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Emily Severson: Professors’ behavior at “House of Numbers” embarrassing

Published: Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010

While "House of Numbers" has proven to be a controversial film worthy of many discussions, something I feel should also be discussed is the behavior of some of the professors who attended the film. This documentary provided an excellent opportunity for students to question what they have been taught and form their own opinions, which was unfortunately hindered by the disrespectful, controlling and narrow minded remarks of some of the professors. One professor said they were afraid that we would all walk out of the room and have unprotected sex and think everything we have been taught is a lie. I was personally insulted; I think that we as college students deserve a little more credit than that. All of the students I spoke with attended the film to gain information on the topic of HIV and AIDS and to ask questions, not to form an alliance against HIV research and funding. The main point is that this was a film shown for students to learn a less popular viewpoint, and the Q&A session was provided for STUDENTS to ask any QUESTIONS they may have. Certain professors dominated the microphone- attacking the filmmaker, pushing their own beliefs and preaching their personal political agendas. No one is saying that what they had to say is not valid, but that was neither the time nor the place. If they wanted to refute what was addressed in the film, they should schedule their OWN forum. Students are seeking information to establish a well educated opinion (the purpose of college), and would, with out a doubt, attend to hear their viewpoint.The fact that students left a STUDENT event with unanswered questions because professors refused to stop pushing their political opinions is disgusting. This is the first time I have ever been embarrassed to be affiliated with UW-La Crosse.

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22 comments

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Anonymous
Sun Apr 18 2010 10:11
Im in agreement with Karri on this , i was diagnosed in 1985 , i went for a test for exactly the same reasons as Ozzy Ozzbourne. 25 years later ,i quit HIV meds last month after taking them for 14 years. Im glad i quit , i feel better now than ive ever felt in my life.

Andy Lindsay .

Sick and Tired
Thu Feb 4 2010 10:44
I have been embarrassed to be a UW-L student for sometime now. Many professors on our campus are selfish pricks who only think about themselves and their own beliefs. I though the liberal ideology is the ideology that is supposed to be open to all beliefs and opinions. That is definitely not the case for most of you. Get off of your high horse, take a seat on the floor, and take a look in the mirror at the judgmental, close-minded, selfish, prick in the reflection. Maybe then you will realize that almost every move this University makes is about political gain rather than the education and well-being of its students.
UW-L Student
Fri Dec 18 2009 18:07
With all do respect Ms. Ely. You are scientifically illiterate.
Elizabeth Ely
Mon Dec 14 2009 11:48
Amber -- Apologies sincerely for disrespecting UW-La Crosse, but only to say, without the same awkward hyperbole, that you are being given an opportunity to distinguish yourselves as a thinking campus, the first one in the country to raise this issue, and I don't see much action here. Aren't you embarrassed already?

I never brought up the credentials of your professors or the reputation of your school. I merely said that they were irrelevant to your responsibility to ask questions and figure things out yourselves.

I've said several times on this blog that a genocide is taking place among children in New York City and that this is related to corrupt AIDS research conducted at universities.

But the record will show that the students of UW-La Crosse have zero interest in that. Except that I did ask once if perhaps the shockingly blind comments posted on this blog were not truly representative of all the students there.

Will you be embarrassed later that you didn't notice the implications of this debate? I hope so.

Amber Kelling
Sat Dec 12 2009 16:38
Elizabeth Ely,
Thank You for single handedly disrespecting my education and the school I CHOSE by stating that in 20 years I will be mortified to have a degree from said school all because a few professors (not every professor who is employed by UW La Crosse) who are not even linked to every major and minor in the school voiced their opinions on a topic. I found it very disrespectful that you would say something so offensive when you know nothing about our school and perhaps have never even been to our school. UW La Crosse has many great programs and faculty that have superb experience, excellent background, and highly recommended opportunities. How dare you speak negatively of its students all of whom have overcome obstacles, worked hard for their education, and made the decision to attend one of the best schools in the midwest (nationally proven and voted on in many magazines, newspapers, and other media). Speak negatively all you like about the topic at hand but don't ever disrespect a person who chooses to further their education by disrespecting the school they have chosen. For that I would like to say perhaps you need a little education in the area of RESPECT yourself.
Elizabeth Ely
Fri Dec 11 2009 18:44
"Is HIV real?
If I am diagnosed with HIV should I take antiretrovirals, or should I realize HIV is not real or that antiretrovirals are going to kill me?"

Very good question. I hope it was posed sincerely, not as some kind of a joke. Because it is definitely no joke to the people coming to the free clinic for their "HIV tests," who are going to live the rest of their life with that information.

You should explore that question through every piece of evidence, from any source you can find -- not just the ones advertised as "reputable." Giving certain people the "reputable" and "qualified" labels without open debate of what they say is just authority without accountability. When anyone refuses that open debate, you can bet they're hiding something. And when they say they've been "taken out of context," they have to explain that in full -- give the gosh-darned context.

Homework. I assigned it in the last class, remember?

