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From: spaf@gatech.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: How sickning....
Message-ID: <270@gatech.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Jun-83 18:05:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: gatech.270
Posted: Thu Jun 30 18:05:11 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 1-Jul-83 22:05:10 EDT
References: <471@ihuxi.UUCP>
Organization: Georgia Tech, School of ICS
Lines: 51

Your flame raises two points worthy of mention.  The first is
your use of the word "faggots."  It certainly is your right to
express your opinion and hold your views.  You should be aware,
however, that use of that word is about as wise as referring
to "niggers" or making a comment like: "..she's just a woman."
Resorting to name calling, especially about some group or individual
whose rights have been limited due to biggotry, is neither
helpful nor particularly conducive to enhancing your reputation
or your physical safety.  I don't think a person's gender or
race or interests is reason to deny them their rights as
human beings.  All you display by your resorting to such
childish namecalling is your lack of understanding -- perhaps
fear.  I will not condenm you nor attempt to change your mind.
I will pity your lack of understanding however.
(Also, I don't think I need to express my own sexual orientation
to make this point.)

As to your second implicit point -- the priorities that newspapers
place upon events.  I, for one, view it as a continuing
tragedy that we devote so much of our newscasts and newspapers
to coverage of professional sports rather than science and
cultural news.  We, as a nation, seem to be much more interested
in spoiled, greedy athletes in ritual battle than we are with
education, space exploration, health care, programs for
the elderly, arts, NPR, ...... the list goes on.  Human rights
are just one of those items we sweep under the rug.

Think about who it is that reads your daily newspaper.  After all,
the publishers must have some awareness of their buying public.
There are more likely to be members of the Gay Pride group buying
the newspapers rather than Russian refugees.  It is a matter of
economics that the paper publish items of interest to the 
largest possible audience.  It is sad that the general public
has the priorities they do.

And it is sad that the public has so many hypocrites.  Your
use of the word "faggots" is an attempt to deny the basic human
dignity of some people attempting to deal with themselves.
I would guess from your tone that you would also wish
to deny them rights.  Yet your same comment decries the
lack of interest in some Russians who were denied their
rights due to religious reasons.

Judge not lest ye be judged, and found wanting.
-- 
"The soapbox of Gene Spafford"

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