Rory, I'm sure you're a decent guy 'cause most good musicians are, and you ARE a good musician. It's sometimes difficult to understand another cultural perspective unless you've lived in that culture. There are some here that would say that my affirmation of Squeak's observations is just another case of a 'brother' sticking up for a 'brother'. I'm an old man, who has lived through times and experienced things that even Squeak would shudder at.

When you think about it, it's nothing short of a miracle that most Black people can still love and feel patriotic about a country that has enslaved them for half of it's existence and physically, mentally, and psychologically tortured them the other half. Whatever you think of Black America, you have to know that it was created by White America. After 400 years, it is only in last few years that most Blacks in this country are beginning to realize a tiny piece of the 'American Dream'. Even today, despite representing nearly 15% of the population, there is only one (1) Black in the U.S. Senate. If Barack is elected, there will be none (as in ZERO).

Sure there probably have been death threats towards Bush. Let's face it, the Presidency is a dangerous place. But it's all political. When you add to that the deep-seated, unreasoned, hatred that some on the fringe of our society have for any but their own, you can see why it might be a little bit unnerving to be the first Black president.

Sure, there have been threats and even attempts (some successful) on former presidents, but, if you'll recall, never by a Black, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American. Again, I'm not saying that Whites have a monopoly on hate, ignorance, prejudice, and intolerance; I'm just saying that if we're looking for bad guys here, there are plenty to go around.

As for the election, I say, let the nation decide; and when it does, let's all get behind that person and try to build a better, more tolerant, country and world.

chas