Re: Larry Niven: Terrorize Latinos to Solve Health Care Crisis

On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:55:20 -0700, Ien K. wrote:

> Science Fiction Mavens Offer Far Out Homeland Security Advice
> 
> Now a fixture at Department of Homeland Security science and
> technology conferences, SIGMA is a loosely affiliated group of science
> fiction writers who are offering pro bono advice to anyone in
> government who want their thoughts on how to protect the nation.
> 
> The group has the ear of Department of Homeland Security
> Undersecretary Jay Cohen, head of the science and technology
> directorate, who has said he likes their unconventional thinking.
> Members of the group recently offered a rambling, sometimes strident
> string of ideas at a panel discussion promoting the group at the DHS
> science and technology conference.
> 
> Among the group’s approximately 24 members is Larry Niven, the
> bestselling and award-winning author of such books as “Ringworld”
and
> “Lucifer’s Hammer,” which he co-wrote with SIGMA member Jerry
> Pournelle.
> 
> Niven said a good way to help hospitals stem financial losses is to
> spread rumors in Spanish within the Latino community that emergency
> rooms are killing patients in order to harvest their organs for
> transplants.
> 
> “The problem [of hospitals going broke] is hugely exaggerated by
> illegal aliens who aren’t going to pay for anything anyway,” Niven
> said.
> 
> “Do you know how politically incorrect you are?” Pournelle asked.
> 
> “I know it may not be possible to use this solution, but it does
> work,” Niven replied.
> 
> “I cannot guarantee I’m going to be a great help to Homeland
> Security,” Niven said earlier.
> 
> Pournelle said that once mobile phone technology and the devices
> tacked on them to take pictures and record video become more
> ubiquitous, then ordinary citizens will be empowered to take security
> into their own hands — a prediction some have said already has come to
> pass.
> 
> “My guess is we won’t need quite so many paid agents of the state to
> do that for us, which means maybe we can try being a republic instead
> of an incompetent empire,” he said, then railed against the
> Trans****tation Security Administration for treating passengers like
> “subjects” rather than “citizens.”
> 
> The 45-minute panel discussion quickly deteriorated as federal, local
> and state homeland security officials, and at least one congressional
> aid, attempted to ask questions, which were largely ignored.
> 
> Instead the writers used their time to pontificate on a variety of
> tangentially related topics, including their past roles advising the
> government, predictions in their stories that have come to pass, the
> demise of the paperback book market, and low-cost launch into space.
> 
> David Brin, keeping on the topic of empowering citizens with mobile
> phone technology, delivered a self-described “rant” on the lack of
> funds being spent to sup****t citizen reservists to back up the
> military, homeland security officials and first responders in times of
> crisis.
> 
> “It is impossible for you to succeed without us!” he shouted at the
> assembled officials, while banging his fist on the table and at one
> point jumping off his chair to wave a mobile phone in their faces.
> 
> SIGMA is the brainchild of Arlan Andrews Sr., who noted that many of
> the writers have advanced degrees, have jobs with the government or
> have been hired to advise the government in the past.
> 
> “If you like the ideas these people have, and you’re from the
> government, feel free to come talk to them,” Andrews said.
> 
>
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/issues/2008/March/SecurityBeat.htm#Science

I imagine "National Defense Magazine" would enjoy this one, first with
regard to illegals and then with regard to Jews:

Why not convert them to diesel fuel?

Seriously, Niven and Pournelle ought to be more careful about who they
associate with . . . .

-- 

Whatever are we to do to show the
true harmony and peace that rule here,
somewhat disguised at the moment by
the apparent disorder now seemingly in
progress?

< Laumer