PELTIER: "I am a reporter...

…for the Watertown Public Opinion in Watertown, South Dakota.” read the email received on January 30, 2015 from, Jennifer Thomas, Special Feature Reporter, (jenniferthomas@thepublicopinion.com) that continued with;

“I am currently working on a story regarding Leonard Peltier and his supporters' current calls for amnesty. I have received statements and interview commitments from Friends of Peltier and Amnesty International Reps, but would like to fairly report on all sides, offering readers enough information to form their own opinion on the case.  The article is currently scheduled to run next week marking the anniversary of his arrest and subsequent extradition from Canada. Is there any way I could receive a statement on the case from a representative of your organization or arrange for a brief phone interview?” 

I politely declined the phone interview but provided a couple of links for reference and an offer to answer any questions, provide additional references, and pointed out that there was a lot of folklore surrounding the Peltier matter, but that the facts are out there.

There was no reply but I did follow up with two more emails and several more references on Peltier issues making the point that without specific details readers would not be able to make an informed decision regarding Peltier’s guilt. I pointed out the recorded fabrications (lies), on film, in Redford’s, Incident at Oglala, from Bob Robideau and Peltier himself, a YouTube compilation of Peltier’s ever-changing version of the facts and his inability to provide consistent answers to very simple questions. I sent a link to the letter from the Canadian Government that put to rest Peltier’s claims of an unlawful extradition.

I did receive a reply on February 2^nd from Ms. Thomas thanking me for my time and information and that it would be useful in writing her article.

At that point I believed that if she had explored the NPPA website and reviewed the material I’d forwarded, that perhaps she would write a balanced article that would “fairly report on all sides.”

I did though find it unusual, considering, not a complicated case but one with a long history, that she didn’t have at least one follow-up question.

The article “Special Report: Leonard Peltier at 70,” appeared several days later and was far less than expected, and a disappointment. It rehashed points that would have been easily disproven, and, in sum, portrayed Peltier as a victim and a martyr, adding as well, insult to injury, claiming Peltier’s alleged humanitarian efforts (a complete and provable sham*), and also lamenting his age and poor health**.

Jack Coler and Ron Williams, given the option, would willingly trade Peltier’s infirmities for the cold-blooded deaths they suffered in 1975.

I contacted the editor, Roger Whittle (rogerwhitle@thepublicopinion.com) for an opportunity of a rebuttal. He then provided the Letter-to-the-Editor policy, one of which was that it had to be 300 words or less. Easier said than done.

I sat down and within about fifteen minutes typed what I considered a concise reply to Ms. Thomas’s special report, until I realized it exceeded 600 words.

Some seventy-plus editorial essays, nearly fifteen years of involvement honoring the sacrifice of two young FBI agents, dealing with all manner of attacks, a law suit, threats of lawsuits and outrageous slander from Peltier fringe elements, and to say it all in 300 words seemed impossible. Over two hours later, after a series of what felt like endless edits, the response was finished and forwarded to Mr. Whittle, who replied and said it would be printed in Saturday’s, 2/14/15, edition***.

* * *

Letter to the Editor, The Public Opinion, February 11, 2015

Response to “Special Report: Leonard Peltier at 70”

Unfortunately, The Public Opinion (TPO) article was factually inaccurate and regretfully repeated many issues that have long been discredited. The answers to those lingering allegations are available at www.noparolepeltier.com

A truly innocent person would have no difficulty reciting the facts, yet Peltier’s versions have changed repeatedly.

Peltier’s own public statements have proven his guilt beyond all doubt:

“I seen Joe when he pulled it out of the trunk and he gave me a smile.” (ITSOCH p.552) With two dead and mutilated agents at their feet Peltier and the others steal their weapons. The “Joe,” was Joe Stuntz, who was killed that day as he and others fired upon responding law enforcement. There was an investigation and it was a justifiable shooting. Simple premise, shoot at police and they’re going to shoot back.

During Peltier’s escape with other AIM members from Pine Ridge he bragged about what happened at the agent’s vehicles. This came out in sworn testimony at another murder trial in 2004; “He (Peltier) said the (Obscene Expletive) was begging for his life, but I shot him anyway.” The TPO article failed to paint a fair picture of the devastation wrought by AIM.

