brener@milrat.DEC (08/16/84)
IF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS WERE THE CRITERIA USED TO DETERMINE THAT A SOCIETY IS UNCIVILIZED AND UNACCEPTABLE FOR COMMERCIAL TRADE THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO WITHDRAW OUR INVESTMENTS FROM SUCH STERLING DEMOCRACIES AS GUATEMALA, CHILE, SOUTH AFRICA, EL SALVADOR, URUGUAY, THAILAND, SOUTH KOREA , ZAIRE AND THE PHIL- LIPPINES JUST TO NAME A FEW. THESE COUNTRIES PROVIDE AN ALMOST UNLIMITED SOURCE OF CHEAP LABOR, RAW MATERIALS, AND LAND FOR PROFITABLE EXPORT CROP (AT THE EXPENSE OF SUBSISTENCE CROP). THE ECONOMIES ARE DESIGNED FOR SKEWED DISTRIBUTION TO MILITARILY BACKED ELITES THAT HAVE THE REPRESSIVE TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT AUSTERITY PROGRAMS AT THE "REQUEST" OF VARIOUS MONETARY LENDING ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNED TO PUT THEM PERMANENTLY IN DEBT (SOCIAL PROGRESS IS NOT COST EFFECTIVE). CONSEQUENTLY, THESE GOVERNMENTS MAINTAIN THEIR POWER BASE THROUGH THE HIGH LEVEL OF FEAR THEY MAINTAIN IN THE POPULATION. THOSE THAT BRING UP ISSUES OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THOSE COUNTRIES ARE TYPICALLY BRANDED COMMUNISTS AND ARE MET WITH INCARCERATION, TORTURE AND/OR MUTILATION. THAT THEY ARE NOT DEMOCRACIES IS NOT IMPORTANT, THAT THEY ARE PROFITABLE IS. STEVEN BRENER
tonjon@fluke.UUCP (Tony Johnson) (08/28/84)
In reference to Steve's tirade (I call it a tirade 'cause it was all in caps) about the repressive regimes we support in Guatemala, Chile, South Africa etc.. I agree. So we have two bullies in the world. What do you want to do about it? Please, give me some ideas as to how you would change things in this world to secure human rights for everyone including myself. I am sincerely interested in hearing what should be done and sincerely nauseated at hearing what's wrong with this country, especially from those who live here and arn't actively doing something to help those in other lands. This opinion is my own and does not necessarily reflect the view of my employer, John Fluke Mfg. Co. Inc. Tony Johnson.