I remain baffled as to why the nation claimed Texas in 1845. Why the hell it then actually fought a horrible war to keep Texas and its likeminded pals in the union is beyond comprehension, though I understand the outrage at slavery and the concerns of ANorthern mercantilists about losing the Southern cotton resource and Southern markets for Northern manufactured goods. The south is still the major market for Northern manufactured guns.

Anyhow, don't let the door hitcha in the ass...