> > I look at it like this: You're not responsible for what your ancestors did.
> > Something like that.
> > -Bo
>
> 1) Do my progeny have a right to benefit from my actions, be the actions good or bad? 2) At what point can I throw my own actions into the category of history and say that I'm not responsible for them?

I don't think I really know how to answer the second question (Don and Brunnen-G have made a good start, anyway) but the first question made me think of something. I can't remember whether it's Birmingham or Liverpool that this applies to (I think it's Birmingham), but whichever city it was was founded almost entirely on the profits of the slave trade. Now, this obviously doesn't mean that the inhabitants of this city have to feel guilty about what happened, and the inhabitants are entitled to enjoy their city, but it is still very important that they don't forget what happened. Bit like Holocaust Memorial Day, really...modern-day Germans should not feel guilt over the Holocaust, but it is very important that everyone remembers it to ensure it doesn't happen again. So, basically, my opinion is that your progeny should have a benefit from your actions (provided they don't continue to compromise the rights of others) but they shouldn't forget them.

Phil-"Please don't shout at me"-bee