L.A. County Website For Anonymous Announcement of STD Infection

Another public service that ignores the problem and excuses responsibility.

Through the website, inSPOTLA.org, users can send a free, unsigned electronic postcard with a standard message or a personal note, thus avoiding an awkward conversation that many people would rather not have. The idea is to help people be more forthcoming with sexual partners so those at risk of sexually transmitted diseases get tested and practice safer sex.

Regardless of whether the partners choose to get tested, studies show that once people are aware that they are infected with HIV, they are likely to dramatically reduce their risky behavior, for example, by using condoms.

If this isn't closing the barn door after the horse has left I don't know what is. Dramatically reducing risky behavior is still risky for the other people involved. Apparently from the launching of this site they don't reduce it enough.

Gibson said, however, that the online notification is less than ideal and recommends that people do it face to face. If possible, he added, it's best to do it in the presence of a counselor.

"Many people are really upset and devastated to get this news," Gibson said.

Now that is an understatement. I think I would be upset and devastated if I found out that I got a deadly disease from someone. Especially if they knew about it beforehand. You'd better have more than a counselor around, which is probably why they have this site.

Worse yet, how about that jerk that just wants to ruin your life. It's anonymous so who's to know. Imagine you're happily married, don't fool around and your wife opens a email saying you might have an STD from a random encounter. How are you going to convince her of the truth, if you live long enough. Believe me I've know people evil enough to do such a thing. It's not funny.

The rising number of sexually transmitted disease infections has been linked, in part, to increasing use of the Internet in the pursuit of casual sex. At websites such as Manhunt.net and in the "casual encounters" section of Craigslist.org, a free listings site, users find dates by describing themselves and posting photos.

And here is where we find the lack of responsibility. People with diseases should not be having anonymous sex. People with their brains in gear shouldn't either. STDs, especially AIDs have a unique protection from personal responsibility because of political correctness. Setting up websites to facilitate the anonymous informing after the fact won't protect people from harm. It will just let the guilty ease their conscience for a while.

Maybe cruising these sites could be determined to be assisted suicide.

In Richmond, Virginia the Chairman of the School Board Stephen B. Johnson was discovered to be using Manhunt.net. He resigned as Chairman but kept his position on the board with much applause.

A poor example for a school system struggling to help students already plagued by bad environment. Yet he has used his sexual orientation to deflect from his stupid and destructive behavior.

Morning at Basil's
Carnival of the Clueless #26 at Right Wing Nuthouse