In This Issue.

"Propositions and Measures on the November Ballot" by Dave Silva.

Quote of the Month by Desmond Tutu.

"A View of Humanism in Iran" by Frank Farsad.

Videos at the Last Meeting, "South Park" and "Fit to Rule" by Dave Silva.

"Freethought Forum" by Lois Lyons.

Humor "Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road" contributed by Paul Ricci.

 At the October 15^th Meeting.

PROPOSITIONS AND MEASURES ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

By Dave Silva

There will be eight propositions on the California ballot and two measures that pertain to Orange County. At our upcoming meeting we will go over these and try to dig beneath the legalese to uncover what it will mean if these propositions pass. This is an opportunity to ask questions and provide answers and opinions.

Last month I went to a presentation by the League of Women Voters who gave a bipartisan explanation of all the propositions. They also gave me an in depth analysis to the ballot measures, which I will use as a guide in our discussion.

The propositions are:

#32. VETERAN'S BOND ACT OF 2000.

#33.LEGISLATURE PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC EMPLOYEE'S RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

#34 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND SPENDING LIMITS, DISCLOSURERS.

#35 PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS. USE OF PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.

#36 DRUGS, PROBATION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM.

#37 FEES, VOTE REQUIREMENTS, TAXES.

#38 SCHOOL VOUCHERS

#39 SCHOOL FACILITIES. 55% LOCAL VOTE.

MEASURE G. 60% TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUND.

MEASURE H. 100% TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FOR HEALTH CARE.

In addition to discussion on individual initiatives we might discuss whether the initiative process itself is good. Is it too expensive? Could it be improved?

Quote of the Month:

"Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift".

.Bishop, Desmond Tutu.

A View of Humanism in Iran

By Frank Farsad

Since our scheduled speaker, Dr. Mazarei, was still out of the country I informally filled in for him. I benefited from having just returned from a visit to Iran and had much first hand news from within the Islamic Republic. The question and answer revolved around the struggles of humanism in Iran and the political possibilities of movement toward a more open society; that would include a truly free press. I gave a short historical background of the deep religious influence inside Iran where separation of church and state has no meaning. The current government dominated by hard-line clerics who aim to control virtually every facet of the Iranian lives. Although the moderates won the overwhelming majority of the house seats in a hotly contested race, the Ayatollah Khamenei (Komeini's successor) wields power so far-reaching that can and has rejected legislation passed by the newly elected representatives of people. The first of a series of such legislations that were reversed by Khamenei was an order to reopen all of the newspapers that were shut down earlier in a series of swift crackdown by the hard-liners.

The role of foreign governments in Iran in the past that violated the integrity and the Sovereignty of this nation with a 2,600 year history isn't well known in America. These governments, mainly England and the Soviet Union, infiltrated and manipulated the political and the social environment in order to exploit the natural resources of Iran such as oil and minerals. They were most powerful during rule by religious leaders in the past 200 years, in particular. I feel that growth of religion and a total disregard for humanistic values by incompetent regimes fostered an environment where foreign powers dominated the country with total impunity. Iran was invaded by British and

Russian forces shortly after the World War II. The Brits and the Russians have a much longer and dubious history in meddling in the internal affairs of Iran. This cost Iranians dearly. Under weak regimes Russian were able to annex parts of Iran by force. These ill-gotten lands are now new independent countries to the north. Some countries rich with oil and minerals such as Baku were annexed shortly before the end of the last century. In 1953, British operatives assisted by the CIA, undermined a democratically elected government that sought to end British exploitation in Iran namely buying oil for 80 cents a barrel.

There's a fledgling movement afoot by intellectuals in Iran who are hoping to make room for the separation of church and state. This will take patience and perseverance.

VIDEOS AT THE LAST MEETING: "SOUTH PARK" and "FIT TO RULE"

Since our guest speaker was unable to attend we used the extra time to enjoy some videos. The first video we saw was the first half-hour of a two part "South Park" episode on Hell. If you want to see the conclusion, which answers such questions as; which is the right religion if you stand a chance of getting to heaven, did Kenny really die and how does Satan finally get rid of Saddam Hussein? We have it in our library. There is an episode about the final battle between Christ and Satan between parts 1 and 2.

For those who have never seen "South Park" it airs on the Comedy Channel on Sunday at 11 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 p.m. This is the kind of religious satire that makes Dr. Laura and Jerry Falwell go berserk. The writers of "South Park" have no fear of offending Christians, or any religion, and could never get this episode on network TV.

"Fit to Rule" by James Burke, who many years ago narrated the series "Connections" follows a historical trail that leads to Darwin's "Origin of Species" and branches out into social movements based on the survival of the fittest theory. Burke effectively uses the same format he used in "Connections", where he often takes seemingly unrelated events and shows how one event leads to another.

Darwin's theories spawned the ill- conceived "Social Darwinism" in the late 19^th century. They believed that success in life showed that individuals were more fit to lead and that the rich and powerful were inherently better than those in the lower socioeconomic classes. This became a philosophical basis for progress through competition, imperialism, racism and unbridled capitalism. This also served as a justification by the rich and powerful to pay workers as little as possible on the theory that if a worker was worthwhile they would find a way to rise above their station and if not then they deserved to be where they were.

The other movement that went to excesses was eugenics. Although eugenics goes back to Plato's Republic it was Darwin and Ernst Haeckle who provided the justification for improving the human race. In an interview after the program Burke said that Darwin and Haeckle's positions were often distorted by racists and Social Darwinism advocates. The eugenics movement flourished in the U.S., England and Germany from 1910 to 1940. In 1924 big business and eugenicists passed the Johnson Act which severely limited immigration of non-Europeans to America. Also, between 1911 and 1930, 24 states passed sterilization laws aimed at the mentally retarded, criminals and the insane. Most laws restricting marriages between racial groups were passed during this period.

