Christians and Baptist my Thoughts

Com pas sion n

sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help

Compassion is a Key word in the Bible and imperative to Christian character. I’m Native American from the Southwest raised in the Bible and taught to believe all truths of the Word.  Justice, Honor, Respect, Love, and Equality are all trademarks of the Bible and born again believer. Having mention these fundamental characters of what Bible Believers should possess in their own lives. Many ought to reconsider their actions.

Watching every minute of the election, and the outcome with Obama winning. I like Obama because he gave every person a future to hope for. I may not agree with certain philosophies he believes but he had compassion.

Fascinating to see Bible believers respond with racist attitudes and using the Bible to justify their behavior. Where is this compassion when you call yourself Christians? People losing jobs, government-stealing money from Native American people who were raped, lied to, massacred, and left for naught. You want Native people to Vote for McCain? Using the bible to get votes, shameful! Keep in mind when Native American people were killed in the name of God, and to justify their lust for greed and murder. How can you as a Believer in Christ be so mislead? I know numerous people supported this McCain and Bush administration because of Money and what it can get for ME (them). What does the Bible teach about money? What does the bible teach about standing up for the weak?

The Bible mentions God is for the weak and not the strong. God is for the fatherless, motherless, widow, and orphans. Where is this love? I attended a Baptist school in Dallas where I finished up my undergrad. I remember enormous Baptist churches in the Dallas area. I met numerous wealthy Baptist individuals and one who promoted Christian movies. I wonder how real the Bible was for him? He was absolutely a great person and very friendly but he did not care about anyone but himself. All money!! This same attitude contaminates believers and Republicans who use the Bible and God as a means to get Rich and leave everyone in the dust. Republicans stealing from the people of this God given land and amazingly have blind people who follow and support these selfish hypocrites and believe every lie that comes out their month!

I thought about the moral issues during the election but knowing the history my people suffered, and how smooth the words of the Caucasian immigrate who used the Bible to harm and steal from the First Nation Citizens. Christians are supposed to be socialist according to Christ and his Word. Now, I believe every person should work hard but every once in awhile a person needs help! So called believers let greedy Republicans scurry around so you can get what you desire. Racism hurts and demoralizes people.

For those of you who think your doing right by voting for a Republican because of moral issues, you need to wake up because your ignorance is their power. This same principle applies for all parties.

On this note, it’s time you start speaking up for the oppressed and calling out your leaders on their behavior if you want real change. Learn compassion.