"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." (2/6/10) Two wounded, then brutally slain agents. Peltier is both unrepentant and remorseless.

“I don’t regret any of this for a minute.” (8/28/14) No regrets?

The only thing Peltier has is to keep the myth alive, and unfortunately the TPO article just perpetuates the folklore and failed to provide concrete solutions upon which readers can make informed judgments.

* * *

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

* http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#fraud

** A hard copy of the article, along with the initial email to Ms. Thomas and Mr. Whittle, was sent to Peltier at USP Coleman, as are all updates and blogs from the No Parole Peltier Association. This has been standard practice for over a decade when it became apparent that Peltier’s network leadership, which has changed a number of times, was not sharing everything with him, specifically, the criticisms and attacks on his feigned and alleged innocence and destroying the myth and folklore: In other words, the truth. Also included with each mailing is an autographed copy of Peltier’s FBI wanted poster. Autographed by me, as promised years ago, to dispel the myth that the aiding and abetting charge against Peltier was somehow magically, and later, inserted into the case. Highlighted with a yellow marker on FBI Identification Order #4681 is the date of “November 25, 1975” and, “charging Peltier with murder – first degree, killing two Federal Officers in the performance of their duties and aiding and abetting.” Also highlighted in yellow are two of Peltier’s known aliases, John Yellow Robe, and Leonard Williams; the irony not being missed either by Peltier or anyone paying even the slightest attention.

*** The letter may have appeared in TPO, but I haven’t seen it and perhaps it doesn’t matter all that much. Not certain what kind of attention TPO gets and would imagine that most in South Dakota, whether Native American or not, have already made up their minds, one way or the other, regarding the American Indian Movement and Leonard Peltier. This blog will be posted and also forwarded to right around 5,000 recipients, so at least the response to Ms. Thomas’s “Special Report” will get some attention.

PELTIER: FROM HUMAN DRAMA TO FICTION

Re-blogged:

FROM HUMAN DRAMA TO FICTION

Posted by rezinate on October 19, 2014

Indiegogo and other such fundraising entities have gained popularity and I’ve been thinking since Peltier and ILPDC  are always soliciting donations and made the decision to go that route they might consider adding a belated inducement in their next attempt.

And no I don’t mean a bumper sticker or anything so mundane, what I had in mind was an arrangement linking the release of Peltier’s parole board hearing transcripts and disciplinary records to the fundraiser.

As Peltier has staunchly refused to sign off granting permission it would surely cause a stir – sort of a pay to play. Pony up five bucks or so and see what’s behind door number three.

Think of the support it could garner if all things are as Peltier says.

Ask yourself if Nelson Mandela, someone ILPDC and Peltier like to egregiously draw comparisons to, would of had the ability to control such things would he have refused publicizing them?

I kind of doubt that as Mandela was truly a man of the people, and inspite of all that went before, all the greivences, went to great lengths to promote reconciliation and a national healing upon his release.

I think Mandela grew as a person during the time of his imprisonment, a testament to who he was, who he became, the same can’t be said of Peltier who remains as morally stunted and lacking of integrity as he has been for his entire adult life.

Ask yourself if that is a course Gandhi would have chosen, who likewise sought reconciliation and healing in the aftermath of the struggle for independence and human rights?

The Indiegogo campaign had a goal of $175,000 – it closed earlier this month having received a little more than $35,000, far short of what was desired but with assurances that all money would be used as declared as the options dwindle.

To me the failure to reach the goal is yet another indication that as time has passed the Peltier myth has begun to curdle like sour milk – too many unanswered questions, too many contradictions, and too much coming to light.

People have begun to ask themselves if a man would stick a gun in a woman’s mouth to interrogate and threaten her would he be capable of cold blooded murder? If a man routinely caught in lies during interviews is even capable of telling the truth?

If either speak to the spirit of Crazy Horse?

It won’t end with this latest of failed campaigns, there will be others asserting the same claims, advancing the same “talking points” while avoiding those seen as burdens, threats to the cause, and the understanding that if the well is tainted people won’t drink from it – that you can lead the public horse to water but cannot make them drink.

Ongoing reorganizations, internal purges, new faces and old better left alone faces brought in have failed miserably, as has the steady flow of missives from Peltier in the search to find the right words, the right buttons to push.

