Mav,

Then don't quack like a duck.

I don't know what you are. You call people names, try to fit everyone into your neat little boxes, accuse others of being, in your own words racist bastards and rant against anyone (complete with name calling), who doesn't agree with you, labeling them with your own endearing terms.

It was, however, a cheap shot. Far to indirect. The implication of racism may be unwarranted. More directly, if you don't want to be accused of being a bigot, stop acting like one.

As to Powell, Rice and the rest, I'd call them the Secretary or State, the National Security Advisor and so on. I don't cry "Uncle Tom" as they aren't. Or even accuse W of tokenism. Whether I agree with his or their politics, they were solid choices for a conservative president.

As to anyone participating in the American economy, that's more problematic. If you mean: have equal opportunity to compete, perhaps. If you mean: don't have to overcome more obstacles, jump through more hoops and such, no, that usually isn't the way it happens.

I apologize for assuming that because you seem to be a bigot that you are also a racist.

Regards

John