Ah, yes, "Politics" corrupts all things that may have started out as something very good. (Apply to anything.) It is "politics" that ruins everything, and when I refer to this, I mean "having agendas that are only about self-gain". Revolutions will inevitably come even though reformation is usually preferred. Why? Because humans are just that: human. There have been many reformations in America itself, let alone any other place upon the Earth. As for slavery, slavery continues even to this day in the form of "wage-slavery", if not outright or nearly so in many countries, but people must eat to live. Where would one be without the other in regards to employers and employees? Do you know of any country of old that did not have slavery somewhere, somehow in its past? Where is it today? (If there is one, I'd like to be made aware of it so that I might study it. Thanks.) To condemn any one country for having slaves - even if the majority did not have any - as many had very large families to help with the farming, is to stand in condemnation of all who came before or even after in any other country before and since. Thus far, I see no one innocent of this practice. Conquering nations chronically enslaved those conquered. Such has it been from the beginning, even to now, somewhere. There has always been great evil perpetrated from human to like human throughout time. That does not make it right, but a reality: Its the nature of the beast, unfortunately. Here in America, many of our forefathers saw fit to begin the process of freeing slaves, many times even to their own great detriment - even to the point that it led to the Civil War, emancipation(s) of many of a different skin, and then of the females (white) who obtained the right to vote, and then those who were willing to fight also were given the right to vote. It took time and effort to realize and fight against that beastly nature. Are Americans alone in this? I agree that the majority before the Revolution were Loyalists (Loyal to the King), actually the majority probably were, due to they had to have received favor of the King at some point during the multi-generations preceding the Revolution to have even been able to obtain land to settle on, sell, or barter. William Penn, himself, was a Loyalist, though a Quaker, and it was many of the first and offspring of Penn's pioneering settlers who pushed for freedom for the slaves predominantly utilized by the planters of that day. But, then again, that was the common practice of that day. It is not something that those of later generations should be blamed for. Penn and his followers were well known by the natives during that time as a great friend and respectful of natives having first claim. This cannot be said about some of the others who made claim to areas in America. It was the belief of some of these early Colonists that a King was ordained by God and to go against the King was to go against God. It is easy to look back and discern mistakes and even make judgments. That is only human. What was common of that day was of that day and time. We, of today, cannot rightly judge as we did not live in that time. We can only hope that we would have chose the better way, but would have we? The first James Town (City) was communistic in nature and all its occupants nearly died, because they expected others to take care of them. 20 years later, with another settler endeavor, a capitalistic form was tried wherein all were expected to fend for themselves - while still helping one another in Christian charity. These settlers thrived, survived, and then more came. During the same time of the first James Town, at Plymouth Rock, if it hadn't been for the mercy of the local natives, those first pioneer settlers would not have survived at all either. The natives taught the new immigrants what to do to take care of themselves and continue to survive in the years to come. These were our first Americans - most having come here either as friends of the King (of that day) or banished by said King because of a difference in religion. Such it was for many, many years before, during, and afterward until the time of the American Revolution. Many who drifted North and/or then fled into Canada (or driven there) - were also of those first "Americans" (If they consider themselves of holding to the same values, then I embrace them as brothers and sisters to the cause). There is no denying it. What we who consider ourselves to be "Americans" hold to is that all should be free to live and believe as they see fit, under the common law as human beings with equality. A study of history reflects many things, including the perpetuation of the same human foibles, talents, and faults that led to many tragic events throughout any nation's history. The biggest thing that is shown is that human nature has never changed. Good, bad, etc. - we who are of the family of humanity are all the same at baseline. We just might have different "labels" and/or "politicians" with their "media" leading far too many astray from where we all might ought to be. Bottom line: regardless of where you are from, history is nothing without people, and generations thereafter cannot be held accountable for what came before. It is, after all, just that: the past, history, something to duly note, but none of us can actually change except by our thoughts, beliefs and actions to come. Let us altogether strive to make the New Year a good one. Peace & Cheers to all of you as well, nacs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a private communication. Do not forward or print without permission from author.