Peter T,

I've always smirked at the knee-jerk assemblage of "blue ribbon panels" when it comes to issues like race because more often than not, they always include about the same people and get nowhere because people sit and regurgitate the same crap and too many of the participants are too leery of being completely open, upfront and honest. 

For years I have told people that these panels are worthless because they will never discuss things that need to be discussed openly and honestly because all involved stand too ready to label the other to fit their concept of that person's motives or beliefs. 

I have questions I would love to ask out loud but know if I did, look out (that is one reason I miss philosophy courses so much). 

It is almost like it is safer to just go back one one's respective corner, bury one's head and act like nothing is going on.