Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Simon Woods' brilliant blog on Obamamania
Look to the right of this screen. Do you see the name Simon Woods under the heading "Favorite Reads"? Click it. Quickly! Read his brilliant blog "Don't Forget the Movement".
Saturday, March 15, 2008
What the Grandmothers Tell Us
What the Grandmothers Tell Us
The Grandmothers say to learn our language, our Spirits already know the beautiful language Our Ancestors spoke, We need only to Remember How to Speak It.
The Grandmothers say to give our children Native names for the Spirits won’t know our Children without their Names.
The Grandmothers say to take our Children to Our Ceremonies and to Teachers to help them find their way back from the spell of the White Man’s World.
The Grandmothers say that We must be the best examples of Traditional Native Peoples living in these days and times. The Children need a Star to follow.
The Grandmothers say that Tradition is not about dress, but belief.
The Grandmothers say that We Need our Traditions, Customs, Spirituality and Communities to survive absorption or death.
The Grandmothers say that Tradition must be fluid enough to account for the realities of today. A Tree that does not Bend breaks.
The Grandmothers say that a People without an Identity cease to exist as a People. A Plant only grows with Strong Roots.
The Grandmothers say that Native People are strong and that Native Women are stronger, we can survive--Together.
The Grandmothers say that it is Time.
The Grandmothers say to learn our language, our Spirits already know the beautiful language Our Ancestors spoke, We need only to Remember How to Speak It.
The Grandmothers say to give our children Native names for the Spirits won’t know our Children without their Names.
The Grandmothers say to take our Children to Our Ceremonies and to Teachers to help them find their way back from the spell of the White Man’s World.
The Grandmothers say that We must be the best examples of Traditional Native Peoples living in these days and times. The Children need a Star to follow.
The Grandmothers say that Tradition is not about dress, but belief.
The Grandmothers say that We Need our Traditions, Customs, Spirituality and Communities to survive absorption or death.
The Grandmothers say that Tradition must be fluid enough to account for the realities of today. A Tree that does not Bend breaks.
The Grandmothers say that a People without an Identity cease to exist as a People. A Plant only grows with Strong Roots.
The Grandmothers say that Native People are strong and that Native Women are stronger, we can survive--Together.
The Grandmothers say that it is Time.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Chief Floyd Leonard of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma passes away
Esteemed Chief Floyd Leonard of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma passed away at 7:20 a.m., Saturday, March 8th, 2008 at St. John's Hospital in Joplin, Missouri at age 82. The family gathered at his home in Miami. The Chief laid in state for three days, according to our customs, at our Nation's longhouse located west of Commerce, Oklahoma.
Chief Leonard spent 27 years as the Miami Nation's chief, my chief.
He was born in Picher, Oklahoma in 1925 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. In 2005, he received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Miami University. Chief Leonard began his teaching career in 1950 and served as an elementary school principal in Joplin, Missouri from 1952 to 1966. He then served as an assistant superintendent at Webb City and Joplin before retiring after 36 years in Missouri public schools. In 1953, he began his commitment to Miami tribal affairs, serving on the tribe's business committee for nine years. He was elected second chief in 1963 and became principal chief in 1974, serving eight years. Due to health concerns, he resigned his position as chief, but returned to lead our tribe in 1989 and served until his death.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, his son Joseph and two grandchildren. Funeral services were set for Tuesday at the Miami Nation cemetery. Dignitaries from numerous surrounding tribes, Miami University, and of Oklahoma attended, as well as tribal leaders and elders. He was given a traditional Miami burial.
On a personal note, Chief Leonard was my chief for the majority of my life. He was the last to name me, the first with a kind word, and was a man of integrity and humility. His passing is the end of an era for the Miami people. His wise counsel and generous spirit will be greatly missed.
Kikweesitoole, Akima. Aho.
Chief Leonard spent 27 years as the Miami Nation's chief, my chief.
