- DNC Native American Chair: Obama Stood With Us, Stand With Him
Stating that "Barack Obama has stood with us and it is now time that we stand with him" Frank LaMere of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska urged Native voters this week to come out in record numbers on Tuesday "to restore the country and the First Nations, and to acknowledge that we must give voice to the generations to come."
LaMere, the Chairman of the Native American Caucus of the Democratic National Committee who guided the Native American delegation at the national convention, is optimistic about the expected turnout and impact of the Indian vote. "Indian country has responded to the Democratic message of change and the need for urgency. From Maine to California and from Washington to Florida the Native focus on the political process is unprecedented. This attention can manifest itself with the election of Barack Obama and countless Democratic state and local candidates who will enjoy Native support but there is much work to be done. We must ignore the negativity of the Republicans that is designed to raise doubts in our minds and to intimidate voters like us. We know the truth about what the Republicans have brought us because we see how it affects our children and grandchildren every day. Let us remain mindful of this through our every action and through our participation in this political process till Tuesday."
"Let there be no mistake about this my relatives", LaMere added. "Every vote will count and will decide much about your future. Cast it proudly and carefully. We have young relatives in harm's way right now who have paid our way to enter the election booth."
"We have many who go without because our leaders have failed us. This election means much to them. Barack Obama understands this while others remain oblivious. Let us, as Native people, help him."
- Dr. David Gipp
Hau, anpetu waste yelo.
My name is Dave Gipp. I’m Hunkpapa /Lakota from the Standing Rock Lakota-Dakota Nation. I am president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota.
I’m one of thousands of tribal citizens who support Senator Barack Obama for accepting tribal nations and their citizens into the future he sees for America. We’re not another special interest group trying to claim a share of the American pie. We are, after all, the first Americans. We paid for our place with land and blood. Our status as sovereign tribal nations is specially recognized in the U.S. Constitution. Our rights as tribal nations to determine our destiny within our great United States should be protected and honored by our government. Our treaties with the U.S. are the “supreme law of the land.”
Every step you take across this great nation, every vista you admire, every city you call by its tribal name, was once Indian country. The places many of our tribal nations occupy have long been pockets of poverty where the words, “liberty and justice for all” have become empty words on a piece of paper. Our health care is a disaster. Our public schools need repair. Our law enforcement officers lack the resources to guarantee safety. People in the Green Zone in Baghdad may indeed be safer than citizens in Indian country.
Yet we have never turned our back on America. Our tribal veterans have served in every one of this nation’s wars and conflicts in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnic group. We recently honored the late Woodrow Keeble of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, a hero of the Korean War who received the Medal of Honor. We never forget the sacrifices of our veterans and elders.
We can only renew America’s promise when the first Americans are legitimate participants in framing the future of this country. I urge you to look to the nation’s 37 tribal colleges and universities to lead the way in renewing the promise for American Indians. These institutions provide tribal citizens with the skills they need to be vital contributors to society and to our culture. Tribal colleges are a key to the renaissance in American Indian life as we save our languages and rebuild over 550 tribal nations.
American Indians are still here and we’re seeking justice for our people. We offer the strengths of our spirituality and our connection with Mother Earth in renewing America’s promise for all. Let us remember the words of the great Lakota patriot Sitting Bull: “let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.”
Pilamaya yelo! Thank you.
Mitakuye oyasin! We are all related. In every race, creed, and color... We are all related.
- Scheunemann Link Highlights McCain's Abramoff Problem
Following reports that scandal-plagued Republican activist Ralph Reed is raising money for John McCain's campaign, a new report reveals yet another connection between McCain and the scandal surrounding criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff. According to the report, Abramoff's law firm hired one of McCain's closest campaign advisors to work on their behalf during McCain's investigation into the scandal. After they "turned to a former McCain campaign adviser for help," McCain issued a public statement praising the firm. According to public watchdog groups, Scheunemann's "dual role -- sometimes advising Mr. McCain as a candidate, and sometimes advising private clients on their interactions with him as a senator" raises serious conflict of interest questions.
Earlier this week, reports revealed that Reed--one of Abramoff's closest business associates--sent an email solicitation claiming to be a member of McCain's Victory 2008 team and asking people to "join me and Jo Anne at the August 18 event in" Atlanta. This makes Reed the second Abramoff-linked fundraiser to raise campaign cash for McCain. Last month, reports revealed that Juan Carlos Benitez, a lawyer and lobbyist who was appointed to a Department of Justice post responsible for overseeing Abramoff clients after a recommendation from Abramoff himself, is a bundler for McCain's campaign.
JOHN MCCAIN'S ABRAMOFF CONNECTION
Abramoff Associate Ralph Reed Raising Money for McCain. "The McCain campaign has long been concerned about whether conservative Christian voters would fall in line this fall. But last week Ralph Reed, the first executive editor of the Christian Coalition and an unsuccessful 2006 candidate for Georgia lieutenant governor, invited well-heeled folks to a "very special event" - that means a fundraiser - for McCain in downtown Atlanta on August 18. Reed, whose campaign was torpedoed by his affiliation with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, noted he's also agreed to serve as a member of the McCain Victory 2008 Team, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported." [Washington Post, 8/12/08]
Abramoff's Law Firm Won Praise from McCain After Hiring McCain Advisor to Lobby on Its Behalf. "When Senator John McCain led a Senate investigation three years ago of Jack Abramoff, the disgraced lobbyist who later pleaded guilty to fraud charges, Mr. Abramoff's old firm turned to a former McCain campaign adviser for help. The firm, Greenberg Traurig, which had quickly cut its ties to Mr. Abramoff, hired Randy Scheunemann, who had been the McCain campaign's foreign policy adviser in 2000 -- and is again this year -- for advice on handling the Senate investigation… Mr. McCain praised Greenberg Traurig's cooperation, saying in prepared remarks at the time that 'consistent with their professional obligations, Greenberg Traurig and its counsel have always been responsive to the committee's requests, always made themselves available to answer questions, and have always conducted themselves with dignity and professionalism in these trying circumstances.'" [New York Times, 8/14/08: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/politics/14mccain.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin]
Watchdog Group: Scheunemann's Dual Role Raises Questions. "Craig Holman, the governmental affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organization, said Mr. Scheunemann's dual role -- sometimes advising Mr. McCain as a candidate, and sometimes advising private clients on their interactions with him as a senator -- raised potential red flags. 'This is a serious revolving door problem: a person who keeps fluctuating between being a lobbyist, and advising candidates,' Mr. Holman said." [New York Times, 8/14/08: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/politics/14mccain.html?_r=1&ref=politics&oref=slogin]
Abramoff Helped McCain Bundler Obtain DOJ Post Overseeing Abramoff's Clients. "As Mr. McCain releases the names of hundreds of 'bundlers' -- his top money collectors -- one person who popped up is Juan Carlos Benite
