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Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
Quote:
Originally posted by ref18
As you all know, there is no NHL hockey this year. The last time the Stanely Cup was cancelled was in 1919 during some pandemic, I'm not sure which, but I think it was Spanish Flu or something like that. Now in 1918 the Boston Red Sox won their last world series for 86 years. Now in 2004 they win the world series again, and in 2005 the Stanely Cup is cancelled. Coincidence??? 
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It was a particularly deadly variation of influenza in 1918-1919, what we refer to more as "the flu" today.
I just read a fascinating book on the subject and it's estimated that this flu killed more than 1% of the United States population (1 million people) over the course of 24 weeks and killed more of the world's population (closer to 3%) in 24 weeks than AIDS has killed in the last 24 years.
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Maybe a higher percentage, but not a greater number. Also, it should be pointed out that the flu killed people pretty much across all lines of class, race and demographic, except that the elderly and the very young were more affected, whereas the AIDS epidemic affects females, non-whites, the poor, and the young much more than the flu did. In Africa, there are whole villages where one or two teen-age boys are the only people able to take care of the business of raising, feeding and caring for everyone else. The flu epidemic was a terrible event, but it was just a single event in history. The AIDS epidemic has affected far more people in far more long-lasting ways, and will continue to do so for many, many more years.
Ooops. Sorry I couldn't find the End Rant button sooner.