PELTIER: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

PELTIER: Happy Thanksgiving—NOT

Again this year, Peltier sends his Day of Mourning, Thanksgiving Day message launched into cyberspace by the LPDOC. This year’s message contained a lot of “facts” about the history of this “holiday.” Some of Peltier’s historical references are a bit skewed and perhaps we can offer some other “facts” for Peltier followers to consider.

Peltier is irresponsible again with the mantra equating the treatment of Native Americans to genocide and the Holocaust. “The United States did not follow a policy of genocide; it did try to find a just solution to the Indian problem. The consistent idea was to civilize the Indians, incorporate them into the community, make them part of the melting pot. That it did not work, that it was foolish, conceited, even criminal, may be true, but that doesn’t turn a well-meant program into genocide, certainly not the genocide as we have known in the twentieth century.*

Can’t argue with a few of his facts though, many Reservations are deplorable, America’s original failed welfare system, making mere survival a challenge with particularly the young robbed of opportunities for successful lives. Although sparsely populated they are worse in many ways than the harshest inner cities. (Of course, there are fortunate tribes and Nations that are privileged to be near population and tourist centers, those with lucrative tribal benefits and incomes, some even with corporate flight departments. But then there’s the whole gambling thing…more exploitation perhaps…and by whom? To quote Leonard, “Ask any Pequot.”)

And we will give Peltier his due (as we have in the past**) when he does make a meaningful suggestion, as rare as they have been. Here he implores those who can have a good Thanksgiving dinner to donate it to those who don’t or can’t…admirable…we should all make those sacrifices when we can.

But let’s add a few more “facts” to Peltier’s list:

Fact: There was plenty of Indian on Indian violence long before (and after) the first white man stepped foot on the North American Continent. Some tribes were completely annihilated or enslaved by other more violent and aggressive tribes.

Fact: Many tribes laid claims to the same lands allegedly belonging to others. Many tribes cooperated, for their own benefit, with the occupying English, French and Spanish.

Fact: the American Indian Movement (AIM) failed in both message and deeds to help their own people in distress. They created more problems than they ever solved; if there is any doubt about that, just explore its history.

Fact: Wounded Knee (1890) was a tragedy, a massacre. Wounded Knee II (1973) was a demonstration of destructive lawlessness by a domestic terrorist organization.

Fact: On June 26, 1975, Leonard Peltier was not in Seattle.

Fact: Peltier knew he was wanted that day for an assault on a police officer (yes, he did beat that one), and knew that the agents following him onto Jumping Bull were looking, and had a warrant, for fugitive, Jimmy Eagle.

Fact: Peltier knew this because Norman Charles had been stopped and interviewed by Agents Coler and Williams just the day before when they thought that he may have been Jimmy Eagle. But that didn’t prevent Peltier, Norman Charles and Joe Stuntz from stopping and firing at the agents, pinning them down in an open field.

Fact: After the initial shooting began, Peltier was joined by AIM members (including Robert Robideau and Dino Butler) who also fired at the agents, catching them in a crossfire.

Fact: Agent Williams made radio calls for help that were overheard by other agents and those in the FBI’s Rapid City office. They also heard agent Williams get shot.

Fact: After the agents were severely wounded and unable to defend themselves, their heads were destroyed with a high powered weapon at contact range: Agent Williams had a defensive wound causing his fingers to be blown through his face.

Fact: While the agents lay dead on the ground (moved and rolled over), Peltier and the others ransacked their vehicles and stole their weapons.

Fact: With the dead agents at their feet, Peltier is quoted and describes the following, “I seen Joe (Stuntz) when he pulled it out of the trunk (the dead agent’s FBI jacket) and I looked at him when he put it on, and he gave me a smile.” “I didn’t think nothing of it at the time; all I could think of was, We got to get out of here!”***

Fact: As a mater of recent testimony Peltier was quoted as saying “The ___ - ___ begged for his life but I shot him anyway.”

Fact: Robert Robideau, quoted in an email; “…they died like worms.”****

Fact: The jury had to consider (among other evidence) testimony from the “Critical Witnesses,” removing any reasonable doubt about Peltier’s guilt.*****

Peltier ends his message with, “If between football games and turkey and dressing you can remember me and those like me, I will be thankful as well.”

