This has nothing to do with your racism Keith - your posting history (right up to your most recent) deals with that far more eloquently than I ever could.
I have apologised - not to you - for the fact that our arguments have destroyed more worthwhile threads than I care to remember and both of us bear responsibility and are obliged to apologise, if for no other reason than in the hope that it doesn't happen again.
So far you have avoided taking any responsibility whatever for your part - I will await with interest to see if you have the good grace to do so.
Al
I was interested in your analysis of my politics.
"committed socialist,"
Am I? Two rather nasty little post-McCarthyites gave me a grilling not so long ago, no doubt so they could substitute honest argument for "You're only saying that because you're a committed Socialist".
My arguments throughout my time on this forum have been humanitarian ones; never trailed my coat for any particular political philosophy, not on Mudcat anyway.
"disciple of Ewan Maccoll"
I always admired MacColl's dedication to workers' causes and his basic humanity, but I found his political theory a mixed bag at times.
One of the most pleasant times of my life was the month or so I lived with them while I found a home in London, much of which was spent sitting in the garden with Ewan arguing the toss about Ireland, Trotsky and the Soviet Union - when I should have been looking for a flat and a job - happy days!.
You are right about the Travellers though - quite horrific to be close to the last respectable brand of racism - still going strong after centuries, if not millenia of persecution
No offence taken you understand, one out of three right isn't too bad.
Jim Carroll