On Tue, 3 Jul 2007 09:58:42 -0700, Linda Threadgill wrote
 
> I am getting very tired of the on going racist 
> arguments. 

I'm sorry, but I'm kind of tired of hearing people throw out accusations of 
racism when they read something with which they don't agree.

Racism by definition is where someone advocates the superiority of one race 
over another. I've not seen that in the recent discussions.

Now you may characterize some comments as racially insensitve, but that 
characterization is largely a matter of opinion. Racism it is not. I feel 
pretty confident that no one on this list intends to offend the others in a 
discussion.

You have some people debating using the merits of their knowledge and facts 
gleaned from research and some who bring emotionalized opinion as their 
argument. That is the terrain all on this list must negotiate. Sometimes the 
exchanges become heated and lean toward flaming particular people on the list 
which a a bit distasteful. However if someone does put forward an idea, 
statement, whatever that you don't like, there is ample opportunity to 
challenge it with your own facts.

I'm sure that many on this list can trot out impressive geneaological and/or 
academic pedigrees to bolster their viewpoints, but the wonderful thing about 
this list is that we're all equals.

In our country today their are people working to limit public discussion of 
various viewpoints because they don't like them. Something that should be an 
anathema to us all. The last thing we need on this list or any other public 
arena of discourse is thought-police limiting what viewpoints can be 
expressed. We should be able to police ourselves to keep the discourse civil.

Regards,

Tom A.