Howie Miller

Thomas Jefferson on Banks

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs." —Thomas Jefferson, 1802

John Fogerty

Sarah Palin's Record on Alaska Native and Tribal Issues

Sarah Palin's Record onAlaska Native and Tribal Issues1. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence FishingPerhaps no issue is of greater importance to Alaska Native peoples as the right to huntand fish according to ancient customary and traditional practices, and to carry on the subsistence
way of life for future generations.Governor Sarah Palin has consistently opposed those rights.Once in office, Governor Palin decided to continue litigation that seeks to overturn everysubsistence fishing determination the federal government has ever made in Alaska. (State ofAlaska v. Norton, 3:05-cv-0158-HRH (D. Ak).) In pressing this case, Palin decided againstusing the Attorney General (which usually handles State litigation) and instead continuedcontracting with
Senator Ted Stevens' brother-in-law's law firm (Birch, Horton, Bittner &Cherot).The goal of Palin's law suit is to invalidate all the subsistence fishing regulations thefederal government has issued to date to protect Native fishing, and to force the courts instead totake over the role of setting subsistence regulations. Palin's law suit seeks to diminishsubsistence fishing rights in order to expand sport and commercial fishing.In May 2007, the federal court rejected the State's main challenge, holding that Congressin 1980 had expressly granted the U.S. Interior and Agriculture Departments the authority to
regulate and protect Native and rural subsistence fishing activities in Alaska. (Decision enteredMay 15, 2007 (Dkt. No. 110).)Notwithstanding this ruling, Palin continues to argue in the litigation that the federalsubsistence protections are too broad, and should be narrowed to exclude vast areas fromsubsistence fishing, in favor of sport and commercial fishing. Palin opposes subsistenceprotections in marine waters, on many of the lands that Natives selected under their 1971 landclaims settlement with the state and federal governments, and in many of the rivers where Alaska
Natives customarily fish. (Alaska Complaint at 15-18.) Palin also opposes subsistence fishingprotections on Alaska Native federal allotments that were deeded to individuals purposely tofoster Native subsistence activities. All these issues are now pending before the federal districtcourt.2. Palin has attacked Alaska Native Subsistence HuntingPalin has also sought to invalidate critical determinations the Federal Subsistence Boardhas made regarding customary and traditional uses of game, specifically to take huntingopportunities away from Native subsistence villagers and thereby enhance sport hunting.
Palin's attack here on subsistence has focused on the Ahtna Indian people in Chistochina.Although the federal district court has rejected Palin's challenge, she has carried on an appealthat was argued in August 2008. (State of Alaska v. Fleagle, No. 07-35723 (9th Cir.).)In both hunting and fishing matters, Palin has continued uninterrupted the policiesinitiated by the former Governor Frank Murkowski Administration, challenging hunting andfishing protections that Native people depend upon for their subsistence way of life in order to
enhance sport fishing and hunting opportunities. Palin's lawsuits are a direct attack on the coreway of life of Native Tribes in rural Alaska.3. Palin has attacked Alaska Tribal SovereigntyGovernor Palin opposes Alaska tribal sovereignty.Given past court rulings affirming the federally recognized tribal status of Alaska Nativevillages, Palin does not technically challenge that status. But Palin argues that Alaska Tribeshave no authority to act as sovereigns, despite their recognition.
So extreme is Palin on tribal sovereignty issues that she has sought to block tribes fromexercising any authority whatsoever even over the welfare of Native children, adhering to a 2004legal opinion issued by the former Murkowski Administration that no such jurisdiction exists(except when a state court transfers a matter to a tribal court).Both the state courts and the federal courts have struck down Palin's policy of refusing torecognize the sovereign authority of Alaska Tribes to address issues involving Alaska Nativechildren. Native Village of Tanana v. State of Alaska, 3AN-04-12194 CI (judgment entered
Aug. 26, 2008) (Ak. Super. Ct.); Kaltag Tribal Council v. DHHS, No. 3:06-cv-00211-TMB (D.Ak.), pending on appeal No 08-35343 (9th Cir.)). Nonetheless, Palin's policy of refusing torecognize Alaska tribal sovereignty remains unchanged.4. Palin has attacked Alaska Native LanguagesPalin has refused to accord proper respect to Alaska Native languages and voters byrefusing to provide language assistance to Yup'ik speaking Alaska Native voters. As a result,Palin was just ordered by a special three-judge panel of federal judges to provide various forms
of voter assistance to Yup'ik voters residing in southwest Alaska. Nick v. Bethel, No. 3:07-cv-0098-TMB (D. Ak.) (Order entered July 30, 2008). Citing years of State neglect, Palin wasordered to provide trained poll workers who are bilingual in English and Yup'ik; sample ballotsin written Yup'ik; a written Yup'ik glossary of election terms; consultation with local Tribes toensure the accuracy of Yup'ik translations; a Yup'ik language coordinator; and pre-election andpost-election reports to the court to track the State's efforts.In sum, measured against some the rights that are most fundamental to Alaska Native
Tribes – the subsistence way of life, tribal sovereignty and voting rights – Palin's record is afailure.Kaltag:https://ecf.akd.uscourts.gov/doc1/0231295649Fleagle:
https://ecf.akd.uscourts.gov/doc1/0231254875State v. Norton opinion:https://ecf.akd.uscourts.gov/doc1/023086165State v. Norton complaint:https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/doc1/0451584225Tanana:
[Alaska court system is not electronic]Nick v. Statehttps://ecf.akd.uscourts.gov/doc1/0231352147*********************************************Lloyd B. MillerSonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Miller & Munson, LLP900 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 700
Anchorage, Alaska 99501Telephone: (907)258-6377Facsimile: (907)272-8332E-Mail: lloyd@sonosky.netTemporary New York City phone: (212) 204-6394

My Thoughts

Obama needs to apologize to the Native People after what happen at UNITY 2008 conference. Im thinking he means and wants CHANGE. Well, this is not CHANGE. Is this a way to treat a group of people who have been cheated, raped, and murdered. A Government who used biological warfare to destroy Nations and steal land. 

