Neil, You are correct that certain people are in my opinion and research, attempting though the "friendly" book and NYT publishers to degrade a fine founding father. The NYT reporter, African-American, Brent Staples, has written since the DNA Study was announced, that TJ is guilty. The NYT will not publish my letters-to-editor asking for clarification of inappropriate reporting. Read their books and you will see that many march in lock step with the same arguments and MISINFORMATION. I ask all readers to please research the words of these "authorities" not by the number of book awards they have won or how "famous" they may be in the eyes of the public. Professor Ellis states in the excellent Library of Congress book, Thomas Jefferson, Genius of Liberty, "when a DNA study "confirmed" that Jefferson most probably fathered a child by Sally Hemings." We all know that the DNA test DID NOT confirm this so what is his AGENDA? I KNOW do you? Once excellent authors wrote some good books, BUT after the DNA study was announced they "JUMPED SHIP" and joined those having seminars opposing TJ.....WHY? I have earlier explained the deceitful handling of the study, so why, as "historians", do they not realize this? Funny that you should mention Professor Joseph Ellis, admitted liar as exposed by the Boston Herald for lying to his Mt. Holyoke College students. He was also DEEPLY involved in the inaccurate stories and articles about TJ and the test. His book, Founding Brothers, gives us great insight into why the USNWR had 10 pages on the Jefferson-Hemings DNA Study because he was furnishing inaccurate information to them as he had done at Nature Journal. The book applauds the then Editor, Stephan Smith, as having the sharpest pencil around the beltway, pretty revealing I would think. In my opinion he is following through on his statement that you mention. Herb Barger This heap of political dung that is devisive to our nation, that uses the names of Hitler and Thomas Jefferson in the same breath, is below limits of civilty for this list or anywhere except the NYT. Their number of readers have dropped like flies in recent years and they must sell their assets as well as their souls in an attempt to stay afloat. But this fits nicely with the scruples of those who have been trying to tear down Thomas Jefferson since the mid-1990's. It is self-admitting when Joseph Ellis (as once-leader or spokesman of the Monticello Foundation historians' group) says that tearing down Jefferson is paramount as "the dead-white-male who matters most" and the "most valued trophy in the cultural wars." How more clearly political can these attempts be...!! Neil McDonald ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html