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Show ".. . ... . 2 the forum The top 5 reasons to be thankful this year. by is HIV disease. Following infec- David Neisler not quite get enough of congratulations! Reaganomics the first time around? Weve just planned a sequel. Expect Reaganomics 2: The Wrath of Newt to start trickling down sometime next year. Well U.S. no longer has a defined bad guy out in the world. It seems we may have given up the hobby of pretending that Darth Vader is out there somewhere. Perhaps we will be able to focus our unparalleled scrutiny on ourselves. Im thankful that the 4 The holidays are finally here, and we all once again have an excuse to explore such forgotten ideas as goodwill toward man and peace on earth. Who knows perhaps even here within the hypersensitive walls of Westminster these annual pastimes will catch on. Star Trek Generations despite the gripings of naysayers, is an excellent film, a truly spectacular transformation from TV to film for Picard and his crew. Vie, as American citizens, are free at last from the burden of intellectual pursuits. Whether its Forrest Gump at the box office, or the Republicans on election day, it is now the to have an IQ under 80. From sin city to safe city, the new Las Vegas by Brice A. Laris Forum Staff Writer them to become drag racers or soldiers on a secret mission. But this isnt the only draw for kids and adults alike: screaming through the cosmos on an roller coaster or riding the rapids of the Grand Canyon also keep young and old shouting with excitement. The largest and best developed of these new amusement parks is located at the new MGM Grand. From the moment you walk under the lions head into the Grand, you know that this hotel is something special. Nowhere else in the world are you greeted by a replica Emerald City and an animitronic Wizard of Oz. But the real fun is out back in jet-pilot- s, inter-galact- ic For years the city of Las Vegas has been associated with gambling, prostitution and all manner of corruption. But in a generation concerned about family, sin city has received a face lift. The proof is evident in the new generation of casinos and attractions that have sprung up. There the poker chip was once the beacon of the city, now pirates, volcanos, cartoons, and rides beckon tourists young and old. Casinos such as The Mirage and Treasure Island have followed the tradition of the older Circus Circus, developing large video arcades and carnival games to keep young kids entertained while parents pump quarters d into bandits in the casinos. But now its just not Pac Man that entertain kids in the arcades; virtual reality simulators allow one-arme- the forum Editor: David Neisler Copy Editor Monica Sanchez Production Manager Mat White Photo Editor Amy Friberg BusinesiAd Manager Mathew B. White 100-foot-lo- ng the amusement park, modestly priced at $15 for adults and $10 for kids. The rides are perfect for both young and old fun seekers, having thrill enough to make the most hardened adult grab on, and yet tame enough to make a child scream with delight. Four different live action shows and a variety of shops and eateries fill up the rest of this mini-Disneylan- d. But MGM isnt the only one offering thrills a minute, just south is a monstrous Egyptian pyramid guarded by a large sphinx. On the Faculty Advisor Fred Fogo Forum Staff: Alan Blain, Brett Boberg, Johna Brems, Marianne Day, Angela Francone, Janaya Hawkins, Shawn Kuennen, Brice Laris, Brent Larson, Kimi Michel, Stephanie Mommsen, Terresa Newport, Irma Noriega, Christopher Thomas, Missy Tibbitts, John Wells Photo Staff: Jason Bringard, Alex Ferguson, Paul Jones, Jake Kilgrow, Curtis Mitchell Week at Westminster College Nov. 28 through Dec. 2 will provide scientific information about this much misunderstood affliction. What are HIV and AIDS? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus responsible for causing AIDS. The virus lives only in humans but can be transmitted from one human to another. Mosquitos and animals cannot harbor or transmit HIV. Immunodeficiency indicates that the immune system is depleted. This makes it possible for unusual opportunistic infections to attack the body. There are many kinds of viruses: polio, colds, herpes, just to name a few. Viruses require a host cell to stay alive. Some viruses can be spread quite easily through casual contact. However, the HIV virus is not spread through casual contact. HIV needs a specific kind of white blood cell for a host known cell. as a CD4 or When a person is infected, the level is 1000 or better. As the disease progresses, the are depleted. virus Because HIV is a blood-born- e it has specific modes of transmisAIDS Awareness Forum Editor Are you like me? Did you omfforinniatiDoiii-.