Art: I apologize for my error in naming Colin Powell as the first African-American four star general. I should have researched it and relied only on my memory.

Mick: I just re-read my post of October 20, the one that got you so riled up tossing the term racist around my neck. Perhaps people have different definitions of "racist." I read nothing in that post that I would interpret as racist, and I stand my my post.

As L.H. wrote in a recent post, I believe had a leading Democrat endorsed John McCain in the current campaign you folks would be just as judgmental of his motivations as I was of Powell's, and suspect that your remarks would have been similar (of course unless the leading Democrat was a African-American the "R" word would not have applied) but I'm confident that you would not have been pleased. Admittedly, I could be wrong, but I do believe that Powell will be rewarded with an important position in Obama's administration should he defeat McCain (which is still not a certainty).

Other than the fact that I am not a racist, and prior to now, have never been called one, that's all I have to say on the subject.

DougR