X-Message-Number: 24579
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:13:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Randall S <>
Subject: Cuba, Venezuela & Leftist nations and Cryonics/Immortalism

Mr. Robin Helweg-Larson pointed out that Cuba and
Castro have a deep commitment to life extension and
medical science, and that Cuba would likely be more
friendly to cryonics and immortalism than the USA. I
agree with Mr Helweg Larson.  Leftist countries --and
Cuba in particular-- are organized along lines of
rational thought and science. At least they are if
they are truly leftist, and not only leftist in name.

Mr. Edgar Swank added that Venezuela might be a good
place for cryonics. I also agree there. Venezuela is
also turning leftist under Chavez, who is, despite his
demonization in the American press, a rational and
thoughtful fellow.

In fact, Latin America is general is heading to the
Left. And they appreciate the power of science and
medicine.  I look to Latin America to be a leader in
rational and openminded medical research in the
future. Of course they do not attract the kind of
capital we have here in the USA, but then again,
considering the increasingly strong death grip that
"conservative" protestant, right-wing politics has on 
America, the latin americans may soon be doing a lot
more with a lot less, when it comes to medical
research.  Of course, stem cell research is the most
obvious example here.

Funny how the rightwing in America has appealed to the
greed of the upper middle class, to their own longterm
detriment: they vote into office the GOP politicians
just to get a tax cut, even while the GOP caters to
the protestant religion-oriented voters by cracking
down on stem cell research and other medical science
with a "yuck factor" or anything else that breaks the
mold of tradition (e.g,. the anti-cryonics legislation
in Arizona).

"Greed is good", huh?  Yeah, right.  And there are a
LOT of extropian/libertarian types who are into
cryonics/immortalism who will vote for Bush because he
cut taxes. Well, they are cutting their own throats.

It seems more and more that what passes for medical
research in America is just going after low-lying
fruit, mostly drug upgrades, strictly for shortterm
financial gain.  It seems to me that real
breakthroughs are more likely to come with longterm
research funded by the government through taxes. A
progressive taxation system (read: "increase the
income (earned and unearned) taxes on the rich and the
upper middle class") would seem to be the ticket.

Also, FYI, a fellow named "Ken" who apparently works
with Bob Nelson (of the Chatsworth scandal) is posting
a lot of material regarding Nelson and the early
history of cryonics. You can go here to read some of
his posts:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/342736




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