This is why I tend to stay out of these blogs. Assumptions made and words put in my mouth. Let me try to explain myself.
First to American Resolve, a person I respect. The numbers I corrected are because of my studies of war. As a combat seinor NCO I had to take extensive courses on the history of war. So I am pretty much anal retentive about the subject. Sorry about that. The war between the states was originaly an economic war. The north had 90% of the manufacturing capability so had much more money coming in. They wanted to hold the south to a farming community so the south would not be able to compete. They knew they needed slaves to do this so it was not in the original plans to free the slaves. By doing so they broke the souths economic back. Can not blame them for being ticked off. But they did take it out on the freed slaves for quite some time. And when these said slaves fled north the Irish and Chinese workers went ballistic cause they started losing their jobs. Typical government, solve a problem that they have no solution to!
Sherman had the right idea and the fools did not follow up on it. The former slaves knew how to farm. Pay them for it. Would have worked good except fot the plantation owners. Maybe thats why the klan hated what the republicans were trying to do.

Now, as for Purdy. I have worked my considerable posterior off for 45 years now. I worked on a farm as a kid, fast food joints in highschool, and as a airman in the USAF for 30+ years and now for the DOD. You see, I never took a handout and discourage all others to do so. It is not what a real man does.
Yes, the past is in the back of my mind always. Out of concern that it can easily be repeated. It must always be there to prevent that from happening. The only reason I am for the formal apology is for one reason. Some think it is needed for them to be able to move on. As a free people, we blacks in the USA are still like grade school aged children. Still learning and hopefully growing. For the good honest ones amongst us, I beg your indulgence in this. For the dregs amongst us, help us out please. Preferably with a large caliber rifle or handgun.

And now, I will stay away from this subject for a while once again.
There is a 1970 mustang out in my garage begging for restoration. It is my second stang, my first full restoration. Thanks for a basically good conversation. I know my slant comes from my experiences. Mostly good ones by the way. Me, I would not want to live in Africa. I happen to enjoy my life here in Missouri. And dang it! I like a good cold beer. When I was in Somalia and the Sudan there wasn’t any.

Well, ThomasFranklin, apparently you take everything personally when it is meant for the masses! Common reaction from most black people. You just proved my point about the cold beer, etc. or able to live in Missouri, and able to do so because of your freedoms. You are paranoid if you think ‘that could happen again” - only by a conquering nation, but not by any USA government! (Of course, no one knows at this point what Obama is going to do next). You would not be doing that if in Africa in the jungles,and was of the same mind set as it existed when the first slave was brought over by blacks and sold at water’s edge! So, what I AM saying is, thank the Lord you are here and able to have that beer and live in Missouri! Unfortunately, I’m not quite ready to take your suggestion to take out the dregs by violence - I’ll save that for your own people to do, but that suggestion does exhibit your thought processes, and that scares the begibbies out of me! Out of everything bad something good is supposed to come forth - your being here and not in Africa is your blessing! So, wash out the brain matter, and give thanks instead holding onto something that didn’t not actually effect you except by history!

Yes, I do take it personally when we are all lumped together. We are different as are all people. Yes, I am quite a violent person, I was trained to be so. I fought the enemies of our country for many years.
I consider the dregs of society our enemies. They tear down our massive strides as a country. Yes I am paranoid about unwelcome change coming. Yes, I am always at high alert. Yes, you should not fear me, only our enemies need to do that.
Now a question. If slavery had never been an issue, here or in any other part of the world specifically Africa, where would we be now? I am willing to bet in a much better place.

GOV

I have lived in the black community. I was the only white kid on my block. I teach at a school that is 98% black. I deal with black people on a daily basis, and have my whole life. Never have I heard them blaming white people for their problems, and never have I gotten the impression that, as a whole, they hate white people. You say when black people take you into their confidence, their “true nature” comes out. I find it very hard to imagine you gaining the confidence of many black people. You are full of s***.

Again, you have been asked twice: Where did you get your information on what black people want for reparations? Instead of responding, you just go offf on some other crazy rant.

hs

The past is not that long ago. You speak of the victim mentality among black people. White people have had the run of this country since the 1600’s. We have an over 300 year head start on them. Also, until the 1960’s, it was LEGAL to dicriminate against black people. For all this time, black people were the victims, plain and simple. I can tell by your posts that you are very intelligent and thoughtful. Don’t you think, after 300+ years of being the victim, that that is a tough mentality to shake off?

Also hs

I think that the victim mentality is overblown by white people. The media perpetuates the idea of the “I’m a victim” black mentality. There may be some who think like that, I am sure. But most of the ones I come into contact with, and that is a large number, have not really bought into that. I’m talking your everyday, normal people. Not the few who get air time on tv news.

Clyde, I grew up in the rust-belt North, before it became the rust belt, OK? I know that there were (and are) a great many whites who were very involved in the Civil rights push of the late 50’s and 60’s. A fact that is rarely acknowledged.

I realize that legal discrimination only ended 40 years or so ago. I’m also aware that the worst of it took place in a few states, and only involved a relatively small percentage of the population. My irritation is primarily at black “leaders” like Maxine Waters who have made their living by catering to victim-think. I think there are some real, interlocking problems out there that are not going to be easy to fix…or may not be totally possible to fix.

Clyde

Here are a couple of sites read on. I have. This is why I said we as a county can’t give an apology for slavery. Our system of “JUSTICE” is to make you “whole” if damage. Slavery damage Blacks, I don’t reject that, but their descendents as far as I’m concern won’t benefit by that damage. If any of you people think that it won’t happen, put a few more liberal apologist on the Supreme Court and see what those black robed thugs could do “remember the Japanese”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-keiser/black-reparation-bonds-ca_b_116777.html

http://www.afrocentric.info/News/Reparations.html

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/03/26/slavery.reparations/index.html

http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000002D21E.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/424984.stm

Mr. Franklin,

It is good to hear from someone who obviously has worked very hard and has been very successful in spite of some obstacles that many of us have not had to go over. Your accomplishments are what this country is all about. Not everyone gets a fair shake, and that is true of every demographic.

I can understand why you were glad to hear an apology, but you really should not stay in that mindset. It is an easy one to get into, especially when you had experiences where you were treated unfairly because of your race. However, try not to get caught in this trap. Slavery had nothing to do with you and it had nothing to do with me. We know this country won’t be repeating those mistakes, so let’s move forward.

Now about that Mustang. Hope you have a garage with A/C. It’s incredibly frustrating to work on cars in this humidity.