Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ut-ngp.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!werner From: werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) Newsgroups: net.politics,net.followup Subject: Re: Stalin and slavery Message-ID: <188@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Sat, 17-Dec-83 07:55:58 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.188 Posted: Sat Dec 17 07:55:58 1983 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Dec-83 03:15:41 EST References: <399@reed.UUCP>, <5535@mcvax.UUCP> <3401@utzoo.UUCP> <5551@mcvax.UUCP> <4381@umcp-cs.UUCP> <313@abnjRe: Stalin and slavery Organization: Comp. Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin Lines: 97 You make this "fine distinction between "laws" and "policies" and, even though we might find the laws in the western countries more "acceptable", all of them have similar flaws to the ones we complain about in the SU. You want examples?? West-Germany: it is illegal to listen to listen in on certain radio frequencies. So much so, that simply owning a radio capabable of receiving them will result in criminal prosecution. A friend who moved there found out the hard way. And do you like it, that you HAVE TO pay a fee automatically and every month for EVERY radio and TV you own , for broadcasting service, supposedly??? France and Spain: conscientious objectors to the draft are jailed INDEFINITELY, I heard of cases rotting in jail for decades. USA: what about the discrepencies between the consumption of drugs?? I, personally, find the distinction absurd, and, from observation of consumers, would certainly rather make pot-smoking legal, and restrict alcohol. I have never seen violence or even aggressive behavior in result of marijuana. Now, don't smoke, but drink myself, mainly because that keeps me legal, but maybe you can see my point and agree with it. I have often explained to friends that the human is a subject of habits and his environment, and that the "average" Russian does not suffer day-in and day-out under his system,, he does not miss the freedom of press and free expression, mainly because we are all more or less adapted to our environment, and don't have "rebellious" (i.e. independent) thinking. The free-thinking intellectual capabable of "rocking the boat" is truely a rare animal, and a species we should pet and foster with utmost care. It's extraordanary dangerous for anyone, Russians or Americans to "preach" to the world, I for one feel sorry for the Russians that they don't have a better chance to learn about all the things one can do with ones life. But I suffer under the restrictions of the system I am living under and those are the ones I believe in actively trying to remove. And I am tired of hearing it said "Why don't you leave and go to xxx" It's being said in every country, to ANYONE who wants to modify ANYTHING, and is one of the dummest remarks ever made. What's the best way to find the best life??? Go to the BEST place you can think of (and get in) then IMPROVE it. Why waste energy doing it any other way?? It's like trying o invent the wheel. And don't I have the right to claim partial credit for the presnt system and the "GREATNESS" of it? It's all the result of some rebell-rousers who critcized and fought for changes and did not pay a DAMN bit of attention to the "WHY DON'T YOU GO ELSEWHERE" people !!!! As long as a change is desired by at least ONE, we should evaluate seriously, if granting it would really take away anything from anyone else or not. And if not, then implement the change. As simple as that. And when we decide to legislate certain activities, like smoking, drinking, driving, GUNS!!!, let's be rational about it and let's legislate only the REAL problems and in order of human cost, and not follow DEMAGOGUERY lacking all logic, like racism, sexism, nationalism, ...isms. do I need to mention religion in that context??? I highly appreciate religious persons, of most flavors, because most religiouns have a basis of human morality and practicality, which allows the "simpler" mind cope with the complexities of life. And what I really appreciate and find desirable, compassion, understanding, charity to the fellow-human being is displayed and taught by most religous persons. So I am anything but anti-religious, just not religious myself. Now, however, that's no reason, to let a perfectly good and enjoyable fellow-human-being influence the parameters of my life, i.e. laws and opportunities, simply because besides desirable ideas, his religion also has some other mumbo-jumbo part, which does not allow him to watch the next guy do things in ways he cannot approve of, but does not otherwise restrict his chosen way of living. And as far as the final statement in the article, to which I "follow-up" goes, telling someone else: "Don't tell me about freedom", which really got me to foam at the mouth ... I hope, and trust, you did not mean that. I don't know if it's in response to some real "dumb" statement of someone else, but, no matter, you made a statement, which can result in a "loss of hearing" for the good ideas someone may want to express. I don't expect that every statement I read or hear will tell me something new or worthwhile, but that does not keep me from listening and enjoying it. The more I have heard before, the more often I can feel "superior" to someone else's logic, the better for me. A sign that I can be a valuable member of society and make it worth someone else's while and speak up. Wise men are good teachers, and never discourage a question or the courage of a "student" to make a "dumb" statement. And the feeling of "superiority", which they have every right to have, should not lead to a "loss of hearing or sight", but rather to a feeling of obli- gation to try harder to become a better teacher, speaker, listener, and member of the living-things of this universe. Yours in the fight for a better life for all of us. ---Werner (and a Merry Chrismas, Solstice, whatever ....)