Democrats gave a modest hope to people when Nancy Pelosi was elected to Speaker of the HOUSE. What a disappointment. I wrote a letter to the Editor (Navajo Times) about Democrats giving some hope but to use caution. Again, we must use caution when dealing with White People because MONEY and POWER is the game. I had a conversation with a Democrat whom is confused about voting. He might vote McCain because he won't raise TAXes on the RICH and not Obama who will RAISE TAXes on the RICH and lower it for the poor and working class community. He is Confused because of HIS MONEY! He is leaning toward McCain! Why? HMM

Since the Caucasian intruder set foot on Native Land with God on their side to civilize and murder women and children. It's been down Hill for Native people since 1492.  All in the name of Money(god) and Greed (god). Well, I hate to break the news to you. This identical attitude lives in the hearts and minds of both Democrats and Republicans today. We will see how this all plays out. The Question now-Do the Democrats mean what They SAY? I have met many Christians attending Big Baptist Churches and think God is blessing them! Only give $$ to make their names known and to look good. These guys are the ones getting Tax breaks! 

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:10

Bush/McCain Administration using the war to get the Republicans (CEOs) Fat with Green beans and using a Woman to get votes! Using the Bible to justify their choices and as a means to win votes. McCain has a track record with Native American people in Arizona by standing in the way of progress.  McCain will use American Soldiers to get votes! This is a White person who will lie to the American public to get what he wants. Voting against Native progress beacause he wants Control. Well, Palin appearently has a great track record with Native Americans in Alaska! What a lie! Her husband a so call Native! What has he done for the POOR Natives in Alaska? Talk about using the Native blood to get votes, and she is no Friend to the Native American people! If you are Native American and supporting this group, you're brain washed (dead)! 

Give us our Health Care and Education Money back! This should never be touched because it's Treaty LAW. Having Mention this the Government owes Native people BILLIONS!

I hope Obama is the REAL DEAL. He never gives a straight answer but we'll see how he performs.

Native Journalists Scrutinize Obama

Native Journalists Scrutinize Obama

Indian Country Today, News Report , Rob Capriccioso, Posted: Aug 01, 2008 

CHICAGO - Tom Arviso Jr., publisher of the Navajo Times, was primed and pumped to ask Sen. Barack Obama a question during the presumptive Democratic candidate's appearance at the 2008 UNITY: Journalists of Color convention July 26. He had been working for months with the Native American Journalists Association to have his voice heard. 

But at the last minute, UNITY organizers and CNN producers, who televised the event, cut Arviso from the lineup. He was told that his question could not fit into the senator's schedule. The newsman specifically wanted to know how the candidate would help tribes to become more self-sustaining. 

Arviso said the change was made ''basically at the request of the Obama camp,'' according to information he received from NAJA leaders. 

''I was quite disappointed,'' said Arviso, who ultimately left the convention early in a sort of protest. ''What happened in Chicago, it just didn't look like it was run as professionally as it could have been - and, I think, a lot of that had to do with Obama's campaign. ... As journalists, we don't like to be told ahead of time what we're able to ask and what we're limited to. It boils down to a freedom of the press issue.'' 

Several Native journalists said after the event that developments at UNITY were an indication that Obama and his planners are sheltering the candidate from difficult questions. It's a criticism that Obama is increasingly facing from some members of the press who say access to him is being limited and tends to happen in largely scripted environments. 

Karen Lincoln Michel, president of UNITY and a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, said she would have liked for more questions to be asked by minority journalists, but that the partnership between UNITY and CNN complicated matters. 

''CNN had its idea of what the forum should be, and we would have hoped that our members could have played a greater role,'' she said, adding that she thought the exposure of having the event televised on the network was a great occurrence. 

Michel said, too, that Obama campaign officials ''expressed concern'' about the length of the event and the candidate's tiredness after having embarked on a Middle East tour during the previous week. 

