X-Message-Number: 18039
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 19:14:43 +0900 (JST)
From: "Matthew S. Malek" <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #18035 - #18038

>----------------------+-------------------------------------------------
> QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
>
>         "Just love those laser-guided bombs.
>          They're really great for righting wrongs.
>          You hit the target and win the game
>          from bars three thousand miles away...
>
>          We play the game with the bravery of being out of range.
>          We zap and maim with the bravery of being out of range.
>          We strafe the train with the bravery of being out of range.
>          We gain terrain with with the bravery of being out of range."
>
>                                         --Roger Waters
>                                           (from "Amused to Death")
>------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is the author suggesting in luddite fashion 

It's interesting to hear how General Ludd's name is often invoked in a
derogatory sense.  Quite frankly, anyone familiar with his supposed
exploits should really consider him a _hero_.  I know that I do, and as an
Astro-particle physicist I would hardly consider myself backwards and
uneducated in the use of technology.  Luddism is about ensuring that
technology is used responsibly for the betterment of humanity.

> we should *NOT* use our technology to save the lives of our brave
> service men and women, 

How much bravery does it take to drop carpet bombs on unarmed civilians?

> instead opt to adopt the troglodite methods of these backassward
> cowards that attacked us?

Don't forget which country chose to train and arm and finance those
people.  And set up the terrorist training camps that are now the supposed
targets of bombing (along with Red Cross facilities, civilian
neighborhoods, and UN facilities).  

In fact, I believe the same country that helped the Taliban wrest power
from the Northern Alliance in 1996 is the country that helped Saddam
Hussein into power as an ally against Iran.  

Perhaps you should read the quote as more of a comment on how foreign
policy needs a little more careful consideration and better long-term
goals (besides setting up an oil pipeline across Afghanistan)... instead
of simply conducting bombing raids that make for good television
entertainment.

Read Neil Postman's book "Amusing Ourselves to Death:  Public Discourse in
the Age of Showbusiness".  It's the inspiration for the Waters album and
goes into more detail on the points being made

> Oh yeah let's get on a camel with a sword and a AK-47 and meet them
> head on... because it's more manly and macho.

It has nothing to do with macho.  I think you might be missing the point.
The "macho" attitude comes in when you sit back in your comfy home, safe
from any danger whatsoever, and go on and on about how it is right and
necessary to slaughter civilians half a world away.  (Several estimates
place the Afghan death count higher than the WTC count at this point)

Dropping food aid packages into the middle of a landmine field does
nothing to aid a "humanitarian" aspect to this.  It's simply good
publicity.

=>Long Life for all,
=>Matthew

---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
   Matthew S. Malek        |    "Judging by his outlandish attire, he's 
       |     some sort of free-thinking anarchist!"
---------------------------+-------------------------------------------------
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

	"When I saw the dead and dying Afghani children on TV, 
	 I felt a newly rediscovered sense of national security.
	 God Bless America."

				--Katie Sierra, 
				  West Virginian student suspended 
				  for expressing these words on a t-shirt
				  (in the so-called land of the free)
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