Everyone is free to think whatever they want about the conference, and express their opinions there. Why Maryrrf, if we think the thing looks like a stinker, wouldn't we say so? Some of us actually speak from experience with these things...

Ed, there are several areas of American history you need to investigate regarding the Scots or Scotch Irish (as they are called by American historians) or the Ulster Scots (as they are called by British and Irish historians). The Atlantic slave trade, British North American immigration history, "cracker" culture in the American South, the formation of the Know Nothings and the KKK, for starters.

There is also a lot of history of the Scots Irish on the American frontier, and their role in the displacement of native peoples and the fighting of the so-called "Indian wars". It is a complex migration history, usually begins in Pennsylvania, then moves south and westward.

As to the Scots Irish & the state of Virginia's role in the slave trade, well...that is probably more than you can reasonably research before May.