Organization: Computer Science Department,  Stanford University.
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.politics
Date:         Fri, 20 Nov 1992 13:52:02 -0800
From:         Andy Freeman <andy@SAIL.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Words

>> Let's see what they have to do with fascism.
>>
>> >Here are some of Herscheson's beliefs:
>> >2)      Abolish Social Security
>>
>> Try again.  Herschensohn said that people in the system should be paid
>> off, that promises made should be kept, but that SS should be
>> discontinued for new people.  Herschensohn is right because SS is a
>> bad mix of income transfer and retirement.  Private retirement funding
>> works better and we should do income transfer up front and honestly.
>
>Isn't that abolishing SS?

So?  Where's the fascism in the policy advocated?  Is it fascism to
oppose bad social policy?

>> >5)      Off-shore oil drilling.
>>
>> If you think your view is worth a few hundred million, go for it.
>
>This is an interesting topic let's make a comment.  I quoted Bruce's
>statement earlier but I'll repeat it because it is funny and sad at
>the same time.  I guess I mean that I'll paraphrase because again,
>I had thrown away all of my Bruce stuff since he lost.  "I would like
>to drive my car to the shore to see the oil wells".

And, I repeat, would Fisher be less disgusted if Hershensohn wanted to
drill, but didn't want to see the wells?  If not, the quote loses its
intellectual relevance to the discussion and becomes yet another
hind-brain appeal.

>I think that the
>coast of California is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

So do I.  If it's worth so damn much to you, why aren't you willing to
pay the going rate?  Note that the evil oil companies pay their way;
why do good people like Fisher object to doing likewise?

Oh, and where's the fascism in this?

>Instead of drilling, I would like to see a real push for some sort of
>energy conservation, which Bruce doesn't believe in.

Herschensohn happens to believe in energy conservation, he just
doesn't see it as moral crusade that justifies most anything.  Does
that make him a fascist?

>> >6)      Guns into everyone's hands
>>
>> Wrong.  He said that people should be allowed to have guns.
>
>The difference between our 2 statements is pretty subtle.

Really?  I think people should be allowed to buy pictures of
consenting naked people.  Fisher thinks that the difference between
that and FORCING people to buy pictures of consenting naked people is
"subtle".  Didn't I suggest that Fisher might confuse this sort of
thing?  (I haven't bought Madonna's "Sex" - have I censored her?)

Letting people make a choice doesn't sound much like fascism....

>you differ with my interpretation of what Bruce said, fine.  As I said,
>I no longer have my stuff so I can't refute you.

Fisher can tell us what so evil about uzi-ownership as opposed to some
other gun; that's his opinion, not Herschensohn.  After all, Fisher
thought that there was enough of a difference to highlight it.  What?
There's no difference and he was making a hind-brain appeal?  That's
consistent with Fisher's hate-response.  And to think that I
characterized leftists as being hate motivated just a week or so ago.
It's almost like I'm writing Fisher's messages to make my points....

-andy
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