Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 ggr 02/21/84; site bentley.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!ihnp4!bentley!dxa From: dxa@bentley.UUCP (DR Anolick) Newsgroups: net.startrek Subject: Flame on "DEATH TO ALL ZAEON PIGS!" Message-ID: <479@bentley.UUCP> Date: Wed, 19-Sep-84 08:28:51 EDT Article-I.D.: bentley.479 Posted: Wed Sep 19 08:28:51 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 25-Sep-84 08:59:05 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway Lines: 45I've been reading the net for about a month now, but this is my first posting, so I hope I don't break any netiquette rules. I have been disturbed by Michael N. Washington's signature. This is not a personal attack on Michael, I've enjoyed reading his postings. However, I believe that the phrase, "DEATH TO ALL ZAEON PIGS!" is inappropriate for this net. The phrase in question comes from the episode which examines the Nazi Regime, and the message of the episode is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The phrase shows the negative effect of that absolute power. The episode was a good one, maybe the problem is that when the phrase is taken out of context, you lose the message of the episode. When reading the phrase, my perception is that it is glorifying a bigoted ideal. (Again, I don't accuse Michael of being a bigot, I'm just stating what my gut reaction is when I read the phrase.) It seems to me that since this net celebrates the positive attitude of Star Trek, that a negative statement such as this phrase is not appropriate. Let me add, that I am not unbiased in my feelings. Being a Jew, the ideal behind this phrase has an added significance to me. I'd like to see some discussion of this on the net. Again, I am not attacking Michael, I doubt that he means to offend anyone with his signature. Because of human diversity, and since the net is so large, I'm sure every posting offends someone, somewhere. But I'd like to see some discussion of this signature. Am I over sensative due to my bias? Or do others agree, that when taken out of context, this phrase is not a positive Star Trek statement? Thanks in advance for any _thoughtful_ responses. DROYAN ..ihnp4!bentley!dxa (David ROY ANolick)