Hi Lee,

Well, crime and criminal propensity is much older than slavery and can be found in all races.

If my words are to be used as an indictment against something - it should be an indictment against human nature, which exploits often without thought of consequences.

I do not believe society is the victim of a "black plague"anymore than an "asian plague" or an "indian plague" or a "white plague". The dark ages thrived in Europe very nicely without any help from folks of African descent.

Pointing the finger at any group, race or creed gets one nowhere. Society, if in decline, is the responsibility of ALL who compose it.

It took very few minds, statistically speaking, to bring about the renaissance in europe. If our present-day renaissance-types are finding it more difficult to elevate society - than they just have to evolve even more to discover solutions to the complacent nature of society - which has always followed the path of least resistance.

Any "abyss" society may enter into - will always present a learning lesson for many inhabitants - just as the dark ages might have inspired men and women to look up and beyond the artificial limitations imposed upon thought by society at that time.

So indeed, greater resistance, builds greater strength. An idyllic society would likely bring about stagnation of mankind.

History is a great tapestry, which shows us that all races, yes all of mankind, has contributed to its present state. A common thief cannot subdue, pacify or degenerate the masses - but the invention of television can.

Yes often societies brightest minds unknowingly introduce technocracy which has potential for great benefit - and equally great harm.

I firmly believe that inventors must gauge the minds of the time - and truly have a responsibility to try and think of the ramifications of the technology they develop and unleash upon an often unready mankind.

Cloning efforts, genetic manipulation and other current projects, if successful - may very well lead to infinitely more suffering in society than imagined - and all under the name of progress and scientific endeavor.

So we must try to restrain from pointing the finger at any group and say that they are to blame for societies current problems. ALL must share the responsibility - and always we must include ourselves in this equation ;-)

A friend of mine is fond of the expression "from the dung heaps do the fairest lillies grow." and adversity often brings out the very best in mankind.

So evil can be turned into a great good - as evidenced by America's new post-9/11 awareness of the world and the forces which seek its destruction.

The abyss, provides the opportunity for society to reach new heights.

Best wishes,

SDAI-Tech1