"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
news

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message
. ..

Whether it did or not, it erected the legal framework that made such
"ownership" possible, and is thus morally responsible.

That's not correct. Slavery preceded the establishment of the US.

To be more pedant-resistant, I would have to have said "The US erected the
legal framework that made such 'ownership' possible in the US".

--Gary