Many thanks.

There´s a book called (iirc) "War before Civilization" which describes archeological and anthropological evidence that early human tribes lived in a constant state of war and people were killed in war at staggering rates. We are the most peaceful people who ever lived and that was probably true even a hundred years ago.

Of all those names, Sowell does not belong on the list. I have libertarian roots, but have since discarded them. (I finally realized that energy/climate issues means we're all connected, and everything we do affects everyone else. Surprise.) I used to like Sowell's stuff over at Capitalism Magazine. That is until I realized he had absolutely no awareness of energy or climate issues, and was as clueless as James Inhofe in that regard. These days if you don't realize what people are doing to the climate, you might as well be a doorstop, whatever your other credentials.

The great Canadian film Black Robe is the best on the realities of early concat between Indians and Europeans.

" In fact, for various reasons (numerous wars between tribes being a key factor) most Native American tribes were on a demographic decline long before the White Man showed up. "

What is your documentation? I would like to look it over.

Most of the world seems to believe that whites exterminated the North American Indians. In fact diseases that Europeans brought did 98% of the killing (over 9 milion). Ironically, the plague was not a "European" disease. It killed millions in China, millions in the Middle East, then swept Europe twice. The first time it wiped 50% and 33% the second time.

The Indians were the last victims and it couldn't have occurred at a worse time for them – as the whites were arriving.

Guess who said, "When I was a student, I was no Einstein?"

Obviously Einstein.

I was stuck watching this on a plane and cringed at every new knee jerk moment as the film unfolded. Patronizing, indeed and I smelled the bend-over-backwards-to-help-Muslims plot line coming a mile away. yes, there is good cinema here, very good performances, and great sincerity in many scenes (though the love interest had the chops of a soap actress.) I think a fragmented movie business is creating all this stuff. The days of a monolithic wordlview and movies as pure entertainment are fast waning. probably due to the multicultural financing. he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Really? When is the last time Jerry Falwell threatened to use an Ali Baba sword to remove your head from the rest of your body?