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Is "reparations" going to be the new euphemism for Welfare?

This apology is asinine. In the history of Humanity, all kinds of groups have been treated very badly by others, not just American slaves. Why are they singled out? There are neither offenders nor victims living, so what's the point. This is ludicrous.

Slavery was banned by the federal government, what, 140 years ago? Why this legislation now? A better idea would be to apologize for destroying the Black family by rewarding single motherhood and for the wrongs being committed against White males through "diversity" and "affirmative action" programs.

the united states is an embassment to the civilized world. we don't practice what we preach. we say we stand fro democrasy mor4e like hypocrasy. we remove hussein from power only to give him back to the people he oppressed what did we think would happen san clemente no death. a lot like taking drug pushers and handing them over to the famalies of the people who's lives they affected. the jews received reparations from the united states and the hollocaust didn't even happen in america. just as shure as there are wealthy americans in america most of the old wealth in america was made off the backs of americans slaves appology jee thanks tell that to my grandparents who are still alive and half black and white due to rape form the days of slavery please dont insult us with your affirmative action nonsense man up and do the right and only thing for this nation to heal we were victims not propery or colleagues.

Thats not good enough! The companies or families who tortured these slaves should be fine and prosecuted for their awful acts. That will show we really are sorry for this inhuman act. Not only that but we need to help the African American community. They deserve a lot more than freedom...

Finally! The Whiteman has come to grips with what he has done. That is a good start, now each state should follow suit. If we did not have a Black President the Senate would have never done this. And you cannot blame the black people because there is not one of us in the Senate. Genetal Lee must be spinning in his hell hole.

And to the future generations of Americans, we should apologize for electing such a bafoon to the White House as Obama.

Really....well thanks for the apologies, what about the emotional and mental damage? Apologies can't and won't fix that. An E for effort though.

My great-great-great-great grandfather stubbed his toe on a US government sign in Montana 100 years ago. Can I get an apology from Congress for that as well?

DON'T STOP THERE. You have a myriad of misplaced American natives from coast to coast that have been waiting as long or longer. Not to mention the lands taken from Mexico under the guise of 'Manifest Destiny'. This is nothing but PC appeasement until the next squeaky wheel gets oiled.

Watch the Whacko Right go ballistic over this........they are probably already Twittering and Facebooking, decrying the denigration of white Southern culture by the big, bad Federal Government. Their solution for this issue will most likely be a tax break for the descendents of slave owners to compensate them for their losses.

Don't laugh, it is probably happening as we speak.

While they are apologizing for the wrongs of slavery and segregation to the blacks. How bout apologizing to the Catholics for the same thing, how bout to the Chinese in America for the same thing and lets not forget the whites and the other nationals in America that were held and are still being held in slavery and segregation.

Now that is something I never thought I'd see.

I often do not take appologies that much but there is a need to fix problems. Is somebody going to apologize for racism tomorrow? It needs a deep reflexion on how to fix disparities in this country more than apologizing. The problem is somewhere else today and the solution is not the one being offered!

Congratulations for apologizing for something that happened before we were all alive.

Now if we can just get those danged mongols to apologize for that Ghengis Khan thing...

Please remitt my share of the reperations as follows: 50% to ACORN, and 50% to Savannah State University as a donation.

You can talk about apologizing for slavery all you want it will not stop racism in the United States of America now or in the future

When are will they issue an apology for the white slaves that suffered in the United States also? Contrary to history as it is taught in school hudreds of thosands of people from Europe were also brought to the U.S. as slaves.

I accept, now let me tell you where I want my money sent.

I am absolutely not a racist I believe in total equality for all in the human race, but I am extremely frustrated at our politicians when it seems all they do is apoligize to someone. Someone apoligize to my uncles who had to serve in the armed forces, someone apoligize to my friends who are scarred for life from Vietnam. Who knows what my ancestors had to face to come to America.

Slavery was and is wrong, but as with the atrocities in Africa today, the early slaves were sold by their own people.
If we were to trace the roots of the majority of African Americans today, the majority would see that they enjoy, like I do the freedoms of America because of the terrible price their forefathers paid.

Whatever price was paid for me to live here, I blame no one but am extremely thankful like all races whose tickets were paid by the suffering of others.
Please quit apoligizing be thankful

Yeah cuz you did such a terrific job George...idiot!

Give us what you promised us US Government. Give us our 40 acres and our mules!

Show us your apology. Words mean NOTHING!

