"Exceptionalism"

I will be starting a new file about items I read of that might deal with the issue of American "exceptionalism" that the GOP candidates like to talk about. America is an exceptional nation they say, and my guess is they think there are few if any things we have to regret in our past or present conduct as a nation.

I will start the file with a notation about a program I read about in the New York Times on-line on 12/11/11 that dealt with the "eugenics" program in the state of North Carolina. From 1933 to 1977 that state ordered the sterilization of some 7000 people who the state considered of low mentality, poor or in one case at least of a woman who had been raped by an older man. The state is due to release a report in February 2012 about this program and if any money will be paid for the victims who still alive. More on this later.