Jovitalk - Bon Jovi Fan Community - Russell Means' thoughts on America

I found one letter by Russell Means & one article about him. In case you don’t know, Russell Means is an American Indian activist. These are his thoughts on 9/11 and America. What he said is very thought provoking. This man, IMO, is very intelligent. I found out today, that he made bid to run for president under the Libertarian ticket. I would vote for him, if he ran again.

To Whom It May Concern:

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I sat transfixed before the television watching the horror of the world trade center with many emotions running through my heart. On that day I said many prayers for the victims, families and the rescuers.

Since that painful day, I have read countless articles and editorials depicting the terror in newspapers from New York City, Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM. I have a feeling of sadness at the war mongering that has become the norm for patriarchal societies throughout history, up to and including today.

The remainder of that intolerable week, I tried to get through to New York City and the immediate area to find out how my friends and relatives were. Finally, on Friday and Saturday, I began getting messages through to my friends. On Sunday, September 16, my friend Rainer Greeven, Esq. called to assure me that he, his family and immediate friends were safe. However, within his own circle of friends and business associates he had been deeply affected. In fact, he told me he didn't know anyone in NYC that wasn¹t affected by tragedy. During the course of our conversation, he asked me what I thought our response, as a nation should be. I shared with him the following: "George W. Bush has the opportunity to become the greatest President this country has ever produced and to change the course of history. All he has to do is turn the other cheek and reach out to every country and to all peoples in the world." Mr. Greeven was taken aback and his response was, "We have to go after the terrorists wherever they are." I then responded Yes, go after the perpetrators of this holocaust and do what justice demands. Then, Mr. Bush could restart the Peace Corps or any other type of corps he would like to designate. They would go to countries around the world and monitor and assure our foreign aid not only goes to governments but deserving communities and organizations. This would reverse the U.S. policies of granting foreign aide to prop up dictatorships who agree to be our ally. Thus, within four to five years there would not be a country in the world that would allow anti-U.S. terrorists to find haven in their countries.

Unfortunately, Bush has chosen the typical male response of revenge and vengeance, so now we are on the same course as the Israelis, where state violence engenders individual violence and vice versa. While Mr. Bush has told the Palestinians and the Israelis to end their cycle of violence, he and all the "bipartisan" leaders of this country are now in danger of enlarging the very same cycle of violence.
The military-industrial complex and their dupes in Washington D.C. have now found the perfect never ending war, a war against the unknown. This will be worse than the drug war. In order for this war against the unknown to continue forever, sporadic terrorist acts of violence will have to take place within America. The landscape of America will become littered with armed forces guarding every airport, TV station, bank, refinery, utility company, communication company, water plant, etc. etc. etc. This is not a doomsday scenario; this is logic based upon the growth and power of the federal government. It is historical fact.

Soon Americans will not be able to travel anywhere in the world without great fear for themselves and for their families.

The first duty of a true patriot is to question authority; the first responsibility of a patriot is to be a good neighbor. I have heard the refrain "this is a wake up call for America" from many Americans from all over this country, so I ask those good Americans, who is responsible for putting us in harm's way? It is the policies of our past and present leadership of the United States of America.

We can no longer be a country in denial and continue to live in the fantasyland of America, right or wrong. We must accept the fact our military continues to kill men, women and children and are now planning to do it again.

Americans,what are you going to do?

Russell Means
September 30, 2001

http://www.russellmeans.com/read_01.html
Excerpts from Journal Staff Writer, Diana Heil, 10/17/00

Indian Activist and actor questions America's freedom and character

When Russell Means isn't visiting jails in Whiteclay, Neb., or Denver, he is rehearsing lines in Hollywood or building a school on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation to instill Lakota pride in students.

The Indian activist and actor, born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1939, took the stage at the Greer Garson Theatre at The College of Santa Fe Monday night with tears in his eyes. Brant Solomon, a second-year performing arts student of Kiowa, Cheyenne and Cherokee heritage, introduced Means as someone who fought in the 1970s at Wounded Knee in SD and elsewhere so that Solomon would not have to fight oppression today. "That's the most eloquent 'thank you' I have received," he said, wiping his eyes. "you don't (get) many thank yous."

Whether they agreed with him or not, Means apparently made the ethnically diverse audience of 500 think-and laugh. "I can keep track of the felonies; the misdemeanors just pile up," he jokes.

A self-described Libertarian, Means prodded the crowd with questions about what American society allows: "How did you let it become mob rule? What is mob rule? It's 50 percent plus one. If you're not Democrat or Republican, you have to accept what you disagree with. That is insanity. People in Canada, England and Germany have more freedom than you."

He seemed on a mission to turn everyone into an activist. "Activism is another word for responsibility," Means said, adding punch with a Thomas Jefferson quote about the need for a revolution every 20 years. "What is worth jail in your life?" he asked. Means said America is a "brainwashed" nation of "addicts," full of fear and greed. Means drew on his 33-year history of confrontation to speak on "American Indian Activism Then and Now." Yet even some of his harshest critics today are Indians.

On Oct. 8, Denver police arrested, then released, Means for blocking the path of the Columbus Day parade for about an hour. When police asked the 147 American Indian protesters to give way, 75 women sat in the street.
Means, challenged Denver to end the "myth and fantasy" of Columbus as a hero. He said the difference between activism of the 1970s and that of last week is the protesters were from various ethnic groups and sexes.

I think Santa Fe should be an example to the rest of America on interracial tolerance and the celebration of different cultures day in and day out," he said. "-- What I saw on Columbus Day is what I see here tonight... and it makes my heart soar."
Means said ethnic labels are dividing America. "I am not a Native American," he said. "That is a generic government term and I don't let any government define who I am." He said America is socially polarized because people put their ethnicity first and put America last, as in African-American, Mexican-American, etc.
"What is an American? I believe an American loves to be free. You are free to be responsible. That's the only rule you should understand," he said.
He urged the audience to read American history, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and wake up. "Read your history; check out policies and then measure it against being free," he said.

Means sought the Libertarian Party nomination for president in 1988, the first American Indian to seek the nation's highest office. "I am a Libertarian, we are a party of principles and the platform does not change with the GNP," he said in an interview before the forum began. "I believe in freedom, not more government."

Mean delighted the audience with his references to the "Demopublicans," his view that America truly has one political party. "Have the Demopublicans colonized your minds into believing you live in the greatest country in the world?" Peals of laughter followed.

Joe Hempfling of Santa Fe, who came to hear Means speak, said he respects Means' fortitude. "This man, every time he talks, puts his life on the line," he said.