Since I already wrote most of tonight's entry at LambdaMOO, I'm going to repost it here for your reading pleasure.
Message 248596 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:00 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Lunch was spent reading Campbell's "Who goes there?"
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Message 248597 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:01 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Old science fiction is a wonder. Sometimes frightening.
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Message 248598 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:02 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Everyone's white, perfect and they have access to invisiclues.
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Message 248599 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:03 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
At least they stay away from Rochester-like characters.
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Message 248600 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:04 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
"Now, Rochester. I want you to go in that room and examine the alien."
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Message 248601 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:05 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Okay, science fiction is usually pretty lily white and male dominated.
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Message 248602 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:06 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
But it seems less annoying and not as borderline racist.
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Message 248603 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:07 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Perhaps one or two of the black people in the audience can argue that point.
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Message 248604 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:08 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The assumptions made by the team at the Antarctic base are thoroughly damning of the creature.
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Message 248605 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:09 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Oh, for those of you playing along at home "Who Goes There?" is the basis for John Carpenter's movie "The Thing".
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Message 248606 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:10 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Not to be confused with the menu item on King Chef's menu.
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Message 248607 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:11 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I have a germ of an idea where the story is told from the point of view of the alien.
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Message 248608 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:12 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Hopefully the idea hasn't been done before.
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Message 248609 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:13 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Have I mentioned that I'm feeling pessimistic and feel that the future is kinda bleak at the moment?
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Message 248610 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:14 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
It's true.
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Message 248611 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:15 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I don't care if you don't care.
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Message 248612 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:16 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
George W. Bush is a piece of shit and I am deeply sorry for my vote back in 2000.
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Message 248613 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:17 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Gentle reader, I beg of you.
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Message 248614 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:18 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Please share something that engenders hope for our world.
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Message 248615 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:56:19 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
On a global scale rather than a small and personal scale.
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Message 248616 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:57:09 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I do humbly beseech you.
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Message 248617 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:57:10 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Right now I'm thinking about heading out for a bike ride.
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Message 248618 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:57:11 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Some "cycle therapy" roro
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Message 248619 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:57:12 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
N.B. Cycle Therapy is the store where I purchased my bicycle.
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Message 248620 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 17:57:13 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Y'know, the one which was stolen at the ass end of June 2005.
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Message 248621 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:27 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Plus if any of you remember or care, the feeble post-apocalyptic Earth Abides/The Stand/Jeremiah story that began when my bicycle was stolen in a seemingly empty world.
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Message 248622 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:28 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The bicycle wasn't stolen.
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Message 248623 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:29 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
It finally chewed through its chain, sped eastwards and joined a herd of wild bicycles roaming the plains of a deserted America.
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Message 248624 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:30 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I have this scene in mind where the thinly veiled protagonist reaches a hilltop in Kansas and hears distant bells.
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Message 248625 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:31 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
A glint upon the horizon.
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Message 248626 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:32 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The wind carries the sound of rattling and clicking, grass bends under an unseen agency.
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Message 248627 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:00:33 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Suddenly a herd of bicycles, 10000 strong, speed past him toward the opposite horizon.
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Message 248628 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:01:05 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
maribou told me there was a story about feral bicycles stalking alleyways in cities and towns.
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Message 248629 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:01:06 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I have never come across this tale nor can I google any cites for this.
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Message 248630 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:01:34 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The idea of living bicycles and such is taken from a tale which has a fond place in my head.
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Message 248631 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:01:44 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Now I'm going to look for the book so I can make a proper cite.
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Message 248632 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:03:16 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Speaking of old fashioned science fiction, I remember a story about a guy in the current age coming upon a bunch of old stamps and gets the bright idea of mailing himself back to the late thirties to join a circle of science fiction writers.
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Message 248633 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:03:17 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
One of the lines was nostalgic where even fat people took on the nickname of "Tubby" and it had no particular spite or cruelty to it. Merely a statement of fact, taken in good fun.
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Message 248634 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:03:27 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Now I seek the book and the short story contained therein.
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Message 248635 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:08:06 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
"Or All the Seas With Oyster" by Avram Davidson.
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Message 248636 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:08:07 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
A whimsical look at mimicry in the wild and the three stages of life of a creature dwelling under our noses.
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Message 248637 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:29 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I came across the story in one of those Barnes & Noble cheapo anthologies, something called 1001 Creepy Critter Tales. Close enough for my tastes.
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Message 248638 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:30 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The copy that I found is in The Arbor House Treasury of Modern Science Fiction.
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Message 248639 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:31 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
A book that I acquired from maribou's vaunted used book store.
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Message 248640 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:32 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Since it's from a used book store, it once belonged to someone and I found this inscription on the flyleaf.
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Message 248641 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:33 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
To Sarah,
Love from Dad and Mom
Christmas 1980
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Message 248642 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:34 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Stamped near the spine is Herbert C. Bethel 23 DEC 1985 with Mon Colo Spg written in black ballpoint ink.
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Message 248643 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:35 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Poor little book!
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Message 248644 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:36 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Bounced around from home to home.
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Message 248645 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:37 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Fortunately this tome has found a home.
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Message 248646 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:38 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
The names and the inscription does haunt me.
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Message 248647 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:39 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Who were these people? Are they living happily ever after?
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Message 248648 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:40 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Do they even remember this volume?
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Message 248649 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:12:41 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Was the book simply accepted and never read by the recipient?
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Message 248650 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:15:19 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Gulf coast is a waterlogged wasteland. The republic's deficit is becoming frightening especially with the approach of the new fiscal year. Iraq is more of a quagmire than before. Bush's approval rating is in the toilet. V for Vendetta has been delayed to March completely destroying its association with Guy Fawkes Day. I haven't seriously gamed in four and a half years. We Love Katamari, the sequel to Katamari Damacy, has been released with very little fanfare. Gas prices are fixed and exorbitant as oil fluctuates between $63 and $66 a barrel. Currently my motto is "I envy the dead".
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Message 248651 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:15:20 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
That's my bright outlook regarding the current state of affairs with the republic. Also myself.
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Message 248652 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:15:21 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
At least I have control over myself.
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Message 248653 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:16:26 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Still surprised that Mordred reads *stonecutters.
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Message 1278 on *best-of-*p7-spawn (#57377):
Date: Tue Sep 20 20:32:17 2005 PDT
From: Harry_Potter (#110777)
To: *best-of-*p7-spawn (#57377)
Message 29297 on *chatter (#16543):
Date: Tue Sep 20 07:33:06 2005 CDT
From: Uther (#117367)
To: *chatter (#16543)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
content/article/2005/09/20/AR2005092000201.html
Nazi Hunter Simon Wiesenthal Dies at 96
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Message 29298 on *chatter (#16543):
Date: Tue Sep 20 19:23:28 2005 CDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *chatter (#16543)
Hurray! My grandfather can come out of hiding!
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Message 248654 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:18:16 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
I'm pleased that GreyDruid appreciates my inappropriate humor.
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Message 248655 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:38:46 2005 PDT
From: Jaybird (#105276)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
Here's something to cheer you up!
Everything sucks and Bush has crappy approval ratings.
Imagine if his ratings were in the 80's.
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Message 248656 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:50:33 2005 PDT
From: Uther (#117367)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
>Currently my motto is "I envy the dead".
at least you're not working for Jews.
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Message 248657 on *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213):
Date: Thu Sep 22 18:52:44 2005 PDT
From: spivak (#105570)
To: *PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA (#213)
> at least you're not working for Jews.
More of a societal factor than a choice.
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