He was born in Picher, Oklahoma in 1925 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. In 2005, he received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Miami University. Chief Leonard began his teaching career in 1950 and served as an elementary school principal in Joplin, Missouri from 1952 to 1966. He then served as an assistant superintendent at Webb City and Joplin before retiring after 36 years in Missouri public schools. In 1953, he began his commitment to Miami tribal affairs, serving on the tribe's business committee for nine years. He was elected second chief in 1963 and became principal chief in 1974, serving eight years. Due to health concerns, he resigned his position as chief, but returned to lead our tribe in 1989 and served until his death.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, his son Joseph and two grandchildren. Funeral services were set for Tuesday at the Miami Nation cemetery. Dignitaries from numerous surrounding tribes, Miami University, and of Oklahoma attended, as well as tribal leaders and elders. He was given a traditional Miami burial.
On a personal note, Chief Leonard was my chief for the majority of my life. He was the last to name me, the first with a kind word, and was a man of integrity and humility. His passing is the end of an era for the Miami people. His wise counsel and generous spirit will be greatly missed.
Kikweesitoole, Akima. Aho.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My two cents on Obama
Let me first state that I think Obama will make a good president in 8 or so years. Now, let me explain why it is I don't think he is ready for the job in 2008.
After learning about his use of a teleprompter to give these seemingly spontaneous impassioned speeches "from the heart", his proposition of numerous pieces of legislation and his inability to build coalitions to get them passed, I believe he is more talk than action. It is a roll of the dice with him. There is nothing in his past to convince me that he is capable of making hard decisions--he abstained from voting on numerous controversial pieces of legislation, even though he was present at the voting. I do not trust him with making foreign policy decisions if he would not make a decision at the state level on a bill that would allow certain victims of sexual crimes to petition judges to seal court records relating to their cases. Obama also voted present (the only Senator to do so) on a bill that effortlessly passed the Senate that would require teaching lessons on respecting others in schools. He also voted present on a bill aimed at prohibiting sex-related shops from opening near schools or places of worship. ("It’s Not Just ‘Ayes’ and ‘Nays’: Obama’s Votes in Illinois Echo", New York Times, by Raymond Hernandez and Christopher Drew, December 20, 2007) Whether you agree with these measures or not, his job as a state senator is to make hard decisions on these issues. He repeatedly failed to do so. Another important job requirement is proposing bills and then building coalitions to get those bills passed. Since Obama became a United States Senator, he has only sponsored two bills that have become law. One of these bills was a bill to name a post office. Do we really want a president who fails to take hard stands when not politically expedient and who does not have the experience and history necessary to build bipartisan coalitions to get the job of Congress done?
I firmly believe that Senator Clinton is the best choice to get us out of the mess George W. Bush put us in. She has the ability to get things done in Washington--not just propose that things get done. Her national security policy and foreign policy can match strength with John McCain's. Obama appears soft on these issues. If you were enticed by his anti-war sentiment, it is prudent to remember that he was not even in the Senate during that time and when he finally did get to the Senate, it was much more popular to be anti-war. Recently, a resolution was passed on America's relations with Iran. Obama criticized Hillary's vote, but he did not even cast a vote on it. He was off campaigning somewhere. The fact is that so far, he does not take hard stands when necessary. I do not trust him to be a strong leader of our nation during this precarious time. He has pretty words and he is charismatic, but he does not act.
What is the reason why we are overlooking Obama’s inexperience and unwillingness to take hard stands on the issues?
