Long, long ago and far away, our self-made mythology tells us that we were a strong and honorable nation. Greed, arrogance, and a self-righteous attitude were our strengths. If there was ever such a thing as honor among thieves, then we had honor as well. Unfortunately, this remains the prevailing posture of this country.

We gaze intently across our borders to find fault with the way other nations treat their own citizens and us. When we learn of the numerous and endless violations of our laws by our own leaders, we believe we make them stop because we've closed our eyes and shut our mouths.

As long as we believe it won't get personal with our own families, and us we'll continue to sit back and feel smug. We've been lulled to sleep with the promises of security and the continuation of the "American dream". In the meanwhile, we're poisoned while we eat; we're raped and robbed while we're wide-awake by the voracious greed of our government officials and "corporate America".

If there was ever such a working concept in our judicial system of "justice", it was long ago killed off by those who most loudly proclaimed to protect us We look around and wonder why our children have no respect for our laws and our neighbors. Our children look to us for an example, any example of fairness and justice; and seeing none, proceed to exact their own version.

Our elected officials, those who we elect and pay to represent us, get so caught up in the power plays and games of keeping up appearances that they forget who they are and what it is that they're elected to do. With constant badgering and harassment by those whose only interest is in their own individual financial gain, it's easier to give in than stand their ground and fight.

The minorities in this country who are the poorest of the poor, the indigenous ones of this continent who were promised in our country's most honored legal systems to be protected, have never known the truth of those promises. Their land has been desecrated, stolen, raped, and all the things they hold sacred continue to be destroyed in the name of greed.

Corporate America doesn't care that the resources of the land cannot be replaced; the voice of the almighty dollar is all that's seen and heard. Poisonous chemicals enter water sources that are used for drinking, bathing and cooking. Children are stillborn or born with major birth defects. Others that must use those same polluted waters are condemned to die slow, torturous deaths.

Corporate America doesn't care that the native Peoples continue to be killed off in the "old west" mentality of "the only good indian is a dead indian". As long as the objective of making obscene amounts of money is met, who cares that generations of Indian men and women are dying? Who cares that alcohol destroys families and communities? The primary purpose of Corporate America is to make money; who gets in the way is not part of the picture.

I am not a registered member of any federally recognized indigenous Nation of these american continents but I do live on the northern continent. I am a member of the human race and must speak out on behalf of all those who are my relations. Race, religion and gender are not relevant criteria. The protection of the earth on which we all live is very important to all of us, but most important to the first "americans". If we continue to destroy the land base upon which we're all dependent to live, there will be nothing left for our children to live on.

That is my primary focus: what we leave to our children. Without clean air, waters and soil for the growing of the foods we need to live, what will happen to our children: to their children? What are our moral priorities? Do the American government and the businesses here have any moral positions? From our point of view, it appears that they do not. Those of us who can no longer tolerate the posture of the leaders of our government are speaking out.

Although writing to government officials seems to be an exercise in the art of spitting into the wind or jousting with windmills, I am none-the-less compelled to try. I am but one small voice of the many who speak the same words; whose voices now speak only on the whispering winds of time. It's time for the media in this country to tell our stories; of the on-going situations of the many Nations inside the United State's borders.

The unjust imprisonment for 24 years of Leonard Peltier is well known in many other countries but is virtually unheard of by the citizens of the country that illegally holds him in shackles and chains. Those who control access to our political leaders ignore petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures. Those who are in charge of protecting our national security have repeatedly been found guilty of lies, deception and other immoral and illegal practices. Those who dare to challenge the authority of the federal Bureau of Investigation are forced to be silent; one way or another.

The sovereignty issues of the Dine, Lakota and other Nations are not dealt with in honorable ways. Instead, covert methods take precedent. Elders are mistreated, their property is destroyed and their supporters are harassed and arrested. Why are these Peoples being treated in such vicious ways? What is the ultimate goal?

On land that was guaranteed to them in treaties, the Oglala have decided to prohibit the sale of alcohol. They've followed due process and given notice to merchants to cease and desist and even vacate the premises. As the People the land was given to, it is their right to decide what is or isn't allowed in their communities.

I don't have any illusions of making an impact with my words but perhaps by adding my voice to the outcry of others, we will eventually reach the collective conscience of those who are in positions of helping to right the injustices being perpetrated against all Peoples and the earth. Our position is one of peaceful protest. We have a common goal and a united voice. Time is on our side.

Sincerely and most respectfully, I look forward to hearing more from those in our government and media on these sensitive subjects.

Reprinted under the Fair Use doctrine of international copyright law.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
Non-profit/Teaching/Educational