I think it is so funny that the liberals blame Bush...Have you all forgotten that America had the lowest unemployment in 25 years, the highest stock market in history and the largest housing market ever while Bush was our President? All that changed two years ago...for all you liberals that do not pay attention to real news...that is when the Democrats took over the Senate and House. If you truly call yourself an American you would know history and that history tells you that it is private business that creates the best country in the world. Private business and the freedom to develop new ideas are what made this country the greatest country in the world. That freedom is slowly slipping out of our hands with every new law and regulatory committee that the Obama administration is creating. I am not making this stuff up. It is happening right before your eyes.

God Bless America and God Bless our Troops.

It's not my fault there was slavery in the United States and I think this apology is a slap in the face of many American's just like me. I am sick of all the "victims" in this country, now what? Apology accepted? Now, where do we go from here, and is it over yet? Not by a long shot, nothing will ever be good enough for some.

Wow...I dont know where to start.....Finally, I feel some relief knowing that the wrong doings of slavery are acknowledge. Where do we go from here? My ancestors are probably smiling from above saying, "Well its about time", but for me personally I dont know how or what to feel about this decision...Maybe I will get back to you later when I have thought about it...

Thank you Jesus!

Let the healing begin this is a new day. Change is Coming to America. Very proud of this move by the Senate.

Keep you apologies. AA are behind the ball on almost every facet of American life. Apologies are nice, but they cant fix that.

Give us our equivalent of forty acres and a mule.

It takes a long time, Brownback said, to "break through the racial barrier."

AND WE STILL HAVING. Republicans are still racist toward Blacks. Look how they have treated President Obama and his wife with nasty racist jokes and nasty hatful comments for the right wing white nuts. We still have a mountain way to go. Just look at how the Repubicans make nasty joke about President Obama and don't apology.

Leave it to the democrats to suck up for votes

It's Finally Done!...now let's move forward.

To All Those with the GET OVER ATTITUDE,

Understand that slavery is a part of this country's history, so we never should stop talking about, just like we continue to talk about and commemorate the founding fathers who penned the Constitution. Slavery is just one of the injustices in our society that made us READ, and re-read the Consititution so that we can continue to 'form a more perfect union.'

I don't need an apology, but my ancestors, and their supporters don't deserve a "get over it attitude" either. That is insulting to their legacy.

Enough already with the apologies. Slavery was a long time ago its time to stop looking back and start looking forward.

-33 yr old Black man from Atlanta-

We all know actions speak louder than words...you can apologize for an eternity and get no where. Why not help the black americans or native americans that have ancestors gain something by having an opportunity to get a job, or volunteer to do something for their community? Why not help them, so they can help others?

Its a very touchy subject, but who cares. There is a reason why God let it happen for so long, just like the Israelites suffered under Pharaoh; the Holacaust.

They see Obama paying tribute, and it finally hit home. Better late than never i guess...

Here we go. First the apology and then the handouts of money for the slavery that black folks ancestors endured. Just another way of separating us all so that we all fall down. Did our government ever apologize to the native americans? the Japanese forced out of their homes during WW II? People are becoming color blind but the government is not.

I could have sworn in the last election that we voted for change. But Bush and that old gas-bag Cheney seem t think that things were just swell as they had them!

I hope only the Democrats apologized since it was the democratic party that supported and proliferated slavery. Remember, it was a republican president Lincoln who fought against and abolished slavery.

Amazing that it took until 2009....

Some members of the African-American community have called on lawmakers to give cash payments or other financial benefits to descendants of slaves as compensation for the suffering caused by slavery.

You have got to be kidding me.

My great great grand father, Jim Bridger married Little Fawn, Chief Washakie's daughter, therefore I am part Shoshone, I agree that the Native Americans do deserve an apology. My mother was put in a boarding school, these kids were treated terrible, they cut her hair, if they spoke their Native language they were beaten, this is mild compared to what the Settlers did to the Indians, I also say Amen to the apology to the African Americans, and should there should be compensation to ALL people that were that were put into slavery. Yes, Native Americans were rounded up the by U.S. Army and many were killed. I won't elaborate further but look up the Trail of Tears. Shame, shame, shame on the government.

Did Boss Limbaugh authorize Republican Senators to vote for this ? I doubt it.

As an African American, my initial reaction to reading this was "LOL!". Apologizing for something like this is... moot. It's not as if those appointed in the Senate today are the same individuals who supported slavery and Jim Crow laws back in those days. We don't control the past; the past controls us.

