OT: Don't They Have More Important Things To Worry About

[deep9er]

Government is a necissary evil. And just like everything that is evil, it is easier to control in smaller forms. It's too big and needs to be downsized. But anarchy would never work.

agreed.

also agree with downsizing granted its easier said than done? we citizens expect many services from both Federal and State Governments. we don't use most of it often, but when things do arise......we EXPECT immediate action. [i've had experience working in both these levels]

IMO just START downsizing, even if small portions.

 

[TobyTyler]

I want them to stay out of governing as well. Highest per capita concentration of douchebags on earth when they are in session, irrespective of party affiliation.

Nice. Its a pleasure to see the word used properly for once.

 

[TobyTyler]

I'm Native American (card carrying bloodline) and I have never taken offense to the term "Redskin". As a matter of fact, with the removal of terms like "Redskin" in sports from the high school level all the way to Washington, it seems unless it is related to a casino the Native American essence is slowly going away...

If congress wants to do something worth while, they should look into the removal of Andrew Jackson from all of our currency. Jackson is responsible for the deaths of thousands and thousands of Native Americans. I find it far more offensive that Andrew Jackson remains on a twenty dollar bill and mocks every Native American on a daily basis. Sadly, Not that many people know or recognize this about Jackson...

You gotta cut Jackson some slack. He was a product of his time.

 

[TobyTyler]

They stand for smaller government, flat tax, term limits, and things of that nature. They follow the constitution and what the founders believed in. And they loathe the affordable health act.

Don't forget the party motto: "If you're white, you're right". Buncha nincompoops.

 

[NinerSickness]

Don't forget the party motto: "If you're white, you're right". Buncha nincompoops.

This is EXACTLY the kind of bull shit to which I've been referring in a bunch of threads about straw man charges of racism. You are a perfect example of how people like you don't have a rational arguemment, so you start throwing out all kinds of meritless charges like being racists.

If Tim Scott ran against ran against Joe Biden for president in 2016, Scott would get pretty much all of the Tea Party support. They don't stoop to your stupid level because they don't care what colour you are; they care about policy. Yes votes & no votes. Thank you for exemplifying how people like you have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation.

 

[TobyTyler]

This is EXACTLY the kind of bull shit to which I've been referring in a bunch of threads about straw man charges of racism. You are a perfect example of how people like you don't have a rational arguemment, so you start throwing out all kinds of meritless charges like being racists.

If Tim Scott ran against ran against Joe Biden for president in 2016, Scott would get pretty much all of the Tea Party support. They don't stoop to your stupid level because they don't care what colour you are; they care about policy. Yes votes & no votes. Thank you for exemplifying how people like you have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation.

Bullshit.

 

[-AC-]

You gotta cut Jackson some slack. He was a product of his time.

Product of his time or not, he is still responsible for thousands of deaths. And I don't see the need to celebrate or honor him on American currency...

Anyway, as a Native American I just wanted to give my perspective on the topic. And to me Congress has far more important things to worry about. But if they 'feel the need' to look into sensitive matters regarding Native Americans, then they should start with Jackson and stop worrying about the Washington "Redskins"...

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

If congress wants to do something worth while, they should look into the removal of Andrew Jackson from all of our currency. Jackson is responsible for the deaths of thousands and thousands of Native Americans. I find it far more offensive that Andrew Jackson remains on a twenty dollar bill and mocks every Native American on a daily basis. Sadly, Not that many people know or recognize this about Jackson...

Great post. I'd never thought about that.

 

[TobyTyler]

Product of his time or not, he is still responsible for thousands of deaths. And I don't see the need to celebrate or honor him on American currency...

Anyway, as a Native American I just wanted to give my perspective on the topic. And to me Congress has far more important things to worry about. But if they 'feel the need' to look into sensitive matters regarding Native Americans, then they should start with Jackson and stop worrying about the Washington "Redskins"...

Why? He's been dead for a hundred and fifty years.

 

[threelittleturds]

Meh, politics. Politicians always jump on stuff that their aides think will boost their ratings. Look at how many of the state politicians tried to push measures related to stadium safety after the shit that went down at Candlestick and Dodger stadium.

 

[erckm510]

2 questions

1. Is the term Redskin a derogatory word used to describe Native Americans?
2. If yes then why is it ok for a derogatory word be used to describe a sports team?

For me it's not. But it won't be changed because of tradition and money.

 

[DoobieKeebler]

This is EXACTLY the kind of bull shit to which I've been referring in a bunch of threads about straw man charges of racism. You are a perfect example of how people like you don't have a rational arguemment, so you start throwing out all kinds of meritless charges like being racists.

If Tim Scott ran against ran against Joe Biden for president in 2016, Scott would get pretty much all of the Tea Party support. They don't stoop to your stupid level because they don't care what colour you are; they care about policy. Yes votes & no votes. Thank you for exemplifying how people like you have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation.

 

[DoobieKeebler]

Product of his time or not, he is still responsible for thousands of deaths. And I don't see the need to celebrate or honor him on American currency...

