I agree, Bobert. The conversation is inching away from spouting and into a small handful of people sharing their perspectives. The topic's practical aspect is that we can talk in here without the risk of a FireEater riling us into reacting as a mindless group. We're on our own to do whatever we will with the tidbits we selectively pluck from everybody's opinions. There's no point in saying the same thing over and over. When/if I have something to say, I will. In the meantime, I'm perfectly content following along from the sidelines.

I honestly believe that we're stepping into a time of More tension, and it worries me. Treating each incident as an individual outburst (which may or may not fit the mysterious guidelines for becoming a Media Spectacle) seems unwise and unhealthy. Jena is not the Disease..it is a Symptom.

The North/South argument was too big to handle at the time and it's still too big. It was not resolved and every one of us is living with that history. When we try to communicate, we are following the footsteps of Jefferson's basic idea when he was fighting to promote a government based on input from Common Man. I think it's a good thing for us to do when we're talking AND listening. Pompous pronouncements are pretty much a waste of earspace, but that's ok too. It's all part of trying to communicate.
My ego is ok. I don't need to care whether I've won anyone to my bandwagon.

What I hope to gain by following this discussion is a chance to be a little bit more prepared as the CivWar anniversary draws near. I'm likely to end up participating in a few events. It's not the era I prefer (which is pre-1840) but it's the one at hand and there's a niche for me that I'll enjoy. I just want to be as prepared as I possibly can, even if I opt out of attending events. CivWar is an angry topic for a lot of people and the anniversary stuff is going to start being visible before long.
Planning for Lewis and Clark was handled poorly. I see no reason to believe CW will be handled much better and it's a much more incendiary topic.

When I read what you all say, I'll learn.
I just don't have anything to add at this time and sometimes being quiet is the noble option to take.

My question isn't whether nooses are a hate crime. I think we all agree that whether they're legal or not, it's Wrong to hang them around.
My question is what can be done about the ones who don't feel that there's anything wrong with feeling justified in doing things like that.
My question falls outside the surface topic of Jena which is what we've come to this thread to discuss.

M