.
This patch may not apply directly and may require that you modify the files main.c and xmit.c (located in $linux/wireless/net/drivers/b43/ and $linux/wireless/net/drivers/b43legacy/) manually
Recompile your modules with 'make drivers/net/wireless/b43/b43.ko drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/b43legacy.ko', followed by 'make modules_install'.
The module should now be ready to use for injection.
Remember to reload the kernel driver or reboot your system before trying to inject packets.
Well, I stuck hxxp://patches.aircrack-ng.org/mac80211_2.6.28-rc8-wl_frag+ack_radiotap.patch in /usr/src/linux and ran "patch -p1 -i mac80211_2.6.28-rc8-wl_frag+ack_radiotap.patch", without any errors.
Then, "make drivers/net/wireless/b43/b43.ko drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/b43legacy.ko" finished up w/o any errors as well, but "make modules_install" complained about something and spit out an error that escapes me atm.
I went ahead and did a "make modules". I'm assuming the previous make involving the .ko files was a uh, more specific make? One that doesn't take hours like the one that's happenin right now. -_-
Anyway, I'm hoping the full on "make modules" will allow me to do the "make modules_install". It's 4 AM here so I'll follow up w/results of this potential fix tomorrow when it's done.
BTW, using Linksys WPC54G rev3.1 which was injecting just dandy at 500 PPS on the latest ubuntu earlier today. Realized this problem when I tried to do a basic clientless WEP crack on my AP and it just spammed "Sending Authentication Request (Open System)" a bunch until it determined that some shit aint right.
make modules returned the following:
net/mac80211/tx.c: In function â__ieee80211_parse_tx_radiotapâ:
net/mac80211/tx.c:831: error: redefinition of âinfoâ
net/mac80211/tx.c:829: error: previous definition of âinfoâ was here
make[2]: *** [net/mac80211/tx.o] Error 1
make[1]: *** [net/mac80211] Error 2
make: *** [net] Error 2
Im running into similar issue with my rt73 usb driver,and have to reboot to get wifi into monitor mode again once it gets hosed. I get device is busy when trying to put it into monitor mode, but only after something causes it to stop working, which I can't figure out what is causing this.
I am in the process now of tracking down and installing the older drivers for it and will try it again to see if that fixes the issue. Under bt3, my card comes up as rausb0, but under bt4, its wlan0 and I can no longer set iwpriv features for the card, like forceprism headers, etc. BT3 worked though and I was able to deauth, etc. I think the same thing is happening for the bcmXX card is that you need to get the older drivers used on BT3, and then everything should be good to go, but I have yet to test this myself. This is still a beta, so I don't expect everything to work 100% out of the gates.
It seems that If I use different drivers, like the ones I always used in BT3, my card works fine. I think this is probably the issue most people are having with all the cards, is they need to just find the right drivers for their card. The default one for BT4 just needs to be replaced with whatever you used previously in BT3.


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related products
1 of
Dew Point Syrup Offers its soda in a 5 gallon bag-n-box. The soda works well with soda dispensers. It is a 5 to 1 concentrate, and will make 30 gallons, or 320 (12 oz.) finished drinks.
Standard - 2 to 6 business days
Premium - 2 to 4 business days
Express - 1 to 2 business days
This product is covered by the SAM'S CLUB Member Satisfaction Guarantee. Sam's Club guarantees timely delivery of fresh food. If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with the product freshness delivered, please notify us within 48 hours to request a possible refund.


text: Our vision is of life in these mountains not only preserved but restored. We see functioning native ecosystems with the reintroduction of original fauna such as bear, elk, cougar, beaver, fish and wolf. We see the preservation of large corridors of contiguous forest required to provide habitat for these animal species and many more. And we see human communities leading sustainable and healthy lives as an integral part of this ecosystem.


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Relax in Phang Nga
At the Khao Lak resort, on Bang Niang Beach
Enjoy world-class accommodations as you explore the sandy beaches by our Ramada Khao Lak Resort hotel. Located on the beautiful east coast of Thailand, our hotel near Bang Niang Beach provides you with beautiful scenery and the means to relax. Phuket International Airport is less than an hour away.


text:
Bookmark this site
SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Gaming Board, which originally said it would conduct a two-week, five-location test of the new video lottery system before launching VLTs statewide, has expanded the test to additional jurisdictions and is hedging on the launch date.
According to local press reports, there are now seven jurisdictions in which VLTs are being tested: Hoffman Estates, Port Barrington, Morton Grove, Rockford, Machesney Park, St. Anne and Strasburg.
In addition, IGB officials said on Sept. 20 that the entire system will not go live for "two or three weeks."
Alternatively, officials said, VLTs may not launch statewide until IGB and Scientific Games are confident the system is ready for statewide operation. Scientific Games is the creator and administrator of the central computer system for VLTs in Illinois.
IGB's Mark Ostrowski said when VLTs go live statewide, it will be a slow rollout because operators "have not coordinated" with manufacturers and distributors to submit the proper paperwork to the state.
Ostrowski said just 33% of operators who applied for VLT licenses have supplied the required financial data to the IGB, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Another IGB official, Gene O'Shea, said operators have been "slow to get the financing" to purchase VLTs.
As of Sept. 20, VLT licenses have been issued to 324 bars and restaurants, 12 truck stops, four veterans' clubs and one fraternal organization -- but only 50 of these venues have had lottery terminals installed, said IGB officials.


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Cleveland priest due in court Tuesday
(Cleveland) – Pastor James McGonegal was arrested for soliciting sex at Edgewater Park.
Investigators claim the priest at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church in Cleveland offered an off-duty Cleveland Metropark ranger $50 for sex.
Investigators also say the 68-year-old McGonegal admitted being HIV positive, so he is also facing a third-degree felony.
Mcgonegal posted bond over the weekend is scheduled to be in court Tuesda.
The latest statement issued by the Cleveland Diocese issued reads:
"The status of Fr. James McGonegal is under review. Fr McGonegal has stepped away from his duties at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish to attend to his personal matters. Fr. Gary Yanus, priest in residence at St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish will temporarily attend to the sacramental needs of the parish community."
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone. Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright © 2013 by Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


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We have three dogs, two boxers and a great dane/catahoula mix. Last night when we brought them in they were fighting over something in the corner of the yard. We honestly thought nothing of it, they fight all the time (they never hurt each other, they are just rough).
This morning I was awoken at 5am by my great dane mix vomiting. He had thrown up a lot and it smelled like rotting fish. I took him outside and gave him some water. DH (dear husband) went to find out what they had been fighting over. It was a bottle of insecticide (organic) in a Home Depot bag.
It is no secret that my neighbor hates our dogs. If they are outside for more than 20 minutes she complains. They do not sit out there and bark incessantly and if they do we bring them in. They do play with each other and sometimes they are noisy (growly, whiny, talking noises from my great dane mix).
She has told me that her yorky has a nervous disorder and he cannot take the stress of my dogs making noise. It apparently stresses him out and he has had to go to the dog psychologist because of it .
To help everyone understand, we all live on 1+ acre lots, so it isn't like we are crammed together in a zero lot line neighborhood. I am beyond pissed, but I'm not sure how to proceed. My dog is fine now and is going to recover. If you want to poison my 90lb dog you would need to use more than organic insecticide, so it seems like the idea was to make them sick not kill them.


text:
Bradley Cooper and his girlfriend have a few words on the set of his new movie.
Britney Spears went out to dinner with her boyfriend last night. Kind of has a prom feel about it.
Elizabeth Berkley took her son shopping.
Ashley Greene and Cara Santana after working out together.
Giorgio Armani might as well go naked, but I'm glad he didn't.
Jessica Alba on the way into the office.
Josh Duhamel spends more time with his son. They are always doing something.
Jessica Pare in a rare pap shot.
Kate Beckinsale seemed to be in an awfully good mood yesterday.


