Compassion and Fear Over AIDS

What a shame that the official response of Los Angeles to the recent unfortunate blood-selling situation was one of fear, hate and sensationalism. The young man in question obviously has emotional and psychiatric problems. (He has attempted suicide on a number of occasions) and Dist. Atty. Reiner, using the tactics of a fear monger and grandstanding politician, holds a news conference to dramatically announce that the full force of his office will be brought to bear against this desperate indigent.

If Reiner wants to prosecute someone for attempted murder, why doesn’t he investigate the government that would ignore someone roaming the streets, growing more and more desperate because there is no help for him, to the point where he considers doing drastic things for $8.

Luckily, there have not been any other cases such as this one. But considering the city’s official response, as demonstrated by Reiner’s news conference/hate fest, there may be others. The way to prevent future cases such as this is to provide for those who are indigent and have contracted AIDS. The man was desperate for $8!

With all the resources of our governments (city, state, and national), it surely is not asking too much to insist that our tax dollars be spent on prevention, education and cure rather than on sensational prosecution of the mentally and emotionally imbalanced.

RICHARD A. KING

Sherman Oaks