George I'm aware of the incident to supply Fort Sumter with a private vessel. The administration had made very clear that they would fight to keep remaining Federal property in the possession of the government. Should you and I and fifty of our friends take over or besiege a government building here in Columbus Ohio, let me assure you that when Federal marshals and the swat team show up to negotiate. No matter what their strategy is, everyone does you use strategy don't they? Rest assure that when they get the chance you and I will be faced down with the cuffs on us and spending time in prison with Bubba. They just would not tolerate that defiance of authority.

One other point on provocation. In the Mexican War. The US, led by a southern president in a war effort pushed by southern war hawks with the intention of some to add slave territory, sent an army into a disputed land area. The Mexicans claimed it as their own. Now when they fired the first shot, that was considered the start of the war by southern expansionist, not the sending in of troops. Different strokes for different folks? Might I add that there was a disproportion group of southern soldiers and officers compared to the north also. And Yes I realize that U S Grant was there and other yankees, though if you read his memories and other northern congressmen at the time, you will see that they felt themselves in the wrong.

I thank you for the private e-mail. I shall be glad to stand on the same side as you for a change George. That we are debating issues does not mean that I have an ill will against you whatsoever. In fact I like a lot of people that don't agree with me, I find other views interesting, so long as the person believes in them and is not using them to push his own agenda.

Chase.