text:
New director for Carolina Leadership Initiative
By Megan Sexton, email@example.com, 803-777-1421
Political science associate professor Kirk Randazzo, the new director of USC's Carolina Leadership Initiative, learned some of his first lessons in leadership while he was an undergraduate at the University of South Carolina.
As a music major and a saxophone player in the marching, concert and jazz bands, Randazzo joined Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary fraternity for college band members. As he became involved in the organization locally and nationally, he saw upclose the value and importance of strong leadership.
"Leadership is not about a title or a position," Randazzo said. "It's about the person and what he or she can do to influence their corner of the world.
"Each person is able to make a meaningful change in someone's life – positive or negative. If we know more about leadership – how it works and how we can influence others – we'll be able to make a positive impact. That's what grabs me every single time."
Randazzo plans to bring that expertise and passion to the Carolina Leadership Initiative, an organization that promotes leadership development on campus and helps create new leadership projects. The initiative is designed to help students develop the motivation and the skills to make a positive difference in their local communities, throughout the state of South Carolina and around the nation and world. The CLI sponsors the Leadership Scholars Program, allowing students to submit competitive proposals for funding, with the projects intended to promote the students' leadership skills.
For Randazzo, the director's position he will take on in January is a perfect fit. Along with teaching political science courses at USC, he also has developed the leadership class that is part of USC's new minor in leadership studies.
"President Harris Pastides has charted the leadership course at USC and our institution is committed to providing students with direction and opportunity to build leadership ability and experience," said Helen Doerpinghaus, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies at USC.
"The faculty director of the Carolina Leadership Initiative heads this important undertaking. Dr. Randazzo is an excellent choice. He is experienced with leadership education, he teaches and conducts research in the area, students have traveled with him to Washington, D.C., on leadership study trips and he teaches the gateway course for the new leadership minor launched in fall 2012.
"Everyone who hears that Dr. Randazzo is stepping into the role says the same thing to me: 'Great choice! He's the ideal faculty member to lead the way.' "
Randazzo believes opportunities offered to undergraduates through the Carolina Leadership Initiative and the new leadership minor degree will make students more marketable when they leave campus. In doing consulting work on leadership for the U.S. State Department, companies and nonprofits, he has learned that employers need and want individuals with leadership training "and they want it provided at the college level."
"We are the flagship university. Leadership walks hand-in-hand with that responsibility. We must lead, and that's Dr. Pastides' vision for the university – that we lead and engage," he said. "As a university, it's our responsibility to encourage our students to become better individuals. Part of that involves encouraging our students to be more civic-minded, to engage more. And leadership can be part of that. It's our fundamental responsibility to expose our students to it."
Randazzo came to USC as an undergraduate student from New York, looking for a university with a good jazz program and a law school. He earned his bachelor's degree in music in 1994. Before looking at law school, he decided he needed some political science training, earning his master's in international studies with a focus on international law and diplomacy from USC. During that time, he switched paths and decided to pursue a career in academia and started his doctoral studies at Michigan State. He finished in 2003 and headed to the University of Kentucky. After five years, he came home to USC, where he is an associate professor of political science in College of Arts and Sciences, with a research focus on law and judicial politics and research methods.
But his companion area of interest has long been leadership, ever since he became involved in the national honorary fraternity for college band members at USC. In 1995, he was elected to a national position in the music fraternity and he remains involved. He helped design the group's leadership curriculum, which gave him the chance to put to use what he was reading and learning about.
News and Internal Communications


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WANTED: More BLONDIE (1975 - 1982 era!)
Rare Music DVDs!
I'm a UK-based collector of pop & rock music on TV & video, specializing mostly in artists from the 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s. I've been collecting since 1981 & trading world-wide since 1985. Listed here are just some of my vast archives.
Many of the DVDs listed on this blog were compiled by myself: I always try to get the best quality material (many of my DVD compilations have been upgraded and/or extended several times). As well as the "greats", I also enjoy compiling / collecting DVDs on less obvious artists that most other collectors ignore.
I'm always looking for more footage or upgrades, so if you have a list get in touch via the email address above. Please note that (with a few exceptions) I do NOT generally collect interviews, documentaries or audience footage - just TV performances, promo videos, movie excerpts and professionally filmed concerts. Here's my WANTS LIST!
Thursday, 15 June 2017
BLONDIE on DVD
Posted by Peter C at 17:12
Labels: Blondie, Debbie Harry, Deborah Harry, PUNK & NEW WAVE
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Central, FCS learn state opponents
MURFREESBORO -- Two Wilson County basketball teams learned their respective opponents in Thursday's quarterfinal round of the BlueCross Boys Basketball Championships at MTSU's Murphy Center.
In the Class AAA bracket, Wilson Central (26-6) will play Science Hill (34-2) Thursday at 11:45 a.m.
The winner will take on the winner of Blackman (26-3) and Memphis East (20-9) in a Friday semifinal game.
The Wildcats are making third third appearance in the TSSAA State tournament -- the first for the program since 2005.
In the Class A tournament, Friendship Christian (25-3) will take on Chattanooga Grace (19-10) Thursday at 6:45 p.m. The Commanders are making their first appearance in the state tournament after eight previous sub-state losses.
The FCS - Grace winner will advance to a Friday semifinal game against the winner of the McEwen (30-1) vs. Cloudland (22-12) game.


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Join and browse our exclusive open discussion forums and talk about whatever you like.
I have been giving blood to the Redcross since I was 16, When I was 18 I discorvered I was gay, and when I went back to give blood their was a question on the form asking me If I have had sex with a man since 1977, I of course marked no becuase I didnt want anyone to know I was gay, I wasnt happy about it myself....well As the years went by everytime I seen that question I was bothered.....Well the last time I went to give blood (San Bernardino, Ca)I decieded hey...where not living in the old times where being "Gay" is such a bad thing and since Im O- and CNG - they really need my blood, I thought I shouldnt worry about it they wont care......Well I was wrong.....I got pulled aside and told since im a gay male I will eventually get AIDS and pass it off to someone...I have never had unprotected sex in my life! I felt for the first time in my life I was being discriminated against! When I was trying to save a life! The current satistics say gay men are not the number one carrier of AIDS, but does the CDC care, no....actually you dont even ask on the form if you have unprotected sex....My straight roommate has sex with a diffrent girl almost everynight....but you dont ask that! so pretty much the CDC still thinks its a Gay disease and doesnt care about unprotected sex only gay men! Would you rather take blood from a gay man thats only had protected sex or from a straight man that never had protected sex.....Your form speaks for you!
I feel the CDC needs to review their guidlines....unprotected sex is the cause someone gets AIDS/HIV not being gay...better yet a gay male...because lesbians are allowed to donate....Now I have been black balled from dontating blood! and Im on a goverment list somewhere stating im a Homo and one day I will have aids and die. Please review your guidlines!
One of which is the gay & lesbian rights association, and a fewothers
Well they put out an AD that says AIDS is a gay disease!!!!!
Now why did we have to go back 30years????? AIDS is a disease not aGay one!!! Yes as I read below a few times I know anal sex is the mostrisky.
How many women out their have had anal sex with their BF, Husband,anyone.....I'm just still disgusted by the situation....and for thecounsolor that informed me I wasn't allowed to give blood again, wellshe still works their and there was no punishment.
I couldn't agree more. AIDS is a disease of exposure. You can't getit if you're not exposed, and you can't give it if you're not HIVpoistive - so the question should be: do you regularly haveunprotected sex.
People who have unprotected sex are dangerous to all... gay andstraight. Sometimes both. And to the blood supply.
CDC is wrong!!
Personally, I don't think you should misconstrue the
CDC's regulations on donating blood as an affront on the life-stylegay people. Although we know that HIV/AIDS is not a "gay man's"disease, as such, a large percentage of individuals who contracted thedisease during its earlier phase, were people who came from the gaycommunity. I agree that the Red Cross should not presume that someoneis HIV positive simply because he is gay. That would bediscrimination. Furthermore, if you or a family member needed a bloodtransfusion, and tested HIV negative, would you object to the CDCscreening intravenous users or women prostitutes for HIV status? Inyour opinion, would that constitute discrimination against alife-style choice?
but I read a lot of responses tonight. Maybe too many because now myhead is swimming with all these what-ifs.