- - toms are usually so mild that an individual may not recognize that it by Terresa Newport Forum Staff Writer Dave's top five i vfrrtttt.'W.fef For yoaor ADIDSs word from the wise? A . r'yrS sion. HIV is not inherited but acquired in individuals through external influence. HIV can be caused by specific sexual activity with an infected partner, receiving infected blood products or transmitted from mother to infant during pregnancybirth or by breast feeding. Shortly after infection, some people may experience a brief period (one to two weeks) of acute, symptoms. However, symp flu-li- ke inside of the Luxor pyramid are more than 2000 hotel rooms and a large casino floor. Below the casino is a replica of King Tuts tomb, while above is a three show interactive adventure detailing the fictional history of the Luxor pyramid. Shops, video arcades and restaurants also fill this lavishly decorated resort hotel. But the fun doesnt end when the sun goes down. A mist of water and lasers is used to create large Egyptian symbols in front of the pyramid, giving an eerie chill to the night as you drive by. The one thing offered by the Luxor is a quick education about the pyramids and the ancient Egyptians. One cannot help walking out feeling hes had a good time, and at the same time learned something new. Circus Circus, which once had the corner on the crowd, is renovating and rushing to keep up with its competitors, just recently opening the Grand Canyon Roller Coaster ride. This adults-with-ki- ds tion, symptoms may not appear for an average of six to eight years. It is believed that 90 of the people in this stage do not know they are infected. Common symptoms include: Unexplained Unexplained Unexplained Unexplained glands in the persistent fever persistent cough weight loss swollen lymph neck, armpits, or groin Unexplained diarrhea Unexplained fatigue Drenching night sweats Oral thrush A diagnosis of AIDS is not given until an person has a cell count of less than 200 (a healthy person has 1000 or HIV-positi- ve more) andor is definitely diagnosed with an opportunistic infection. Opportunistic infections (OIs) are rare illnesses people get only when the immune system is seriously depressed. A person may develop several OIs at the same time or recover from only one to get another. People do not die from AIDS; they die form OIs. No one really knows where HIV comes from. Information supplied by the Utah AIDS Foundation indicates several theories which include: It began with green monkeys in Africa and somehow got into the human population, perhaps through monkey bites; then was spread through sex and shared needles; traveled from Africa to Haiti by mercenaries and from Haiti to the U.S. by tourists. It was created in a laboratory as part of germ warfare research instigated by the Pentagon or the former Soviet Union. indoor roller coaster, though, was made to appeal to the real thrill seekers. Many teenagers and adults walk off the coaster pale with fear. Kids are a definite no-n- o for this creepy coaster. The sidewalks and streets of the city are also showing their family appeal. One is hard pressed to find a dispenser, and ever harder to find a lady of the night in public. The area from the Mirage to the Luxor is exceptionally well maintained. People who stick to this new strip will find a much kinder and gentler Las Vegas. However, for those who are new to the area, great efforts should be made to stay in this relatively safe area. The old strip and downtown Las Vegas has managed to retain some of its less than glamorous reputation, and is not a place one would want to wander into by accident. Gambling is still the biggest draw to the area, and those who are going to Las Vegas to try their luck smut-magazi- ne It was present for many years in an isolated population in Central Africa and only recently made its into other populations with the advent of accessible transportation. It was inadvertently spread Africa through way Sub-Sahar- an through vaccination process when needles were too scarce and were on multiple patients. It is an ancient mutation of a strain of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), which infects a particular kind of monkey in Africa. Retroviruses in primates and humans share a number of similarities in their molecular composition; it is re-us- ed that theorized the mutation occurred several million years ago. This is the most common scientific theory of HIVs origin. HIV is preventable. HIV is not transmitted because a person is gay or uses drugs intravenously. It is transmitted through certain activities that are referred to as high risk. It is transmitted by what people do, not by who they are or who they are doing it with. Tremendous advances have occurred in treatment of symptoms and opportunistic infections which should encourage testing for the HIV virus. Testing can be anonymous which means names are never used; there are also no medical records of the results or even of the test. Confidential, means the site is required to maintain high-levintegrity in protecting the names of its clients. Testing should be done 90 days after possible exposure and can be done at The Utah department of Health. Hours are Monday through Friday by appointment or Monday -4 p.m.; Wednesday -6 p.m.; Friday -4 Anonymous testp.m. for walk-in- s. is $25 or $15 for confidential ing testing. , el 1- 1- will find a 1- variety of places to bet their chips. Among the places I vis- -, ited, none of the slots seemed particularly loose, and the same went for video poker. However, I ended up ahead at both Ceasers Palace and the MGM Grand in blackjack. The Luxor, Mirage, and Treasure Island had much tighter banks, and didnt seem as generous at their gaming tables. Unless you are looking to just throw your money to the wind, stay away from the airport slots and poker machines. The same goes for the slots and casinos in small hotels (300 rooms or less). Tables with limits from $3 to $1,000 can be found in all the major casinos if you just look for your spending range. With more amazing casinos on the way, it appears the new Las Vegas will be around for a while. One can fly for very reasonable rates (around $29 each way on Southwest), or make the six-t- o , seven-hou- r drive. |