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From: orb@whuts.UUCP (SEVENER)
Newsgroups: net.college,net.politics
Subject: Re: CIA and terrorism
Message-ID: <545@whuts.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Feb-86 08:57:57 EST
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Posted: Tue Feb 18 08:57:57 1986
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> 
> Nobody supports terrorism, but it is possible to not support terrorism and
> still support the CIA, if you don't believe the CIA supports terrorism.
> Like it or not, it is a legitimate political position to believe that the CIA
> does not support terrorism.
> 
> This referendum sounds a lot to me as if someone had made a referendum asking
> if the students support the sanctity of human life.  Who doesn't support the
> sanctity of human life?  Therefore the referendum passes, but after it's over,
> a committee is formed that not surprisingly forbids all pro-abortion groups
> from any activities on campus.
> 
> Just substitute "don't support terrorism" for "support the sanctity of human
> life" and "the CIA" for "pro-abortion groups".  What's happening in both cases
> is that a referendum is taken on a general principle that everyone believes in,
> but in fact the principle is a code word for something that NOT everyone
> believes in.  
> 
> Kenneth Arromdee

I think it is quite firmly established that the CIA supports terrorism.
I refer you to the testimony of Edgar Chamoro, a former director of
the contras, whom I have quoted in the past.  Another former contra,
one of Eden Pastora's supporters, has voiced sentiments similar to
Edgar Chamoro.  There is interesting testimony in the latest Progressive
from a member of the Salvadoran armed forces on his training in
"interrogation" techniques by American advisers.
Congress several years ago banned aid to Latin American police forces
because it had been proved that it was being used to train forces
like El Salvador's Death Squads in Brazil, and throughout Latin America.
 
On the other hand, your second point has some merit.  Rather than
simply *BAN* groups which are not liked (as Catholic University banned
Eleanor Smeal because she is pro-choice) it is better to demonstrate
*why* they should not be liked.  Freedom of speech is as vital to
the University as to other institutions. But more speech is always
preferable to less. (unless you're trying to sleep - like the great
American electorate at this time!)
 
      tim sevener  whuxn!orb