When they decide that a certain person is not eligible to donate, dothey do that so they don't have to test the blood or so they have lessblood to test. Because I'm (in my paranoid state) thinking, what ifyou lie on your "exam" and you did get blood transfusions from Africasince 1977 and then you went over to England and got some transfusionsafter 1980 and then you got tattoos and dental work, acupuncture withpossibly unsterile needles and maybe one of the people you hooked upwith had a "gay/lesbian" encounter while they were in college....whatthen?
OR what if you are a serial killer and have AIDS and you say you arevery healthy but secretly want to spread your disease to as manypeople as possilbe?
If they just don't want those people to donate to have less blood totest, well, then I guess i understand their logic behind the decision,BUT if they can't test for all the illnesses or just randomly test,and are counting on the donors to alert them to possible problems,well, then there needs to be some serious reform!
Does anyone know how the whole testing process is done?
The CDC's form is horribly out of date. Sexual diseases are spreadmost commonly by unprotected sex, regardless of the gay/straightissue. The myth that homosexual sex is the most common way of gettingit is apparently still clung to by many people, and the CDC of allgroups should be wary of their role in the spread of sketchyinformation.
I believe current data shows that the disease is most commonly spreadthrough heterosexual contact. Why the old link to gay males? Probablybecause there was no need to use condoms to prevent unwantedpregnancies.
September 27, 2006
I share your angry feelings and I too felt truly hurt and rejected asa person. The risk of HIV infection is understated in most cases andcertainly I as a gay man could have HIV and not know it. That beingsaid, so could many straight people and bisexual/curious people. Thatbeing a fact we all know, the ideal situation would simply be toscreen the blood samples. Period.
Don't insult me by saying my 'lifestyle' or 'sexual preference' are ofany concern of the CDC. The job of the CDC is to collect blood and besure it is safe for usage for anyone in need of that blood. (Again,period!) Part of the process of making sure it is usable is testing.Test it and stop insulting the public who is coming to you as a gift.I was not paid for prior times giving blood, I always turned it down.I did it out of a loyalty to my fellow man.
I am a safe sex participant, I deserve better treatment. You deserveto have to change your policy. It is we the gay people of the US whohave been wronged by your rules. Simply correct it and we'll all getalong better and the people in need of blood will receive the benefitof healthy blood.
Thank you for reading
Phil V.
Age 36
The way you were treated is wrong - no one should have said that toyou.
However, I wouldn't want your blood. There is always a chance, but ahigher chance from a gay male donor, of getting tainted blood.
I wish you nothing but good health and happiness.
Actually, you need to educate yourself a bit more on the subject ofHIV/ AIDS. It is a known fact that certain types of sexual activity,by nature, are far more likely to allow the transmission of virusessuch as HIV.
I applaud you for never having unprotected sex. It seems that so manynowadays don't. However, I have a beautiful 6 year old son who is theresult of a night of protected sex with my husband. We were trying towait before having children. No method is 100% effective in theprevention of pregnancy OR virus transmission.
It is an unfortunate fact that one of the particular sex actsextremely common in gay men carries with it a HUGE increase in risk.This is why the CDC and blood donation centers have that guideline. Bylying about your sexual history, you have potentially placed bloodrecipients at risk, and that is not OK.
If it makes you feel any better, I can't donate blood either because Ilived in London for 3 years back in the 90s. (Mad cow disease is thereason I am not allowed to donate) Oh, and I'm a vegetarian. But Istill can't donate. I enjoy helping people and was once a frequentblood donor. I have just had to accept that I have to find a differentway to help people in need until there is a cure, vaccine, or whateverelse it takes for them to lift the restriction.
hmmm about 10 years ago, the Red Cross decided I tested postive forHep C and refused all future blood donationd from me.
Funny thing is, no less than three doctors have tested me for Hep Csince then, and all three say I have never enve been exposed, letalone have the virus.
Needless to say, the Red CRoss has ZERO credibility with me.
OMG I am appalled! The American Red Cross blew this one. I hope theyfired that employee and made amends to you for that.
Did anyone read the newest news on the red cross??? They are beingsued 4.6 million by the govt for not asking enough questions, and nottesting the blood properly...
messed up huh?
There are a lot of replies below so I am not sure if this has alreadybeen said but:
1) That employee should be fired. In addition to being bigoted andfactually wrong, he or she showed abysmal customer service. Thecorrect reply is not to get into the reasons for the ban but simply tosay, "I am sorry and I realize the law may seem extreme but it is thelaw and we have to follow it."
2) Yes, they test the blood but false negatives are always possible. Screening out high-risk donors is a necessary part of keeping theblood supply safe. In our very wealthy country, we sometimes aim forvery high levels of safety. Some of the FAA safeguards probably lookabsurdly overprotective but (setting aside intentional acts, which area different matter) flying is incredibly safe in the U.S. -- as isgetting a blood transfusion. Now, whether "high risk" screeningcriteria added 20 years ago when AIDS epidemiology, detection, andtreatment were much different are still the best ones to use is alegitimate question, especially since the list of questions is gettinga bit long these days with screening for CJD, West Nile Virus, etc.
You learn something new every day. Well, at least on Saturday, I did.
I went in for my blood donation. No problems, whatsoever, except forthe fact I have "deep veins". Deep lady, deep veins? Ha ha. My armis going to be black and blue for a while.
Prior to donation, I learned that in 2003 the Red Cross implemented anew test to detect for HIV and Hep C. It's called Nucleic AcidTesting, or simply NAT. I did some research over the weekend and itturns out that this test detects viral genes, rather than viralantibodies or antigens. This means they are able to detect infectionearlier since the donor does not have to develop an immune response(which produces antigens or antibodies) to either virus.
According to the FDA, the average window to detect antigens andantibodies for HIV and HIV-1 is 22 days, however with NAT, it'sreduced to 12 days. The window for detection of Hep C is reduced from82 days to 25 days.
So I asked the donor coordinator who was there some questions alongthe lines of djay's original post. According to her, with this newtesting, the American Red Cross has requested the CDC change some ofits questions to donors. She agreed with me that the current set ofquestions has the unintended benefit of scaring off a number ofdonors.
While I still understand why the CDC has promulgated the regulationsit has, with the advent of these newer tests, I am also seeing thattheir policies and protocols are lagging behind the availabletechnology. If, indeed, a viral gene for HIV can be detected in 12days, then maybe djay is right: maybe a lifelong ban on homosexualsdonating is not necessary....
Just some more things for me to think about!
university during the week before the football game, a good way shethought to help someone as well as her school. Unfortunately, she hadjust returned from Central American two months before where she hadgone on a church mission trip. They wouldn't let her donate because ofthe area she stayed in and said she had to wait a year. I wondered atthe time if they wouldn't test the blood.
I know about San Bernardino, boy don't I know. There is a plasmacenter located on La Cadena in Colton and I have wittnessed people gooutside and smoke drugs, right after the center pricked their fingerto test their iron, even though the center tells them not to gooutside. I am very sorry that you were treated so unfairly. No one hasthe right to assume anything about anyone else. They should ask you ifyou have unprotected sex; they make people who would be honest,dishonest for fear of what might happen next. Being gay is not a crimebut it should be a crime to treat people like rejects.
Hi, as an RN, I guarantee you they run the sample through HIV/AIDStesting prior to sending it off to hospitals or clinics. No matterwhat your sexual preference is, ANYONE can get HIV/AIDS, it is not a"gay" disease. I can't even give blood due to my low iron content dueto anemia. I do appreciate your concern though.
I'm amazed that there hasn't been much (if any) anti-gay sentimenthere. This is amazing, as I'm so used to people spewing their hatredof gays at any chance they get.
