X-Message-Number: 5731 Date: Tue, 13 Feb 1996 14:05:12 -0600 (CST) From: Anthony Garcia <> Newsgroups: sci.cryonics,sci.life-extension,talk.politics.libertarian Subject: Re: Death (was Donaldson MR and Miss Hindley) References: <> <4fn8g7$> Regarding your malicious comments posted to sci.cryonics: Cryonics is a purely private activity. No cryonicists I am aware of are seeking or proposing use of government funds. Furthermore, the practice of cryonics does not entail theft, murder, fraud, or any other form of trespass. Therefore you, your government, and your laws can go *mind your own business.* Mr. Ettinger has successfully dismissed[*] your silly assertion that cryonicists are suffering from "death phobia," so I will not bother to address that. [* http://www.access.digex.net/~kfl/les/cryonet/5723.html, for those not on the Cryonet mailing list. Should be up in a couple of days.] What mainly bothers me about your comments is that you apparently think that the private resources (wealth, equipment, etc.) of cryonicists and private cryonics organizations are *yours* (or your government's) to do with as you will. They are *not*. Garret Smyth <> writes: |> Okay, what are the grounds for making cryonics illegal? (Remember - by |> your own definition that such grounds would be politics, not law.) You responded: Yes, quite. They are the same grounds for banning most recreational drugs, many activities (especially sexual) and so on. The grounds are mainly of the form that the social attitudes and behaviour associated with such things cause indirect harm to society. "Harmful To Society." This concept is the boon friend of every two-bit tyrant and kneejerk authoritarian that has ever existed. This elevation of "Society" to a prime value, to which every man is expected and forced to bend his knee and surrender his liberty, is a *fraud*. It is an excuse for control and subjugation. Nick, you apparently take the position that your Government, or any government, somehow speaks for and acts upon the "collective goals" of "Society." This is a pernicious lie. Government speaks and acts for itself, and only itself. The quaint notion that Government acts on behalf of "Society" is a convenient excuse that allows it to increase its control over the lives and property of its subjects. And every person who advocates this notion--such as yourself, Nick--is a scoundrel and an enemy of free humankind. Nick, go take your "bans" and practice them upon yourself. Leave other people (and their property, and their private, peacable activity) alone. -Anthony Garcia Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=5731