Apollo BBS Archive - Feburary 1990

Apollo BBS Archive - Feburary 18, 1990

Message: 63428
Author: Jeff Beck
Category: Answer!
Subject: Ann/63413
Date: 02/17/90  Time: 23:04:35

Especially after seeing a rather manipulative story just hours ago on Connie
Chung's Saturday Night, huh?

Message: 63429
Author: Jeff Beck
Category: Answer!
Subject: Mike Middleton
Date: 02/17/90  Time: 23:13:59

First, you seem rather confused as to which BBS this is.  Second, the name
is not Guggenheim.  It's Guggenheimer.  Third, I guess that there are two
ways to look at things when you are suffering miserably.  One is to retreat
into fantasy land, and hope that somehow, in some twisted manner you cannot
possibly comprehend, the terrible, meaningless suffering is part of His
will, and hope that stubborn faith will be rewarded in the next life. 

On the other hand, you could face reality with rational dignity.

Message: 63430
Author: Mike Middleton
Category: Answer!
Subject: Jeff Guggenheimer
Date: 02/18/90  Time: 01:15:31

I am not confused. Part of a persons character is their "name." I can only
assume that you have either one of these, as you seem unwilling to share
either on any BBS. You came after me, baiting me on a different BBS, but
seem to frequent this one, as you did not get my reply there. See, I am not
confused, I knew both your pseudonyms. The attitude gave you away. Why not
come out in the light, from behind your hiding place, if you want to put
down others who retreat when faced with torture? You are retreating and all
you're faced with is another human being to have a conversation with! Maybe
getting to know someone before you insult them is a new idea to you, but I
think I deserve at least that much. What are you afraid of? Love?
Acceptance? SOmeone actually getting to know you and still likeing you
anyway?
 
Well, on the off chance that you might want slightly to know me before
launching another attack, here's the prayer I wrote for worship service
later this morning: Father, help me recognize the ways I sin. Purge from me
the illusion that I can be righteous in my own way. When I let a few wrong
actions make me feel guilty, show me clearly the larger problem of my lack
of trust in you. When I point out how others have failed to meet my
standards, show me instead how I have failed to meet your righteous
standards. When I am afraid or angry because things are not working out my
way, show me how to follow the way you have set before me with joy. When I
think I am gettting somewhere, show me how lost and in need of you I really
am. In Your Mercy, hear my prayer. Amen

Message: 63431
Author: $ Paul Savage
Category: Chit Chat
Subject: Lippard/atheists
Date: 02/18/90  Time: 05:40:53

"I always find it amusig how Christians try to evade responsibility for the
continuously abhorrent behavior of Christians over the last 1900+ years."
 Then I can assume that you accept full responsibility for every act
committed by every atheist, purportedly in the name of atheism, over the
same period of time? Sure you do.

Message: 63432
Author: Larry Michaels   NOTE:  I am Larry Michaels -- Rod
Category: Answer!
Subject: Zak/Dean
Date: 02/18/90  Time: 08:36:51

If someone I cared for or myself had a crime committed on them (Zak asked)
I would rather see them causing their own support instead of the way it is
now.  It is now like a double crime, so to speak.  They commit a crime then
are tried at taxpayer expense then supported by same for as many years as
their sentence.

I ask, is this fair?

The first part of their sentence would be to work off their trail expense. 
In this way a better defense attorney could be had (other than a public
defender who are as good as useless).  A portion of what the prisoner
produced would go directly to them thus assuring they would be paid.
There would then be a large number of attorneys who would be willing to
carry contracts being assured that the guilty would not be released until
they were paid off.  This in itself would cause the convicted person to
work that much harder in order to pay off all damaged parties so they could
be released.

If the accused was found to be innocent by a jury of peers then the state
(taxpayers) would pay the attorney fee for both sides.  The defense
attorney would be assured of their fee in either case although an innocent
verdict would assure them of being paid in full at the close of the trial.
This would serve as an incentive to do a good job.

Another part of what was produced by the prisoner would go to repay the
victim.  At this time in our history this is rarely heard of.

Again, I would rather see the prisoner being rehabilitated rather than
punished.  There can be no true satisfaction in knowing that someone is
being tormented other than by a maligned mind.  Also when the prisoner is
released after their sentence I would rather see someone who was treated by
therapy rather than by being belittled on a continual basis.  Society would
stand a better chance with the release of the prisoner in this way.

Again the prisoner upon completion of sentence may choose to stay with the
prison program as a worker or advisor but living beyond the barb wire. 
Just like programs that are available in big companies or the military.

One cause of crime is being unemployed, underemployed or homeless.  A
place that accepts oneself is sometimes all it takes to calm a fellow down. 
Having a roof over the head also helps.

No, I cannot see punishment for punishments sake as a viable avenue in
dealing with our criminal population.  In many cases there are circumstances
caused by city, state or federal government (the system) that lent
responsibility to the person going off the deep end.  Our system, at this
writing, is not exactly what one could call fair.  Living in a
non-participitory democracy is not exactly the living end.