This says something (positive IMHO) about PF users. We may be overlynegative (or so says Customer2006 and others), but we're very openminded about homosexuality.
I knew there was a reason I liked it here!
I was upfront with them about my "condition," but that didn't dissuadethem, which surprised me. They were even impressed that I followedthrough on the appointment! I won't repeat that mistake again. Donating blood while hungover = a horrible, horrible day.
I have a friend who lived with a bi-sexual man for a year after whichthey broke up. He was faithful to her during that time.
My friend had given blood since she was in her teens but was no longerallowed to do so after being with this guy. One of the questions onthe form the blood bank had her fill out asked whether or not apotential donor had been with a gay person. My friend answered "yes"to this and was told she would never be allowed to give blood againbecause of the possibility of her having gotten HIV from him.
Sort of guilt by association. She was more than willing to be testedfor HIV but the people at the blood bank told her it wouldn't make adifference.
I guess they think they are being super careful but I think this was abit excessive.
That's so wrong. Maybe the test should just say "Have you ever engagedin sexual activity? Non-virgins need not apply."
That is so backward-thinking that AIDS is just a gay disease. If theyare being extra cautious, then they should just ban everyone that hasever had sex from giving blood.
I'm not allowed to give blood because I've had piercings in the pastyear. Was the place I got my piercings reputable and sterile? Yeah. Does that mean they should take my word for it? No.
There are certain procautions they have to take. If a mistake ISmade, the situation could result very poorly.
Personally I think it is irresponsible to lie on a form like that. You aren't taking chances with your life, you could be taking chanceswith another life. Not to mention wasting resources...
I didn't have time to read through all the posts, so please excuse meif this has already been mentioned or asked.
I read the posts and didn't run into this statement. "I have beentested for HIV within the past 6-months and am 100% aware of mystatus, why am I not allowed to donate blood?".
Fact is, there are so many people out there straight, gay or whatever,that just don't get tested. They think "I've been in a monogamousrelationship and don't need to". Well, everyone needs to, no matterwhat your situation is. As mentioned before, no one is immune to thedisease, whether you're married or single or what. One never knowsuntil they're sitting in the chair getting blood drawn and having ittested for HIV.
The CDC sounds like it's primative in it's efforts to cut down onputting people at risk, they need to be open to other possiblescenarios not just "Gay men".
I also practice what I preach, I know my status, I truely think it's awonderful thing to know! Did any of this make sense? I keep havingto come back to it!
Its not just a matter of your sexual preference. I lived in Englandfor almost a year back in the late 80's... I have been told that dueto the Mad Cow thing I can not give blood.
It is because they already have to screen for so many things they tryto get as unadulterated blood as possible.
I am a universal donor and can not give blood... I think they need todo something about the screening and or acceptance but I think aboutthe other side also.
How upset would you be if,because of a screener mistake, a child ofyours got Mad Cows Disease during a transfusion to save their life.They are making guidelines to prevent spreading disease and for thelong run, with all of the bugs that are out there, I think they aremaking the most prudent choice.
Im not good when im alive what if I fall and hit my headtomorrow....would they take my organs?
Mandatory AIDS Testing
AIDS has become a worldwide epidemic that has struck everyidentifiable group.
However, persons who are considered to be in a high-risk group ofcontracting
HIV, the disease believed to cause AIDS, are still stigmatized by themedia and
other professionals as being diseased and abnormal. It is quitesurprising
still that this type of stereotype still exists now in ourgender-bending
society. No longer do only gays, prostitutes, bisexual men,intravenous drug
users contract HIV, the heterosexual community is also facing theepidemic at
phenomenon increases. It is estimated that heterosexual transmissionaccounts
for 75% of all AIDS cases in the world.(Video, CBC In Review) Andstill
individuals persist that AIDS is a gay disease and that if one is notgay, one
is immune from it. No one is immune to from AIDS. Until a vaccineand cure is
discovered for AIDS, the numbers will increase and people will keepdying.
Therefore it is of vital importance to educate people about AIDS andto promote
safer sex. The key word now is prevention. Among many proposedpolicies to
help prevent AIDS infection, one of the most controversial ismandatory AIDS
testing. Mandatory AIDS testing is theoretically very effective,however, when
it is applied, it is not practical at all because one is dealing withhuman
nature, the odd nature of the virus itself, and also all of thestigmas that are
attached to AIDS. Therefore, not only will mandatory AIDS testing notprevent
HIV infection, it will indirectly increase HIV infection because ofthe adverse
effect it will have on voluntary testers. One of the major flaws ofmandatory
AIDS testing is that "it provides people with a false sense ofsecurity."(Greig,
p68) When one goes for AIDS testing or more accurately an HIVantibody test
which is also know as the ELISA test (Kolodny, p42), one tests for thepresence
of HIV antibodies not for the virus itself. Our bodies manufactureantibodies
to fight against foreign infections, therefore the presence of HIVantibodies
indicates that the person is infected with HIV and is considered acarrier and
may infect others. However, if the person is infected recentlyenough, these
antibodies might not show up in the test because it can take the bodyas long as
six months to develop these antibodies. This period of time is knownas the
window period. So a person whose test returns with a negative HIVstatus may be
in fact a carrier and not know it because the antibodies have notshown up yet.
Misguided, this individual believing to be HIV negative, mayparticipate in high
risk activities for contracting HIV and infect others as well.
Mandatory Aids testing also involves sub-policy known as contacttracing or
partner notification. The intent of this policy is to have anindividual who is
HIV positive disclose his sexual history and all partners as well. Then the
public health office will contact these partners and have them testedand
educated. This policy fails to recognize that it is dealing with avery
sensitive, and private issue and people might not want to disclose their sexual
history. Also how will this information be verified? It will be ofno surprise
that certain individuals may lie and identify someone who they had nosexual
contact with just to put that person through the hassle. Not only isthis
policy an infringement on privacy, it is not effective because thereis no cure
for AIDS. In the past, contact tracing was also implemented forother
STD's(sexual transmitted diseases) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpessimplex
where there is treatment for the diseases. (Greig, p71) For AIDS,there is no
cure or vaccines, therefore, people living with AIDS(PWA) are nottreated but in
fact being re-educated again. With all the hassle and insecurity ofthe
mandatory AIDS testing policy, people will become reluctant to test. Also
because the results of the tests will be kept on file and the resultsare
accessible by some selected individuals and groups, people will becomeeven more
hesitant to test voluntarily first let alone be mandatory. Theconsequences of
public disclosure or even select disclosure are very damaging to aperson who
has just learned of his HIV positive status. Some of the negativeconsequences
are alienation from community and family, loss of accommodation,denial of
disability and life insurance, travel restrictions and also theprospect of
"blackmailing". (IPC, HIV/AIDS, p17) The notion that mandatory AIDStesting
and its implications deter people from voluntary testing is evidentfrom the
possible discrimination that one might face undergoing the proceduresof the
policy. As of today, there is no mandatory AIDS testing programsbeing
implemented for persons of "high-risk groups". One cannot help butfeel the
society as a whole believes when one is dealing with an issue likeAIDS, which
is so sensitive and private, the rights and the comfort of theindividuals
stricken with this horrid disease should come first. As a result,anonymous
testing has been made available to provide people with discretion andprotection
from discrimination. Although not many cities provide this sort ofservices,
just the fact that it is available is a relief for those who suspectthat they
might be infected with HIV. This type of service encourages testingand is the
right tool to help prevent HIV infection. Some of the question askedmay be
very difficult or even impossible to answer, but a strong debate canbe put up
for both sides. Can Aids testing control the spread of AIDS, for the
individuals who seem to believe that it can, many argument go in it'sfavor. By
promoting HIV testing "it enables those who have tested positive toseek early
treatment. By learning of their infection, people with HIV can avoidunsafe
practices that could infect others."(Bender, p.114) By doing this itwill
prevent those who are infected from spreading the virus to those whoare not
accidentally. A lot of the time when this virus is being passed it isdone
unknowingly. If this system were to be in place, it would be the endof people
passing the virus off unknowingly. Leaving us with the few that havebeen found
knowingly passing the disease. There have be some cases where aperson who has
been tested and knows that they have the virus, but continues toengage in an
unsafe sexual manner. Therefore passing the virus off to otheruninfected
people. How should we deal with these individuals? Should there bea criminal
punishment? How can we protect ourselves from these individuals? Withthis
system it may crack down on this problem, and the a criminalpunishment may
follow. When testing not everyone must be tested only those who are inthe
high-risk groups, consisting of homosexuals, IV drug users and thosewho have
partners that are infected with the HIV virus. This testing wouldinform people
of possible HIV infection and enables them to seek early treatment. It also
does a very important job in telling the person if he/she if a carrierof the
virus. With this information hopefully the spread will drop inaccidental cases
this meaning a smaller number of AIDS cases. This isn't it onlypurpose it also
helps the blood donor clinics such as the Red Cross in determining whohas the
virus and who doesn't. It would mean there would be a safer system inblood
donating overall. It ensures the public that everyone who is givingblood is
HIV/AIDS free. It is possible for one bad unit of blood tocontaminate 10 000 -
30 000 other units of blood. That would be a huge catastrophe for theRed Cross.
