Well, that would be the plan anyway.
In another effort to perpetuate the Peltier myth*, the LPDOC urged followers to sign an online clemency petition to President Obama. The LPDOC still hasn’t realized this is not a popularity contest and prove they are not reluctant to offer falsehoods even to the President of the United States; for example:
1) “10th Circuit Court of Appeals: …Much of the government’s behavior…and its prosecution of Leonard Peltier is to be condemned. The government withheld evidence. It intimidated witnesses. These facts are not disputed.”
What the President will understand is that although this particular court is entitled to its opinion, it had nothing to do with the facts surrounding Peltier’s conviction for the murders of Agents Coler and Williams, but a Habeas Corpus appeal relating to a decision by the parole board.
What’s more compelling though, is what preceded this statement as the court denied Peltier’s appeal:
"Previous federal court decisions provided the (Parole) Commission with ample facts to support its conviction that Peltier personally shot Agent Coler and Williams." And further, "While Mr. Peltier, asserts 'the Commission identified no plausible evidence that [he] shot the agents after they were incapacitated,' this statement is simply not true. The evidence linking Mr. Peltier to these crimes is enumerated above. The most damning evidence, the .223 shell casing found in Agent Coler's trunk, may be more equivocal after the surfacing of the October 2nd teletype, but it has not been 'ruled out,' as Mr. Peltier contends. There is no direct evidence that Mr. Peltier shot the agents because no one testified they saw him pull the trigger. But as we stated above, and restate here, the body of circumstantial evidence underlying the Commission's decision is sufficient for the purpose of rational basis review."
(Please see a review and the complete decision on the NPPA website here: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#concise, http://www.noparolepeltier.com/tenth_circuit.html)
2) “While others were acquitted on grounds of self defense, Peltier was convicted in connection with the 1975 shooting deaths of two FBI agents.”
“Self defense?”
Mr. President, please imagine this scene:
Two dead FBI agents laying on the ground—with their faces blown off—and while Peltier and others ransack their vehicles and possessions Peltier says, “I seen Joe when he pulled it out of the trunk and looked at him when he put it on, and he gave me a smile.” “I didn’t think nothing about it at the time; all I could think of was, We got to get out of here.” (Matthiessen, ITSOCH, p.532). That Joe, was Joe Stuntz, wearing the dead agent’s FBI jacket; Stuntz was killed later that day while shooting at responding agents and officers. Also, one of those who was there (Robert Robideau) and literally got away with murder, later wrote in an email to this writer: “…they died like worms.” “They were shot in the head at close range.” During his escape from Pine Ridge, as accounted in later trials, Peltier described the scene, as “…the m------ f----- was begging for his life, but I shot him anyway.” (Referring to Agent Williams who had defensive wounds as well.) Or, as late as February 6, 2010 in a public statement, Peltier said, “I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do.”
Yes, Mr. President, he said it was the right thing to do…
(Please see http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#self
http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#finished, http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#confession)
3) “Evidence shows that prosecutors knowingly presented false statements to a Canadian court to extradite Peltier…”
Well, that’s not quite the case—no pun intended—and the proof comes not from Peltier nor the NPPA but the Canadian Government. It should come as no surprise that an October 12, 1999 letter to then U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno from the Canadian Minister of Justice stated, “I have concluded that Mr. Peltier was lawfully extradited to the United States.”
(Please see the entire letter here: http://www.noparolepeltier.com/canadaletter.html)
4) “…and manufactured the murder weapon (the gun and shell casings entered into evidence didn't match; this fact was hidden from the jury).”
Again, that’s not quite how the President will see it. The October 2, 1975 teletype (referenced above) was not required to be turned over to the defense during the discovery process (Brady material) but was later obtained by Peltier through the Freedom of Information Act. He appealed and this led to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals directing the district court to conduct an evidentiary (ballistics) hearing, which it did in October 1984. Of course, the LPDOC fails to mention this three-day evidentiary hearing or the fact that Peltier “…had an independent firearms expert present in the courtroom at the hearing, but he was not called to testify.” Peltier appealed that decision again and the Eighth Circuit Court concluded, “When all is said and done, however, a few simple but very important facts remain. The casing introduced into evidence had in fact been extracted from the Wichita AR-15. This point was not disputed; although the defense had its own ballistics expert, it offered no contrary evidence.”
So, Mr. President, what “manufactured…murder weapon” are Peltier and the LPDOC talking about?
(Please see, http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#concise and the Eighth Circuit decision http://www.noparolepeltier.com/court.html)
5) “The number of constitutional violations in this case is simply staggering.”