Thanks, Sam. Nice to know that "conservatives" can spit in the face of their White constituents, too.

Don't you dare apologize on my behalf. On my own behalf, I take back the apology, as my ancestors had nothing to do with slavery.

As far as "reparations" go, there's already the over $1 trillion in wealth transferred from Whites to blacks in the form of entitlements enjoyed disproportionately by blacks, and paid for overwhelmingly by Whites. If that isn’t “reparations,” and then some, then nothing is. Of course, that’s just common sense, which is no competition for the obese cash cow known as White Guilt.

I'd be interested in the entire text of the resolution. Did it blame blacks’ seemingly eternal problems on the "legacy of slavery," like a similar atrocity passed by the New Jersey state legislature not too long ago?

You got your black POTUS. He made it, despite being abandoned by his black father. Any further excuses are now falling on deaf ears.

It's about time, though kind of hundreds of years too late. Interesting twist that it does not have to be sent to the President, who happens to be our first African-American President for signature. I am sure the GOP and neocons will twist that to somehow be his fault or say he is avoiding it. It's also a sorry commentary that they pass something like this while Jim Crow practices–both overt and covert–are still alive and well in the undercurrnents of racist America. No bill will contribute to the enlightenment and evolvement of the ignorant people who continue to treat black people as second rate citizens.

WAY too little and WAY too late.

African-American should be given some financial benefits/ compensation for the generations of suffering caused by slavery and discrimnation.

About time!!!

show me the money

This is a sad day. No one living today is due any apology. These people need to be seeking the tribes that sold them into slavery and asking forgiveness of them. I as an ancestor of a slave owner don't owe them anything. I don't believe in it and wouldn't partake in it but to apoligize for WHAT?

over n over n over n over

Finally, we can put all this racism behind us!

Get – over – it – America!

The rednecks in the south cringe at the very thought of this act and want the return of slavery for their cheap wages or non at all.

Only 145 years late. Way to go, senate!

If the govt really wants to do something for the African American community why don't they step in and stop the rise of white supremacist and right wing extremist that keep treating our nation due to the race of the president, just like they stepped in and killed the Black Panthers.

As an African American I don't feel that cash payments or any kind of monetary gift will do anything. First of all it is like buying our forgiveness.

What we want is to know that the govt will enforce laws equally and that justice is truly blind

And what about the Japanese internment camps survivors, the Irish immigrants who were wage slaves, the American Indians who were given blankets infected with smallpox, and the Chinese who were forced to build railroads? Where will it end? I didn't own slaves, or poison Indians or force Irish or Chinese to be wage slaves. Were these people wronged? Of course they were, but it's HISTORY.

Also, the Emancipation Proclamation did not free any slaves.

Enough already!

There's a good reason the rear-view mirror is so much smaller than the front windshield. Rather than working on your campaigns, do something about the economy!

Is this a joke?

What about Native Americans? What about the Chinese? What about Japanese Americans during WW 2 being forced into enternment camps for 4 years? No doubt slavery of any kind is absolutely wrong and horrible, but why is this even on the Senate floor, when a bill trying to audit the Federal Reserve, which gave away $13.9 trillion and counting since September 2008 to UNKNOWN recepitents, is currently collecting dust on the Senate floor.

The House version, HR 1207, now has enough co-sponsors to win a vote in the House (239 at last count I believe). I'm sorry, but a bill trying to expose the true state of the economy is far more important than any apology.

In related stories, the English Parliament apologized for the Crudades, the Italian government apologized for feeding Christians to the Lions, and some guy from Mesopotamia apologized for some caveman dragging a cavegirl by her ponytail!

Also eliminate that word slaves from the lexicon.
These were 'enslaved' Africans people not slaves. their offsprings should be referred to as descendants of enslaved Africans. They too were not slaves – not anymore than Rush Limbaugh would be a slave if he were captured and forced to labor in the deserts of Ouagadougou. He would be an enslaved man...... and his kids would be the descendants of the enslaved Rush Limbaugh....

first of all TARP is an expensive cost of funds to banks and the taxpayer will end up making money. The stimulus will delay recovery for years. Obama is successfully implementing his socialist agenda and the real problem is media malpractice combined with the vast amount of Americans who believe everything they hear and are not intelligent enough to do their own homework!

With all of the problems facing the US the congress has nothing better to do than pass meaningless resolutions? Shouldn't they be looking towards our future?