Perhaps eugenics, which has a very negative connotation, will give way to some euphemistic term, such as, genetic enhancement. Especially where inherited diseases are concerned.

FREETHOUGHT FORUM

By Lois Lyons

 APPEAL TO PARTIALITY. In disputes of all kinds it is common to put forth ones own case while denying the opposition has any case at all. An example is the political speech, written specifically to sway the voter, which advocates only one party line while opposing arguments are presented as the viewpoint from hell.

You can see this fallacy if you think about how people watch presidential debates, or any debate, for that matter. Most of us are guilty of doing the same thing, but its easier to see it in the people who take the other side, then compliment ourselves on our superior logical analysis. Most of us watch the debates with our minds made up as to who has the better position, though we tell everyone, including ourselves, that we havent decided and have an open mind. Instead of hearing what is actually being said, however, we listen for statements from the person we like that support our positions, and we listen for statements from the opponent that are against our positions. We dont really hear or dont remember the positive statements of the opponents nor the negative statements of the people we support. When the debate is over most of us leave with the same opinions we went in with--except now we have a whole arsenal of ammunition to prove how our side is right and the other side is wrong, and how smart and open-minded we are, compared with the other side. Even professionals, including media people who present themselves as unbiased, fall into this trap as you can see in the analyses of the debates on television.

APPEAL TO FEAR. When anyone threatens, "Youll do it or else " they are appealing to fear because compliance is not dependent upon whether its the best thing to do but on what will happen to you if you dont. In many arguments the threat is unspoken but clearly understood by the audience. In personal relationships the threat is

of the devices of debate that we all use but which are how to recognize them.

often to withdraw love. In employment you know your employer can withdraw Laying on feelings of guilt is also an fear.

situations, your job. appeal to

The appeal to fear is used extensively in advertising and sales. For selling life insurance: If you dont have this, your family may be left destitute." in sales of financial advice, "When the crash comes you will lose all your savings if you havent taken my expert advice!" Its used to sell us cemetery plots, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, alarm systems, pepper spray and air bags. Fear of loss is used especially in direct mail promotions. They raise our hopes with promises of information that will cut taxes, save money, make money, sweepstakes and lotteries to win money, psychic help that will bring money, good luck, love or romance--if only we buy what is being sold, and we stand to lose everything if we dont. Even though they may not really believe it, many pay rather than take the chance. This is an appeal that religion makes often. If you dont follow these rules, you will be doomed, not just in this life, but for all eternity. If you follow them--well, everything will be o.k.

We can usually see right through blatant appeals to fear, but its the subtle ones that are harder to identify. Take cell phone ads. They often imply, without actually saying so in so many words, that you will lose sales or be denied promotions if you are not available by cell phone at almost any time. The fear of being left behind is a powerful motivator.

 This article is based on a speech given on April 6 at the Whittier Humanist Group, which meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Whittier Museum.

 Reprinted courtesy of HaIa News, June 2000

 Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Submitted by Paul Ricci

Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal a job from a decent, hardworking American.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: I envision a world where all chickens will be free

to cross roads without having their motives called into question.

GRANDPA: In my day, we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Someone told us that the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Isn't it obvious? Can't you people see the plain truth in front of your face? The chicken was going to the "other side." That's what "they" call it: the "other side." Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay, too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like "the other side." That chicken should not be free to cross the road. It's as plain and simple as that.

KEN STARR: I intend to prove that the chicken crossed the road at the behest of the President of the United States of America in an effort to distract law enforcement officials and the American public from the criminal wrongdoing our highest elected official has been trying to cover up. As a result, the chicken is just another pawn in the President's ongoing and elaborate scheme to obstruct justice and undermine the rule of law. For that reason, my staff intends to offer the chicken unconditional immunity, provided he cooperates fully with our investigation. Furthermore, the chicken will not be permitted to reach the other side of the road until our investigation and any

Congressional follow-up investigations have been completed. (We also are investigating whether Sid Blumenthal has leaked information to the Rev. Jerry

Falwell, alleging the chicken to be homosexual in an effort to discredit any useful testimony the bird may have to offer, or at least to ruffle his feathers!

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

KARL MARX: It was a historical inevitability.

SADDAM HUSSEIN: This was an unprovoked act of rebellion and we were quite justified in dropping 50 tons of nerve gas on it.

RONALD REAGAN: What chicken?

CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK: To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.

FOX MULDER: You saw it cross the road with your own eyes. How many more chickens have to cross before you believe it?

MACHIAVELLI: The point is that the chicken crossed the road. Who cares why?

The end of crossing the road justifies whatever motive there was.

FREUD: The fact that you are at all concerned that the chicken crossed the

road reveals your underlying sexual insecurity.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken '98, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook -- and Internet Explorer is an inextricable part of eChicken.

EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road or did the road move beneath

the chicken?

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What do you mean by chicken? Could you define chicken please?

IMMANUEL KANT: The chicken was acting out of a sense of duty to cross the road, as chickens have traditionally crossed roads throughout history.

LOUIS FARRAKHAN: The road, you will see, represents the black man. The chicken crossed the "black man" in order to trample him and keep him down.

THE BIBLE: And God came down from the heavens, and said unto the chicken,

"Thou shalt cross the road." And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing.

RICHARD M. NIXON: The chicken did not cross the road. I repeat, the chicken did not cross the road. I don't know any chickens. I have never known any chickens.

L.A. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Give us five minutes with the chicken and we'll find out.

COLONEL SANDERS: I missed one?