clueless on "Rajneesh"

[Mathew Forstater]

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (not sure about all the spelling) had an ashram
in Poona, with some significant amount of followers in US as well as
Europe. Wrote lots of books, etc.
Disciples who went to Poona would change their names and wear all orange
clothing and a necklace with Rajneesh's picture.  Later, they moved it
to the US, in Oregon, and conflicts with locals created some press and
Rajneesh even ended up in jail for a bit.  He died a few years ago and
it appears the organization somewhat fizzled.  But the point is not so
much who Rajneesh is or was, it would be just as bad if someone
purposely mis-called Rakesh by any other Indian or southern Asian name
(e.g. "Gandhi"), or if someone purposely mis-referred to an African list
member as Nkrumah or Sundiata or whatever. It's a "racial" or "ethnic"
or national jibe and shouldn't be tolerated.  The "who" Rajneesh is or
was is irrelevant in this case, it was a complete non-sequiter.  If
intentional, the purpose was to highlight or make fun of Rakesh's
purported "ethnic" or national background.  Unacceptable. Mat

Greg Nowell wrote:


> It was averred that putting that this was some kind of
> Indian someone well known in Europe and hence
> unflattering to Rakesh.  But who is this Indian someone
> well known in Europe and why would it be unflattering?
> Aren't we entitled to know what kind of insults are
> being hurled?  Reasonable people have a right to know.
> Rakesh's "asshole" was a good deal clearer as a
> cultural reference (regarding Arno), though I confess
> it strays into the kind of ad hominem I'd prefer not to
> see.
>
> --
> Gregory P. Nowell
> Associate Professor
> Department of Political Science, Milne 100
> State University of New York
> 135 Western Ave.
> Albany, New York 12222
>
> Fax 518-442-5298