[Dr. Eckleburg]

I don't have much time but I am compelled to correct your foolish remarks here...

But if this man is who I think it is, having made a cursory search, this man is a racist. Although I usually don't believe everything I read in Wikipedia, this short paragraph about Douglas Wilson is not only telling but well referenced.

Douglas Wilson co-wrote a booklet on Southern slavery and argued for the conservative point of view that not all slave owners were wild-eyed satanists; that slavery served an economic purpose; and that Reconstruction devastated the South economically and spiritually.

Not surprisingly, two liberal college professors pounced on the booklet and denounced it as "racist."

As we all know, white men are very often accused of racism if they even attempt to discuss slavery, etc.

[kosta50]

two liberal college professors pounced on the booklet and denounced it as "racist."

So, without qualification liberal is always bad and conservative is always good? With his shady past, I am not surprised that you didn't provide a link or at least an introductory note to attenuate the reality of his book being taken out of print for racism.

You probably hoped no one would check. You were wrong and now you act indignant.

Douglas Wilson co-wrote a booklet on Southern slavery and argued for the conservative point of view that not all slave owners were wild-eyed satanists; that slavery served an economic purpose; and that Reconstruction devastated the South economically and spiritually

So what if slavery served and economic purpose? Does that make it morally right? Ends do not justify the means. The fact is that the Protestant west justified slavery because it's in the Bible, and the Bible is not really adamantly opposed to it on moral or practical grounds. Mixed with the Reformed mindset, it justified slavery like everything else: God wanted it.

If you can't see the error in this, then may God grant you the eyes and the ears to see and hear the message loud and clear one day.

Here are some quotes from this book:

Slavery as it existed in the South was not an adversarial relationship with pervasive racial animosity. Because of its dominantly patriarchal character, it was a relationship based upon mutual affection and confidence." (page 24)

"There has never been a multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony in the history of the world." (page 24)

Slave life was to them a life of plenty, of simple pleasures, of food, clothes, and good medical care." (page 25)

"But many Southern blacks supported the South because of long established bonds of affection and trust that had been forged over generations with their white masters and friends." (page 27)

"Nearly every slave in the South enjoyed a higher standard of living than the poor whites of the South -- and had a much easier existence." (page 30)

You are amazing.