Criminal argument

I refer to 'Does postmodernism result in crime?' in The Jakarta Post of Jan. 15, 1998. Although a thorough analysis of the article would require at least hundreds of words, you have been, in short, stooged. The article is nonsense.

Just as a precursor to reading the remainder of my letter, read the two paragraphs beginning "Hans Boutellier..." What do they mean?

What is the point of noting that crime "has flourished in postmodern society...?" It flourished in pre-postmodern societies. It flourishes now in non-postmodern societies.

Does J. E. Sahetapy really think that postmodern man will look "... at conduct in higher places..." to "...get an answer which justifies his action or behavior...?" ("postmodern man" -- an unfortunate gaffe).

What relation has the first paragraph to the last?

However, enough. Simply, beware the notion that, "Gee, this contribution is packed with phrases like: 'The rhetoric which has a moralistic tone from the powers who govern through remote control saying...' so it must be good!"

MARK BLAIR

Jakarta