# Is That TB Guy The Biggest Asshole Ever, Or What? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 31, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240 "2007-05-31T20:49:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/441 "2007-06-05T00:32:50Z")
[QUOTE=Kokopilau] The one under investigation by the CDC about his role in all this, yes. [/QUOTE] What is he under investigation for? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/442 "2007-06-05T00:43:01Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] What is he under investigation for? [/QUOTE] He researches TB, and works with the particular strain his son-in-law is striken with. An article about the FIL being investigated was posted to this thread a day or two ago, it must have gone over your head. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/443 "2007-06-05T00:44:26Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] He researches TB, and works with the particular strain his son-in-law is striken with. An article about the FIL being investigated was posted to this thread a day or two ago, it must have gone over your head. [/QUOTE] Gone over my head? What makes you think that? Try answering my question. ---
**Author:** ![Kokopilau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Kokopilau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kokopilau)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/444 "2007-06-05T00:44:57Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] Cite please. I’d like to see where they TOLD him “not to fly”. [/QUOTE] Sure. How about where Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC, [said in a press conference about this case on May 29th](http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t070529.htm) (which was, you’ll note, before any information about Speaker’s identity had been released) “It’s our understanding, from conversations with the health officials, that the issue of travel was discussed, that the patient was advised that it was not appropriate to travel when you have tuberculosis.” But then again, we know from you what a bunch of filthy, filthy liars those CDC people are. > [@](#): > > You mean, the tests that had nothing to do with how contagious he was? Those tests? Yes, the test results that had nothing to do with the decision to contact Speaker, ask that he turn himself in to medical authorities in Italy, and put him on a no-fly list, because those filthy, filthy liars at the CDC are also big practical jokers. > [@](#): > > You’re absolutely right. They had no reason to fear a PR nightmare if he fled. There has been no press surrounding this story since then at all. His name is virtually unknown to anyone in the entire Western World right now. Wow. Yes, that’s why the CDC held a press conference trying to find the people on the planes potentially infected with a 70% fatal disease before the guy’s name and situation was released to the media. They weren’t, as they claimed in the press conference, trying to do what they’re supposed to do, which is monitor and attempt to control potential outbreaks of infections diseases, but were just covering their asses from a PR disaster. Oh, those filthy, filthy liars! > [@](#): > > It is difficult to spread a disease when you’re not contagious. > > I am not taking Speaker’s word for it. I am taking his doctors, who proclaimed him “non-contagious” prior to these 3 tests (which are standard), and prior to his trip to Europe. I cite this upthread. You should try it sometime. Except that the spokesman for the hospital he’s currently quarantined at made it clear that “noncontagious” doesn’t at all mean “can never transmit the disease and certainly can never become MORE contagious.” But of course, he’s one of those filthy, filthy lying doctors. > [@](#): > > Win? You have to actually be competitive before you can win anything. You are arguing with facts that have been thoroughly debunked. Yet you continue. It’s like watching a car crash. You asked for evidence that he was considered contagious during or after his trip to Europe. I provided said evidence. Oh, wait…I forgot that anything the CDC says or does is to be immediately discounted, because they’re all filthy, filthy liars, and only the pure-as-the-driven-snow personal injury lawyer is a trustworthy source. Man, what WAS I thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/445 "2007-06-05T00:46:11Z")
I did. So did **Kokopilau**. To use small words: They are trying to find out if the father-in-law might somehow have infected Mr. Speaker with XDR-TB, either on purpose or through carelessness. ---
**Author:** ![Kokopilau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Kokopilau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kokopilau)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/446 "2007-06-05T00:47:39Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] I would like some evidence that anyone has ever believed Speaker was contagious, please. [/QUOTE] OTHER than the fact that he was on a no-fly list, the CDC told him NOT to take commercial airlines, he was placed in quarantined in the US, and the spokesman for the hospital he’s currently quarantined at says he “may” be declared “relatively noncontagious” after THREE tests for infectivity? Are you being intentionally obtuse? ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/447 "2007-06-05T00:48:35Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] I did. So did **Kokopilau**. To use small words: They are trying to find out if the father-in-law might somehow have infected Mr. Speaker with XDR-TB, either on purpose or through carelessness. [/QUOTE] So, what does that have to do with his judgement regarding his opinion of his son’s condition? Why would he be fine with the guy hanging out with his daughter & granddaughter? In other words, how is this investigation relevant to what I said? Answer: It isn’t. No, you didn’t answer my question the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/448 "2007-06-05T00:49:50Z")
I found the brick wall I told this information to infinitely more receptive than **Capitalist Lion Tamer**. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/449 "2007-06-05T00:51:17Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] No, you didn’t answer my question the first time. [/QUOTE] Pray forgive my error in judging you to be capable of inference. I won’t make the mistake again. ---
