Apollo BBS Archive - December 1988

Apollo BBS Archive - December 17, 1988

$tatus Club Bulletin Board command:$C

Message: 4944
Author: $ David Burkhart
Category: Chit-Chat
Subject: last
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 14:06:21

But it isn't a "wrong" feeling to want to kill someone (like Daryl, for
example)?

The outer COSmos Bulletin Board command:$C

Message: 2461
Author: $ David Burkhart
Category: Cosmos-Chatter
Subject: last
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 14:10:50

Nonsense.  It was Mark Adkins (at least the first time).

Message: 2462
Author: $ Rod Williams
Category: Question ?
Subject: David
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 18:26:17

        So, you admit to the second time?

Bulletin Board command:$C

Message: 56064
Author: $ Apro Poet
Category: Politics
Subject: Chomsky
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 17:26:20

5. The Crimes of Nicaragua

  On the same grounds, we can explain the rection of US 
elites to the Sandinista revolution.  The mood in Washington
is conveyed by Representative William Alexander, who 
describes "the lust members ((of Congress)) feel to strike 
out against Communism."  It is, in fact, notable that even
congressional and media critics of the war against Nicaragua
fell obliged, with only the rarest of exceptions, to make
clear that they have nothing good to say about the
Sandinistas; their position, rather, is that US interests do
not require such an attack, or that its means are 
inappropriate.  "Only the bravest will say a word for the
Sandinistas or question the president's premise that he has a
perfect right to practice unlimited 'behavior modification'
in a small, peasant nation," Mary McGrory writes.
  What is the reason for this "lust," this mood reminiscent
of Khomeinist frenzy (but more extreme, since Iranians had
sound historical reasons for hatred of their "Great Satan")?
The official claims can hardly be taken seriously; even if 
all minimally credible charges are accepted, the Sandinista
record compares favorably with that of US clients in the 
region today, and in the past, and elsewhere, to put it 
rather mildly.  The conclusions that follow from comparisons
within the region are too obvious for discussion among sane
people, so let us consider the state that is by far the major
recipient of US aid, asking how it would fare under the
charges brought against the Sandinistas.  If the charges
cannot withstand this test, then the level of hypocrisy is
profound indeed.
  US propaganda regularly denounces the failure of the
Sandinistas to meet their alleged "obligations" to the
Organization of American States (OAS).  The President claimed
in July 1983 that they had "literally made a contract to
establish a true democracy" with the OAS before taking power
in July 1979.  This claim is without foundation; Roy Gutman
observes that this charge, constantly reiterated by 
apologists for US atrocities, was concocted as part of a 
"successful U.S. disinformation campaign...  According to the
OAS, in a July 16, 1979, telex to then General Secretary
Alejandro Orfila the Sandinistas said they planned to convoke
'the first free elections in this century' but made no
reference to timing and said nothing about creating a 'true
democracy'."  But although the charge has no merit with 
regard to the Sandinistas, it does apply to Israel; with
considerably more force, in fact.  Israel does have
obligations, of a far more serious nature than those falsely
attributed to the Sandinistas, which it has already rejected.
Israel was admitted to the UN on the express condition that
it would observe UN resolutions on return or compensation of
refugees.  As would be expected in the age of Orwell, this
charge against Nicaragua is featured prominantly in Israeli
propaganda journals, such as the *New Republic*, which 
naturally remain silent on Israel's obligations.
  Another major charge against Nicaragua is censorship of
*La Prensa*.  A State Department official commented that the
Sandinistas "know the censorship is the worst thing they can
do, from the American point of view."  Naturally if the US
were being attacked by a state of unimaginable power, we 
would not impose censorship on a journal that offered them
support and that received a $100,000 grant from the 
aggressor; that is, in fact, correct, since the editors and
anyone remotely connected to them would be in concentration
camps; recall the fate of Japanese during World War II.
  Censorship in Israel, however, is so severe that an Arab
woman lecturing at the Hebrew University was denied 
permission even to publish an Arab language social and 
political journal.  The Arab press in East Jerusalem was
seized by the authorities when it reported settler attacks
against Arabs after a prisoner exchange.  An Arab bimonthly
was shut down permanently in 1983, and the censor closed an
Arab newspaper in Jerusalem for three days when it published
an obituary of two young Arabs who died in a mysterious car
explosion in 1985.  350 books are officially banned in the
occupied territories, along with others known to him 
personally, Knesset member Matti Peled (an Arabist and 
retired general) reports, including Hebrew translations of
Theodore Harzl's diaries, Isaac Deutscher's *Non-Jewish Jew*,
books on Israeli military and political history, a 
translation of "To live with Arabs" by Elie Eliachar, the
dovish president of the Council of the Sephardic Community in
Israel, a book on the religious West Bank settlers (Gush
Emunim) by the well-known Israeli journalist Danny
Rubinstein, among others.  Art exhibitions are censored; a
Palestinian artist was given a six-month jail sentence on the
charge that the colors of the Palestinian flag appeared in 
the corner of a painting.  Arab plays have repeatedly been
banned on political grounds, and a Hebrew play by an Israeli
jailed for refusing military service was banned in September
1985 "on purely political grounds," Dan Fisher reports.  The
Hebrew press is also subjected to censorship - as well as
extensive self-censorship.  Journalists are not permitted by
the censor to publish abroad material that has appeared in
the Hebrew press.  All outgoing mail and packages are subject
to censorship, and may be opened freely by the 58 people
assigned to this task.  Surveillance of telephone
conversations is so extensive that the censor has intervened
directly in telephone conversation, Knesset member Michael
Bar-Zohar reports.
  But we hear no cries that the US must arm and direct
terrorist forces to attack Israel.  Nor does the US Congress
offer "humanitarian aid" (another Orwellism) to guerrilla
forces resisting South African repression or opposing the 
illegal South African occupation of Namibia, or defending 
themselves against Israel occupation in southern Lebanon;
rather they are all "terrorists," whose actions we deplore.
The President, always quick to defend South Africa, even
justified the murderous South African attack on Botswana on
grounds that it may have been "retaliation" against the
African National Congress (there is "no question," he said,
about its "violence" and "murdering," but about South
Africa we must withhold judgement).

