KO dokie Kat...

When I used the term stone age I was speaking strictly about the level of technology....someone mentioned the book 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' which offers a number of reasons why the Indians didn't progress any farther with their technology. I wasn't trying to imply that they were not culturally sophisticated or very clever in making do with what they had.

As far as 'cave men' go, I see no reason to believe that the people that made the paintings at Lascoux (sp?) didn't have a sophisticated culture and society.

Kat said..."As for PC, modern morality, equity, etc it is no mystery to the Mudcat that I am liberal, believe in being ethically conscious, work on human rights"

Well, we should have some interesting discussions. In the interests of full disclosure I should point out that my wife says that politically, I reside somewhere to the right of Atilla the Hun *G*. I don't know about being ethically conscious, but I do try to be consciously ethical.

Oh, and for the people who are wondering why Columbus called the local indigenous personell Indians instead of Chinese.....well he wasn't really shooting for China, he wanted to get to the 'Spice Islands', ie. the East Indies.