### Apollo BBS Archive - July 14, 1991

    $tatus Club Bulletin Board command:$C

    Message: 7571
    Author: $ Wild Barbarian
    Category: Answer!
    Subject: Pot/deaths
    Date: 07/13/91  Time: 20:49:50

    This is to anyone interested in another opinion:  What about the deaths due
    to someone being allergic to the crap? And how would that be reported? Sorry
    but any and all drugs, whether legal and prescribed or illegal and abused
    can be deadly if not taken or used properly.  How many people in this
    country are legally addictted to morphine ( a derivatitive of the poppy
    plant like heroin)?  And other junk?  Yet how are these deaths reported when
    the person dies.....  Just wondering...

    Message: 7572
    Author: $ Michael James
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: Rod
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 12:33:50

    I thought it was "Metropophobobia" in Peter's message.

    I went there and bought this neat magazine, but I didn't see any
    refrigerator magnets that interested me.  If I had seen that button I would
    have bought it.

    Message: 7573
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: Michael James
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:12:43

    You are correct about the spelling.  The buttons are in the showcase and I
    dropped off a load of them yesterday at noon.  Perhaps they haven't put them
    on display yet.

    I bought a copy of Mondo 2000 and it is great.  I also purchased a CD put
    out by a group from New Mexico near Santa Fe.  It's different.
                                    Rod

    Message: 7574
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: allergic/Wild
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:13:40

    There has never been a documented death from someone being allergic to
    marijuana.

    Message: 7575
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Debate/dispute
    Subject: Last/Rod
    Date: 07/14/91 Time: 13:44:43

    Oh yea, Right Dr Williams..  You really are fried on the stuff.

    Message: 7576
    Author: $ Felix Cat
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: Rod
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 15:51:42

    Re:Some excellent posts on drugs here (except for the lunacy group).

    What Rod is saying is, if you agree with Rod, your posts are most excellent.
    However, if you disagree, you're a lunatic.

    Message: 7577
    Author: $ Felix Cat
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: Rod
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 15:55:45

    Re:  Just because your minister told you or you read it in a Christian based
    book does not make it so.  I know from first hand experience and I have a
    clear mind.

    What I know about pot I never heard from a minister nor read it in a book.
    I got it the same way you did.  And I think I have a clear mind.

    Message: 7578
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Question?
    Subject: last
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:28:38

    So, are you a paranoid?

    Message: 7579
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit-Chat
    Subject: Cliff
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:29:54

    I'd rather have double-fried brains than your brains, any day..

    X-Rated Cosmos Bulletin Board command:$C

    Message: 4915
    Author: $ Michael James
    Category: Cosmos-Chatter
    Subject: Apro
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 12:39:35

    I don't think it's the frequency as much as the phase.  If you're born an
    odd number of times, you're 180 degrees out of phase and you're going to
    hell.  If you're born an even number of times, you're "in phase" and you'll
    go to heaven.  If you've only been born once, ye must be born again, but
    don't overdo it and get born again and again.

    Message: 4916
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Cosmos-Chatter
    Subject: Born again.
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:15:55

    Some Christians are born again and again and again and again.  Depends on
    how often they sin.  I think those who die on their thirteenth birth go to
    hell.

    Message: 4917
    Author: $ Michael James
    Category: Cosmos-Chatter
    Subject: last
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 14:14:34

    Not if they were extracted by Caesarean section.

    Message: 4918
    Author: $ Apro Poet
    Category: Cosmos-Chatter
    Subject: Frequently Born
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 14:54:53

    The more often you're born, the more often you get to fall
    from grace.  It's sort of like hangovers.  People just keep
    on drinking.  Is this fun or what?!  Uh-oh.  If it's fun it
    must be evil.  Oh well, what's another trip through the
    birth canal?

    BTW Jimmy Swagart's back in the Godcasting business ...
    after being reborn, of course.