Rod, God & Bob Bulletin Board command:$C

Message: 44
Author: $ Apollo SYSOP
Category: Rod's thoughts
Subject: on Spanish
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 16:33:59

        So what if it is a Spanish part of town...  Being Spanish does not
make one a Christian.  Till it is a fact, why use it at all..... unless you
are scaping the bottom of the barrel for ammo!  Is this how you gather all
your facts?

*=* SYSOP Cliff *=*

Have a happy ....

Message: 45
Author: $ Rod Williams
Category: Rod's thoughts
Subject: Story...
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 18:28:50

      Most people, from this country, profess to be of the Christian
faith.  If only half of them were in fact real Christians, this
country would be full of love, fairness and friendship.  
      To be perfectly honest, I have never met a true Christian.  I
have just met people who believe in the Rapture, Chapter & Verse and
not chewing gum.  They who call themselves Christians believe that it
only takes believing that Jesus was the son of God and they are
Saved. This is pure bullshit.
      The entire meaning of the Story of Jesus can be summed up in one
single sentence, "Love One Another", that is it.  If everyone
followed that, we'd live in a good world.  We don't.
      For those of you who read 'Revelations' I defy you to give me
one single meaning.  Yes, it can and has been interpreted by a few
for the many.  But it is only a con-job on the sheep.  There is not
one single paragraph in that book that makes any sense, none
whatsoever.
      I guess what I was looking for when I decided to check out the
Bible (Babel) was to find myself in a good world.  I didn't.  Cliff,
why don't you and Sandy sell everything you have and give it to the
poor.  Then you can follow Him.

      I believe that the Christian faith was started as a way to
control the masses.  To promise them reward after death so they would
be able to put up with the hardships brought about by the ruling class.
 Worship itself began with our early, ignorant, ancestors who did not
know why it got cold and dark.  They thought our Sun, the giver of
life, the warming body, was going away and they became afraid. Some
early scholar noted that a point existed when the Sun would appear to
come back and snow would melt and plants would grow.  The day the Sun
reversed itself, so to speak, was called the Winter Solstice and this
lent cause for party and celebration.  The people probably sacrificed
different things to the gods, probably prayed and made prayer wheels in
order to assure that the Sun would not continue going away, lest they
froze to death.  This is the Christians Christmas or Mass for Christ.
      When plants would grow again, this was Spring, the begining of
new life, or the Christians Easter or Resurrection.  It was all taken
from the Pagans, who in turn, took it from our natural seasons.
      The early rulers, which were the largest clans, the ones with the
most strength, claimed the land.  They probably claimed everything
they could travel over on a horse in a day.  This land became their
kingdom and for the peasants who resided in that area, a share of
their crops or other valuable consideration was taken.  A tithe.

      Laws needed were made for control purposes and the King usually
picked a son as Priest or maker of the laws.  The eldest King's son
became a Prince and was to inherit the Throne upon the King's death so
the Priest was chosen from a younger son, cousin or other suitable
stock.  Someone who showed they could be both shrewd and vicious.
      Thus in the early days of our ancestors both State and Church
were hand-in-hand, one in the same.  And they ruled and were in charge
of all laws pertaining to the labor class, living and dead.  It was
the High Priest's job to come up with suitable answers for all
occasions.  To satisify the common people.
      In essence, organized religion came into being.  And there were
many beliefs, usually one for each Kingdom.  Kingdom ate kingdom and
they became leaders over larger areas.  As transportation and weapons
developed so did takeovers.  One country borrowed from another their
laws if they seemed to soothe the people and keep them working and
allow their children to go into military service.
      The people who started the Christian religion were both strong
and vicious as evidenced by its early start.  The Inquisitions caused
some of the most inhuman treatment ever.  Christians tortured people
for their beliefs and many died.  If the Christians said the earth was
the center of the universe (and they did) and you disagreed, onto the
rack you would go.  The only thing that could make it any better for
you was the little wealth you had and this didn't always help.

      Read Noah Chomsky and get an idea of what little the working
class are told and how a ruthless government operates.
      It doesn't matter if you believe in Jesus, Bhudda, Shiva, a
pile of shit, no deity at all or Rom.  What is important in this world
is that the ruling class, those who deal with other kingdoms, find it
in their heart to create a good world, to set up a system that is fair
and equitable to all.  The masses are being heavily taxed in order to
pay for government frivolities. The average family requires both the
husband and wife to work in order to pay their rent or 30 year
mortgage payment.  Interest rates are overburdening the population. 
Repossession and foreclosures are happening at an alarming rate.
      But the masses have learned well to take this in stride because
all they must do is believe that Jesus was the son of God and they
will be assured their eternity in Heaven.  It's the Suffer Now, Play
Later Plan.
      When they hear of wars or earthquakes (they happen every year
since man first set foot on this planet) they feel justified because
they have been taught the end is near, the great rapture, armageddon,
their Savior is coming back, from the east on a great cloud.  He will
smite the true believers enemies and comfort the hurt.  
      This is why I say, "Fuck God".     to be continued.........

Message: 49
Author: $ Rod Williams
Category: Shit-Chat
Subject: Cliff/answer
Date: 12/17/88  Time: 18:33:16

        The poorer and the less educated the class the more they cling to
religion.  It is a poor Spanish neighborhood and I believe mostly they are
of the Catholic faith.