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Milty's Mag, January 1944?
Page 4
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Milty's mag Page four ------------------------------------------------------- Give me liberty or Dept. ------------------------------- The following was written by me in reply to a petition sent to [illegible] members recommending that a vote be taken to bar Claude Degler from rejoining the FAPA. My opinion of Degler and the Cosmic Circle has not changed, especially since receipt of Cosmic Circle literature full of nasty slander against many people. I act purely in the spirit of Voltaire. January 8, 1944 It is customary in civilized communities to hold a trial and hear the defence of the accused before dispensing justice. The present petition appears to be more of a lynching party than anything else. The FAPA is extremely healthy at present. Degler has not harmed the FAPA nor has he attempted to harm it. The effects of public opnion on the FAPA are problematical. I was not aware that the public knew we existed. Fandom has been torn by more violent and longer-lasting struggles than this one. Degler is not the first unpleasant personality we have encountered. Yet, exclusions and expulsions have never been found necessary, except in one case which was unpopular with the majority of fandom. To exclude Degler from FAPA membership permanently would be an arbitrary and unjust act, and would set a dangerous precedent. Disregard of civil liberties is a signal of weakness, and inevitably produces undesirable results. Degler has already been punished considerable. Justice would be served better by waiting for his reacion to the fan opinion shoul in the December mailing before taking further action. It is evident that many fans are acting emotionally rather than rationally as far as the Degler affair is concened. If fandom is to be a miniature version of the world -- and a more advanced version at that -- we must realize that our own affairs must follow the highest rules of ethics; rules symbolized by the phrases justice, freedom of speech, democratic process. Justice means due process of law and fair trial. Freedom of speech indicates that if Degler has said untrue things, the only recourse is thru the libel and sedition laws of the oustide community. Democratic process is the heading under which I write this dissent. signed. Milton A. Rothman Representing thew Fantasy Civil Liberties Committee (Membership [illegible])
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Milty's mag Page four ------------------------------------------------------- Give me liberty or Dept. ------------------------------- The following was written by me in reply to a petition sent to [illegible] members recommending that a vote be taken to bar Claude Degler from rejoining the FAPA. My opinion of Degler and the Cosmic Circle has not changed, especially since receipt of Cosmic Circle literature full of nasty slander against many people. I act purely in the spirit of Voltaire. January 8, 1944 It is customary in civilized communities to hold a trial and hear the defence of the accused before dispensing justice. The present petition appears to be more of a lynching party than anything else. The FAPA is extremely healthy at present. Degler has not harmed the FAPA nor has he attempted to harm it. The effects of public opnion on the FAPA are problematical. I was not aware that the public knew we existed. Fandom has been torn by more violent and longer-lasting struggles than this one. Degler is not the first unpleasant personality we have encountered. Yet, exclusions and expulsions have never been found necessary, except in one case which was unpopular with the majority of fandom. To exclude Degler from FAPA membership permanently would be an arbitrary and unjust act, and would set a dangerous precedent. Disregard of civil liberties is a signal of weakness, and inevitably produces undesirable results. Degler has already been punished considerable. Justice would be served better by waiting for his reacion to the fan opinion shoul in the December mailing before taking further action. It is evident that many fans are acting emotionally rather than rationally as far as the Degler affair is concened. If fandom is to be a miniature version of the world -- and a more advanced version at that -- we must realize that our own affairs must follow the highest rules of ethics; rules symbolized by the phrases justice, freedom of speech, democratic process. Justice means due process of law and fair trial. Freedom of speech indicates that if Degler has said untrue things, the only recourse is thru the libel and sedition laws of the oustide community. Democratic process is the heading under which I write this dissent. signed. Milton A. Rothman Representing thew Fantasy Civil Liberties Committee (Membership [illegible])
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