This is truly offensive. Even if one disagrees with the proposition that slavery or the slave trade played a primary role in the rise and development of capitalism, the insensitivity required to spout this is really mind-boggling. Really sad. It is probably way past due time for me to depart this list. Perhaps I just don't 'get it' or I am 'making a big deal out of nothing.' -----Original Message----- From: Max Sawicky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, September 23, 1999 3:37 PM Subject: [PEN-L:11570] RE: Re: RE: binary passions >. . . Essentiaslly the idea was to self-portray a disadvantaged >nation or a group of people as the "messiah of nations" that is, a nation >whose suffering significantly contributes to the 'salvation' i.e. >prosperity of other nations. This way, disadvantaged groups could >vicariously overcome their marginalization and see themselves as the 'pivot >of the world.' Kind of biblical eschatology ("the wretched of the earth >inherit the kingdom of heaven") without the other-worldly mumbo-jumbo. >wojtek >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > >Some kind of funky zionism, sounds like. > >Theodore Herzl meets George Clinton. > >mbs, >from the Mother Ship > > >