From: "Dan'l Danehy-Oakes" 
Subject: RE: (urth) Let a thousand averns bloom!
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 15:35:05 -0700

Rostrum asks:
> One point that might be crucial:  is the Ascian language scheme a plot to
> keep the people in line, or is it genuine zeal for the Group of 17 run
> amok?  Dan'l's example was of a ferverent Maoist quoting Mao in every
> situation.  And remember that story I sited a few months back of the
> Muslim woman who was said to have communicated exclusively with quotations
> from the Quran for decades?

In the case of my acquaintances in 70's Berkeley, well, no; it wasn't 
just "zeal," it was political correctness in its original, non-ironic 
sense. These people were quite capable of saying "he's not politically
correct" as a complete and utter condemnation of a person's opinions;
their use of Mao quotes was an assurance that what followed was correct.

Now, as to the Moslem woman ... that's an interesting case; I suspect
it of being a case of deliberately self-applied thought control. 

I could be wrong though. It's happened before. 8*)

--Blattid


--