    Message: 4919
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Cosmos-Chatter
    Subject: last
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:31:56

    Yes, he doesn't have to be perfect, just forgiven.  And remember kiddies,
    God forgives you 7 X 77.  Isn't that marvelous?  Why, I'd call it a bloody
    miracle even if God's blow jobs are only second rate.

    Public Bulletin Board command:$C

    Message: 76624
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Answer!
    Subject: Ann on losing member
    Date: 07/13/91  Time: 21:23:39

            Ann, I can't let anyone hold that over my head... I do NOT want to
    lose Roger, but if he goes, he goes....  To break the ules and then tell
    me you will quit if I do anything... I just can't let slide by.

            Besides, after Roger sees how Annie grovels, he will have a good
    laugh!  Most people enjoy the FIRST visit!

            Yes, Roger has visited the Zone...  3 times today !

    *=* the 'Mighty' Apollo SysOp *=*  <-clif- stoking the fire, so it's HOT!

    Message: 76625
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: 1986
    Date: 07/13/91  Time: 23:00:22

    Sentenced prisoners admitted to State and Federal institutions:

    U.S. Total 183,769   / White 92,274 / Black 73,934 / Other Races 1,924
    and, Race not reported 15,637

    California 23,197
    Texas      23,152
    Florida    18,941
    New York   13,159
                            (stay outa them states)

            In 1926 (as far back as I can trace) the total was 43,328

    Source: U.S. Department of Justice "Race of Prisoners Admitted to State and
    Federal Institutions, 1926-86"  by Patrick A. Langan, Ph.D. May 1991

    Message: 76626
    Author: $ Paul Savage
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Annie
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 05:38:38

     Pretty Party Place now stocks a line of T-shirts with different and unique
    scren prints. One of them has a large "Positively over 50" on the front, and
    is covered front and back with some rather hilarious comments.
     Perhaps it's time to add to your wardrobe? (I already have one, by the
    way.)

    Message: 76627
    Author: $ Paul Savage
    Category: Question?
    Subject: Losing Mann?
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 05:39:25

    Could we be that lucky?

    Message: 76628
    Author: $ Paul Savage
    Category: Religion
    Subject: Ann/BAC
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 05:52:50

     Strange that you should cite the Baptist church as an example for your
    question, since they are one denomination that definitely teaches and
    promotes the "born again" principle.
     You ask whether knowing God is not the reason why people go to church. The
    response to that, for a good number of people, is, sadly, no. True, many
    churches do still teach and preach the necessary deep personal relationship
    that is a prerequisite for true Christianity. THere are also those,(and I
    will not point a finger at any) that do not, preferring to teach a
    self-perpetuating doctrine that promotes adherence to the man-made
    principles of the governing body of that particular church. There are also
    those who can go to church all their lives, every time the doors are open,
    and still fail to get the true message of God's love and power and grace.
    Why? Well, who knows? Many go to church to make a statement about
    themselves. "Look at me! I'm a goody, goody two shoes! I'm in church again!"
    THeir lives are so self-centered that there's no room for another, even if
    that other is Jesus Christ. One of the most fulfilling aspects of inviting
    Christ into your heart is the emptying of self. THe trading of all that is
    evil and worldly for that which is pure and holy. THis is not, as some might
    say, a self righteous statement, but rather a statement of wonder and
    gratitude at how unworthy one is, and how we are so loved, even as we are,
    by our creator. It is an acknowledgement of His worthiness, and His
    sacrifice, and His love. When one can accept that premise as a personal,
    individual truth that applies to every aspect of his or her life, then it
    matters not what church you attend; you are born again of the Spirit of God.