Are you kidding me? I thought the mandate was to not look back. If it helps America . . . I'M SORRY, NOW CAN WE FOCUS ON THE JOB AT HAND?

Does this mean we have never said this? I find it hard to believe this is the first time the government has apologized given the number of laws on the books dealing with the issue.

And the point of this is what, exactly?

Tell you what — go back, do your research, and identify your direct ancestors who suffered under slavery. Then learn who enslaved them and trace their direct descendents to the present day. Tax those people to pay slave descendents. Sound fair? I didn't think so, but you won't find any of my ancestors in the slave-owning ranks.

Its about time if the so call Jews can get $10 Billion a year for the misery they suffered, something america had nothing to do with, then we African Americans needs reparations too. I want my student loans paid off and $175,000 cash tax free.

These lame-brain lawmakers, faced with a multitude of serious national issues, choose to lollygag into trivial non-binding nonsense. Oh, how I wish we could throw all these bums out!

i do mean the entire world knew what was going on over 40 yrs ago. we are passing a resolution that apologizes for them.

Also everyone needs to get over the barrier joke.
The last time I checked a black male was president of the united states. I dont think there are any closed doors except in peoples minds. Everyone needs to stop using it for an excuse and move on. Get a job. Get a education. Get what ever you want. Work hard conquers all. Everyone has a chance to succeed and do well.

Reparations? I am annoyed with my Brothers and Sisters waiting for reparations. We were not the ones out there picking tobacco until our hands bled, being raped and dehumanized, being beaten and having our limbs chopped off. That was our ancestors, have some respect and take advantage of the opportunities they died for us to have...remember the Lord, stay in school, stop buying things you can't pay for, and get the family structure back on track.

This is a stupid waste of time and a useless political move.
Everyone alive today is against slavery.
Who is trying to impress who now.
No one alive today is a slave.
Get over it and move on. If you have problems then see a therapist, but get over it.

As an African American, I would like to commend the Senate. It was a very noble gesture, and it is appreciated.

While I don't believe in reparations or cash to individuals, I do however think it would be a great idea to have scholarship programs given to selected universities for diversity education and training. Education is the key to combat prejudice.

Well done Senators, well done.

"It takes a long time, Brownback said, to "break through the racial barrier.""

Next up: sexual orientation barrier. Cry all you want homophobes, but we're getting pretty good at destroying the legal and institutionalized remnants of bigotry. I'm thinking we'll be knocking down this barrier a bit quicker than the last few.

Give me a break!! There are very few people alive today that lived as a slave in America. I do not apologize for this injustice to blacks because I had no part in it. I don't believe in slavery and do not condone it; but I won't apologize and give money to a society that was not enslaved by me. This is ridiculous! The ones who should get the apologies are dead and gone. This is just another way for blacks to get more free money from my tax dollars. Get up; go to work like I have to do.

what happened to the apology of 6 million jews that were tortured and targeted for extermination? what happened to the apology of the jewish people for thousands of years being oppressed and forced to leave land throughtout history? only until 1948 when isreal won independence from the Arab control middleeast. What happened to the apology for the continous taget today of the jewish people? think it is a little one sided my friends. African Americans are capable of creating their own peace, and become one with everyone else. meaining enough of the babying and apologys

You have got to be kidding me! Haven't people been apologizing for long enough. It doesn't matter what you say or do, the white man will always bring black people down. Even with a black president in office it's still not good enough for African Americans in this country, even though they walk around like they own the place.

Um...hello...black president? This is necessary 145 years after the 13th Amendement? The US Senate is the most worthless body ever created.

And this does what? No one alive today has been a keeper of slaves.
My ancestors did not own slaves. Many of our past poiticians owned slaves yet we revel in their greatness.

In reality slavery did not end untile 1964 ,the new slave were call sharecropper, Said enough.

Long overdue.

As a Black Man I think there is no need for congress to passed a resolution apologizing for slavery to the Black People of the United States of America for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws." America has came a long way but Racism is still alive and doing well. congress need to pass a law to provide equal rights and opportunities not only for blacks people for everyone. Slavery is a apart for America History

It is a good thing what the senate did, but I still 100% disaggree with giving any form of reperations. The only way that would be reasonable in any sense would be if the actual person who was a slave was the one given the reperation, but not their descendant or ancestor.

apology yes..compensation..NO! The decendants did not suffer, in fact they have benefited from the white guilt brought on by slavery.

