Hillary: "To be clear, the Reagans did not start a national conversation about HIV and AIDS."

[Miles Archer]

Pictured above: Ronald and Nancy Reagan's true legacy in the fight against AIDS.

On the fight against HIV and AIDS—and on the people who really started the conversation.

Yesterday, at Nancy Reagan’s funeral, I said something inaccurate when speaking about the Reagans’ record on HIV and AIDS.

Since then, I’ve heard from countless people who were devastated by the loss of friends and loved ones, and hurt and disappointed by what I said. As someone who has also lost friends and loved ones to AIDS, I understand why. I made a mistake, plain and simple.

I want to use this opportunity to talk not only about where we’ve come from, but where we must go in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

To be clear, the Reagans did not start a national conversation about HIV and AIDS. That distinction belongs to generations of brave lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, along with straight allies, who started not just a conversation but a movement that continues to this day.

https://medium.com/@HillaryClinton/on-the-fight-against-hiv-and-aids-and-on-the-people-who-really-started-the-conversation-7b9fc00e6ed8#.bdqk69ava

[FreakinDJ]

1. Saying some thing inaccurate and Hillary Clinton go hand in hand

[bvf]

2. IBTL: To be clear, she lied

and pissed on countless innocent graves in the process.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

3. Damage control. Misquoted her own prepared speech...

Had this been an ahem... misquote by Senator Sanders the pundits would be chattering about how his campaign is over.

[Stuart G]

4. Note:..In her apology..she did not say, "I am sorry ..." She implied that.

I made a mistake, is not...."I am sorry I said that" or ."I am sorry I hurt you"..

Why, didn't she include those three words? I am sorry

That is what we say when we hurt people with what we say..

[StandingInLeftField]

5. Gotta' play to the room.

Sometimes it flies, sometimes it doesn't.

[malthaussen]

6. "National Enquirer" is an acceptable source?

The facts are quite clear and well-documented. Why one would choose to use a picture of such a frivolous source to illustrate them is beyond me.

-- Mal

[Miles Archer]

8. You completely missed the point.

1). Rock Hudson died of AIDS. FACT.

2). Rock Hudson's fight against AIDS became tabloid fodder. FACT. Hence, the "picture of such a frivolous source to illustrate."

3). Rock Hudson asked the Reagans for help and their response was "no." FACT.

Here's something else that may move this from "unacceptable" and "beyond" your ability to comprehend.

i·ro·ny1
ˈīrənē/
noun
the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.
"“Don't go overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony"
synonyms: sarcasm, causticity, cynicism, mockery, satire, sardonicism
"that note of irony in her voice"
a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.
plural noun: ironies
"the irony is that I thought he could help me"
synonyms: paradox, incongruity, incongruousness
"the irony of the situation"
a literary technique, originally used in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the character.
noun: dramatic irony

Everything isn't literal and black & white and scholarly and linear.

Hope this clears things up for you. The photo of the Enquirer cover sums up the Reagans' legacy when it comes to "starting the conversation on AIDS and HIV." My apologies if you can't see that.

[GreatGazoo]

7. Magic Johnson was one of several who truly started the national conversation

because he declared his HIV status openly and withdrew from the NBA.

His honesty, advocacy and bravery were much needed after a decade of silence and fear.