    Message: 76629
    Author: $ Paul Savage
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Prisons/justice
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 06:06:04

     The thing that strikes me concerning our "criminal justice" system is the
    gross injustice of it all.
     It seems that the only answer we have for every violation of the law
    (unless the violator is a lawyer or a politician, of course), is to stick
    the offender in prison for a time. Regardless of the nature of the crime.
     Now, in my opinion, there is absolutely no reason for alternative
    sentencing for violent criminals, those who damage life, body or property.
    They belong in prison, where they can do no further harm.
     However, where is the justice for anyone in sticking, say, an embezzler
    behind bars for 10 or 20 years? Is this justice for the victim of the
    embezzlement? No! Justice in such a case would be a closely supervised work
    program, with perhaps 50-60% of income going into a fund to pay back every
    cent that was embezzled, with interest. That wold also be more just in the
    eyes of the public, who would not then be saddled with the burden of
    housing, feeding and caring for the criminal for the duration of his
    sentence.
     Another lack of justice, in my opinion, is the number of appeals and
    reprieves a criminal gets against the carrying out of a death sentence. We
    sentence a heinious murderer to death, and then spend years and loads of
    public monies educating him in the ways of the law,and allowing him appeal
    after appeal, and motion after motion, and the sentence never gets executed.
    This, too, not only exacerbates the overcrowding of the prison population,
    but costs the public hundreds of thousands of dollars needlessly. Prison
    reform? How about a major reform of the entire "justice" system?

    Message: 76630
    Author: $ Bill Burkett
    Category: Politics
    Subject: More (on) Prisons
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:06:19

    > If this continues, it might become more cost-effective to
    > instead lock up the wealth that people attempt to acquire
    > through criminal activities.  Or is that the "solution" that
    > launched this disaster in the first place?
            That's the purpose of the so-called RICO laws that seize defendants'
    assets.  All in all a good thing, except that the law enforcement gods are
    dead set against letting elected officials have any say in how seized RICO
    funds are spent.  Hmmmm...

    > Why is the public not told of these things until they're so
    > bad?
            This has been an ongoing news story for years.  Why haven't you been
    listening?  Perhaps because it wasn't so bad?

    >Does Metrocenter still have those cruising barricades?
            Yes.  Idiotic.  I wonder who pays for the enforcement action those
    necessitate:  the City or the MetroCenter merchants?

    > The editorial (again) made no mention of the relation between
    > U.S. per capita prison population and that of other countrys.
            There must be a reason for the omission.  Maybe the situation isn't
    as bad when viewed on a per capita basis and, therefore, no dire action
    would be required.
            Whenever an issue suddenly becomes a crisis, it causes me to wonder
    what the publisher has to gain from my concern.  Usually it's merely
    assurance of my continued attention.  And that assures my continued
    subscription to the newspaper.

    Message: 76632
    Author: $ Bill Burkett
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Rod's Brown Nose
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:07:14

    > Yeah, well, I just put a double hex on you and now you can look
    > forward to spending your eternity in hell, twice.

    You sure know how to brown-nose, Rod.

    Message: 76633
    Author: $ Bill Burkett
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: More Brown Nosing
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:07:33

    > Cubby Sysop is the best, most logical SYSOP of any board that I
    > have ever been on.  And he can really smack home a point.  You
    > are appreciated, probably more than you know.

    You sure know how to brown-nose, Rod.

    Message: 76634
    Author: $ Bill Burkett
    Category: $tatus users only
    Subject: Mike/Cubbie's Ideals
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:08:42

    > Does the Cub Sysop approve or disapprove of the demeaning
    > tirade Roger Mann directed at me personally for the 8 posts on
    > Dinosaurs?

            Of course not.
            As you know, Mike, in addition to sometimes trying to settle a
    dispute over the ules in public, I often use Apollo's ost Office in an
    effort to persuade members to get along.  This was exactly the approach I
    was taking with Roger when Cliff decided (justifiably as SysOp) to send him
    to the Zone.
            There's been a good deal of baiting going on from both sides of
    recent discussions on the board.  I'd like to see all of it end.  But one
    can only hope for so much from mere mortals.

    > Yet I still find there are two sets of rules on this board.

    I'm sorry you still feel that way.  I don't think it's the case.

    > Please clean up his act.

    Can't do that.  I can only try to persuade him to clean up his own act.

