Yvsa,
Maybe they CAN'T admit it!
There are parasites in the insect world that infect the brains of the host, causing them to behave in a way that is beneficial to the parasite. Ex: there is one parasite that starts in snails then causes changes to the snails body (brightly colored, pulsating eye stalks!), which lure in birds that eat the snail--which gets the parasite into its next host--the bird!
Well, perhaps there is no HIKV, but rather HIKP Himalayan Imports Khukuri Parasite!! It acts on its host by causing an uncontrollable urge to buy, fondle, oil, sharpen and use khukuris. And in some rare cases, causes a complete denial of the hosts own behaviour(i.e. Jim C.), which in turn causes the hapless person to buy more and more khuks, all the while protesting his own supposed good health. Basically, it modifies its effects based on what type of brain it finds itself in. It can even cause the unsuspecting victim to buy more khukuris at the risk of his own life (i.e. MauiRob vs. MauiRob's wife)!!
How does the virus get passed on? Blood of course! The kamis (who are carriers, but don't get infected) cut themselves while working on the khuks, and then we cut ourselves while doing what we do with khuks (some in more inventive ways than others). NOTE: the more cuts the more virulent HIKP becomes!!
So, don't be so hard on Jim. He has no control, and maybe he's right--he doesn't have HIKV, he has HIKP!