Anyway, as a Native American I just wanted to give my perspective on the topic. And to me Congress has far more important things to worry about. But if they 'feel the need' to look into sensitive matters regarding Native Americans, then they should start with Jackson and stop worrying about the Washington "Redskins"...

I never would have thought of Jackson, so that's interesting. I live far, far NorCal, in what used to be the land of a number of tribes such as the Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Tolowa, Wiyot, and Yurok tribes., and I wholeheartedly agree that government needs to find another way to show support to Native tribes instead of getting mad about the "Redskins" name, or the name of any amateur or pro teams with names with Native connotations.

Though I'm not sure what can be done since Native tribes are sovereign nations, if I was a member of Congress and pondering Native American issues, what always stands out to me has been high rates of alcoholism, unemployment, the astronomical number of Natives living under the poverty line, manipulative leaders (re: conning their tribes out of receiving large stipends of cash benefits in order to build casinos in the middle of nowhere, on the same land where previous casinos have repeatedly failed and closed down), the income disparity among different tribes (the extremely rich Connecticut Mashantucket Pequots come to mind), along with mental health concerns regarding high rates of depression and suicides.

But probably what bothers me the most is ignorance, or the sweeping under the rug, of historic events that may make America look bad. Locally it is the refusal of the town of Eureka's government to return "Indian Island" to the Wiyot people, an island which once played a very important role in their culture, but was also the site of a huge massacre in 1860 right before a Wiyot ceremony, where white men specifically planned to wait until the Wiyot males were off the island gathering supplies for said ceremony so that the whites could then take boats over to the island under the cover of darkness and deliberately slaughter hundreds of women, children, and a few remaining men with the hopes of decimate the Wiyot tribe.

Indian island is now where the Eureka mayor and a few rich people live in order for them to have large homes on a small, semi-private island. And while the Wiyot people have offered to buy the land back (I can't imagine how shameful that must be to have to ask) for decades, the local government refuses to let go of the island, even given its history.

 

[erckm510]

I never would have thought of Jackson, so that's interesting. I live far, far NorCal, in what used to be the land of a number of tribes such as the Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Tolowa, Wiyot, and Yurok tribes., and I wholeheartedly agree that government needs to find another way to show support to Native tribes instead of getting mad about the "Redskins" name, or the name of any amateur or pro teams with names with Native connotations.

Though I'm not sure what can be done since Native tribes are sovereign nations, if I was a member of Congress and pondering Native American issues, what always stands out to me has been high rates of alcoholism, unemployment, the astronomical number of Natives living under the poverty line, manipulative leaders (re: conning their tribes out of receiving large stipends of cash benefits in order to build casinos in the middle of nowhere, on the same land where previous casinos have repeatedly failed and closed down), the income disparity among different tribes (the extremely rich Connecticut Mashantucket Pequots come to mind), along with mental health concerns regarding high rates of depression and suicides.

But probably what bothers me the most is ignorance, or the sweeping under the rug, of historic events that may make America look bad. Locally it is the refusal of the town of Eureka's government to return "Indian Island" to the Wiyot people, an island which once played a very important role in their culture, but was also the site of a huge massacre in 1860 right before a Wiyot ceremony, where white men specifically planned to wait until the Wiyot males were off the island gathering supplies for said ceremony so that the whites could then take boats over to the island under the cover of darkness and deliberately slaughter hundreds of women, children, and a few remaining men with the hopes of decimate the Wiyot tribe.

Indian island is now where the Eureka mayor and a few rich people live in order for them to have large homes on a small, semi-private island. And while the Wiyot people have offered to buy the land back (I can't imagine how shameful that must be to have to ask) for decades, the local government refuses to let go of the island, even given its history.

Happens throughout history. It is, after all, written by the winners.

 

[TobyTyler]

I never would have thought of Jackson, so that's interesting. I live far, far NorCal, in what used to be the land of a number of tribes such as the Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Tolowa, Wiyot, and Yurok tribes., and I wholeheartedly agree that government needs to find another way to show support to Native tribes instead of getting mad about the "Redskins" name, or the name of any amateur or pro teams with names with Native connotations.

Though I'm not sure what can be done since Native tribes are sovereign nations, if I was a member of Congress and pondering Native American issues, what always stands out to me has been high rates of alcoholism, unemployment, the astronomical number of Natives living under the poverty line, manipulative leaders (re: conning their tribes out of receiving large stipends of cash benefits in order to build casinos in the middle of nowhere, on the same land where previous casinos have repeatedly failed and closed down), the income disparity among different tribes (the extremely rich Connecticut Mashantucket Pequots come to mind), along with mental health concerns regarding high rates of depression and suicides.

But probably what bothers me the most is ignorance, or the sweeping under the rug, of historic events that may make America look bad. Locally it is the refusal of the town of Eureka's government to return "Indian Island" to the Wiyot people, an island which once played a very important role in their culture, but was also the site of a huge massacre in 1860 right before a Wiyot ceremony, where white men specifically planned to wait until the Wiyot males were off the island gathering supplies for said ceremony so that the whites could then take boats over to the island under the cover of darkness and deliberately slaughter hundreds of women, children, and a few remaining men with the hopes of decimate the Wiyot tribe.