    Message: 76635
    Author: $ Mike Carter
    Category: Answer!
    Subject: Cliff
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:19:53

    The complaint about the "two sets of rules" was generated not om
    the tenets and rules of APOLLO BBS management, but some of its users.
    These users are the same ones who cry foul, whine, snivel and wretch,
    pull hair and bite their fingers because I or anyone else
    dare doubt their logic or question their motives or even return
    their sarcasm in posts.
    Yet, when I or a few select others, namely Christians, post something
    it's an all-out free for all. They forget the rules. The same ones
    they were wretching and moaning about a few days ago.

    So I simply find it amazing that there are still inconsistencies.
    In life, I am accustomed to inconsistencies, mainly from people, but
    they also have recognized some of them and carry on.

    Folks like Roger are truly amazing to me. After all this time and
    the previous brohuhaha, he still sees it fit to use the rules against
    someone anytime they jingle his cage, but then expects the rules to
    evaporate when he crosses the line.

    Ann Oudin is another fine example. Everytime she does something worth
    going to the zone, or a close boosom buddy, she lets loose with threats
    to leave forever. -I've heared that one at least 5 times in the last
    year.
    That's all. No complaints on YOU Cliff. Just the one group.

    Message: 76636
    Author: $ Mike Carter
    Category: Answer!
    Subject: Apro/Prisons
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 09:50:00

    To clarify my closing paragraph in msg #76548;
    Matching figures with the apparent drop in educational excellence,
    the decline of literacy (maybe it's not a decline. It's always been there.)
    and we can safely assume more teenagers are opting to leave school early.
    The increase in popularity of gangs has given rise to an increase in police
    services. Calls made to the police have skyrocketed over the last decade.
    It's not the government actively pursuing avenues to find and incarcerate
    people. You'll find that the people themselves, those incarcerated are
    soley responsible for being there. Of course, they're all innocent.
    (sarcastic mimic of a line I've heared too much of.)
    The Government has mandatory prison sentencing policies as set forth by
    an angry public...someone has already pointed that out.
    My last line wasn't to infer anything, rather a simple statement, in that
    I don't believe for a minute that the Government has any sinister plans
    and to assist in those plans, it's taking people prisoner arbitrarily.
    Not even for a minute.
    No, I think, like many have said in the past, there's a price to be paid
    for the freedoms we have here in the U.S.
    Part of that price is to mingle with those who donot deserve that freedom.
    What happens between the time the individual(s) are put away and the
    time they are caught in the act that justifies it, is the problem
    of the Government; it's inherent slowness and oft mishappen justice system.
    Remember words of a famous poet; The truly criminal are never caught.

    Message: 76637
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Mike/2 sets of rules
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 10:21:50

            Yea, I know what you mean, but as a Christian, you had better get
    use to it.  The Christian bashing atheists seem to think ules apply to
    others and not themselves.  It's funny what garbage they call 'free
    thinking'...yet when we FREELY choose to follow Christ as Christians, they
    bash us for not following their ideas with insults.  To be a Christian is
    not always easy, as any one can be an atheist with little or no effort.

    *=* the 'Mighty' Apollo SysOp *=*  <-clif-

    Message: 76638
    Author: $ Beauregard Dog
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: creation "science"
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 11:13:05

    So, Mike, when are you going to respond to *my* message about your 1-in-8?
    You seem to enjoy responding to the abusive posts.  Is this so that you
    don't have to respond to the substantive posts?

    Message: 76639
    Author: $ Ann Oudin
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Pauley #76628
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 11:35:17

    Very good post Pauley. Informative. I see what you mean about people going
    to chruch. (reasons) *>>> ANN O. <<<*

    Message: 76640
    Author: $ Ann Oudin
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Mike on Zone
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 11:43:35

    I don't like to see anyone go to the Zone and that includes you.

    BTW - show me the 5 TIMES I threated to leave forever Mike!! I left once
    because of you - your nastiness. We all get nasty at one time or another,
    but you deserve a prize! Looks to me like you are the one whining to the
    sysop for justice. I can take your nastiness, but in the Cos. sig. where it
    belongs, not the BB. *>>> ANN O. <<<*

    Message: 76641
    Author: $ Ann Oudin
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Cliff
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 11:46:41

    Re: your .... To be a Christian is not always easy, as any one can be an
    athiest with little or no effort."