The “staggering” number of constitutional violations in the Peltier case is an astounding “zero.” Not once has any aspect of Peltier’s conviction or sentence been overturned as it wound its way through well over a dozen courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, twice. That’s the reality, that’s the truth, and that’s where the folklore dies.
Over 5000 souls signed a petition to implore the President to consider clemency, yet the petition itself is one continuous fabrication (a polite way of saying they are lying to all those folks, and the President).
All those signatories must, by necessity, fall into a number of groups: There are those who are ignorant of the facts; those who understand but ignore the facts or simply just don’t care; those who, because Peltier is an Indian believe he is only in prison because the government had to convict someone for killing their agents; or those who like trendy causes…although this one is getting a bit stale.
Whether its 5,000 or 50,000 signatures, the President will base his decision on the facts, and those facts, along with Peltier changing his version of what happened that day or other alibis (we can’t ignore the lie of Mr. X) and his own incriminating statements, clearly demonstrate that Peltier is exactly where he belongs and where he should remain.
Many inmates may be envious of Peltier’s celebrity for one reason only; it helps the prison time pass a little easier. Peltier is more than willing to continue this scam (not even addressing the alleged and anemic charitable activities and suspicious fundraising) as his supporters forget, or didn’t know, that Peltier came very late to the “cause,” but is now milking it for all it’s worth.
Peltier is a charlatan of the worst kind who has corrupted and hijacked an otherwise proud Native American history and tradition; as an alleged warrior, he is an embarrassment to that storied past.
When, or if, Peltier’s clemency application crosses the President’s desk, it will be denied in short order, because, beyond the folklore, the facts of Peltier’s guilt are clearly evident. Peltier is a remorseless killer and should serve the remainder of his sentences and be shown as much mercy as he did to Jack Coler and Ron Williams. And the President will understand that.
Please see “Dear President Obama” http://www.noparolepeltier.com/obama.pdf
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
* We have been beating the theme of the Peltier Folklore and Myth like a cheap toy drum for over a decade, and to some it may be wearisome. But as long as Peltier continues to fabricate and lie about what happened at Jumping Bull and try to convince people that somehow he’s a real warrior and his actions were somehow noble, then we must keep pointing out the obvious; that all this does is create a folklore following and perpetuate a Myth that is far removed from the facts. The above petition for clemency is just another in a very long line of examples.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
PELTIER'S $1,000 DONATION...
On September 26th, in an impassioned, if somewhat pathetic plea, the LPDOC laid out their dire financial straits. “We need money, envelopes, paper, donations of any size, sponsor a delegate, make a monthly pledge,” they say in effect. In other words, they’re broke. At least, thank goodness they didn’t go down the “tax-deductible donations” road this time…perhaps they have learned a valuable lesson from the IRS…but no one at the LPDOC will admit to that. And it’s no wonder that this “grassroots organization” (and all the while we thought it was an International effort—Elsie are you still out there?), is dying on the vine. Over the past several years at least Native America and intelligent supporters are seeing through the fog of Peltier folklore.
This begging is nothing new and has been addressed by the NPPA too many times already with a major review going back to May, 2004 (please see Editorial Essay #24; Peltier Donations: Scam, Fraud?, in the NPPA Debate Continues Section).
That essay repeated a statement from one of the LPDC’s (predecessor of the LPDOC) leaders, Bob Free that;
“Transparency regarding accounting and donations will be posted on the web.”
Two points; it was obviously a problem within the organization, and of course, that never happened. Too many financial skeletons in the closet perhaps?
But we’ll up the ante from a previous offer (please see NPPA Blog dated September 6, 2010 below). The NPPA will donate $1,000 (up from the prior offer of $500) to Peltier and the LPDOC if they honor a commitment made to their supporters years ago:
Post on whoisleonardpeltier.info the following:
Peltier’s last five years (2006-2010) federal and state tax returns, and the federal and state tax returns for the LPDC (2005-2008) and the LPDOC’s returns for 2009 and 2010.
That’s all they have to do and a check for a grand will be in the mail. Promise.
But we know this is more than just problematic for Leonard and the Committee…what they don’t want supporters (either the die-hards or the well-healed) to know, is how much has been taken in, or more importantly, where has it gone?
As an aside, the September 26th message also stated “Leonard’s recent transfer to USP-Coleman in Florida has created sudden and unexpected increases in the cost of attorney travel.” Which is interesting, and silly, because, as we’ve understood over the years, the attorney’s working on Peltier’s behalf have done so, pro bono. And there is no reason for any attorney to travel to Coleman to speak with Peltier anyway (unless it’s just to meet the legend), because anything they would contrive as an issue is all a matter of record. Even pursing the FOIPA material can be handled from an attorney’s office and not Peltier’s prison cell. Besides, there’s still the U.S. Mail.