Indian island is now where the Eureka mayor and a few rich people live in order for them to have large homes on a small, semi-private island. And while the Wiyot people have offered to buy the land back (I can't imagine how shameful that must be to have to ask) for decades, the local government refuses to let go of the island, even given its history.

My answer to that would always be "When I return it to you, I expect you to return it to those you took it from". That was always my beef with the Sioux and them wanting the Black Hills returned to them when they simply overpowered weaker tribes to take them in the first place. Lets not pretend these indians were the "noble savages" we have romanticized them into being.

 

[TobyTyler]

2 questions

1. Is the term Redskin a derogatory word used to describe Native Americans?
2. If yes then why is it ok for a derogatory word be used to describe a sports team?

For me it's not. But it won't be changed because of tradition and money.

It probably should be changed. I guarantee you if there was a team called the Pittsburg Negroes it'd be changed in a heartbeat. I just don't think its Congress' role. They have more important things to do

 

[MHSL82]

Though I'm not sure what can be done since Native tribes are sovereign nations, if I was a member of Congress and pondering Native American issues, what always stands out to me has been high rates of alcoholism, unemployment, the astronomical number of Natives living under the poverty line, manipulative leaders (re: conning their tribes out of receiving large stipends of cash benefits in order to build casinos in the middle of nowhere, on the same land where previous casinos have repeatedly failed and closed down), the income disparity among different tribes (the extremely rich Connecticut Mashantucket Pequots come to mind), along with mental health concerns regarding high rates of depression and suicides.

I agree more could and should be done, but IF they do start helping these things, I hope I won't have to listen to people being equally cynical for the reasons for doing it, saying that people shouldn't interfere, that they don't have these problems and the gov't is acting upon a stereotype, that they are being patronizing, said how late it was, etc. I think bad things should be criticized and good things should be taken as good. Obviously, a good thing can be made better, but if someone starts to help fix things, getting a slap in the face won't help. Take the help, ask for more, give advice on how to further help. I'm not asking for a parade if they do help, just don't make it negative. If they are going to be criticized either way, in the future they'll just do the easier thing, like they are now.

Having said that, they haven't helped yet, so this is moot.

 

[NinerSickness]

Forgive me if I'm missing your point, but I'm missing your point.

 

[deep9er]

I never would have thought of Jackson, so that's interesting. I live far, far NorCal, in what used to be the land of a number of tribes such as the Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Tolowa, Wiyot, and Yurok tribes., and I wholeheartedly agree that government needs to find another way to show support to Native tribes instead of getting mad about the "Redskins" name, or the name of any amateur or pro teams with names with Native connotations.

Though I'm not sure what can be done since Native tribes are sovereign nations, if I was a member of Congress and pondering Native American issues, what always stands out to me has been high rates of alcoholism, unemployment, the astronomical number of Natives living under the poverty line, manipulative leaders (re: conning their tribes out of receiving large stipends of cash benefits in order to build casinos in the middle of nowhere, on the same land where previous casinos have repeatedly failed and closed down), the income disparity among different tribes (the extremely rich Connecticut Mashantucket Pequots come to mind), along with mental health concerns regarding high rates of depression and suicides.

But probably what bothers me the most is ignorance, or the sweeping under the rug, of historic events that may make America look bad. Locally it is the refusal of the town of Eureka's government to return "Indian Island" to the Wiyot people, an island which once played a very important role in their culture, but was also the site of a huge massacre in 1860 right before a Wiyot ceremony, where white men specifically planned to wait until the Wiyot males were off the island gathering supplies for said ceremony so that the whites could then take boats over to the island under the cover of darkness and deliberately slaughter hundreds of women, children, and a few remaining men with the hopes of decimate the Wiyot tribe.

Indian island is now where the Eureka mayor and a few rich people live in order for them to have large homes on a small, semi-private island. And while the Wiyot people have offered to buy the land back (I can't imagine how shameful that must be to have to ask) for decades, the local government refuses to let go of the island, even given its history.

there are also Eskimos and native Hawaiians.

the State of Hawaii recently returned lands to 'Hawaiians'. granted, there is no single Hawaiian 'tribe' that everyone adheres to? not all 'Hawaiians' are on the same page so there are splinter groups.

these are very VALUABLE lands, running in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but point is.......it CAN be done. IMO land is ok, wouldn't want to give 'handouts' such as food stamps vouchers, etc.

 

[TobyTyler]

there are also Eskimos and native Hawaiians.

the State of Hawaii recently returned lands to 'Hawaiians'. granted, there is no single Hawaiian 'tribe' that everyone adheres to? not all 'Hawaiians' are on the same page so there are splinter groups.

these are very VALUABLE lands, running in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but point is.......it CAN be done. IMO land is ok, wouldn't want to give 'handouts' such as food stamps vouchers, etc.

Not sure how it is "their land" though since they took it away from other inhabitants and basically exterminated them.