Regrettable as it is, it has taken a national disaster to bring the worst out from the race hustlers. Like the proverbial rats trapped in a corner they have become desperate.

No question, they know they're cornered. Listen as they spurt some of the most bigoted rhetoric in hopes of rallying folks they have intimidated for years. Some of their fellow travellers in churches who have in the past been the enforcers of holding good people in line have joined the mainstream more concerned with finding aid and comfort for all rather than spewing racial hatred.

There is a greater good.

While the general consensus among reasonable people is that there is enough blame to go around and when all the truth unravels, racism is not going to be a major factor despite some media that has tried to make it so. A careful view might reveal there is something and someone very anti-American behind it as has been the case for years.

The facts we know dispel any intelligent thinking person to believe Katrina brought a premeditated bias in recovery efforts aimed at the poor and blacks. The facts are the only racism displayed has been by a few black leaders and their liberal enablers who are desperately trying to use this tragedy to hold their waning following in hopes for increased contributions to their own accounts.

Their fading castle built on sand is being washed along the beaches Katrina ravaged.

It will be interesting to see if the corporations who have furnished racial profiteers funds in the past will see the light and recognize the trend. History indicates they are usually behind the curve. For all their marketing skills look at the the failed politicians many have supported in the past. Their ear to the ground is embedded with wax.

The proof of the pudding and the irrefutable evidence now shows that a color blind citizenry throughout the nation has and is ponying up with the greatest outpouring of cash, goods, food, clothing, medical assistance, schools and loving care in the entire history of charity for the victims of Katrina.

No one mentions the overwhelming recipients are the poor and black. Neither is it necessary to mention the overwhelming people who are providing the help and assistance are non blacks and if they're poor they are not poor in spirit or brotherhood.

In such a tragic circumstance we can celebrate the real spirit of our Republic which seems to have taken a renewed and loftier road. I have heard none of the beneficiaries speak of color, rather they have been grateful for the blessings they receive from all the people.

Only through the basic power of a free Republic could this be possible. It is not the government that is the catalyst, though they are involved. It is the people as so indelibly imprinted in the 10th Amendment. The Founders knew the court of last resort would always be the people, and so it is today and our Republic is better for it.

Sometimes difficulties do unfold silver linings. If what I read we may have found a newly developing attitude toward seeing only the need and the more meaningful aspects of a society of citizens who are sick and tired of those who try to divide us thru the worst and most cruel form of racism.

Maybe the time has come for those who have been used for far too long to finally say, "You can't intimidate us any longer. You can't speak for us any longer. You can't separate us a class any longer. You can't influence us to hate others any longer. You can't provide the real dream of equal opportunity for all by depriving us of individualism and self improvement. You can't tell us any longer we need crutches and welfare to succeed in life."

Then and only then can we all join together and fervently confirm: "Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we're free at last."

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. Active in civic and political affairs, he is past president of the Georgia Jaycees, former vice president of the US and the world Jaycees, former campaign chairman of the Georgia Republican party. He voluntarily serves as chairman of the Georgia Heritage Council. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.