    You gotta be kidding Cliff!!! Think about that one for awhile and I think
    you will change your mind. Remember, not ALL atheists were always that way.
    One time they believed as you do. *>>> ANN O. <<<*

    Message: 76642
    Author: $ Ann Oudin
    Category: Religion
    Subject: Cat
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 11:47:47

    Dear Cat. Here are some of the reasons I do not like Paul - why I think he
    disliked women and preached things that were HIS opinion only, because it
    does not make sense that God commanded it!! All of his writings are laced
    with subjugation of women to men.

         1 CORINTHIANS - CHAP. 7 VERSE 39
    "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies,
    she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. (How nice
    of him!) But in my judgement, she is happier if she remains as she is. And
    I think that I have the Spirit of God!"

    Comment .... women never had a chance with the above statement! Paul said
    it, he had the spirit of God, so therefore, God said it!! Who could argue
    with God?
    Who is Paul to say a woman is happy or not - with what man -what husband? I
    find that even today some Christian men think this same way about women -
    knows what is best for them! MOST of them still believe in the 'old head of
    the household' archaic stuff. I've had them justify that until their blue
    in the face, but it still doesn't mean it's right or justified! They all,
    as far as I'm concerned, got this from Paul, who never did meet Jesus and
    was supposedly converted on the road to Damascus by God. A lot of people
    have said that - including Manson, The Rev. Moon, and Oral Roberts.
    1 CORINTHIANS CHAP. 11, VERSE 2
    "But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the
    head of a woman is her husband and the head of Christ is God. Any man who
    prays or prophesies with his head covered, dishonors his head, but any
    woman whew prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head -
    it is the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman will not veil
    herself, then she should cut off her hair, but if it is disgraceful for a
    woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil, for man should not cover
    his head since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of
    man. For man was not made from woman but woman from man. Neither was man
    created for woman but woman for man. That is why a woman ought to have a
    veil on her head, because of the angels. (HUH?)

    Verse 13 ..."Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God
    with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to
    wear long hair is degrading to him, ( HUH ? NATURE?)  but if a woman has
    long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If
    any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor
    do the churches of God!"

    Comment... NONE of this sounds like anything handed down from God for
    people to live by. Has NOTHING to do with Jesus or has any validity. Yet
    look how many centuries it has prevailed!
    TIMOTHY CHAP. 2 VERSE 8
    " .... also that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in
    seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire,
    but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion. Let a woman learn
    in silence with all submissiveness. I permit NO woman to teach or to have
    authority over men, she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then
    Eve and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a
    transgressor. Yet, women will be saved through bearing children. If she
    continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty."

    Comment... here again is a lot of words that don't apply and I would
    certainly
    say was NOT GOD sent - rules of Heaven!!
    This all of course implies that Eve committed the first sin and is
    responsible
    for everything bad that has happened to mankind including no doubt, to Jesus
    also. Where did Jesus EVER imply that woman was beneath man in any way? That
    they shouldn't have any authority over men - ever? Or that they can't teach
    or
    preach?? In my opinion, this is Paul's opinion only! It is so very obvious I
    cannot understand why Bible believers don't see it!
    Sorry this is all messed up. When I uploaded, it came out this way from the
    word processor. Must have set margins wrong. *>>> ANN O. <<<*

    Message: 76645
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Cliff/easy to be
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:22:52

    Yeah, it's easy to be an atheist.  But it requires sorting out and
    eliminating a certain amount of brainwashing that we all grow up with.

    Message: 76646
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Religion
    Subject: Bibical Paul
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:24:51

    Paul was a known homosexual who liked his men with short hair.  He also
    hated women.

    Message: 76647
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Cliff
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:27:58

    I posted the entire meaning of Police State, verbatim from my Webster's
    Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1989 edition.

    I've always suspected that Webster was a commie.

