Virginia apologizes for slavery... why?

[Mickey Brausch]

[ QUOTE ]


While it's true justice is merely a human construct, we can do our best to apply it. It doesn't seem we've done so here.

[/ QUOTE ]Let's not forget that, if we hold up History to judge right from wrong today (and seek retribution), we end up with both good and bad things.

On the one hand, restitution for the American Indian or the African Negro from the part of the White Man. Noble -- on account of past history, which involves genocide and slavery. On the other hand, the Armenians want a slice of Azerbaitzani land -- on account of past history, whereby they ruled the region. Tricky -- and very murderous.

I'd say that, theoretically, we'd be better off without ever learning what happened in History, be it good or bad. Collective Memento-like situation.

[pvn]

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I'd say that, theoretically, we'd be better off without ever learning what happened in History, be it good or bad. Collective Memento-like situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you leveling us here? Because I know you're not this stupid.

[John Feeney]

[ QUOTE ]
On the one hand, restitution for the American Indian or the African Negro from the part of the White Man. Noble -- on account of past history, which involves genocide and slavery. On the other hand, the Armenians want a slice of Azerbaitzani land -- on account of past history, whereby they ruled the region. Tricky -- and very murderous.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's tricky stuff, indeed. It just seems we've done *so* little to try to right our past wrongs toward the American Indian. I would think a good bit would be doable before it even gets very tricky there.

[pvn]

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It's tricky stuff, indeed. It just seems we've done *so* little to try to right our past wrongs toward the American Indian. I would think a good bit would be doable before it even gets very tricky there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, who's "we"? What wrongs have you personally committed against "the American Indian" (is there only one?)?

Personally, I haven't committed any. So I have no wrongs to right.

[John Feeney]

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Again, who's "we"? What wrongs have you personally committed against "the American Indian" (is there only one?)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Come on. pvn, it's like your whole comment is a study in literalism.

Ever hear lines like, "We live, we die, we love, we kill, we worship, we play, we teach..." Some of us don't do all those things, but you know what it means, don't you?

[pvn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Again, who's "we"? What wrongs have you personally committed against "the American Indian" (is there only one?)?

[/ QUOTE ]

Come on. pvn, it's like your whole comment is a study in literalism.

Ever hear lines like, "We live, we die, we love, we kill, we worship, we play, we teach..." Some of us don't do all those things, but you know what it means, don't you?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. When you say "we watch the superbowl" your inclusion of people who aren't actually watching the superbowl is harmless.

But here's the problem - the "we" that committed the wrongs is not the "we" who you are proposing be forced to sacrifice because of them. So I want to be really clear on who "we" (as in "we" who will be forced to sacrifice because of some other we's wrongs) actually is.

If you extend your "we watch the superbowl" to "We (as in the entire population of the USA) watch the superbowl, therefore we should all pay $25 to the NFL," well, I hope you see the problem. I didn't watch the superbowl, so you can expect a hearty "go [censored] yourself" if you try to send me a bill.