text: Please allow me to reply, Null, how unfortunate it is that you have chosen to post here under this pen name.  Its accuracy is such that it is embarrassing.  This observation aside, it is widely agreed on that Mr. Landrieu's speech making the argument for the removal of all Confederate monuments in New Orleans is one that stands out high and indeed proudly as the statement of what it means to be an American - namely, a decent citizen who is not afraid, and indeed eager, to confront him or herself with the darkest past of this nation, learn from it, and turn it into something inspiring.  Mr. Landrieu's magnificent speech (which was well noticed worldwide outside the USA) and the actions it accompanied are an inspiration for all of us, as it shows that there are indeed elected officials who rise up to defend decency, freedom, and American values - none of which is respected in the current Congress, and much less - in fact, not at all - by the current occupants of the White House.