Regardless of the political and cultural differences that American Indians and American Indian Nations may have with the US government and its policies, it should be recognized that American Indians serve our country, our sacred land, in the various arms of the US military at over twice their demographic representation in the US population. CERTAIN, as indicated in our Mission Statement, strives to locate, isolate, confront, and ameliorate sources of anti-Indian racism. That work continues - prejudice has no legitimate place in the "pluralistic society" that we have all heard America described as in the wake of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. The reality is that most of our membership are American citizens as well as citizens of our individual Indian Nations.
While we at CERTAIN supported America in the legitimate mission of bringing to justice the criminals responsible for the acts of destruction of the World Trade Center Towers, we also recognize the fact that hundreds of millions of people around the world are victims of vicious, ongoing criminal acts of the United States, acts perpetrated not in the name of "security" or "democracy," but for purposes of selfishness and greed. We believe that the conditions and problems that led up to the WTC attacks are conditions and problems created by the fact that much of America's 5% of the world's population somehow feels the right to use over half the world's resources. In simple terms, such a cavalier and greedy attitude would - and should - anger any true "citizens" of this planet. All Americans - including Indian peoples and other people of color far removed from positions of power in this country - must now reap the harvest of the seeds sown by the megacorporations that run the US government.
We also believe it an absolute necessity to protect the civil rights of people of all ethnicities and origins who may speak for or against certain policies in the pursuit of "justice," particularly when many of us as people of color have been long denied anything that resembles real justice. Our civil liberties are swirling around the bowl on their way down the toilet; the "USA PATRIOT Act," and it's now-contemplated sequel (thanks to Tim Robbins for that ironic cast), "PATRIOT II," are direct attacks on freedom of speech and our other liberties in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. These Acts are put forward in the name of security, but as Benjamin Franklin said, "He who would give up an essential liberty for a little safety deserves neither liberty nor safety." Overt threats to our First Amendment right to free speech have been plainly expressed - if we remember no other remark, we should remember what non-President Bush's Press Secretary Ari Fleisher stated in one briefing of the press when asked about the freedom of individuals and the media to criticize particular actions taken by the Bush Administration: "People had better watch what they say..." Mr. Fleisher's unfamiliarity with the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the other Amendments notwithstanding, this remark shows a discomfiting direction in the Bush Administration toward the curtailing of free speech.
If we do not retain our rights under the Constitution, then we are sending our fliers, seamen and women, and soldiers into the face of grave danger for purposes other than the defense of democracy, and this is simply not acceptable.
That being said, CERTAIN stands with our men and women in uniform, with our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and particularly those wearing the uniforms of fire, police, and Emergency Medical Services. We also stand with the hundreds of millions of other Americans who must be allowed to state their opinions, regardless of the popularity or "patriotism" of those opinions, without fear of reprisal by the government or by callous individuals or corporations who would attempt to stifle disagreement.
We do not stand with an unelected administration pursuing a course of action that we as Indian peoples have seen - and experienced - before: NAKED AND UNABASHED COLONIALISM.SUPPORT OUR TROOPS - BRING THEM HOME!!!
Mike Two Horses (Dakota/Lakota), CERTAIN Council Circle
CERTAIN
1136 Arden Lane
Blacksburg VA 24060-62543
...or by telephone at:
Tel: 540-588-4428
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