Bradley R. Burmeister
Thu Dec 10 2009 20:54
The professors at the event didn't deny these "realities" I think you are speaking of. They were questioning the science proposed by this film. The professors and healthcare providers simply advocate the best possible treatment we currently have. Evidence based medicine is the philosophy that you practice and prescribe your patient what has proven to be the best treatment.

Is HIV real?
If I am diagnosed with HIV should I take antiretrovirals, or should I realize HIV is not real or that antiretrovirals are going to kill me?

Bradley R. Burmeister
Thu Dec 10 2009 18:26
I do own a red ipod. I would respond more, but I am volunteering at a free clinic and remembered to check your post during some down time.
Elizabeth Ely
Wed Dec 9 2009 19:56
That's your answer? All of it? I made an accusation of violence against women and children in my last post.

It's a sign of just how disconnected from reality this whole AIDS thing has become.

It doesn't run any deeper than what somebody writes on a (RED) t-shirt -- a real insult to your generation's intelligence. I wish you could see the absolute terrorizing of people behind this . . . medical malpractice deaths (my friend Lori's husband), misdiagnoses (my friend Tim), suicides (my friend Molly's husband), rumors of murder (Google "Concorde" and "bicycle"), actual proved murder (my friend Kim), ruined marriages (Sandi Lenfestey), kidnappings (ACS and ICC in New York), forced druggings (ditto, and my friend Ed), government corruption in Africa (not to mention the U.S.), constant harassment (my friend Christine), lost careers (my friends Peter, David, Roberto, Rebecca, Joan, and Neville), lost years of lives (my friend Karri), and, no kidding, prison sentences for simply having sex. Google "Stevens-Johnson syndrome"; it's what your red iPods buy for children in Africa (see: investigative reporter Celia Farber).

I suppose the answer to that is, "I don't own a red iPod"?

Your professors' behavior was so embarrassing, in denying these realities, that you will probably be mortified 20 years from now to hold a degree from this place. At least, try to be able to say that you protested their ignorance when it comes out just how wrong they were and the damage that it did to people. At least read one or two books about it before you graduate.

Is there anyone out there who appreciates this being brought to their attention? You can contact me through the www.askdeblasiowhy.com site, and don't hold back if it's anger you feel but ask reasonable questions.

I repeat: You have a right to think for yourselves and ask questions, and see these matters debated reasonably. UW-La Crosse has a historic opportunity to be the first university in the U.S. to openly confront the silence.

Brad
Wed Dec 9 2009 13:21
I'm not sure my professors "live mighty high." Their "giant" $50,000 salary, if there lucky, for thier first year sure seems to place them in the middle class.
Elizabeth Ely
Tue Dec 8 2009 18:21
Saying that the persons interviewed in this film were taken "out of context" is itself a statement without proof. It simply parrots a letter purporting to be signed by these individuals, who have not verified their signing with further public statements. If they signed it, where are they now? They've said they won't debate anyone who disagrees with them, so that kind of blows it right there. They write letters and statements to avoid answering specific questions of the likes of us (you). Hit-and-run science. Also, they are likely biased -- perhaps even intimidated -- by their need to keep funding coming. One interview has been released "in context" -- and we found out that Luc Montagnier's comments were indeed more damaging to popular AIDS myths than his short comment in the film.

Beyond that, if you look on the ground level, you'll find that a lot of laypersons have observations and questions about their own survival after they were told they were going to die. "Karri" below is one of these people. Also Maria Papagiannidou of Greece. www.askdeblasiowhy.com talks about the children kidnapped in New York City and forced into painful HIV drug trials against international law.

The people with statements and letters don't own reality just because they have Ph.D.s. They still have to answer specific questions, politely and with follow-up. Think about it. Some bastards think they have the right to live mighty high on your tax money, charitable contributions, college tuition and health insurance -- they can even recommend "mandatory testing" of pregnant women and newborns, and taking children away from their parents to administer drugs against their will -- but they never answer your questions.

This is serious biz, very important to your future.

Don't kid yourself that you can escape this if you're middle class.

You owe it to yourself to look into it: www.rethinkingaids.com, www.virusmyth.com, www.askdeblasiowhy.com, www.liamscheff.com, www.aliveandwell.org, www.terrymichael.net, Google "Gallo's Egg," www.myspace.com/rethinkaids. Facebook has a "House of Numbers" group as well. Books: "The AIDS Cult," "Inventing the AIDS Virus," "Serious Adverse Events: An Uncensored History of AIDS," "Goodbye AIDS!" "Ten Lies About AIDS," "AIDS: The Failure of Contemporary Science," "Science Sold Out."

Rachel and Brooke
Tue Dec 8 2009 13:23
Everyone is getting away from the point again. The point is to get everyone out there researching all possibilities. Also, regarding the open questions, weren't our very own professors guilty of the same thing? They came there to make the filmmaker look like a fool versus critique the information with an open mind and a well-rounded look at the research available.
Bradley R. Burmeister
Mon Dec 7 2009 15:35
They did respond with evidence. They were asked if their credentials rival those in the film (nobel prize winner). They didn't respond to this loaded question knowing that several indviduals in the film indicated their interviews were taken out of context.
Elizabeth Ely
Fri Dec 4 2009 17:48
If these professors were indeed leaders in their scientific fields, they should have answered specific questions raised in the film--with evidence, not, as Emily's comments indicate, with concern about their sex lives and their trust in authority.
Bradley R. Burmeister
Fri Dec 4 2009 15:46
Paul,

An apology to the students is not necessary from the professors. These professors are extremely qualified. They are our own regional experts on virology, immunology, and sexual health. Contradictory to what Emily argues, this event was "open to the public" per the host of the event.

