[StBernard] A "worthless" apology - how stupid!

[Westley Annis]

Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid.  On June 18th, the U.S. Senate passed a
resolution 99-0 formally apologizing for slavery in the past.  My question
is: exactly "who" were they apologizing to?  Dead people?
 
Let's look at the facts here.  For several generation there hasn't been a
single person in the United States born into slavery - nor has any one owned
another human being for generations.  So what does anyone have to be sorry
for.  Everyone alive today knows of the ills and wrongs of this country's
past.  In fact slavery isn't even at the top of the "wrongs" list.  If you
disagree with me, go ask the native American indian where they think they
rank on such a list.  They'll tell you they wish their ancestors' fate was
as good as slaves.  And while you're at it, go ask elder Japanese American
citizens who were intermed during World War II what they think.  The U.S.
government has apologized for that and rigthfully so.  Oh, and let's not
forget the many "blacks" back in antibellum days who were slave owners
themselves - yes, there were many of them.
 
You can see where all of this is going in how stupid an apology appears now.
As my parents taught me, words are cheap so let me see your sentiments in
your actions. 
 
But an apology from the U.S. government for slavery is only step
one...there's a natural second part to this process I don't see happening -
a "thank you."  Who from?  Black people - or at least their self appointed
leaders like Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson and the like.  If I'm correclty
recalling history, it was an all-white Congress that passed the Emancipation
Act of 1863 and and all-white Congress that passed the American Civil
Liberties Act in 1964, was it not?  I would think a proper "thank you" is in
order from someone who claims to be a leading voice among Black America.
What's that you say?....Don't hold your breath on that.
 
Even former U.S. Ambassodor Andrew Young said the day after Barack Obama's
presidential victory, "I guess I was wrong about white people, after all
there's no way a black man could have won the White House without a lot of
white voters voting for him."  Hmmm, what an outstanding observation by Mr.
Young. - and an accurate one at that.  But I didn't hear Obama or any other
so called "black leader" thanking white voters.  I give kudos to Andrew
Young for having the gutts to make such an admission.
 
Guess all this goes to prove what a stupid and insincere gesture the U.S.
Senate made yesterday.  Instead of making hollow apologies, how about we all
make a commitment to work together today and into the future on improving
relationships with one another, regardless of our race.  "That" would
accomplish so much more than an apology.
 
- John Scurich
 
P.S.  I was sorry to learn that David Vitter voted along with this nonsense.