From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!floyd!cmcl2!philabs!sdcsvax!sdchema!jwp
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: In defense of houxb!marys
Article-I.D.: sdchema.133
Posted: Wed Sep  1 12:20:20 1982
Received: Sun Sep  5 03:16:34 1982

Apparently, houxb!marys took a lot of flack for (1) submitting an article
to net.general that someone thought should have gone elsewhere, and (2)
suggesting that it is WRONG that the rapist Giorgianni not be jailed for his
crime.

As for the first of these:

You have, friend houxb!marys, correctly performed the function of all acolytes
in all religions:  allowing someone to demonstrate their guruhood by taking on
the pure flame of the TRUE BELIEVER to burn you clean of your sin and light
your way to the TRUE PATH.  We must take comfort in the knowledge that if we
carefully study and imitate the actions and attitudes of our superiors we, too,
may someday achieve holiness.

As for the second:

The man committed rape.  The penalty for rape in this society is being jailed.
Therefore, the man should be jailed.  You SHOULD feel outraged that he is not.
Do not allow specious arguments about asthma to mitigate that feeling.  Asthma
did not prevent him from committing the rape; there is no reason it should
prevent him prevent him from suffering the penalty.  Nor does he deserve to be
differently from other rapists.  Was the rape committed in an air controlled
room?  If he is 'uncomfortable' breathing the same air as other criminals,
that's too bad.  Perhaps he'll remember that the next time he contemplates
rape (though, frankly, I doubt it).

				John Pierce, UC San Diego
				ucbvax!sdcsvax!sdchema!jwp