Lastly it gives individuals engaging in any sexual activities thatadded piece
of mind that the person they are sleeping with does not have the AIDSvirus.
A case of a man who was infected with the HIV virus was found tryingto donate
blood at Red Cross located in Ottawa.(G&M, June 5/'95) Mr. Thorntonin the fall
of 1987 donated blood after being tested positive twice for HIV andnot
revealing that he was homosexual. A high risk group that the RedCross won't
except blood from. He had been warned not to donate blood, but did soany ways
believing it would relieve his chances of developing AIDS if he gotrid of some
blood. One of his friend quoted him saying he wanted to see if hecould get
away with donating blood. Mr. Thornton thought his blood would bescreened out.
One has to remember the screening process isn't foolproof, in theoryit would
only catch 99.3 % of cases of infected blood. For this action, Mr.Thornton was
found guilty in 1989 of committing a common nuisance endangering thelives or
health of the public. He was sentenced to 15 months in jail. Thishas been the
first case the top courts had to deal with involving the transmissionof AIDS.
Now a under existing laws, any one knowingly donating blood can beprosecuted.
In another case this one being on the civilaspect
involving a married father of two is suing the estate of hishomosexual lover,
saying the man failed to disclose that he was carrying the AIDS virusuntil
shortly before dying.(Star, '94) This case is the first of its kindin Canada,
and may end up setting the rights and duties of people in sexualrelationships
that involve AIDS. The man known as C.R. is seeking damages fornegligence,
negligent misrepresentation, assault and battery and breach offiduciary
obligation from the estate of a man known as J.T. He is suing for$250 000 in
general damages and $ 75 000 in punitive and special damages. A goodpoint made
by the lawyer representing J.T. estate, " If you are going to haveunprotected
sex with a member of a high risk group you are partially negligent. This case
shows that there are repercussion to ones actions you must beextremely
selective of who you have sexual encounters with. It also looks moretowards
the civil side of AIDS and the law, the decision of the case was notobtained.
It's safe to say that AIDS has changed our views on any sort ofsexual
activities we conduct ourselves in. Sexual conduct isn't the onlything we must
worry about anymore because in a article in the Globe and Mail datingback to
November, 11/'94. Those who donate blood must now face the fact thatif they
are HIV positive when donating, whether it be accidental or purposelythe ruling
was that the Red Cross would be able to give the names of theindividuals to the
public health office. "Donors implicated that having names releasedamounted to
mandatory testing for acquired immune deficiency syndrome." (G&M,Nov.11/'94).
In one last case in a recent newspaper ruled that some Red Crossworkers could
be charged with criminal negligence causing death if Justice HoraceKrever's
inquiry assigns them blame for their role in the tainted bloodtragedy.(Sun.,
Nov '96) There are a dozen medical directors and senior managers thatcould be
charged. Under these jurisdictions, committing a common nuisance andthereby
endangering the lives, safety or health of the public. Criminalnegligence in
doing something or failing to perform a duty and showing wanton orreckless
disregard for the lives or safety of others persons. Criminalnegligence
causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily harm to anotherperson.
The judge stated that the Red Cross failed to adequately fund itsprogram in the
1980's; it didn't screen high-risk donors; it publicly understated the risk of
blood borne AIDS virus and hepatitis C; it failed to buy safe, heattreated
blood products as soon as they became available. Because of thatseveral
notices warning people he might cite them for misconduct.
Tremendous effect on men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM accountedfor 70% of all estimated HIV infections among male adults andadolescents in 2004 (based on data from 35 areas with long-term,confidential name-based HIV reporting*), even though only about 5% to7% of male adults and adolescents in the United States identifythemselves as MSM [1,2]. The number of HIV diagnoses for MSM decreasedduring the 1980s and 1990s, but recent surveillance data show anincrease in HIV diagnoses for this group [3, 4]. This increase pointsto a continued need for culturally appropriate prevention andeducation services.
"even though only about 5% to 7% of male adults and adolescents in theUnited States identify themselves as MSM"
Ok so their saying their guessing that the rest of the men aregay?????
Ok people 35 areas?????
A total of 35 areasthe US Virgin Islands, Guam, and 33 states(Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho,Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, NorthCarolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota,Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, andWyoming.
Im sorry but you cant judge your opinion on 35 States. Im wonderingwhy they don't have Illinois or California on their....they havehighest population of gay men, and would help Identify a more correctnumber
Heres some other Info
"Feminization' of the pandemic: Now often used by UNAIDS and others toindicate that the number of women infected has equalled, or surpassed,the figure for men."
The language we use to conceptualise and talk about HIV/AIDS reflectsour personal biases and understanding or lack of understanding. Italso helps shape our own and others' attitudes about HIV/AIDS.Appropriate language is constructive, does not fuel stereotypes anddoes not cause prejudice. Language has a strong influence on attitudestoward HIV/AIDS and people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS old usages and current preferred usages
Commercial sex work Sex work
Developing countries Low- or middle-income countries
Direct sex workers Brothel-based sex workers
Fight against AIDS Response to AIDS
High(er) risk groups Key populations at higher risk
HIV/AIDS HIV and AIDS
HIV/AIDS HIV disease or AIDS
HIV/AIDS epidemic AIDS epidemic
HIV/AIDS prevalence HIV prevalence
HIV/AIDS prevention HIV prevention
HIV/AIDS testing HIV testing
Indirect sex workers Non-brothel-based sex workers
Intravenous drug user Injecting drug user
Most vulnerable to infection Most likely to be exposed to HIV
People living with HIV/AIDS People living with HIV and AIDS
Prevalence rates Prevalence
Risky sex Unprotected sex
Sharing (needles, syringes, etc.) Using contaminated injectingequipment (if referring to HIV transmission) Using non-sterileinjecting equipment (talking about risk of exposure to HIV)
Vulnerable groups Most likely to be exposed to HIV
Usage of common terminology and acronyms
AIDS is what people die of; HIV is what they are infected with
Contaminated and unclean: drug injecting equipment was 'contaminated'if it caused infection, 'unclean' if it did not cause infection.
'Feminization' of the pandemic: Now often used by UNAIDS and others toindicate that the number of women infected has equalled, or surpassed,the figure for men.
'Fight' and other combatant language: e.g., struggle, battle,campaign, waravoid using such words, unless in a direct quotation orthe context of the text (possibly a poster or very short publicationdesigned to have high-impact) makes it appropriate. Alternativesinclude: response, measures against, initiative, action, andprogramme.
Gay men: use men who have sex with men unless individuals or groupsspecifically self-identify as gay. The broader community of men andwomen and transsexuals should be described as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexualand Transgenderedthe acronym LGBT: is often used of groups, but UNAIDSgeneral preference is to spell out all terms in full.