But let’s not stray too far from the fundamentals, from Peltier’s actual guilt and total lack of remorse for what happened at Jumping Bull, or even acceptance of any responsibility for that day.
The two most important sentences for Peltier supporters and detractors alike to contemplate over the past thirty-six years still remain;
“I seen Joe when he pulled it out of the trunk and I looked at him when he put it on, and he gave me a smile.”
(Of course that was the dead agent’s jacket Joe Stuntz was wearing when he was shot while shooting at responding agents and officers later that day. Please see Editorial Essay #54) Write Leonard and ask him to explain that one. And,
“I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do.”
(Please see Editorial Essay #52) It was “The right thing to do?” Instead of Leonard, write the President to demonstrate Peltier’s attitude towards his crimes and that he is not deserving of the slightest consideration for clemency.
Add to that the decade’s long lie that “Mr. X.” did it; if there’s any doubt about that, just watch the movie (http://www.noparolepeltier.com/lie.html).
And then there’s what the jury had to consider; distilling down all the other evidence to that core testimony each juror needed to weigh truthfulness, and the degree of Peltier’s guilt or innocence. Those “Critical Witnesses,” taken as a whole, left little doubt then, as they do now. (Please see Editorial Essay #55.)
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
NPPA
This begging is nothing new and has been addressed by the NPPA too many times already with a major review going back to May, 2004 (please see Editorial Essay #24; Peltier Donations: Scam, Fraud?, in the NPPA Debate Continues Section).
That essay repeated a statement from one of the LPDC’s (predecessor of the LPDOC) leaders, Bob Free that;
“Transparency regarding accounting and donations will be posted on the web.”
Two points; it was obviously a problem within the organization, and of course, that never happened. Too many financial skeletons in the closet perhaps?
But we’ll up the ante from a previous offer (please see NPPA Blog dated September 6, 2010 below). The NPPA will donate $1,000 (up from the prior offer of $500) to Peltier and the LPDOC if they honor a commitment made to their supporters years ago:
Post on whoisleonardpeltier.info the following:
Peltier’s last five years (2006-2010) federal and state tax returns, and the federal and state tax returns for the LPDC (2005-2008) and the LPDOC’s returns for 2009 and 2010.
That’s all they have to do and a check for a grand will be in the mail. Promise.
But we know this is more than just problematic for Leonard and the Committee…what they don’t want supporters (either the die-hards or the well-healed) to know, is how much has been taken in, or more importantly, where has it gone?
As an aside, the September 26th message also stated “Leonard’s recent transfer to USP-Coleman in Florida has created sudden and unexpected increases in the cost of attorney travel.” Which is interesting, and silly, because, as we’ve understood over the years, the attorney’s working on Peltier’s behalf have done so, pro bono. And there is no reason for any attorney to travel to Coleman to speak with Peltier anyway (unless it’s just to meet the legend), because anything they would contrive as an issue is all a matter of record. Even pursing the FOIPA material can be handled from an attorney’s office and not Peltier’s prison cell. Besides, there’s still the U.S. Mail.
But let’s not stray too far from the fundamentals, from Peltier’s actual guilt and total lack of remorse for what happened at Jumping Bull, or even acceptance of any responsibility for that day.
The two most important sentences for Peltier supporters and detractors alike to contemplate over the past thirty-six years still remain;
“I seen Joe when he pulled it out of the trunk and I looked at him when he put it on, and he gave me a smile.”
(Of course that was the dead agent’s jacket Joe Stuntz was wearing when he was shot while shooting at responding agents and officers later that day. Please see Editorial Essay #54) Write Leonard and ask him to explain that one. And,
“I never thought my commitment would mean sacrificing like this, but I was willing to do so nonetheless. And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do.”
(Please see Editorial Essay #52) It was “The right thing to do?” Instead of Leonard, write the President to demonstrate Peltier’s attitude towards his crimes and that he is not deserving of the slightest consideration for clemency.
Add to that the decade’s long lie that “Mr. X.” did it; if there’s any doubt about that, just watch the movie (http://www.noparolepeltier.com/lie.html).
And then there’s what the jury had to consider; distilling down all the other evidence to that core testimony each juror needed to weigh truthfulness, and the degree of Peltier’s guilt or innocence. Those “Critical Witnesses,” taken as a whole, left little doubt then, as they do now. (Please see Editorial Essay #55.)
“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods
NPPA
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