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Credit Magic Johnson with being as classy and enlightened as radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry — and clearly, that’s the loosest use of the term “hosts” at work — of station KTLK are plain dumb.

Baker and Perry, if you haven’t already heard (and chances are, you have), had the following exchange on their Minneapolis radio show as reported by the Associated Press:

According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted that health care isn’t a basic right. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time “if you just get some basic drugs.”

Baker responded, “Like Magic Johnson?”

Perry replied, “Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.”

Baker said, “You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?”

Perry replied, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.”

“Me too,” Baker said.

In response, Magic has asked that the station not fire Baker and Perry so that they can educate people about HIV/AIDS. And that is the most noble of possible reactions. KTLK should absolutely take Johnson up on his challenge insofar as it involves airing PSAs and the like. But it should also send Baker and Perry packing.

We live in an age where media flows from nearly everywhere, where anyone of even the meekest intellect can get on the web, radio or TV, and spew drivel. Accusing someone of faking AIDS might not be a new low, but it’s certainly bottom of the barrel. I’ve never listened to either Baker or Perry before, but honestly, the only place these two people should be talking to anyone else, from this point forward, is across a pair of tin cans.

So, to be as transparent as possible: KTLK, fire these classless dimwits. Any radio station that considers retaining two people like this after an incident like this clearly has no judgment, either.

David Neiman is a freelance sportswriter who has worked for the Washington Post, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, Lakers Magazine, and other award-winning publications. He is also the president of Athlete Interactive, a web development company for professional athletes.

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