And, aside from the myth as a warrior and the alleged charitable fundraising******, we did, and will continue to remember Peltier and any others like him at FCI Coleman and elsewhere, as the unrepentant, low-life, cowardly murderer he is and always will be.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods


*Stephen E. Ambrose
**http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#7
***In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, p.552
****http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#self
*****http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#critical
****** http://www.noparolepeltier.com/myth.html; http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#fraud

PELTIER'S MISSING MEMO & APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Peltier “floored” at FCI Coleman.

Immediate Press Release; Dateline: October 27, 2011, Fargo, North Dakota: The Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee (LPDOC) is urging supporters to inundate the Acting Director of the Bureau of Prisons because: “Leonard is being isolated as never before. In addition, Leonard has been assigned to a top bunk. Due to a torn ligament which has never been repaired, Leonard’s ability to climb safely is diminished. Mr. Peltier also should be placed in a unit with older prisoners, but Coleman has Leonard listed as being 57 years of age when, in fact, he is 67 years old. All of Leonard’s prison records over these many years clearly indicate his correct date of birth. Curious, right?” And, the LPDOC adds, “Increased activity with regard to legal visits, LOBBYING, outreach, event planning and management, etc., are putting a strain on our limited resources. Please help. No amount is too small. MAKE AN END-OF-THE-YEAR DONATION TODAY…”
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Apparently Peltier’s most recent cellmate (name unknown, but it would be interesting to know) never got “the Memo.” The Memo (albeit, satire) would have described that this new cellmate was America’s foremost political prisoner, that he’s innocent, has worldwide support, but an Indian who was prosecuted only because someone had to pay for the murder of two FBI agents at Pine Ridge in 1975.

Or at least that’s what the mythology would have one believe.

Although, maybe Peltier’s latest cellmate knows exactly who the warrior thinks he is, but hasn’t bought into folklore, or, could care less about Peltier’s reputation and is content to let the tough guy sleep on the floor.

Begging for money again as they do, the LPDOC uses a very dangerous word, “lobbying.” Really? Is this the Leonard Peltier Political Action Committee (LEO-PAC)? Because that will open another whole set of issues for Peltier. Let’s start first with some honesty on the finances. Peltier has kept this dirty little secret for much too long…his supporters should be demanding some “transparency.” (Please see http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#fraud)

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Forrest Yerman & Lamonte Boddie

On a more serious note other, than who gets the lower bunk: A young graduate student, (as reported by “the appalachian online”), Forrest Yerman, at Appalachian State University (ASU), Boone, NC., is “…prepared to sit out here as long as it takes to give him freedom.” The “him” being, Leonard Peltier, and the “here,” during lunch at ASU’s Plemmons Student Union. His tri-fold sign reads, “Free Leonard Peltier a Native American Political Prisoner.”

Yerman is also supported by Lamonte Boddie, president of the local Native American Council chapter.

They both referred to the recent petition for clemency that was the subject of the latest NPPA (10/22/11) Blog. That Blog destroyed the petition, not with innuendo or misinformation, but with facts and quotes directly from the record and Peltier. The petition itself was one continuous fabrication, yet people buy into it…

“As a Native American, my decision was very easy,” Boddie is quoted as saying.

So does that mean—regardless of the facts—or but for the fact that Peltier is a Native American, support for him should be unquestioned? Lamonte continued with “I have always been an advocate for my people and all people for that matter.”

Should we assume that those “other” people he refers to also include two young FBI agents savagely murdered in the line of duty? We would assume so.

Just a suggestion; how about Forrest and Lamonte using some of those critical analytical and research skills learned at ASU and really dig into the Peltier matter. Certainly don’t stop at Peltier’s website, nor the NPPA’s (although all the reference material, in its entirety, is there, along with the answers to every single question raised over the last 34 years regarding the Incident at Oglala and Peltier’s conviction). It would be hopeful that by seeing the entire picture they would come to some different conclusions regarding Peltier’s actual guilt. I, for one, would welcome constructive dialogue.

Should it be difficult to support someone’s alleged innocence when he is quoted as saying, “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 of it at the time; all I could think of was, We go to get out of here.”

Peltier has proven his guilt more times than even he’d like to recall and it’s a shame if two young college students haven’t taken the time and effort to find the truth. It has nothing to do with being Indian…but with a brutal crime and justice.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods