REPARATIONS: Don’t get started

“California lawmakers are setting up a task force to study and make recommendations for reparations to African Americans, particularly the descendants of slaves.” (Coeur d’Alene Press, Sunday, Aug. 30.)

The shallow thinking and lunacy of the extreme Democratic Party is staggering and never ceases to amaze me. Those who had nothing to do with the injustice of slavery will be responsible to pick up the tab for those whose ancestors may have been mistreated, to hopefully pacify their anger and hatred of those hurt in the past.

On that basis, we must make reparations for the American Indians, and any of their descendants, who suffered as a result of the invasion of their lands. Let’s not forget the 120,000 Japanese who lost their homes and business during World War II as they were placed in internment camps.

In all fairness, how about the German immigrants who suffered prejudice, harassment and even death in the U.S. during World War I simply because they had a German accent and may be spies? How about reparations for the families of the 360,000 men who fought and died to free the slaves, and another 1,000 plus who were wounded — some never able to live normal lives again? The list goes on and on.

Money cannot satisfy anger and hatred in the heart. If we learn anything from history, ancestral tribal retribution only promotes continuous anger, hatred and destruction. This should not be true of our nation, nor should descendants be responsible for the sins of their ancestors.

EDWIN KOPF

Rose Lake