PLHIV: spell out in full 'people living with HIV'
Risk: Avoid using 'persons' or 'groups at risk'. Behaviours, notmemberships, expose individuals to the possibility of infection.
Safe sex: always use safer sex
ABC: Prevention strategies, abstain from penetrative sexualintercourse (also used to indicate delay of sexual debut); be faithful(reduce the number of partners or have sexual relations with only onepartner); condomise (use condoms consistently and correctly).
AIDS carrier: This term refers to any person living with HIV. However,it is stigmatizing and offensive to many people living with the virus.It is also incorrect, since the effective agent is HIV.
AIDS virus: Since AIDS is a syndrome, it is incorrect to refer to itas the 'AIDS virus' HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus) is whatultimately causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Describing AIDS: AIDS is often referred to as a 'deadly, incurabledisease', but this creates a lot of fear and only serves to increasestigma and discrimination. It has also been referred to as a'manageable, chronic illness, much like hypertension or diabetes', butthis may lead people to believe that it is not as serious as theythought. It is preferable to use the following description: AIDS, theacquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a fatal disease caused by HIV,the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV destroys the body's ability tofight off infection and disease, which can ultimately lead to death.Currently, medication can slow down replication of the virus, but itdoes not cure AIDS.
Epidemic: A disease that spreads rapidly through a demographic segmentof the human population, such as everyone in a given geographic area;a military base, or similar population unit; or everyone of a certainage or sex, such as the children or women of a region. Epidemicdiseases can be spread from person to person or from a contaminatedsource such as food or water.
Theirs some intresting readinga here too...repot done in 1999inlondon...its a little old but some intresting Info
Ok Ill stop now, when I fend other stuff ill post.......
Cant give blood, So why not help with the problem!
Why can't they just do a test then? straight people and gay people areboth able to have/get/pass on aids, and some people don't even knowthey have it, so why doesn't the CDC just make people get testedbefore giving blood? That's stupid of them, they should just assumethings like that.
The answer is ...NO! But, don't feel discriminated against, Ihonestly don't want ANYONE else's blood but my own.
I disagree that a person should be discriminated against because ofsexual preference. There was some document...oh what was the name ofit...it said "All men are created equal"...yes, I'm being facetious!!
Being gay doesn't mean you automatically have HIV/AIDS. Any personwho is sexually active is at risk of the disease...among severalothers. As well, the CDC accepts blood from African-Americanwomen...check your statistics on the most potentially infectedgroup... Do they say, "Sorry you're a black woman, we can't take yourblood." And, if we're going back to the 70's..."sex, drugs, and rockand roll baby!!"....everyone was doing it...
I know several homosexual individuals and straight individuals. In mycircle, the homosexual individuals are more likely to pay attention tothe prevention of such a disease. How many straight people actuallyask for their partner's medical recorrds over the past 10 years, oreven the latest HIV test results???
Straight people are more likely to pick up a partner in a bar, underthe influence of alcohol, and wake up the next morning wondering whothey're waking up beside....or fell asleep with....or...did theyactually use protection???
I'm not convinced that every person donating blood is 100% honest whenthey fill out that form. Taking someone else's blood is a risk at anylevel...
Test all the blood that comes in, instead of denying individuals basedon lifestyle. Not all blood received is from "donors". Far too manypeople receive pay for their blood...and they probably need that moneyfor things besides drugs, but hey...they're getting paid for theirblood!!!, so go ahead society, automatically assume that it's drugsthey're going to buy instead of food for their homes, and let's testthem stringently before taking their blood. Yes, I'm being facetiousagain...
My point is, does it really matter who the donor is? Isn't the mostimportant aspect the collection of safe blood. Put the onus back onthe CDC to develop testing procedures for every drop they receive. That's the ONLY way you can be sure that the blood you may have toreceive one day is not potentially harmful in one way or another.
But hey, what do I know...
I pulled the following from FAQ at the site below.
As a long time donor I see these questions as Job #1 in their attemptto assure a clean blood supply. If anyone or group feels descrimanatedagainst that is an unfortunate result of this effort.
As a gay male, why am I deferred as a potential blood donor simplybecause of my sexual orientation? Furthermore, I am in a monogamousrelationship. I am being discriminated against. Will thisrecommendation be removed any time soon?
In 1983, FDA recommended donor-screening procedures to excludeindividuals at increased risk for transmitting Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus (HIV), the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS). These recommendations have been updated periodically sincethen. The exclusion of potential donors based on certain sexualhistories has been discussed often, and in-depth, by FDA's BloodProducts Advisory Committee (BPAC). This panel of non-FDA independentexperts continues to recommend the deferral of men who have sex withother men and their recent partners. This issue was discussed at theDecember 11-12, 1997, BPAC meeting. The committee voted to reconsiderthe current recommendations for deferral of men who have had sex withother men. However, at that time the committee did not specify whatthe specific recommendations should be. Data on the incidence andprevalence of HIV and other viruses in men who have had sex with othermen and data on HIV positive blood donors were presented at theNovember 23, 1998, FDA Workshop on Blood Donor Suitability. Atranscript from this workshop can be obtained from CBER's web site at:
The BPAC met on September 14-15, 2000 to revisit this issue. Aftermuch discussion, the BPAC recommended that men who had sex with othermen since 1977 continue to be deferred from donating blood. A copy ofthe meeting transcript is available at:
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/cber00.htm#Blood Prducts
A test for the antibodies to HIV (previously termed HTLV-III) waslicensed by FDA in 1985 and has been used to screen blood donors sincethat time. Studies have shown that up to 2 months may elapse betweenthe time of infection and the time the HIV antibody test is reactive.This period of time is often referred to as the "window period."Accepting men who have had sex with other men since 1977 as blooddonors increases the likelihood for the collection of HIV-positivewindow period blood, because epidemiologic studies have documentedhigher incidence and prevalence rates in these populations. On March14, 1996, FDA recommended donor screening with a licensed test forHIV-1 antigen, which has succeeded in further reducing the windowperiod. In addition, almost all blood collections in the U.S. aretested for HIV RNA using investigational/experimental tests under theIND regulation. This probably decreases window period risks.
FDA continues to recommend that blood donors be informed of behaviorsthat potentially place them at increased risk for transmitting HIV. Inaddition, donors are informed that there is a time interval early ininfection during which any test for HIV may be negative and aninfection may still be transmitted. Providing donors with thisinformation allows them to consider their behaviors and self-excludefrom donation if they participated in any of the identified riskbehaviors. Note that donors do not have to specify the basis for theirdecision to self-defer.
In an April 23, 1992, memorandum to all blood establishments entitled,"Revised Recommendations for the Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency(HIV) Transmission by Blood and Blood Products," FDA outlined updatedpolicies for deferral of donors based on HIV-associated signs andsymptoms, medical history, laboratory test results, and certainactivities that place the donor at increased risk for HIV infection.Taken together, these control measures had been effective in reducingthe risk of transfusion transmission of HIV to about 1 unit permillion donations. However, since 2002, the routine use of nucleicacid testing (NAT) for HIV has even further reduced the risk oftransfusion transmission of HIV to about 1 unit per 2 milliondonations. A copy of this memorandum can be obtained from CBER's website at:
or by contacting CBER's Office of Communication, Training andManufacturers Assistance at 301-827-1800.
In the above-mentioned memorandum, certain categories of high-riskbehaviors are specifically mentioned, without further elaboration, asa basis for deferral: "men who have had sex with another man even onetime since 1977," "men and women who have engaged in sex for money orfor drugs since 1977," and "persons who have had sex with any personmeeting (these) descriptions during the preceding 12 months," are allexamples of such categories. Because there is a potential danger toblood safety in making the criteria for exclusion too specific,activities encompassed by each general area of exclusion have not beendescribed. The April 23, 1992, memorandum also addresses a variety ofhigh risk behaviors and medical conditions that are unrelated tosexual preference, including past or present drug use, hemophilia orother blood clotting disorders, being treated for syphilis orgonorrhea or receiving a transfusion, as well as asking whether aperson has had a positive test for antibodies to HIV.
