Re: Singapore

[Bill Stewart <stewarts@ix.netcom.com>]

At 05:30 PM 12/07/1997 -0700, Tim May wrote:
>Oh, and the claim we just saw from Peter Herngaard, that:
> > "The distinction is very narrow since those who call for abolition of the
> > hate laws, at least in Germany, at the same time advocate expulsion of
> > non-whites or the establishment of a dictatorship."
>is demonstrably false. There are civil rights groups in Germany calling for
>the "abolition of the hate laws," and yet not arguing in favor of expulsion
>of non-whites or for the imposition of a dictatorship.

I think Peter's point was that most of the Germans who are calling for
the abolition of the hate laws _are_ the hate groups, rather than
civil liberties groups.  Sure, there are a few Germans who think that
free speech and assembly should mean free speech and assembly,
and aren't part of hate groups, but the government isn't out persecuting them
so they've got less incentive to make noise about it.
Also, the folks with pure motives are arguing a pure issue,
while the hatemongers get to combine their calls for the abolition of
hate laws with calls for the expulsion of non-Aryans, use it for recruiting,
and use it as a defense of their position.

>The way to prevent a repeat of Germany's unfortunate detour into national
>socialism is to just not repeat it, to not let government gain the power to
>build extermination camps, raid houses at night on flimsy pretexts,
>mobilize industry, etc.

But Herr Non-Citizen-Unit May, ve're doink this for your own good.
...
>There is also the very real psychological phenomenon of "forbidden fruit
>tasting sweeter." Many suspect the current resurgence of Nazism and
>skinhead ideologies (loosely speaking) in Germany has a lot to do with the
>thoughts being banned.

Certainly had a lot to do with kids becoming lefties in the 60s.
				Thanks! 
					Bill
Bill Stewart, stewarts@ix.netcom.com
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