Janet Yates and all. Janet,I would defend to the death, your right to your opinion, but I greatly disagree. This is not a flame, just a discussion regarding the true importance of the Salem Witch Trials. The tragedy is not in the hanging. The tragedy is in the ignorance, misinformation, fear, and in the lies told by all the neighbors. Is the crucifixion of Jesus a tragedy? Is a tank at Tianamen square running over a student a tragedy? Our history is full of martyrs who stood up for the truth. If they didn't, we wouldn't have had a revolutionary war, nor a civil war.(And, we'd still have slavery). We would never have progress. We would all be sheep out of fear. I am a mother of three and I do understand your point, but, I think we have to stand up for justice if we ever want any. Please note that we just impeached a President of the US for a lie. Susan (not Stephen) Smith <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8709/>