Re: developmentalism

Dewey Dykstra, Jr. (dykstrad who-is-at varney.idbsu.edu)
Sat, 4 May 1996 10:43:34 -0700

>I view the rambling forwarded message by "Stone" (if that's a real name) as
>an example of the kind of deliberate disinformation coming out of the far
>right.I want to warn XMCA folks- from bitter past experience- that much
>energy and
>email space can be wasted in disputing this disinformation- and I urge
>participants to ignore it.
>Ken Goodman

Ken: I realize that "Stone" would probably remain unconvinced by anything
any one of us might say, especially if our comments are confined to xmca.
It may also be that this is a "swing of the pendulum" about which we can do
nothing. On the other hand there are probably lots of folks who if they
hear nothing but "Stone"'s arguments will go along with them, but who given
a chance to consider thoughtfully presented alternatives would choose an
alternative to "Stone".

The problem seems to me that arguments which go unanswered are taken to be
agreed with.

I keep thinking of that little poem about concentration camps during WW II.
It goes something like:

When they came for the Jews, I didn't speak out, because I'm not a Jew.
When they came for the gypsies, I didn't speak out, because I'm not a
gypsie.... When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.

Might it be worth formulating arguments on xmca and getting responses so
that refined arguments could be disseminated to those in a position to
consider alternatives?

Dewey

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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics Dept: (208)385-3775
Department of Physics/SN318 Fax: (208)385-4330
Boise State University dykstrad who-is-at varney.idbsu.edu
1910 University Drive Boise Highlanders
Boise, ID 83725-1570 novice piper
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