[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

By the same argument, so did your ancestors.

I’ve got an idea, let’s stop pretending we are affected by events of well over a hundred years ago. Oh wait, then YOU GUYS wouldn’t be able to play victim and gain wealth, power, recognition, and position by using this as an issue. You certainly know how to CAPITALIZE on the issue, don’t you?

[Smokin' Joe]

Well, Phil, my wife's ancestors lost ten million acres, the mineral rights, etc. I'd say that had an effect, considering a mere 1280 acres were left to split with all the kinfolk.

No matter how you slice it, for some folks, the events of history have had definite and lasting consequences.

Failure to recognize that may have our descendents living in a putrid, third world socialist squalor.

What we do today will shape their future as surely as the events of 100+ years ago have helped shape the present.