We all hate the slavery that happened around the world, and in the US, about 150 years ago. (Note that black-black slavery still exists in Africa today). We get that. I wasn't around then, nor my parents, and so I do not apologize for this. I do not think it is the responsibility of today's US government, either. We went to war to end it, and hundreds of thousands died. Apology enough!

It seems that our loony lib government is now consumed with making apologies to everybody and taking care of our bloated government rather than taking care (and steering clear) of the people!

Well, I'm sorry but I don't feel a need for us to apologize to anyone about anything. Actually, I am not sorry about that either!

"...on behalf of the people of the United States..."

They should have said "government." I was born in 1980 and owe no apologies to anyone. I find it offensive that the US government would presume to speak for me in this matter.

At some point, blacks in the US are going to have to hold THEMSELVES responsible for their own lives. If this sort of government action can help them to let go of the persistent mentality of victimhood that has plagued them for so long, fine, but not in my name. Don't expect me to hold my breath, either.

What an incredible waste of taxpayers time and money. Harkin is an idiot.

And the apologies continue! It would certainly seem, that after 144 years, no apology or explanation should be needed. Just another wasteful act by our current administration.

do not apologise for me, ever, ever.

As an Anfrican -American I have to say that I would accept your apology. Been a long time comming. As far as restitution goes, i don't want your money. I want you guys to invest in our communities, in our schools in our businesses, and etc. Helping our kids reach their true potentioal and have a better future in all aspects of life will be sufficient enough.

Let's face it, the Civil War and the true emancipation of African-Americans didn't conclude until 1964 with the signing of the Civil Rights Act by President Johnson. And the underlying cause of slavery and segregation that is racism and hatred is still alive today! The US is the only 1st world country where hate groups are still legal! The work is still not finished!

Let's be clear African-Americans are not looking for a hand out. An acknowledgment and apology from the United States government is more than overdue. It's interesting how people say "move on", when it comes to 400 years of slavery, however, when it comes to the holocaust (which was absolutley terrible and a terrible stain on the world), no one ever says to move on. One can move on but still acknowledge the sins of the past. Think if a German person told a Jewish person to just move on. I look forward to the United States soon offering an official apology for slavery. I don't need reparations but doing the right thing is in order.

I don't care what anyone says, an apology from a branch of the United States government is a start. I'm not sure how you would go about making reparations. I don't really think it feasible. I mean you broke up families at the auction block, babies and children separated FOREVER from their mothers; husbands taken from their wives. I'm not convinced that reparations can be made for that, and so much, so much more.

But it's another step in the right direction. Recognizing a very ugly and shameful period in the history of this great nation.

My pockets are empty enough paying for all of Obama's socialist crap-I ain't givin' none to reparations!!

The emancipation of slaves was a political move by the republican party without any actual plan behind it. Funny how little the party has changed since its birth. Lincoln himself said he believed in the emancipation of slaves but that he did not believe in equal rights to blacks. And because of his party's lack of planning it took another 100 years of struggle and the Civil Rights movement to finally give blacks the equal rights they deserved. So next time your party grand-stands for human rights, please have an actual plan to implement, not just empty promises!

150 years later? I know slavery was a terrible thing but my ancestors lost everything in the war too. You won't see me asking for money because it didn't happen to ME! And I am pretty sure that all of those who suffered from slavery are long dead. I know some will say "but because they were slaves, we are in the situation we are now in". Not so fast. Again, my family – who were plantation owners in the South – lost everything but here I sit with a job and a nice house and family. When will people realize that you only get as far as you aspire – no matter who or what you are. If you sit around waiting for handouts, that's all you will get. Anybody can be anything they want to be – just have to have the will power to do it!

Queue the anonymous racists and the comments they would never have the nerve to say to an African American’s face.

get over it.................................

This coming from a man who employed Cheney and Rumsfield...Nuf said!!

I would have thought Lincoln would have covered this, wouldn't you?!
Of course, if you read Lincoln's papers, you know that while Lincoln loathed slavery, he never thought the "Negro" was equal to the White Man, and he wrote as much, even going so far as to propose a separate colony for the freed slaves in Central America.

Now, Right-wingers, chew on that!

...and we were going to be told about this when...? Shame on CNN for putting this on the "back" page of news headlines.

Until we address the ideological slavery that liberals inflict on minorities, the apology is meaningless.

I am still looking for mainstream news on the firing of Inspector General Walpin. Can we please get on with news.

Now we can all sing kumbaya