Although a potential individual donor may practice safe sex, personswho have participated in high-risk behaviors are, as a group, stillconsidered to be at increased risk of transmitting HIV. Safe sexpractices reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of the transmissionof AIDS. Several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)studies have shown that many people who believe they are engaging insafe sex practices are not doing so, either because of poor technique(i.e., condom is incorrectly used) or lack of consistency (i.e.,proper safe sex practices are not used at every sexual encounter). TheAugust 6, 1993, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) willprovide you with further information on this subject.
FDA believes that there is scientific justification for screening outall potential donors who are men who have had sex, even once, withanother man since 1977, and for screening out the recent (within 12months) sexual partners of such men. Since 1983, CDC and, thepreviously mentioned, BPAC have been advising FDA on high-riskcategories as a basis for deferral of potential blood donors. Studieshave shown that men with a history of male to male sex since 1977 maybe infected with HIV and/or may have evidence of a lifestyle thatpotentially exposes them to HIV. In a recent "HIV/AIDS SurveillanceReport" CDC's states that men who have sex with men account for thelargest proportion (38%) of new AIDS cases reported in the UnitedStates from 1996-1997. Intravenous drug users (23%) are the secondhighest proportions of reported cases. Studies also show that men witha history of male to male sex since 1977 are also at increased risk oftransmitting hepatitis viruses. For further information on CDC studiesyou may wish to contact:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Mailstop D-21
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
FDA donor exclusion criteria are intended to utilize all prudentmeasures, which may reduce the potential risk for transmitting HIV andother infectious diseases. FDA's conservative approach, originatesfrom several published sources and public discussions. This approach,consistent with external advice, has the potential to decreasetransmission of HIV virus from entering the blood supply. FDA is verymuch aware that strict exclusion policies eliminate some safe donorsin the attempt to maximally protect the nation's blood supply bydeferring the largest number of donors at increased risk for HIVinfection. FDA continues to review and discuss donor deferralrecommendations within the public health service (FDA, CDC, andNational Institutes of Health) and at open public BPAC meetings,scientific meetings, etc.
If X% of straight men have experimented/fooled around with another guy(think, high school or college), you can bet they lie in response tothose questions that the Red Cross asks when you donate blood.
First let me say that i couldn't possibly care less about a person'ssexual orientation. People are people to me and i judge on individualmerit. But we are talking about blood and a person's life here. Andany sort of risky behaviour can render you potentially dangerous as adonor. That includes sex between straight people and gay people. Unless you are totally monogamous with a long term and i mean LONGterm partner (ten years at least) you are at risk whether you thinkyou are or not. Condoms are not failsafe. I would not want bloodfrom anyone who wasn't in a long term monogamous relationship. Eitherthat or someone who practices total abstinence. Why risk it when weare talking about life and death? This includes both straight and gaypeople.
I just wanted to thank you for setting off one of the moreintelligent debates I've seen here. (ok, I'm relatively new, butstill)
It has been interesting watching the process of a group of peoplefrom different parts of the country come together to even try todefine a problem, let alone solve it.
I do really agree with you that asking about unprotected/anal sexfrom everyone is at the very least a good addition to the screeningprocess.I look at the whole thing a little differently now - nevereven thought about it before.
So thank you again - darci
Aids and HIV is something I have looked into allot, because its lableda gay disease......No one here has even metioned AIDS II.....AIDS IIis really bad...People need to be aware of many things, and withoutawarness theirs ignorance..........Please if anyone disagrees with medo more research look up information and information from othercountries.....Do you know theirs prostitutes that have an AIDSanti-body's, are you aware that Emory University in Atlanta, GA mayhave found a vaccine.....Theirs allot of information......Learn its agreat ability we hold....only if people used it more.
I feel your pain. I am straight but have many gay friends. In fact,my soulmate is a gay male. And you are right; gay men are not theleading carrier of AIDS any longer.
The Red Cross won't let me donate blood because I take Coumadin (ablood thinner). I have a genetic clotting disorder, and the drugbrings my blood to a "normal" level. But they won't take my bloodbecause of the drug. Now what do they do once they receive blood fromsomeone? They heparinize it (thin it with a different blood thinnercalled Heparin). Do they think that genes are contagious orsomething? I feel like I'm missing out on helping a lot of people. I'm B+.
You know, just chalk it up to ignorance. Sometimes it takes years fornew knowledge to seep its way into large organizations. Your years ofdonating and your desire to donate are admirable, and since my fatherhad to receive a lot of blood when he had Leukemia, I know exactly howmuch it means to those who used your gift of life. Thank you, anddon't give up. One day, when all of their "criteria" result in tonsof contaminated blood, they will perhaps rethink their screeningprocess.
Obviously, the guidelines are there for the people who will receiveyour blood. I, too, am not allowed to give blood (not that Imind--needles freak me out) because I was in England for 7 years andOMGGGGG! could possibly have Mad Cow disease. I understand that ismust be frustrating because (kudos to you) you DO want to give blood.
However, I was not aware that the form did not ask if one hasunprotected sex. I wonder if that would be delving too much intopeoples' personal lives if the form had that question? I candefinitely see, though, how that question is a valid one, especiallywhen donating blood.
David, I understand how incredibly frustating it must be to want togive blood, and be unable to. I think, in this case, you have toassume the CDC has reasons for this guideline - and they do. What youshould be aware of, however, is that this is not an "anti-gay society"thing.
I have a friend in New Zealand who's family once visited England,sometime around when she was three or four years old. She is now 25. She is not allowed to donate blood, because around the time she wentto England there was some kind of disease outbreak - mad cow,something, I don't know. The point is, the Red Cross officials in NZaren't all Anglophobes. They don't hate the English, and aren'tdisallowing her from donating because she might have caught "English"disease...they disallow her from donating because there is a chance,however slim, that she could be a carrier of this disease, and mightpass it on to others.
Another point - as you are probably aware, many blood donations areused to treat people with hematological disorders, who need thetransfusions to make up for their own blood loss or lack of healthyblood. What you may not be aware of is that when the process ofgiving these patients blood transfusions to help them first began, theblood products were not screened and tested as they are today. Many,many people died of AIDS and other illnesses, and doctors who weretrying to save lives must now stand back and watch their patients die. Those doctors feel fully the weight of their ignorance, and knowingwhat they know now, would not take the SLIGHTEST risk with anypatient, for any reason. The recipients of these blood products areoften immune deficient already, and especially prone to catchinganything.
Finally, having given blood several times in the past two years, Ihave myself filled out the same forms you have. And I can assure youthat homosexual male sex is not the only risk factor that they arescreening for. They screen for risky sex practices betweenheterosexual couples, they screen for travel, they screen for exposuresuch as tattoos and being a nurse. Surely, some of the people theydecide to not allow to donate blood do not actually have anycommunicable disease. But when you consider the amount of blood thatmust flow through the Red Cross (a non-profit organization) at anygiven moment, and the amount of money that is wasted if they takeblood from an infected citizen that they then must destroy because itwas not usable, it seems logical that they would avoid loosing thatprecious resource - time - and valuable tools such as needles andblood bags and etc at any cost. They're watching their budget, tryingto put every penny into saving lives. They can't afford to takerisks.
As for the rights of the GLBT community, well...I think you will notfind anyone more openly and even vigorously supportive of gay rightsthan I am. But that's simply not the issue at hand.
This isn't about you. It's about sick people getting better. I hopethat when you think about it, you will understand that. And I hopethat you will consider the many other ways you could help sick people,such as donating time or even money.
Hey I feel for you, they would probably say I am too young to giveblood and discrimate on my age.
