Dear Mbo,

Don't feel bad about posting this song and raising a controversy. Controversy is good. It goes along with free speech. As long as people are respectful of each other, it's good to explain the differences in opinion we have. Speaking of being respectful, I was a little brash when I painted you and Jr. with a militia/KKK brush.

But I do agree with seed that our legal system is unfairly weighted against some people and groups. I appreciate and agree with much of what you just said, Mbo. (I wish I could look at your post, and seed's, while I'm writing mine.)

I also agree with Terry A.H. that the civil war was not fought over slavery per se. However, what it was fought over was states rights-did states have the right to decide individually on issues LIKE slavery, Jim Crow, etc? Lincoln himself said if freeing some, all, or none of the slaves would help the union win, then he would do that. The union won, the slaves were freed, but that didn't make the problem of racism dissapear. There are statistics that show that the south has a higher rate of violent crimes than any other area of the country. Some theorists believe that this is a legacy of the violence that it took to impose slavery and racial injustice. It certainly has not been cured by heavy prison sentences, or high rates of executions.

Let's continue our dialog here. You can also email me at Marymac90@AOL.com I can't seem to get onto my personal page to see messages there right now.

Best regards for all,

Mary McCaffrey