After learning about his use of a teleprompter to give these seemingly spontaneous impassioned speeches "from the heart", his proposition of numerous pieces of legislation and his inability to build coalitions to get them passed, I believe he is more talk than action. It is a roll of the dice with him. There is nothing in his past to convince me that he is capable of making hard decisions--he abstained from voting on numerous controversial pieces of legislation, even though he was present at the voting. I do not trust him with making foreign policy decisions if he would not make a decision at the state level on a bill that would allow certain victims of sexual crimes to petition judges to seal court records relating to their cases. Obama also voted present (the only Senator to do so) on a bill that effortlessly passed the Senate that would require teaching lessons on respecting others in schools. He also voted present on a bill aimed at prohibiting sex-related shops from opening near schools or places of worship. ("It’s Not Just ‘Ayes’ and ‘Nays’: Obama’s Votes in Illinois Echo", New York Times, by Raymond Hernandez and Christopher Drew, December 20, 2007) Whether you agree with these measures or not, his job as a state senator is to make hard decisions on these issues. He repeatedly failed to do so. Another important job requirement is proposing bills and then building coalitions to get those bills passed. Since Obama became a United States Senator, he has only sponsored two bills that have become law. One of these bills was a bill to name a post office. Do we really want a president who fails to take hard stands when not politically expedient and who does not have the experience and history necessary to build bipartisan coalitions to get the job of Congress done?
I firmly believe that Senator Clinton is the best choice to get us out of the mess George W. Bush put us in. She has the ability to get things done in Washington--not just propose that things get done. Her national security policy and foreign policy can match strength with John McCain's. Obama appears soft on these issues. If you were enticed by his anti-war sentiment, it is prudent to remember that he was not even in the Senate during that time and when he finally did get to the Senate, it was much more popular to be anti-war. Recently, a resolution was passed on America's relations with Iran. Obama criticized Hillary's vote, but he did not even cast a vote on it. He was off campaigning somewhere. The fact is that so far, he does not take hard stands when necessary. I do not trust him to be a strong leader of our nation during this precarious time. He has pretty words and he is charismatic, but he does not act.
What is the reason why we are overlooking Obama’s inexperience and unwillingness to take hard stands on the issues?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hillary Clinton is a woman.
This campaign season has been personally momentous. The stakes and the candidates made me do this season what no other campaign season compelled me to do—get involved. I have always voted. I realized that in this primary, however, voting was not enough. I had to act.
I have a deep respect and admiration for Senator Clinton and her work on behalf of women and on behalf of those often marginalized by traditional government. After reviewing the political platforms of both candidates and examining their track record, I easily decided to give Senator Clinton my full support. She is the best candidate for the Democratic Party and for the nation.
The compelling moment of action came the day after Super Tuesday when I took a hard look at the situation and decided I had to do something. Though Senator Clinton was not a loser in the contest, I saw how the media propelled a messianic momentum in support of Barack Obama. I saw how the media bias bordered on yellow journalism. The media was taking the choice out of the contest, in favor of Obama. I saw how everyone walked on egg shells to avoid racist or perceived racist comments, but no one feared making sexist comments. Pundits and politicians alike made reference to Senator Clinton’s gender and sex in stereotypical and, thus, harmful ways. Why is sexism not treated as seriously as racism? I had to speak out.
I am appalled at how unfairly Senator Clinton has been treated in the media. She is often treated without respect by opposing candidates’ supporters and by the media just because she is a woman. Women are often held in less esteem than men, unless they are nicely and safely compartmentalized in their roles of mother and wife. I can relate because I have experienced this in my own life. But Hillary Rodham Clinton has always maintained her focus and dignity in the face of these misogynistic attacks. Statistics prove that women are more than half the world’s population; the United States is included in this. Chile and Argentina, two countries strongly influenced by a pervading strain of “machismo”, elected women leaders. What is stopping the US? Studies show that 2/3 of the work needed to keep the world going is done by the unpaid labor of women. Women’s work keeps the world operating, yet it is consistently undervalued compared to men’s work.
Hillary Clinton’s work has made the world a better place. She is the woman who coined the phrase "women's rights are human rights" at the 1995 United Nations Decade of Women Conference at Beijing. She has traveled throughout the world attempting to provide better lives and better healthcare to the families of the world and the US. By helping the world’s women and the world’s families, she is laying down a firm foundation for transforming the world for the better.
