Don, glad for your proud declaration of your life and views. I don't owe anybody an apology for what I think,believe,and can articulate. It seems the cure for past discrimination is to continue it, but transfer the target of racism and discrimination from one group to another. The worst offenders in the battle of racism, discrimination against others and institutionalized hate are the ones keeping it going by doing just that. It's good politics to keep a bad thing alive, because the left knows how to benefit by it. Let's review American history of the past 160 years. Conditions in the South continued in ways whereby the roots of the civil war were sown. The term "civil war" is about the biggest oxymoron that ever existed. What was civil about a war? The south wanted to separate itself from the Union of the northern states over the issue of slavery,among other things. War happened, a very costly one, and the greatest President in history issued the emancipation Proclamation ending one of the greatest injustices in history, and the dissolution of the Nation. The country managed to regroup, but animosities continued. Polarization according to politics happened,the north being Republican and the south democrats. Immediately, stuff like jim crow laws came along in an attempt to regain control of the landscape by placing the newly liberated into subservience to the same old system. Force was employed, terrorist tactics became common, hence the existence of the ku klux klan, which was a democrat operative, any Republicans living in the south had trouble with homes and businesses destroyed and burned, and racism and segregation as business as usual continued into the 1950's. That was a rough time for a lot of people. The band of Duke Ellington landed a prestigious gig in a very upscale hotel, then found out they couldn't stay at the venue where they were to play because of their race. Stupid move. The Duke wasn't dependent on some hotel gig for his continued success. Did you see the baseball movie, 42, a few years ago, the one featuring Jackie Robinson? Best flick I've seen in ages. It speaks well of him for not reacting in a hostile manner, and it speaks well of the Dodger organization for being determined to move past all that. Spoke well of the players who supported him as well. I feel that most persons alive today (not counting the left) just want to be left alone and lead their lives without any of this. When somebody claims to represent your best interests and creates division to do so, that's the antithesis of being an American. Don, your concluding statement of earning respect is right on. We had a high school teacher that was the biggest A-hole you ever saw.He went out of his way to prove it. One fine day, he bellowed that he demanded respect and had better get it. The reply was,"When none is extended, even less will be returned!!"Ever see an adult just about explode? Respect is earned. I respect morality, personal success, integrity, and leadership. We Americans are very ready to see all of the above. Just that from our national,state,and local leadership would go a long way toward healing the national divide that currently exists for far too long a time.