From: bzs@ussr.std.com (Barry Shein)
Subject: Re: Lotus as a public charity
Organization: The World
	<BZS.92Sep11195850@ussr.std.com>
	<1992Sep14.123927.1368@miki.pictel.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 22:37:24 GMT


From: boba@miki.pictel.com (Bob Alexander)
>The "fine distinction" I'm making is supported by the dictionary.
>I'll be blunt: those who support taxes would benefit from blurring
>the distinction between tax cuts and subsidies, since it is easier to
>argue against subsidies than tax cuts.  They blur this distinction
>with Orwellian tactics, i.e. they try to alter the meaning of english
>words so that certain concepts can no longer be expressed.

Oh please, this sounds high and mighty and as if there is something
more sinister going on than what might be a much simpler explanation
(you can see the dictionary, and repeat its entry, but you
misunderstand it, perhaps willfully and for your own political
agenda?), looking in the dictionary your keening does not seem to be
backed up:

--------------------
Word: subsidy
\'s*b-s*d-e_-\ n : a gift of public money to another
  country or to private enterprise
  SYN: grant, appropriation


Word: subsidy
sub.si.dy \'s*b-s*d-e-, -z*d-\ n [ME, fr. L subsidium reserve troops, 
   support, assistance, fr. sub-near + sede-re to sit - more at SUB-] : a 
   grant or gift of money : as : a sum of money formerly granted by the 
   British Parliament to the crown and raised by special taxation : money 
   granted by one state to another : a grant by a government to a private 
   person or company to assist an enterprise deemed advantageous to the public
--------------------

The very last sentence seems to me to be exactly what Lotus is
requesting.

That the money comes in the form of a reduction of taxes rather than a
check written out to Lotus Corporation is merely a detail of the
paperwork involved.

The non-sequitar...

>I know of no movie based on any of Heinlein's stories.

I believe you. That doesn't mean one does not exist. The credits said
Heinlein.

I didn't catch the name of the movie, perhaps some movie buff here can
fill in the blank. It was in color (tawdry technicolor), made I would
guess around 1960, early 60's, and the plot involved a bunch of men
going to the moon (for the first time) in a rather comical rocket
ship. One particularly quaint scene involves their having to climb
down the entire length of the rocket ship (about 150 feet) on a
ladder, apparently that's the best they could figure out given that
the rocket lands in one piece on its butt and the cockpit is way at
the top. I think I preferred the Flash Gordon approach of landing the
rocket on its side.

>>Oh well, I suppose I should go buy a copy of Danielle Steele and see
>>if *she* has anything cogent to say on the matter to counterpoint
>>with...
>
>Your comments about Heinlein border on being an ad hominem attack.

Perhaps you should look up the phrase 'ad hominem' before using it.

>You have said nothing that refutes his thoughts on duty.

Here is your original comment:

	One of my favorite authors, Robert Heinlein, believed you should
	always do your duty.  But he also said that you should not let others
	define for you what your duty is.

Yet, if I am charged with the care of a small child (perhaps my own),
then it is generally assumed by civilized society that that child
defines my duty.

Q.E.D.

C'mon, a comment like that has so many holes you could drive a rocket
ship through it.

>       The more the government does, the better libertarianism looks

Translation: For those seeking relief from mindless obeisance to
government, libertarianism offers completely new opportunities in
mindless obeisance.

--
        -Barry Shein

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