Plotz: "But our fascination with Lewis and Clark is much more about us than about them. ... The myth of Lewis and Clark papers over the grittier story of how the United States conquered the land, tribe by slaughtered, betrayed tribe. ... They did not need Lewis and Clark to conquer and build the West. But we do need Lewis and Clark to justify having done it."

Wow! You know, Mr. Plotz, I could save you a lot of effort. Just write down "It's all the fault of those evil white gentiles!"

And rest assured "we" do not need Lewis and Clark. Or at least you don't, since I expect your ancestors arrived here much later than 1803, and you are not a white gentile. It is only we white gentiles who have to desperately avoid our race guilt for the Indians -- or eternal stain -- by remembering Lewis and Clark.

As white gentiles, it is our cross to bear (along with our collective guilt for anti-semitism) unto our uttermost generation. It is certainly not yours ... except to the extent that you willingly share it due to your "white skin privilege" here in America.

But that is not mandatory (unlike our guilt). If you left America and moved back to Israel or Europe where your ancestors came from, you could deny the "white skin privilege" and associated guilt that you feel so intensely. You would no longer have to do penance by writing these articles of personal shame.

So make aliyah, and "rise up" from the filth that is the American galut. You will feel much better for it, I can assure you. There really is no reason to voluntarily take on white gentile guilt as well as any Jewish guilt you may feel.

Hoping you find relief!

Big Bill,

(a shameless Lewis and Clark fan)