The final chapter is being written in a book of pretense, and upon completion it will be relocated from human drama to the fiction section where it should have been assigned in the first place.

If Peltier is as pure as the driven snow and so routinely victimized as he and they claim I can see no reason why he wouldn’t agree.

Something wrong when an “innocent” man won’t willingly do so out of respect for those who have advocated for him without the need to attempt a monetary inducement.

So what do you say Peltier – what’s the asking price, or is there no amount of money sufficient to run the risk?

Perhaps the money could be dedicated to your children or grandchildren, something tangible you could leave them in lieu of a cobbled together myth and decades of lies.

Or maybe to our youth you claim to be so concerned with and want to “mentor”, perhaps even the environment as you attempt to associate yourself with issues you believe will resonate.

Being incarcerated comes with obvious restrictions, signing a release form isn’t one of them.

http://rezinate.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/from-human-drama-to-fiction/

"In the Spirit of Coler and Williams"

PELTIER UPDATE: A broken record with missing pieces; "I'm 70, send more money," Yet another admission of guilt

Dear Supporters:

Peltier’s latest, August 28^th “Indian Summer” missive from Coleman is more of the same with some carefully crafted omissions (Footnote #1).

He gives thanks for donations to “my legal fees.” Legal fees? Fees he claims to have but will never disclose. Peltier supporters, Peltierites, are a clueless bunch, blindly following and accepting this little piece of unending deceit. There have been capable attorneys who have devoted many hours, some, even years to exploring every facet of Peltier’s conviction, through numerous appeals, and well beyond. They have donated their valuable time, pro bono (that’s without charge), to find something, anything, that could have opened the door to further hearings, a retrial or overturning his conviction. The Peltier case has withstood the test of time and scrutiny. Peltier is guilty and his claims of a wrongful conviction and “constitutional violations” are as weak as his claims of innocence (Fn. 2). So, if as he claims that “none of them (committee workers) take a salary or pay,” and “All the funds that have been donated will be used exclusively for (his) legal fees,” then the solution is very simple. Prove it! He won’t and that’s the dirty little secret Peltier has pandered for decades. Besides, if he ever did, even the Pelterite diehards would be aghast at the con they’ve been duped into and even more will walk away leaving no money and no support.

As for the alleged Constitutional violations, had there been one (and there was one issue that did lead to the ballistics hearing), we would not be having any conversations about, Peltier the inmate, today. The definitive word(s) have been written many times (in the final analysis; “…the direct and circumstantial evidence of Peltier’s guilt is strong…” 8^th Circuit Court of Appeals, September 14, 1978). Besides, Peltier’s own statements and admissions have convicted him well beyond the legal system establishing not just his factual, but actual guilt. “And really, if necessary, I’d do it all over again, because it was the right thing to do,” he’s told the world. And he would. There’s a word for that kind of personality. Recidivist.

Rambling on, lamenting that he may die in prison “…if Obama does not free me…” he’s pointing to his last and only hope. As he is well aware, parole is off the table and the President has many more pressing matters to consider than the unrepentant, cold-blooded murderer who has lied his way through the last four decades (Fn. 3). Peltier has contradicted his own feigned innocence with public statements that he was at once a warrior that day protecting his people (by instigating a vicious attack on two agents attempting to serve an arrest warrant), then brutally killing those agents as he and the other cowards of Jumping Bull fled. Then he plays the race card, the poor persecuted Indian, The Last of the Mohegan’s (no pun intended) who had to be punished for these crimes. Peltier has consistently pushed to have it both ways. But you can’t be a warrior (hero) and a victim (persecuted minority) at the same time, especially, when his own versions of the events have changed as often as the seasons. The President is aware that it wasn’t the phantom Mr. X, as Peltier claimed for many years, as the actual killer, and that with two dead and mutilated federal agents at his feet he acknowledged the smile from Joe Stuntz as he stole and put on the dead agent’s FBI jacket. No, the record is clear; even if the claims are true that no one knows who fired the fatal killing shots (which isn’t true because at least Dino Butler and Bob Robideau—and perhaps others—were there at that moment), he was also convicted of “Aiding and Abetting” in those murders. So, there in Coleman he shall sit until his sentence is complete (two life sentences plus seven consecutive years for the armed Lompoc escape) until he can walk out, or be carried out.

