From: owen@autodesk.com (D. Owen Rowley)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: CO-2 Ammendment PASSES 8-(
Date: 8 Nov 92 23:00:31 GMT

In article <1992Nov5.021842.286@macc.wisc.edu>, anderson@macc.wisc.edu (Jess Anderson) writes:
 
> rjwill6@PacBell.COM (Rod Williams) writes:
> >>Advertisements for apartment rentals or shares, job
> >>openings at LGB businesses, announcements of LGB events
> >>should read, "Heterosexuals Need Not Apply."
 
> mike@gordian.com (Michael A.  Thomas) replys:
> >Somehow, I have the feeling that that sort of tactic
> >is likely to backfire...

> It's the thought that counts: it's useful for us to be
> explicit about what we're doing and not doing.  A very clear
> idea of what is not right helps focus what is right.

What a fascinating word, right. So many meanings, so complicated
are the relationships between the meanings. there is right the adjective,
there is right the noun, the verb....

It seems so variable too, dependent on point of view. Are there
any absolute rights? Many times I've felt that I was absolutely right,
only to discover later that I had changed my mind. leading me to believe
that *right* is a state of mind.

What about other words that we could use instead, like proper, true,
correct. 

Is the political right, politically correct? 

Is being true to ones nature right even when doing so wrongs another.

Is it proper to assume what is right for you is right for anyone else?

Does anybody here really believe that those folks in Colorado and 
oregon who voted for OR#9 and CO#2 did so because they felt it
was the wrong thing to do. 

The way I see it these anti-queer rights referendum are a tactic, whether
they are right or wrong remains to be seen. 
Those who are promoting this tactic obviously think it is the right way 
to proceed in order to gain their objectives ( whatever the fuck those are?). 

If these tactics wind up catalysing queers to fight, if they alert their
peers to the reality of anti-gay bigotry we just might see them in hindsight
as watershed events leading to the liberation we seek.

Here in California we are seeing a disturbing action-reaction phenomenon
to technical advances in anti-autotheft devices. Now that alarms and 
anti-theft devices are common and inexpensive, theives who prey on parked
cars are in a declining profession. So I guess they'll shrug their shoulders
figure that it was an easy gig while it lasted and go get a job at burger
king? Or move somewhere else where the technology isn't so common.
NOT!
Since they can't steal your car while you aren't around, they now strike
when you ARE there. yeah theres added risk that way, but that can be
dealt with by using weapons.

Take this example and apply the concepts to the situations under
disscussion. Note that I am not implying that there is a *right way*
to analyse  it.

Now, how do *I* feel about boycotting Co. 

Well, I figure its my money and my time, I'll spend em where, when, and how
I like. And I don't like spending either in places that codify bigotry
that affects me. The Citizens of Colorado who voted for CO#2 chose
to do just that, I'm sure they won't miss me or my money. The citizens
of Colorado who voted against CO#2 have a domestic problem in my opinion.

These are not simple issues and I just don't think there are simple answers
for them. There is ample culpability to spread around . 
I think that the process of reforming American culture to make room for
queers will have many side effects that are unpleasant. The mainstream
culture has a very immature view regarding Queers, and the tradition
of Queer invisibilty has done little to foster growth in that respect.

It boggles my mind that there are people in this country who really belive
that there is a radical homosexual lobby that gets everything it wants from
government, but there are people who believe just that!

I don't think these people are crazy, I think they are reacting emotionally
to rhetoric . I suspect that anytime people who feel themselves to be
disenfranchised see another group being succesfull in their struggle,
jealousy rears its ugly head. Fear and jealousy are the one-two punch
of the hate mongers, and the forces who *DO* consciously lead the war against 
our struggle use them every chance they get. You get one guess about 
who I think those forces are, and I'll give you a hint, I'm not thinking 
about the republicans.
( In fact right now the traditional wing of the republican party is locked
in struggle with those forces themselves)


LUX ./. owen



--
D. Owen Rowley {uunet,fernwood,sun}!autodesk!owen

  " It will be a cold March 17th that I celebrate the imposition of
	Romes rule, on Pagan Ireland. Erin go ppphhhhhttttttt! "
Newsgroups: soc.motss