The path for freedom has been a struggle for long enough that it would be difficult even to define differences. One of those important events was when the plebes forced the roman aristocrats to write down the law. Another was the american revolution. Yet another important step started in England in 1787 and gained impetus during our civil war. The Dred Scott decision put it clearly enough in black and white that the opposition coalesced together to take another step in the struggle for freedom. The struggle continues today.

The union movement in the 30’s was also a tool towards freedom. Alas, today the unions want to do away with the secret ballot.

The passage of the right to vote act most surely was a clear step in the good fight. The passage of the “Great Society” welfare bill can be seen in retrospect as a well meaning mistake.

Fifty years from now we will see much more clearly if the war in Iraq was a step towards freedom or a well meant mistake.

Here is my take on it not being so long ago.

I am sixty-three years old and was lucky enough to know my grandfather. He was born in 1891 so likely knew people who had been young adults at the time of the Dred-Scott Decision.

That means that only one full lifetime separates us from the days when American slaves were a fact of life.

Not so long ago, indeed.

Thank you for your work and thoughtful insight.

Woody

*A person is represented in congress, even if he counts only 3/5th. No piece of property, be it land or house or horse, can be represented in congress.

There is confusion if you say slavery in the United States goes back to 1630. Before the 13th amendment, slavery was only a result of United States’ policy in Washington D.C. Otherwise it was governed by the policies of the several states. At least in the original 13.

The situation was complicated again in the territories. Jefferson, although he could not bring himself to free his own slaves, insured that slavery would be outlawed in the Northwest Territories. There followed the Missouri Compromise, and it really is doubtable that congress had the authority to determine whether slavery might be allowed to exist in those areas that passed out of territoriality and into statehood. The Dread Scott decision confounded this problem, and in addition to its repugnance consequentially, was probably bad constitutional interpretation, because before the 13th amendment, each state had the authority to determine who was free within its own borders.

Over such a grave question of fundamental human freedom, a civil war had to come, because the branch of government that was entrusted with interpreting the Constitution failed in its duty.

If you’ll indulge me for one more. Here’s the Segway Centaur in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l486tKKIifY
Tell me you don’t want one.

That was funny. – Admin

Hey, we need a referee’s decision here; is this the worst case of thread drift ever?

I’ve been reading Popular Mechanics for about 25 years and Moller has had a feature article at least yearly since then (maybe more). Another cool item is the Segway Centaur. http://www.segway.com/products/centaur/

Poverty Rate:

2005: 24.7%
1966: 41.8%
1959: 55.1%

Educational Attainment:

2005
High school +: 80%
Some college +: 44.7%
Bachelors +: 17.3

1966
High school graduate: 28.5%
4 years college: 2.3%
5 years+ college: 1.3%

To find the source, go to Black Stats and follow the links there.

That’s good. Did you see the flying car?

Actually, I like to claim I’m Swiss, because it’s safer. Got the red pocketknife and everything.