A ponytail does not an Indian make. This past week the disgraced Ward Churchill made his first television appearance in many years and submitted to questioning regarding his warped philosophy of America. Any reasonably informed person, no matter the education, or even high schoolers, have to walk away from Churchill’s comments recognizing that the man is a babbling fool. As difficult as it was to force oneself to watch this pathetic exhibit there was one positive note. Churchill is (or was) a Peltier supporter. And if that’s the quality of Peltier support, then bring them on. Putting Peltier in the same boat with the likes of Ward Churchill can only widen Peltier’s credibility gap with the rest of mankind. (Fn. 4)

Like a jackass lost in a canyon Peltier is bawling a new slogan, pilfered and adulterated from a true Native American warrior, Chief Joseph. “I will fight some more…forever,” is a hackneyed attempt to try to legitimize his own cowardly and marginalized past. It would have been more accurate for Peltier to have said, “I will lie forever…even to myself.”

Peltier signs off this message like all the others with selling the myth, how to make donations (to a rent-by-the-week office in Lake Mary, Florida), those questionable quality artwork prints, T-Shirts and the like. Notice though they no longer claim that donations are “tax-deductible.” Wonder why? Peltierites are afraid to ask.

The missing pieces of the broken record are easily found at (Fn.5).

Then comes Peltier’s 9/12/14 “I’m 70, send more money” message (Fn. 6). This is just more of the same providing pained excuses that his actions were for others; his lame cry that his sacrifice  was for everyone else in the world. Peltier explains that he has hired the “best legal team we could get,” which essentially throws all those prior pro bono attorneys under the proverbial bus. But at least he was “very grateful they were trying to help me.” Really, is that all they did, “try” to help? Collectively all those earlier attorneys must be shaking their heads.

The new dream team must have an easier job ahead since Peltier tells us that; “I am singled out” and “often people cannot believe the sheer amount of constitutional violations and injustice,” while he “…paid a dear price attempting to uphold justice, fairness, and truth,” and fought “…the good fight…” Again, if there was but one  constitutional violation he would have been out a long time ago, but he can’t help himself with the I’m in this for you scam and singing the same rendition of the warrior-victim song.

Although, he does come close to the core of the “hell” he finds himself in suggesting that he “…wants (his) time to stand as an example to you all.” Finally, a moment of unsuspecting clarity. Yes, there is a Peltier message for others, especially the young and impressionable, if you don’t attack and murder law enforcement personnel, then you won’t spend the rest of your life rotting in prison. That’s a good take-away from the Coleman inmate.

Over the years there have been many times Peltier’s attorney’s wished that he would just keep his mouth shut. But that’s one of the central reasons why his attorneys and “committee” has changed so often, because he is incapable of suppressing that sociopathic bullying and his self-delusional belief in the myth that’s been festering around him. A myth that’s flawed and defies the reality of Jumping Bull. In other words, he simply cannot control himself or follow simple, valid advice.

Peltier has not identified his attorneys. Why is that? There isn’t a privilege to be concerned about, either someone represents a client or doesn’t. It’s quite simple. But maybe that’s part of the gambit…the ploy to keep the unsuspecting, unsuspecting. Keep them waiting in anxious excitement for the next revelation. Where’s the harm in saying, “these are my best attorneys,” and name them? Unless, of course, they don’t exist. But keep sending the checks because that money has been going somewhere over all these years. (By the way, unlike in the past, Peltier better make sure the income is claimed and taxes paid.)

Peltier has done it once again. Yet another admission of guilt. The February 6, 2010 public statement (mentioned above; he’d do it all over again because it was the right thing to do), is only prelude as he comes to us with this, “I don’t regret any of it for one minute.”

The key here, of course, is “any.” Without qualification, reservation, clarification or exclusion, this statement, by default must include the events of June 26, 1975 and the brutal attack and murder of Special Agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams. This is yet another public admission of unrepentant guilt that will surely be mentioned at his next parole-review hearing.

