I am surprised that there have been so few postings about 400th 
anniversary activities.  The History News Network had a link to 
the 10 January article in the Times Dispatch about VP Cheney's
speech at the commemorative opening session of the Virginia
legislature at the historic old church on Jamestown Island. Even
though he was confused about one 17th-century quote, his talk 
apparently proved very moving and meaningful for the legislators.

Delegate Phillip Hamilton (R-Newport News) felt that the occasion
was historic, providing "a great boost to Virginia, and it does 
reaffirm the role of Virginia in the history of this nation."

When the legislature moved back to regular session in Richmond, 
however, that warm and cozy feeling quickly vanished.  As I read
in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on 1/17, Delegate Frank Harmon
spoke against a "measure that would apologize on the state's
behalf to the descendants of slaves."  He allegedly told a 
Charlottesville reporter that "our black citizens should get over
slavery" and then added:  "are we going to force the Jews to 
apologize for killing Christ?"  Needless to say, his comments 
"drew denunciations from stunned colleagues."

In terms of the past, present, or future, 2007 promises to be a 
quite a memorable year.

Fred Fausz
St. Louis         

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