[or-roots] Chief Joseph: Keep it civil folks!

[Connie Guardino]

Yes, this is a "sticky wicket." You don't give or sell land to one nation that
belongs to other nations. We invaded Indian territory, stole their land, and
descimated their populaltion--all in the name of western expansionism. These
were good "Christian" people who decided "this land was meant for the white
man," when it belonged to someone else. If something (like a tract of land) is
not freely given up, then you kill for it if you have decided it is rightfully
yours. Indians were treated like so much brush and forest: the land needed to
be "cleared" in order for white men to inhabit it. Treating for land was
ridiculous. Indians were forced onto barron, swampy reservations and were
expected to die off from deprivation. Even when an exchange of money or
trinkets was involved, the Indians seldom if ever were paid in full. The legacy
of how we got this land is as shameful as our current "oil war" in Iraq.
America is a warring nation; there is no doubt about that. We will plunder and
kill to get whatever we want--then bow down to God Almightly and thank Him/Her
for "protecting" us from out "enemies." Nuff said.

Leslie Chapman wrote:

> OKAY people, lets just agree to disagree about the subject;
>
> Yes the indians did some nasty things to the white eyes, some of the
> problems were simply what we call today "cultural"
> but if anybody (you included Walt) labors under the delusion that the
> "indian Policies" as carried out by the White folks was any part of
> enlightened and reasoned, then as Glenn says you better read your history.
>
> We can flog this dead horse till hell freezes over and nobody is going to
> change their mind about who was right and who was wrong and I think we have
> abused poor list Mom's patience enough of late without getting into that.
>
> By the way before you jump down my throat for taking the side of the
> "Indians" I better explain what "cultural" means; property and territory
> rights were very differant as interpretated by them, and THAT caused a lot
> of problems, if my neighbor  came along and decided to drive off my horses
> and shot me when I objected I don't think I would appreciate it either, as I
> say nobody involved in any of unpleasantness between races for most of the
> 19th century can claim sainthood.
>
> Les Chapman
>
> I Think someone needs to read their history better Chief Joseph did not
> start the war,
>
> If Mr. Ford was actually one of those who pursued Chief Joseph, it is
> certainly one of the less than stellar moments/decisions made by that
> generation
>
> Before you go off half cocked you had better read the whole story and learn
> about how many whites were killed
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