Warmest regards,

Bradley R. Burmeister
UW-L Student

P.S. What are you a survivor of and where are you from?

Whereistheproof
Fri Dec 4 2009 11:17
Emily

as some one who has been HIV+ for some 23 years I welcome you attitude. I am a HIV dissident. I am came to this position by questioning what is going on, forming my opinion. And that is what counts. Taking a good long look at all sides, and then make up your own mind. As long as you do that you are on the right track, whatever conclusion you come up with. Even if it differs from the dissident position. But as human beings it is our duty, obligation, to act in this way, to make choices that we later on ethically can justify. Do not simply follow others. For that reason I want to thank you.

Elizabeth Ely
Fri Dec 4 2009 10:50
Why don't I see my last two comments published? Am I now banned from this site?
Elizabeth Ely
Fri Dec 4 2009 10:49
Don't be fooled by "Ed."

See [youTube] for Luc Montagnier's interview, which it turns out WAS taken out of context: He said, in the edited version, only that a healthy immune system can clear HIV. In the full interview, he goes even further. He recommends good nutrition and clean water for Africans, deplores the profit motive that prevents that in favor of selling drugs and hope for a vaccine, and a few other ideas that Jeanne Bergman, author of www.houseofnumbers.org, deplores. (Imagine, feeding starving Africans . . . how disgusting, huh?)

As for www.houseofnumbers.org -- It borders on criminal activity to rip off the URL of the legitimate Web site for the film -- www.houseofnumbers.com -- to spread lies about it. What kind of "science" needs that? And does Bergman really think she's fooling students and others, who have learned by now to use Google and find the real Web site?

Bergman, in similar twisted logic, has called charges against New York's child protection system that it kidnapped minority children and used them (still uses them) in experimental drug trials -- unfounded. And goes on to tell y'all that she's a "human rights activist" on behalf of women and children. See www.askdeblasiowhy.com for details. She calls it "compassionate" to give children -- who repeatedly refuse drugs to the point that they get stomach tubes inserted -- "access" to "lifesaving" drugs. One of these is nevirapine: Google "Stevens-Johnson syndrome," but not after a meal.

Finally, several "House of Numbers" screenings have been canceled -- not because the filmmaker was upset that someone with another viewpoint wanted to sit on a panel discussion, but because these arrogant beings have actually insisted on creating one-sided "panels" where they get to read 10-minute statements. The filmmaker doesn't have to agree to that. When, after all, does the other side give exclusive time to dissidents to present their case? In truth, we'd all love to debate these people -- but they've made it clear that they don't debate such lower life forms as us.

Finally finally, isn't it interesting how none of these bloggers for the other side ever identify themselves by first and last name when blogging? This is my real name. I am Elizabeth Ely, and I've staked my reputation on the things that I say.

Ed
Fri Dec 4 2009 09:40
I'm sorry to hear that Emily and other students left this event with unanswered questions, and that some professors acted in a condescending way. For Emily and others who are interested in HIV and AIDS, there are many accessible, scientifically-sound information sources on the Internet, for example thebody.com and avert.org .

However questionable the actions of the professors at the screening might have seemed, it is difficult for anyone, especially a professional scientist, to confront blatant misinformation calmly. Reports in the New York Times, scientific journals, and from the interviewees themselves say that the people behind "House of Numbers" obtained their interviews under false pretenses, then edited hours of interviews down to seconds-long sound bites and presented them out of context, all with the intent of displaying respected scientists as divided and confused. More information can be found at houseofnumbers.org

As for freedom of speech, of course the filmmaker and his following have every right to show and defend the film, misrepresentations and all. They should not pretend to be champions of free discourse, though. At the University of Delaware on December 1, the filmmaker canceled a showing of his film at the last minute because a professor with actual knowledge of HIV and AIDS would be present on a post-film discussion panel. So much for different viewpoints.

Paul
Thu Dec 3 2009 14:56
Bravo, Emily! Bravo!
For professors at an educational institution the caliber of the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse to act as they did is ridiculous and they should be held accountable. An apology to the students would be a start. What are their names? Besides their diploma and text books, what makes them so qualified? File a formal complaint. After all, the students are the "customers". Is the Chancelor aware of their actions?
Suggestion: hold the Forum again. Lay out the "ground rules" in advance. If anyone acts as those professors did, unplug the microphone and have them escorted out. A forum is just that: a forum.
Karri is correct: question authority. It is your right. Blind faith in your leaders can get you killed. I know. I am a survivor.
Those professors are the kind of people who, while gladly accepting their paychecks, would have you go into the world, diploma in hand, believing that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end,
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