I feel bad for you, but thems the breaks. I give blood whenever I canas well, and it makes me feel good to do something for others. (I'mO- too)
Unfortunately, the forms are set up to dismiss certain applicants. IVdrug users, people that visit prostitutes, people that go to Africaand other parts of the world, homosexuals, and others. I am in no waysaying that being gay is akin to using heroin. I know better, as domost rational Americans.
The CDC is simply trying to weed out potential risks even before theymake it to the testing phase. You seem like a responsible person, andI'm sure you have taken steps to ensure your safety. The CDC haschosen to profile gays as a risk. Right or wrong, they have made thedecision and I know you are hurt by it. Perhaps you could look intogiving plasma and getting paid for it. That blood never makes it intothe system for donations and you would still be doing a good thing.
Good luck.
You say you started giving blood through the Red Cross at 16. To myrecollection, the minimum age has always been 18 because that is theage of majority (consent). Minors cannot consent to anything andtherefore, cannot agree to donate blood, so I'm wondering if by chanceyou have your ages/dates off somewhat.
I am not sure where you received your information that gay men are notthe number one carriers of HIV/AIDS, but your information is wrong. According to AVERT.ORG, an International organization that tracksHIV/AIDS stats and publishes information on the disease(http://www.avert.org/aidsyounggaymen.htm), HIV/AIDS affects young gaymen in the US/UK and other Euro nations at a higher rate than anyother affected group.
While you may practice safe sex, there is no way of knowing if any ofthe other gay men you have encountered did. Furthermore, since youalready admitted that you submitted early questionaires with falesinformation because you figured it didn't matter, how many other gaymen do you think have done the same thing because they figured theyeither weren't at risk?
In the US, the estimate of people who are infected and do not knowthey are is roughly 50%. (http://www.aidsprojectri.org/hiv101.htm#4)and since newly reported cases are 40,000 per year, that's a risk theRed Cross has opted not to take.
So again, I applaud you that you are a responsible gay man, but manyothers aren't and the risk factors for your demographic are highenough that they warranted the Red Cross to create this stipultaion.
I apologize that you cannot be the contributing member of societybecause of your status, but plesae understand that it is merelyprecautionary and is not a personal judgement on you.
When I read your letter, the first thing that came to mind was if Ineeded blood, the only thing I would want to know was that it wastested and clean. Would anyone really care where it came from as longas it's clean going in? Who in their right mind would rely on peopleanswering truthfully on those questionnaires? Some people might evengive false information unknowingly or unintentionally.
Maybe I'm just naive, but I was under the impression that the chancesof being infected with AIDS/HIV through a transfusion were nil in thisday of high-tech testing capabilities.
This is clearly discrimination. It matters not to me who's doing whatwith whom as long as it's consentual and dosen't involve minors,animals, or certain vegtetables. There are effective tests today tomonitor the blood donated for hiv, hepatitis, sickle cell, and awhole list of other things.
There are false positives, false negatives, and human errors everyday.
This particular person's experience was clearly wrong.
There are Homosexual, Heterosexual, Bisexual, Transexual and Aesexualmales and females who continue to practice less than safe sex. And thesafest sex is still not a hundred percent safe by any means.
There's also discrimination against Haitians and other "high risk"groups being perpetrated under the guise of "economics and screening"because of some actuarial statistics somewhere that are flawed oroutdated or just wrong.
With the advances in medicine and science these days, Aids is bad, butit's no longer a death sentence. So say Gino needs a kidey. The kidneymay give Gino ten, twenty, or thirty or more years. Or Gino may rejectthe kidney. But Gino had a chance and a choice.
If Gino takes the risk and gets a "manageble disease" while gettingmaybe ten or fifteen years of a somewhat useful life, what differencedoes it make who the donor was, and how they lived their lives?
So this whole "gay" angle??????? No matter at what point the person isin finding out which label actually fits and why.Or refuses to accepta label society so needs to place. Life is in a continuum(sp?). SoGino at eighteen was different from Gino at 30, 41 and so on. I knewit all and was invincible at 16. Now I realize I was in denial. So AmI A better or worse person now?
I admire people who speak up, who do things to try to help others withno expectation of reward or return other in knowing they tried tohelp. It's not Gino's place to judge anyone, because, belive me, Ginois far from perfect.
While well intentioned, the CDC and other organizations (and all ofus, including me) need to look at things, evaluate the risks involved,and make the best decisions we can. Unfortuately we don't always getthe information we need so we have to rely on what's available at anygiven time and roll the bones.
Why, when we take the risk, do we have to sign forms releasing them ofliability in the future??
Basically, I'd rather, being in my late forties, take the risk andrecieve blood products and organs if it means it delays my death andpossibly give me another label "A person (first) living with AIDS/HIV(second). And perhaps a little more time.
Thanks Dave, for an insightful letter... I hope something positivecomes from it or at least others will learn from your experience. Verybrave and honest and refrshing to see. Good Luck!!!
I think that since all blood gets tested and the amount of cases ofheterosexuals getting AIDS has increased significantly over the years,your being gay is irrelevant. I wouldn't want the blood of aheterosexual or homosexual without it being tested and I wouldn't mindanyone's tested blood that is found to be disease free.
Bottom line, you being gay should have no bearing on your ability togive blood. It is a noble thing to do and they shouldn't have madeyou feel bad for volunteering to do so.
If you dont mind me asking, you siad u found out u were gay when uwere 18, just curious, how old r u now?
Just wanted to say that it is sad that they allow ignorant people towork out in public. Please, please don't let this keep you from tryingto do good works in your life.
As an aside, is there any sort of appeal process? From a strictlypractical standpoint, your blood is rare and needed. You would thinkthat they could (assuming donors would be willing) have a regulartesting program of sorts, where you agree to get tested at "x"interval and report regularly. If I were a parent of a new born, Ithink if the option were death for my child vs a one in a millionchance of HIV,well what do you think?
I've heard this rule before, and I too feel it is completely unfair.Anyone can get or transmit AIDS. That's why they test the blood whenit's donated.
This has been a debate for years, my gay friend. There are gay menwho are a safer blood supply than many straight women. I'm on yourside. But you're fighting a losing battle, and it's not your fault. It's a shame the Red Cross doesn't also ask questions like, "have youever had unprotected sex?" 99% of the people who donate would have toanswer that "yes"!
I'm sorry you can't donate. I donate every eight weeks and my bloodis used for premature infants, so that's my main motivation for beinga regular donor.
I am on the no-donor list in my county's blood bank too for a reallystupid reason - a lab error. The first time they tested my blood ittested positive for HIV, so they ran it again and it came outnegative. They sent me a certified letter stating that the test was"false positive" but I still needed to come into their office forcounseling. I was young, naive, and afraid that the test meant I was"pre-HIV" or something like that - even though I was married and in aso-called "low risk group" (I agree with your post though that anyonehaving unprotected sex is high risk, no matter their sexualpreference).
When I went in to talk to them, they were very stern with me. I wastold that they had to throw away my blood and I was never allowed todonate again. They doctor at the blood bank said I should follow-upwith my own doctor, which I did. My doctor told me that lab errorsaren't uncommon for the blood bank, and not to worry. That was overfive years ago and I have had two HIV tests since then (with both ofmy pregnancies) and have been fine. I figure that it's just theirloss... (I don't think they can deny you a transfusion because youdon't donate)
".....I got pulled aside and told since im a gay male I willeventually get AIDS and pass it off to someone..."
I find it hard to believe that the Red Cross actually said this tosomeone.
Offhand I can think of 2 reasons:
1. Snyder v. American Association of Blood Banks
2. Jappell v. American Association of Blood Banks
Unfortunately, a significant number of homosexual males do not useadequate protection. Therefore the CDC and the Red Cross have adoptedthese policies.
Now I am going to get personal, for which I apologize in advance. Youadmit you lied to the Red Cross about having sex with a male when youwere 18 and yet you expect us to believe you now when you say you'veNEVER had unprotected sex.....
I'm sorry - but I find your credibility somewhat lacking.
I am appauled. I am very sorry people are so closed minded. Did youask them for specific information as to why they assume that?