…with many more, we fear, yet to come: “A federal judge today dismissed a lawsuit brought by descendants of slaves from across the country seeking reparations from corporations they say profited from the forced labor of their ancestors before the Civil War.” U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle cited the political-question doctrine, said the plaintiffs had failed to overcome statute of limitation questions, and “said the suit alleged no specific connection between the plaintiffs and the banks, tobacco companies, railroads and other companies named as defendants.” (Mike Robinson, “Judge dismisses slave reparations suit”, AP/Chicago Tribune, Jan. 26) FrontPage has a timely article on the suit (Curtis Lawrence, “The Reparations Lobby Sues Again”, Jan. 25). Plus: Prof. Bainbridge, much quoted here of late, has more (Jan. 27)

Filed under: reparations, tobacco