Jim, Fred, guys,

My thought is that the military has been a positive force - soldiers, marines and sailors serve together in war or other emergencies, they learn what counts in a human being. I think back to Rudyard Kipling, trying to tell the people back home in hincty olde Englandicon that a fighting man should be valued for his qualities, not skin color or social class.

WHat 13E said, I never knew that, but it makes sense they would throw every man they had into the lines during the Bulge. And he draws a straight line from that to Truman's desegregation order. So it was the military and not the social liberals who took that step.

The US has a long way to go to make things right, but I get the feeling that a lot of us are doing our part. The Vietnam vets, we're the elders now. A lot of us still struggle, but I think we all know that a man ain't nothin but a man. Some you can count on, some you can't. Same goes for women.

I read a lot of posts on this list that indicate an appreciation and respect for others that is sometimes lacking in other forums. It gives me some hope and encouragement.

jn

Probably most of us on this list are veterans