(06-21-2009 08:52 AM)egoboss407 Wrote:  

(06-20-2009 07:35 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  Interesting since the gubment was formed in 1776 and slavery abolished in 1865 not even a century. Slavery is an ugly chapter in US history, but only by modern standards. Many pre-industrial countries used slaves to fill out their workforce. I think it is inappropriate for the US government at this time, this was a problem that belonged to folks about 150 years ago. As for reparations, well, how many men lost their lives fighting to abolish slavery (the civil war)? It is also safe to say that the African Americans that are descendants of slaves live a much better life than 99% of their African relatives. There is no need for reparations, just a need to stop picking at this scab and let the nation heal. It sure seems like wound is almost gone save for the Farrakhan's Wright's and Sharpton's of the nation.

America has apologized for the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, the removal of Native-Americans from their land, and Hawaii-Americans for the taking of their land. Yet, for over 100 years refused to apologize for slavery. By not apologizing, it is implied that there was nothing wrong with slavery, or that America was right in supporting and promoting slavery. People can't "get over it" because people like you make excuses for the existence of slavery. It's statements like this "Slavery is an ugly chapter in US history, but only by modern standards. Many pre-industrial countries used slaves to fill out their workforce. I think it is inappropriate for the US government at this time, this was a problem that belonged to folks about 150 years ago" that try to justyify slavery. Slavery was just as wrong 300 years ago, as it is today. Just acknowledge it was wrong; we shouldn't have done it and the issue would be dead.

The fact that so many Americans died to keep the nation United and abolish slavery proved, with actions, the winning government felt it was wrong. An apology now is wrong because the government is speaking to & for generations of individuals that have no idea of what went on at that time. The fact that people TRY to saddle the US government with a history of 2 1/2 centuries proves that the Senators in question don't even have a clue. Any slavery conditions prior to 1776 would have been under British rule, should the British apologize for the time up to July 4, 1776?