At this juncture a question that can be asked is whether or not a free Leonard Peltier would still present a danger (aside from whether he has yet to fully pay his debt to society). The answer is an unqualified, yes. He played the role of a tough-guy, a self-proclaimed warrior, but the facts and his own words have proven that he was one among the “yellow robes” that day at Jumping Bull (Fn. 7). Those details support the premise that he was, in fact, a coward, and cowards always remain unpredictable and dangerous.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods

Footnotes:

1) http://www.leonardpeltier.info/indian_summer

2) http://wwwnoparolepeltiercom-justice.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html

3) http://noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#paroledenied

4) http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#6

This is a significant essay from 2001. The factual basis remains unchanged, however, given Churchill’s history over the past thirteen years, the generous comments regarding his status are withdrawn.

5) http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#concise

6) http://www.leonardpeltier.info/seventy_years

7) See Peltier’s FBI wanted flyer, I.O. 4681, dated 12/3/75 for Murder; Interstate Flight-attempted murder; National Firearms Act. Peltier also, ironically used the alias of Leonard Williams, as well as Leonard Littleshell, Luis Martinez and John Yellow Robe.

http://www.noparolepeltier.com/images/warrant.gif

RON WILLIAMS: July 30, 1947 - June 26, 1975: Rest In Peace

Dear Supporters:

In thirty-four days, only a month, Ron would have celebrated his 28^th birthday.

His young and vibrant life to that point was a celebration of his intelligence, charm, personality and admirable accomplishments. Already having served his country in the U.S. Navy, completing college and embarking on a challenging career in the nation’s premier law-enforcement agency. His future was a clean slate; doors yet to open and adventures discovered, limitless ambitions and opportunities and a host of close friends and family to share it all.

We can only speculate or imagine what the next thirty-nine years would have given him. He had ambitions. Ron had entertained pursuing a law degree but it is not clear whether he would have tried to tackle such an enterprise while remaining in the Bureau, or stepping down to pursue it full time.

His time in the Rapid City Resident Agency (RCRA), an assignment typically reserved for those with prior law enforcement experience, like his partner that day, former LAPD Swat member, Jack Coler, was challenging; a far cry from his previous experience and his hometown of the metropolis of Los Angeles. Although the Bureau was increasing the agent compliment of the RCRA to combat the rising turmoil caused by the American Indian Movement, Ron faced those challenges as the consummate young professional agent all knew him to be.

Ron loved flying and had already earned a pilot’s license. The FBI’s aviation program did not formally exist when he entered the Bureau but by the mid 70s where aircraft were used in several major investigations, the opportunity to become a Bureau pilot was certainly a possibility where he could have combined both passions.

Having come from a major city, the possibility of transferring back to L.A., where family and other friends resided, was a good possibility. After serving his time in Indian Country working difficult cases in remote areas, Los Angeles could have been within reach.

Had he returned to L.A., pursued a law degree, perhaps then active in the Bureau’s rapidly growing aviation program, he may have sought to combine those skills and experiences. Perhaps as an experienced investigator, an attorney and a pilot, the National Transportation Safety Board may have been an interesting and challenging career option, or perhaps a legal practice involving airline litigation. We’ll never know.

By now, at age 67 he would no doubt have a family, and perhaps retired from whatever path he chose, as he doted over grandchildren sharing with them career exploits and accomplishments, introducing them to his passion for flying, taking them on flying vacations or out for an afternoon to a not-too-distant airport for one of those famous $50 hamburgers (today they would be more like $300 hamburgers). In any case he would have lived, loved and shared a long, productive and happy life, even if there were a few bumps in the road.

But all that potential and dreams of the future ended on a sultry day in June 1975.

He faced the danger, the enemy, as a young man with the courage and strength of his already proven character. However, the odds were overwhelming and insurmountable.

Undaunted and unafraid Ron and Jack pursued their fugitive felon, only to be ambushed by AIM cowards and severely wounded. Nonetheless, the evidence is crystal clear; he went first to the aid of his gravely injured partner.

His sacrifice is our loss. May he Rest-in-Peace knowing that he will never be forgotten.

We can take solace knowing that every agent and every man and woman who carries a badge and a gun and is willing to place themselves in harm's way to protect the citizenry and enforce the laws of this Nation have a guardian angel looking over their shoulder. His name is Special Agent Ronald A. Williams.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”

Ed Woods