Obama had been scheduled to appear at UNITY for weeks in the context of a town hall-style meeting, alongside Sen. John McCain. However, in the days before UNITY, officials with Obama's campaign announced the senator could not make it because of his newly scheduled Middle East tour during that timeframe. After McCain's camp learned of this decision, McCain canceled his UNITY appearance. 

Ultimately, Obama's campaign rescheduled to participate when the senator returned from his trip. McCain officials said he could not fit the new date into his schedule. 

In 2004, both President George W. Bush and his opponent, Sen. John Kerry, appeared at UNITY. That occurrence made this year's turn of events all the more disappointing for some Native journalists, who have noted that both Obama and McCain have said from the campaign perch how strongly they feel about Native issues. 

Rhonda LeValdo, Acoma Pueblo and the newly elected vice president of NAJA, had also been previously scheduled to ask a question of both Obama and McCain but, like Arviso, she was told hours before the event that there was no room for her participation. She had planned on asking about how the candidates would deal with the educational needs of the Indian population that are not being met. 

Instead, she was told that the Obama camp and CNN organizers would allow just one journalist from each of UNITY's minority journalist organizations to ask a single question. 

''I just felt like our worth is more than one question,'' said LeValdo, who is currently working under an online journalism fellowship with the ''NewsHour with Jim Lehrer'' program. 

''It was almost like the whole event was not being run by UNITY. I almost felt like they were not in charge anymore.'' 

She noted that CNN reporters were given a lion's share of the time to ask Obama many questions during his appearance - none of which focused on Indian issues. 

The sole Native journalist who was allowed to ask Obama a question - Brian Bull, assistant news director with Wisconsin Public Radio - said he, too, was surprised not only by how the logistics of the event unfolded, but also by Obama's response to his question. 

Bull asked the senator whether an Obama administration ''would issue an apology to Native Americans for the atrocities they've endured for the past 500 years.'' He noted in his question that the prime ministers of Australia and Canada have recently apologized for their countries' past negative treatments of indigenous people. 

''You know, I personally would want to see our tragic history or the tragic elements of our history acknowledged,'' Obama responded. ''And I think that there's no doubt that, when it comes to our treatment of Native Americans, as well as other persons of color in this country, that we've got some - some very sad and difficult things to account for. 

''You know, what an official apology would look like, how it would be shaped, that's something that I would want to consult with Native American tribes and councils to talk about, and - because, obviously, as sovereign nations, they also have a whole host of other issues that they're concerned about and that they've prioritized.'' 

Obama added that he wants to set up annual meetings with tribal leaders to be sure a range of their issues are being addressed. He said it's important to offer not just words, like an apology, but to also offer deeds. 

''I'm more concerned about delivering a better life and creating a better relationship with the Native American peoples than anything else.'' 

Bull said he was surprised by Obama's response, since the senator had no problem offering definite presidential plans during his recent trip to the Middle East. 

''It was an interesting contrast. It may send some mixed messages throughout Indian country, especially given the actions by the Canadian and Australian prime ministers.'' 

Corey Ealons, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, said he believed the event went off ''great,'' especially considering that the senator had been coming off several days of tiring international travel. 

In terms of taking more questions from Natives and other minority journalists, Ealons said it was ''not [Obama's] call.'' When asked to elaborate, Ealons said the lack of more questions was ''based on the timing of the programming and based on other factors that were taken into consideration.'' He did not answer whether the Obama campaign purposely restricted questions. 

''Sen. Obama did come, he did participate, and he did make himself available,'' Ealons said. 

While Obama received his share of criticism from Native journalists, many were also taken aback by McCain's lack of an appearance at UNITY. 

''I wish something could have been worked out,'' Bull said. ''There are accounts that he was working with potential GOP donors during that same week. The greatest irony I find in McCain's absence is that he has been complaining that he is not getting anywhere near the media attention Obama is receiving. ... Yet he passed up the opportunity to appear at UNITY.'' 

''It really looks bad for him, like he doesn't care about what minority journalists think,'' LeValdo assessed of McCain's lack of appearance.