Look how she has already projected a very humane and better future for all people in the United States and humanity in general. The measure and human quality of her character is illustrated in her response to the crisis of the death of the Dallas patrolman from her motorcade. She cancelled her political rally to accompany the family to the hospital. The rally was about business as usual—trying to win. Stopping the rally was about privileging humanity over winning. She chose to honor life.
We are not just electing a national president, but a global leader. The eyes of the whole world are at this time on the United States because people around the world expect a high moral standard from the US. That is what she showed. She won not just my head, but my heart as well. I know I can count on Hillary Clinton putting humanity above personal “gain”.
March is Women’s History month—a perfect time to reflect on what women have contributed to our world and to recognize the accomplishments women continue to bestow upon us today. It is also a time to recognize how sexism is clouding our judgement--or lack of judgement on--Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton is more than 35 years experience, more than the first first lady who walked in a gay pride parade, more than the only candidate to have a plan to cover all Americans under universal healthcare. Hillary Clinton is a strong, capable, and compassionate woman---Yes, she is a woman!!
I have a deep respect and admiration for Senator Clinton and her work on behalf of women and on behalf of those often marginalized by traditional government. After reviewing the political platforms of both candidates and examining their track record, I easily decided to give Senator Clinton my full support. She is the best candidate for the Democratic Party and for the nation.
The compelling moment of action came the day after Super Tuesday when I took a hard look at the situation and decided I had to do something. Though Senator Clinton was not a loser in the contest, I saw how the media propelled a messianic momentum in support of Barack Obama. I saw how the media bias bordered on yellow journalism. The media was taking the choice out of the contest, in favor of Obama. I saw how everyone walked on egg shells to avoid racist or perceived racist comments, but no one feared making sexist comments. Pundits and politicians alike made reference to Senator Clinton’s gender and sex in stereotypical and, thus, harmful ways. Why is sexism not treated as seriously as racism? I had to speak out.
I am appalled at how unfairly Senator Clinton has been treated in the media. She is often treated without respect by opposing candidates’ supporters and by the media just because she is a woman. Women are often held in less esteem than men, unless they are nicely and safely compartmentalized in their roles of mother and wife. I can relate because I have experienced this in my own life. But Hillary Rodham Clinton has always maintained her focus and dignity in the face of these misogynistic attacks. Statistics prove that women are more than half the world’s population; the United States is included in this. Chile and Argentina, two countries strongly influenced by a pervading strain of “machismo”, elected women leaders. What is stopping the US? Studies show that 2/3 of the work needed to keep the world going is done by the unpaid labor of women. Women’s work keeps the world operating, yet it is consistently undervalued compared to men’s work.
Hillary Clinton’s work has made the world a better place. She is the woman who coined the phrase "women's rights are human rights" at the 1995 United Nations Decade of Women Conference at Beijing. She has traveled throughout the world attempting to provide better lives and better healthcare to the families of the world and the US. By helping the world’s women and the world’s families, she is laying down a firm foundation for transforming the world for the better.
Look how she has already projected a very humane and better future for all people in the United States and humanity in general. The measure and human quality of her character is illustrated in her response to the crisis of the death of the Dallas patrolman from her motorcade. She cancelled her political rally to accompany the family to the hospital. The rally was about business as usual—trying to win. Stopping the rally was about privileging humanity over winning. She chose to honor life.
We are not just electing a national president, but a global leader. The eyes of the whole world are at this time on the United States because people around the world expect a high moral standard from the US. That is what she showed. She won not just my head, but my heart as well. I know I can count on Hillary Clinton putting humanity above personal “gain”.
March is Women’s History month—a perfect time to reflect on what women have contributed to our world and to recognize the accomplishments women continue to bestow upon us today. It is also a time to recognize how sexism is clouding our judgement--or lack of judgement on--Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton is more than 35 years experience, more than the first first lady who walked in a gay pride parade, more than the only candidate to have a plan to cover all Americans under universal healthcare. Hillary Clinton is a strong, capable, and compassionate woman---Yes, she is a woman!!
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