Issues of secession are ones that have been debated several times before on this list--which is, indeed, a good thing as it is a question that vexes historians still.

However, secession and related subjects are also topics that tend to polarize people and often the conversations devolve into flame wars.

My plea is this: please continue to post thoughtful, considered posts about these and other topics.  If you feel yourself getting hot under the collar about something someone says, please don't respond immediately--let yourself cool off for a bit.  Name-calling is *never* appropriate on a list such as this.  If you must disagree, please don't be disagreeable.

As yet, these threads haven't fallen prey to these tendancies--and I'm hoping that they won't, because this is a topic of endless fascination.  This post is decidedly not directed to any one individual, but to the entire list audience as we once again venture into these treacherous shoals.  ;)

My apologies if I've overstepped my bounds!

--Eric

Eric D. M. Johnson
Proprietor
The Village Factsmith Historical Research & Consulting
http://www.factsmith.com/
[log in to unmask]

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html