Using Sonar Platinum 
I want to 'stretch' out a section of recorded midi data to slow it down, I see the proper effect in my menu but I cannot select it....I cannot select any of them.  (see screenshot).  Can someone help please?   Thank you :)
 
also, whenever I highlight a midi track, all the effects are grayed out in the top menu

 
 

In your first screen shot, you are looking at the "audio" fx menu. Audio fx can not be applied to MIDI clips.
Not sure why the second screen shot does not have the MIDI fx enabled. Is the MIDI clip locked? I see the lock on several of the MIDI clips.
 
 

"MIDI Effects" is disabled in the second shot because there are no plug-ins showing in the track or clip FX racks

Just FYI (although I don't think this is your problem), hitting the "e" key on the keyboard disables all effects.  Hit "e" again to restore.
 
I think the others identified your problem, but this e thing can frustrate you if you are not aware.

Maybe someone with one of the newer programs can correct me, but I don't think you can stretch MIDI. If you want it slower, you change the tempo and the MIDI tracks will follow that tempo change. Then you would have to stretch any audio in the project.

57Gregy
Maybe someone with one of the newer programs can correct me, but I don't think you can stretch MIDI. If you want it slower, you change the tempo and the MIDI tracks will follow that tempo change. Then you would have to stretch any audio in the project.

Process> length and Process > Fit to time will stretch MIDI.

marshill
also, whenever I highlight a midi track, all the effects are grayed out in the top menu

Process > Apply Effect in the main menu is for destructively applying FX inserted in the FX bin of a MIDI or audio track. If there are no FX in the bin to be applied, the menu option will be grayed out.
 
In addition to Process > Length already mentioned, you can Shift+Ctrl+Drag the end of a MIDI clip to stretch it, just like audio.