X-Message-Number: 1884
Date: 04 Mar 93 02:12:19 EST
From: MICHAEL RISKIN <>
Subject: CRYONICS: John Gregor

     I recently posted a message to the net asserting that Clarissa Wells
is an intellectual coward, and suggested that she come out of the closet 
and join the game for real.
     Although CW as yet has not responded, much to my delight, my goading
did flesh John Gregor out of the woodwork. His knee jerk reflex response,
coming to CW's defense,  clearly hit a raw nerve.  Have you a personal
problem with intellectual courage at OSU, John?  We seem to have a " John,
you protesteth too much" situation.
    Since you apparantly are a regular net reader, John, you will be aware
that I, on two seperate occassions, have requested that CW produce any
evidence to support her accusations and the quotes she attributes to me.
She simply refuses to reply. Do you feel any moral outrage about this?
   Does CW hiding behind a discomfort with encountering her colleagues'
disapproval of cryonics, constitute personal behavior you are proud of and 
that you believe advances the cause of life extension?  Are  you  
the type of person who only cares about what people say , regardless of
what they do? 
    CW seems amazed that so many have responded to her postings. Really?
All she did was vigourously attack active Alcor members who are
contributing not only words but deeds to the cause of life extension.
CW hides behind her keyboard contributing aggressive bits and bytes on a
CRT. That is the same mentality of an obscene phone caller.( Obscene phone
callers suffer from an almost total inability to relate to people
intimately; mor on that subject later.                                    
She is amazed these people are responding to her attacks? Maybe that is
because, I  did in fact call her by the right name...intellectual coward.
   And since she chooses to hit, run, and hide as it suits her , its' no
wonder she is amazed that others are willing to stand their ground out in
the open and fight back. And it is certainly consistent with her
reluctance to deal with controversy in an arena of academic freedom..her
own university. Shame on her... and shame on you.
   It will be a sad day for cryonics when morality and ethics exist as
values unrelated to personal honesty, courage, and behavior. Yes John, I
have said stupid things in my life, and sometimes I myself wonder if I
have been in cold storage. But I am not afraid of what I believe in.
   My guess is that if you are a suspension member, you have opted for the
neuro, because your brain is already detached from your body and feelings.
For many people, a quality of life includes intimacy in relationships.
My guess is, that you and CW suffer from a profound lack of intimacy. The
foundations of a relationship for me are mutuality of trust, respect and
committment. CW? How can she be trusted ? Not only does she distrust
herself, she wont come out in the open and be seen. Respect?..I never did
respect those who refuse to be seen and instead grumble in the shadows
about how bad things are. And committment? On CW part? "Maybe I'll be here ,
maybe I wont, and maybe I'm tired of all of you, and maybe I'll be back."
     Her behavior and attitude, and yours too, reminds on the Ayn Randroid
personality syndrome. Look it up if you dont know what it is.
     One of the surest ways to psychologically understand a man is by his
significant others and those he admires. John... if you admire CW thats'
about all I need to know about you. You prefer illusion over reality.
     And CW, In spite of the content of this posting,I fear for you because
you sound like a person who has been terribly violated  at some time in your
life.  And if so, I hope can find the courage to heal.
     Michael Riskin

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