**Author:** ![Kokopilau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Kokopilau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kokopilau)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/450 "2007-06-05T00:52:52Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] So, what does that have to do with his judgement regarding his opinion of his son’s condition? Why would he be fine with the guy hanging out with his daughter & granddaughter? In other words, how is this investigation relevant to what I said? Answer: It isn’t. No, you didn’t answer my question the first time. [/QUOTE] Because, unlike the CDC, he’d have a REASON to be untruthful, if he was indeed involved with the infection of his son-in-law. Therefore, his claims about what he told his son-in-law and what he truly thought about his son-in-law’s case of TB are rendered suspect. Not that I expect you to understand any of that. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/451 "2007-06-05T00:52:54Z")
[QUOTE=Kokopilau] OTHER than the fact that he was on a no-fly list, the CDC told him NOT to take commercial airlines, he was placed in quarantined in the US, and the spokesman for the hospital he’s currently quarantined at says he “may” be declared “relatively noncontagious” after THREE tests for infectivity? Are you being intentionally obtuse? [/QUOTE] No, he was not on a no-fly list prior to his departure for Europe. Sorry. Regarding his doctors’ opinions prior to the THREE TESTS. From last Friday (before the THREE TESTS): > [@](#): > > The health scare hysteria surrounding an Atlanta man with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis bears little relationship to the reality of the low risk he poses to others, doctors treating the man at a Denver hospital said Friday. > > “He’s about as noninfectious as you can be,” said Dr. Charles Daley, chief of infectious disease at National Jewish Medical and Research Center, where Andrew Speaker is undergoing treatment for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. “It’s gotten attention undeservedly — at least in terms of this fear,” Daley said. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/452 "2007-06-05T00:55:28Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] Pray forgive my error in judging you to be capable of inference. I won’t make the mistake again. [/QUOTE] What did you infer here: > [@](#): > > He researches TB, and works with the particular strain his son-in-law is striken with. That is stating a clearly-known fact. I was trying to figure out why either of you found his investigation relevant. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/453 "2007-06-05T00:58:27Z")
[QUOTE=Kokopilau] S You asked for evidence that he was considered contagious during or after his trip to Europe. I provided said evidence. [/QUOTE] No, you have only provided evidence that the CDC wanted him quarantined in Europe, but not before. As has been pointed out numerous times in this thread, there could be any number of reasons for this. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/454 "2007-06-05T00:59:33Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] I found the brick wall I told this information to infinitely more receptive than **Capitalist Lion Tamer**. [/QUOTE] Thanks for bringing something of quality to the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Kokopilau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Kokopilau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kokopilau)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/455 "2007-06-05T01:00:13Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] No, he was not on a no-fly list prior to his departure for Europe. Sorry. [/QUOTE] And if I was talking about his being on a no-fly list prior to his departure for Europe, I’m sure that your comment would mean something. > [@](#): > > Regarding his doctors’ opinions prior to the THREE TESTS. > From last Friday (before the THREE TESTS): No, it wasn’t before the three tests. > [@](#): > > That is stating a clearly-known fact. I was trying to figure out why either of you found his investigation relevant. Maybe because the CDC themselves say that they’re investigating him because it’s relevant to the TB case? Wait, I forgot…they’re all a bunch of a filthy, filthy liars and not to be trusted. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/456 "2007-06-05T01:01:29Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] What did you infer here: That is stating a clearly-known fact. I was trying to figure out why either of you found his investigation relevant. [/QUOTE] Oh, I don’t know, MAYBE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION WAS THE TB RESEARCHER SOMEHOW? Further, that the CDC had to make certain this was _not_ the case, and so were obligated to investigate? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Kokopilau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Kokopilau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kokopilau)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/457 "2007-06-05T01:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] Thanks for bringing something of quality to the discussion. [/QUOTE] That’s more than can be said of you. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/458 "2007-06-05T01:02:34Z")
[QUOTE=Kokopilau] Not that I expect you to understand any of that. [/QUOTE] If this thread has deteriorated to this level of dialog from the two of you, then I’ll assume that you have no interest in continuing a reasonable discussion, unless I see evidence to the contrary. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/459 "2007-06-05T01:04:33Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane] Oh, I don’t know, MAYBE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION WAS THE TB RESEARCHER SOMEHOW? Further, that the CDC had to make certain this was _not_ the case, and so were obligated to investigate? :dubious: [/QUOTE] What does that have to do with his judgment re his son-in-laws travel plans? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2007, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/460 "2007-06-05T01:04:50Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] If this thread has deteriorated to this level of dialog from the two of you, then I’ll assume that you have no interest in continuing a reasonable discussion, unless I see evidence to the contrary. Thanks. [/QUOTE] Pardon? Look over some of your sneering posts directed at me! Don’t you dare play the “injured, but dignified reasonable debater” because you aren’t. I was actually more ladylike in my most recent comments than you have been genteel towards me, in fact. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240.md?page=24)