From: peterwieck33@gmail.com   
      
   Apply some logic:   
      
   a) Native Americas and children of slaves were not given opportunities for   
   education, training, mortgages, nor many of the other means to accumulate   
   wealth as were whites of any origin. It took Harry Truman to integrate the   
   Military as one single example.   
    The last "Indian School" was closed in 1969, as another.    
   b) Accordingly, the cumulative effect of wealth-gathering was denied to them   
   as a race, as a class, as a group.    
   c) Today, as a race, class or group, they are still suffering from that denial   
   with (generally) poorer education, fewer opportunities, reduced health, and   
   much more.    
   d) So, there is a 500 year history of everything from direct oppression to   
   complete indifference to overcome.    
      
   And, guess what? The entire "white" race continues to be enriched by this.    
      
   Neither of my parents spoke English as a first language. But they were both   
   University educated, white, and ambitious. They left their children with   
   excellent educations, no debt, and a strong sense of mutual obligation to the   
   'social contract' that    
   sustains all of us. We have given our children excellent educations, left them   
   with no debt, and they are doing the same for theirs. BUT - we have, between   
   the four families, five houses, all paid for, 9 degrees, solid incomes,   
   assured retirements, and    
   much more. Did I mention, no debt!   
      
   How much do you thing that applies to any random native American or child of   
   slavery?    
      
   I do not agree with reparations in terms of cash payments. But, fer crissakes,   
   the oppression, indifference and results of that oppression and indifference   
   are acutely visible to this day. Something must and should be done - but short   
   of a complete    
   attitude transplant, in a world where 25% - 30 % of the American population   
   adores the Orange Toad, this is  unlikely.    
      
   Peter Wieck   
   Melrose Park, PA    
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)