A colleague just brought to my attention that I inadvertantly distributed a private letter to Dr. Kukla to the entire list. My apologies to all of you for the mistake. That said, having my integrity and honesty publically challenged *has* left me with something less than the objectivity I strive to maintain in these sorts of discussions, and so I think I will take a break from sustaining my end of the conversation here for a few days. One last thing: I cannot imagine how anyone reared on Russell Kirk, Hayek, or Arendt, not to mention Ronald Reagan, would think that discussion of slavery, in any form, was inappropriate or misplaced in relationship to American public life today. Principled conservatism has always warned of the creeping dangers, enticements, and blandishments of unrestrained, lawless power. Given the powerful presentism of our current generation of public statesmen, conservatives and liberal alike, I think that discussion of these issues is especially relevant. My best, Kevin -- Kevin R. Hardwick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of History, MSC 2001 James Madison University Harrisonburg VA 22807 Phone: 540/568-6306 Email: [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html