For once we agree. Why an apology might sound nice it would do nothing for people suffering from the continued realities of racial oppression in this nation.

__________________
Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

Hey, that's a first!

__________________
I sure am glad I was born in America.

I think it's not coincidental that you see middle class successful african americans calling for this, people who live in the ghetto or are dirt poor simple don't have time for these kinds of silly academic discussions about apologiess. It's frustrating.

__________________
Yesterday, John McCain actually said that if he’s president he’ll take on, and I quote, 'the old boys’ network in Washington.' I’m not making this up. This is somebody been in Congress for 26 years, who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he’s the one who’s gonna take on the old boys' network,” he said. “In the McCain campaign that’s called a staff meeting!- Obama, 9/17/2008

All those who have suffered. And who has not?

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.

An apology is a gift, not a quid pro quo. Will NOT rendering the requested apology produce a measurable white/black relations improvement?

The fact that you have to call an expression of sympathy/empathy/compassion/pity "suggested idiocy" says a great deal.

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.

As for me, I apologize for nothing. If I stepped on your toes, it was probably your fault, as you shouldn't have had YOUR damn foot in MY way.

Also, I agree, why apologize for stuff with which no one alive played a role? I don't get it. . .

__________________


"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither breaks my leg, nor picks my pocket."

Thomas Jefferson

Spit in the ocean my friend. If you think this would bring about measurable change, I have a sweetheart of a real estate deal for you!

__________________
I sure am glad I was born in America.

I don't think it's anything to do with bigotry Sam. Here in Australia we have been facing a similar situation for many years now with a call to apologise to the Aboriginal population for the "stolen children". (As an aside, for those who aren't aware, in the early to mid-20th century, the Australian govt had a belief that Aboriginals weren't capable of raising their children, so an official policy was enacted that the state would take all the children of Aboriginals and raise them in white households - it's known as the stolen generation). There have been cried for apologies for many years, including mass public demonstrations by the white population supporting such a move, however John Howard (our, eeek, illustrious Prime Minister) refuses to do so on the grounds that making an apology opens the way for massive compensation claims to the government. I'm assuming that something similar would be at work here.

The important thing is to look out for number one, walk on the backs of others to gain what you want, do unto others, might is right, a person deserves everything they can get, competition is the highest good, preying on each other is the natural order of things, compassion is for sissies, real men don't apologize, kill or be killed.

That is the prescription for the insane society in which we live, I think it's stupid, every Avatar in human history has disagreed with every statement in the above paragraph. Only cowards have to live that way, it takes great courage to be compassionate and forgiving. I don't know how to explain it any more clearly than I already have, if you can't understand, then you can't.

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.

I saw the movie that was made about that. Big time tear jerker that one. I think bigotry made it happen and bigotry stops the apology. Just my opinion. If white people really respected the Aboriginal people or the African American people, they would not have done what they did. And if the respect appeared after the fact, they would issue a huge apology, without hesitation. I think respect is lacking and I think that is due to bigotry.

Watch the movie I recommended please, IN MY COUNTRY, then come back and talk to me. Forgiveness can be an incredibly powerful force. What is the message of Jesus but forgiveness?

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.

Absolutely agree! Respect, or lack thereof, is inherently at the core of racism - or any form of discrimination for that matter, as it is a lack of respect for a fellow human. I personally don't see anything wrong with saying "I'm sorry", especially if it helps with the "moving on" process. But it is also just as wrong to live in the past, and the inability of our respective government to apologise, or some the recipients of the intended apology to move on unfortunately means that for the moment at least, we will be stuck in the past, unable to look towards the future (how prophetic of me ).

So once again it's all about money, the god we worship: MONEY. Is that all this is about? All the long-winded arguments about guilt and responsibility belonging to dead people, but really it's all about money.

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.

Money makes the world go 'round

And the love of money is the root of all evil.

__________________
The apocalypse is coming... we're gonna need more ammo.