I don;t know why I became a GUEST - and didn't notice above that I'd lost my cookie when I said, "What a surprise; we're all seeing what we want to see!" but - a few more comments before I slip back into Christmas mode (where I mushc prefer to be).

It may be that racists did or even do feel at home supporting GOP issues and candidates - but it should be clear to critical thinking people that 1) race issues and segregation feelings have changed (for the best) DRAMATICALLY over the last 30/40 years. 2) The GOP has been very supportive of those changes - they were by far the majority of supporters for the Civil Rights act pushed by LBJ, they are a party that strongly supports the rights of individual and personal responsibilities - and of course they were the party that fought a war for equality and the elimiation of slavery 3) the differences in policies supported by GOP as opposed to those supported by Dems does NOT indicate one is right and one is wrong; one is racist and one is not. If you insist on making such a claim you are guilty of being close minded. There may policies one party supports that are more appealing and more correct to your way of thinking - but clearly both parties strongly support a well integrated nation - and neither party will countenance racist policies or even, as Trent discovered - careless statements regarding racist sensitivities.

Mick - sounds like we're in fierce agreement again!

Tinker - my cynical commment was just that, cynical meant to show that of course just the opposite was true. Of course American blacks don't need to have the bar lowered so they can compete! Yes, we need to be diligent about enforcing equality laws, yes race can be considered when qualifications for positions are developed, and yes it is resonable for every individual to ake advantage of every opportunity available to him/her when competing in the free market ... reverse discrimination is abominable - and that should never be countenanced ... but affirmative action does not need to mean reverse discrimination. The devil is in the detail. The last thing any hiring manager should want is to water down the strength of his organiztion in order to obey racial quotas - BUT reasonable affirmative action-based guidelines can help a manager strengthen his team. As a former hiring manager I know that a good mix of racial profiles within an organization is a positive thing, all by itself - social issues aside.

Anyway - it's Christmas and that is much more important to me! I'll sign off this issue for now. Thanks all and Merry Christmas (to those Christmas celebrators among you - best wishes otherwise to all).