    I purchased the book at Price Club.

    As for me photocopying the page and sending it to you.....well, no, I don't
    think I will but I would be willing to wager any sum that you specify as to
    whether it says what I posted.  How about it?

    Message: 76648
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Question?
    Subject: Last
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:31:58

            What was that garble about... "specify as to whether it says what I
    posted"...?????

            Well cheap skate, I am willing to send you a photo copy of what all
    3 of my Websters say...  I somehow do not believe you Rod...  Pot has you
    seeing words that are not there.

    Message: 76649
    Author: $ Apollo SysOp
    Category: Religion
    Subject: Ann/Rod
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 13:41:47

            For one, I was brought up by a mom and dad that are not Christians.
    I was once as one might say "a non-believer"... till I started to THINK on
    my own.

            Ann, it is easier to believe in NOTHING then to believe in
    something.  That is a hard, cold, FACT.  (there I go, the F... word again)

    *=* the 'Mighty' Apollo SysOp *=*  <-clif-

    Message: 76650
    Author: $ Michael James
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Roger
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 14:10:47

    I tentatively concluded that one of your statements was incorrect, either
    you aren't really a Christian or you don't actually have a total lack of
    religious belief, but I thought I'd give you a chance to defend your
    position.

    Since your brand of Christian religious beliefs (or nonbeliefs, or whatever)
    are pretty obscure, it seems silly for you to be so indignant that other
    people don't subscribe to them when you refuse to even explain what they
    are.

    Message: 76651
    Author: $ Felix Cat
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Peaches
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 15:48:18

    Thanks for the answer about Paul.  I think you credit much to Paul that he
    never intended.  I think you take too seriously things like what Rod says.
    ie. "Paul was a known homosexual who liked his men with short hair.  He also
    hated women."

    We each believe what we want to believe.  Bonnie will tell you that she
    considers me head of the house, and she is submissive.  Neither of us
    considers this a problem area.  We've been married 15 years, and we get
    along just fine.

    Those who disagree can disagree.  Each is free to do as they wish.  Rod can
    curse God; Paul can preach; Roger can call all Christians names.  Dialogue
    sure is interesting.

    Message: 76652
    Author: $ Apro Poet
    Category: Politics
    Subject: Some Are Free
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 16:22:51

    Robber Baron Update:
      American Continental Corp. (of Keating fame) is suing its
    own bondholders.

    Prisons:  Thanks to all for the comments.  They were all
    interesting.

    Bill #76630:
    I have followed the domestic U.S. discussions on prison
    overcrowding.  What bothers me the most is that I haven't
    seen or heard "the U.S. has the highest per capita prison
    population in the world" on any domestic medium.  I've heard
    it at least four times in recent months from various foreign
    broadcasters, most recently Radio Netherlands.

    I would appreciate being informed if anyone has heard or
    hears this item from a domestic source.
    I would really like to know whether we will remain as free
    as we are or will gradually become merely *convinced*
    that we are free.

    Message: 76653
    Author: $ Apro Poet
    Category: Politics
    Subject: Prohiboholics Anon.
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 16:33:21

    History has encouraged such attitudes.  Crude opium, alone
    or dissolved in some liquid such as alcohol, was brought by
    European explorers and settlers to North America.  Colonists
    regarded opium as a familiar resource for pain relief.
    Benjamin Franklin regularly took laudanum--opium in alcohol
    extract--to alleviate the pain of kidney stones during the
    last few years of his life.  The poet Samuel Taylor
    Coleridge, while a student at Cambridge in 1791, began using
    laudanum for pain and developed a lifelong addiction to the
    drug.  Opium use in those early decades constituted an
    "experiment in nature" that has been largely forgotten, even
    repressed, as a result of the extremely negative reaction
    that followed.
      Americans had recognized, however, the potential danger of
    continually using opium long before the availability of
    morphine and the hypodermic's popularity.  The American
    Dispensatory of 1818 noted that the habitual use of opium
    could lead to "tremors, paralysis, stupidity and general
    emaciation."  Balancing this danger, the text proclaimed the
    extraordinary value of opium in a multitude of ailments
    ranging from cholera to asthma.  (Considering the treatments
    then in vogue--blistering, vomiting and bleeding--we can
    understand why opium was as cherished by patients as by
    their physicians.)

