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From: rdh@sun.uucp (Robert Hartman)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Rape (A Solution?!)
Message-ID: <2569@sun.uucp>
Date: Tue, 6-Aug-85 05:38:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sun.2569
Posted: Tue Aug  6 05:38:00 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Aug-85 04:59:38 EDT
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I've been trying to keep quiet on this issue, because I'm really alot more
interested in what women have to say about it than I am in talking about
how I feel about it.  But this really got to me because the prospect of
surveillance is so ugly and counterproductive, and also because the men 
involved in the debate have gone to such great lengths to defend their extreme 
positions in net.women.  

The issue of rape is upsetting for me because I know women are afraid of it,
and afraid of me, at times, because of it.  I think that it is upsetting for 
many men, hence the harshess of the proposed countermeasures.

> Issue 1: Am I creating a "1984" type environment.
> I am not proposing video cameras in the home.  
No, but that would easily follow, whether by public or private "authority."

> Issue 2: People feel the cameras would be subject to vandalism and theft
Damn right.  Can't see them surviving long in the citeh. 
 
> Issue 3: Many (most) rapes are committed by acquaintances in the home.
> ...women fear rapes by strangers much more. 
Is this true?  I wonder! Also, this will be a rationale for cameras in the home.

> Issue 4: Rapes on freways, etc.
> One of the problems on many freeways is that there is no emergency telephones.
I strongly agree with this one.  The description of the cameras for locating
and responding to crashes and stranded cars makes an awful lot of sense.

> We use much technology that had unfortunate uses in Nazi Germany, e. g.
> ... each possible use must be evaluated for its costs/benefits.  
I object to the belief that technology will solve what is essentially
a political problem.  When women decide that they won't tolerate rape, and
are themselves willing to do whatever it takes to prevent/avenge it, rape 
will stop -- perhaps with the help of technology.  But, much as I regret 
saying it, I don't think rape will stop until then.  Women, please do WHATEVER 
you must, and allow me to get the hell out of your way.  

There are certain things that a person must be willing to kill or die for.
There are other things that a person must survive and get over.  
I'm not sure which category rape falls under.  I do know what my limits are 
when it comes to violence or threats of violence.  What I really wish is that 
every  woman knew how to defend herself from violence, and felt entitled and 
ready to do so.  That alone would make the benefit/risk ratio for rape alot 
less tempting.

I also wish that men would quit trying to make excuses for it on the net.
There is simply no excuse.  Also, if you are a man and have a flame, please 
think twice before posting it.

Maybe we need a net.rape, like net.abortion.  I think that this one is 
going to get alot hotter before it cools.  -bob.