Civil War History - The Eastern TheaterDiscuss any and all battles, movements, and events occuring in the Eastern Theater here! This includes any actions in tha area east of the Appalachian Mountains in the vicinity of the river capitals of Richmond and Washington D.C.
Are you sure we are all fat and happy? Native Americans have the highest poverty, unemployment, and alcoholism rates among all Americans. Since 1887 the US government has been responsible for management of the Indian Land Trust. Native Americans sued in 1994 to force the US government to pay Indians' claims that over $100 billion is owed them by the US. Today, the US government offered the Indians a settlement of $7 billion to end litigation. I am sure the Indians will not settle for that amount. The fact that the US is willing to settle at all makes it obvious that the suit has merit and the government likey will lose and be forced to pay more than its offer. More than a century after Wounded Knee the US government is still trying to screw the Indians. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/2007...dian-money.htm
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"Those who forget to remember the past are condemned to repeat it", George Santayana.
The fact that the US is willing to settle at all makes it obvious that the suit has merit and the government likey will lose and be forced to pay more than its offer.
Willing to settle means nothing at all. It's frequently cheaper to pay off than to enrich the leeching lawyers.
I do have some sympathy with our indigenous people. I really do. But they got catapaulted into a situation similar to the freed slaves. Many, if not most, assimilated, adjusted and got on with their lives. Please forgive me if I don't get all teary about those who wallow in the slop of self pity.
They weren't the first ones to get the short end of the stick in this nation's history. They won't be the last. Whining about what was and who owes what to whom is the ultimate Lost Cause.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Willing to settle means nothing at all. It's frequently cheaper to pay off than to enrich the leeching lawyers.
I do have some sympathy with our indigenous people. I really do. But they got catapaulted into a situation similar to the freed slaves. Many, if not most, assimilated, adjusted and got on with their lives. Please forgive me if I don't get all teary about those who wallow in the slop of self pity.
They weren't the first ones to get the short end of the stick in this nation's history. They won't be the last. Whining about what was and who owes what to whom is the ultimate Lost Cause.
ole
One of your better posts! I agree wholeheartedly with the old get off your butt and go to work theory of survival.
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Ancestors in US Army: 13th TN Cav; 10th TN Cav; 3rd NC Inf
Ancestors in CSA Army: 48th VA; 63rd VA, 5th NC Cav; 37th NC
Wife and Grandson's CSA: 15th AL, 51st GA, 41st TN; 36th TN; GA Mil 1197 Dist
Willing to settle means nothing at all. It's frequently cheaper to pay off than to enrich the leeching lawyers.
I do have some sympathy with our indigenous people. I really do. But they got catapaulted into a situation similar to the freed slaves. Many, if not most, assimilated, adjusted and got on with their lives. Please forgive me if I don't get all teary about those who wallow in the slop of self pity.
They weren't the first ones to get the short end of the stick in this nation's history. They won't be the last. Whining about what was and who owes what to whom is the ultimate Lost Cause.
ole
No one is saying Indians should not work for a living. But why should Corporate America get filthy rich off Indian lands? So who in your opinion was the first group to get the short end of the stick? Assimilation at the point of a gun is not free choice. Also, half of those who identify as Native Americans live on reservations. Could you include a few facts to back up your opinions. If you were familiar with the Indian Land Trust suit you would know it is forcing the government through a recent Act of Congress to make a full accounting of Indian Land claims, which it has not done and it is dragging its feet.
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"Those who forget to remember the past are condemned to repeat it", George Santayana.
Corporate America is getting filthy rich off of Indian land? That's a new one for me. And I am glad that they are getting, or may get, some compensation. Perhaps we should also be talking about reparations for the descendants of slaves? Or Mexico? Maybe the Lakotah should pay the Kiowa, Pawnee and Absaroka for the lands they took. Or the Pottawatamis apologize to the Illini (if there are any left)?
Learning from the past is one thing. Living in it is quite another.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
It is survival of the fittest... or in this case the biggest army. The world was formed on this ideal. Almost every country that exists today was created by throwing out an idigenous people. Why should we be any different? Expansion fuels war, and when there is nowhere left to expand you'd better hope your people can resist the tides. And if you can't... assimilate yourself or die, simple as that.
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"In mortal combat, a man may and will become so infuriated by the din and dangers of a bloody fight that his heart will turn to stone and his every de sire [be] for blood."
John Hadley, 7th Indiana after the battle at Port Republic
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