      Opium's rise and fall can be tracked through U.S.
    import-consumption statistics compiled while importation of
    the drug and its derivative, morphine, was unrestricted and
    carried moderate tariffs.  The per capita consumption of
    crude opium rose gradually during the 1880s, reaching a peak
    in the last decade of the century.  It then declined, but
    after 1915 the data no longer reflect trends in drug use,
    because that year new federal laws severely restricted legal
    imports.  In contrast, per capita consumption of smoking
    opium rose until a 1909 act outlawed its importation.
      Americans had quickly associated smoking opium with
    Chinese immigrants who arrived after the Civil War to work
    on railroad construction.  This association was one of the
    earliest examples of a powerful theme in the American
    perception of drugs: linkage between a drug and a feared or
    rejected group within society.  Cocaine would be similarly
    linked with blacks and marijuana with Mexicans in the first
    third of the 20th century.  The association of a drug with a
    racial group or a political cause, however, is not unique to
    America.  In the 19th century, for instance, the Chinese
    came to regard opium as a tool and symbol of Western
    domination.  That perception helped to fuel a vigorous
    antiopium campaign in China early in the 20th century.
      During the 1800s, increasing numbers of people fell under
    the influence of opiates--substances that demanded regular
    consumption or the penalty of withdrawal, a painful but
    rarely life-threatening experience.  Whatever the cause--
    overprescribing by physicians, over-the-counter medicines,
    self-indulgence or "weak will"--opium addiction brought
    shame.  As consumption increased, so did the frequency of
    addiction.
      At first, neither physicians nor their patients thought
    that the introduction of the hypodermic syringe or pure
    morphine contributed to the danger of addiction.  On the
    contrary, because pain could be controlled with less
    morphine when injected, the presumption was made that the
    procedure was less likely to foster addiction.
    (continued)

    Message: 76656
    Author: Thad Coons
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Volcano Watching
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 16:59:22

    Probably good ol' mundane dendrochronology.

    Message: 76657
    Author: Thad Coons
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Hello
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 17:19:54

    Hello, Apollo People!
    It's been a long time since I did much BBS'ing (like about three years)
    and it was a pleasure to find Apollo still running. There are still some
    people I recognize (Ann Oudin and Apro Poet, for instance-- and maybe
    others. See you around!

    Message: 76658
    Author: $ Chris Neal
    Category: Answer!
    Subject: Mike C.
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 21:04:34

    Quit complaining.

    I think we should give Mike the 'Conistant Complainer Award' for Apollo for
    the calender year 1991.

    He is very good at consistantly complaining about people picking on him.

    Mike, the best thing to do is consider the source, why argue with them,
    you'll never change thier thought process.

    -Chris

    Message: 76659
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Cliff
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:34:35

    > Pot has you seeing words that are not there.

    Better than alcohol, any day.  By the way, did I tell you that there has
    never been a documented death from pot?

    Alcohol rips those little brain cells to shreds.  Scientists can't determine
    damage done from pot.  Why, heck, aspirin is more damaging than pot.

    Oink.

    Message: 76660
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Felix/Paul/gay
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:36:23

    Hey, I got my information from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the
    English Language.

    Message: 76661
    Author: $ Rod Williams
    Category: Chit Chat
    Subject: Felix/God
    Date: 07/14/91  Time: 23:41:14

    God made me a God curser.  Besides, I'm exercizing my free will.  Gee, what
    do you think the consequences are?  Any clues?  I hope it ain't that hell
    eternal thing that I hear so much about.  I don't think I would like the
    heat for that long.

    Maybe I'd better suck up to Him just in case He's real, huh?  Better to be
    safe than sorry, I suppose.

    But what if He is a dork?  Then what?

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