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A million years ago in
Klamath Falls, Oregon there was Pat Coker and Rita Nalette who ended
up in a Catholic girls school in Portland, Oregon. Life went on, we
lost touch, and we each came into our own identities.
She is Feather Rock – North Central Minnesota Native American Veterans
Outreach & Resource Center (See info below). And I became the pot
Feather stirs when she needs a wordsmith who has no problem going for
the jugular. We are a lot older now; she is a warrior and I’m an old
lady bunking with mr b (a Chihuahua with an agenda). We both (mr b and
I) feel strongly about First People issues and lend our small
resources to help Feather’s people.
I’ve learned that I can cry, curse, or write. Writing is more
productive. Below is a copy of an opinion letter I wrote that was
published. Feather said to send letters asking for a pardon for
Leonard Peltier…..I hand wrote letters to everybody begging for a
pardon.
Last Saturday there was a march for Leonard Peltier. I’d never marched
before. But march we did. mr b, Jeannie an old school chum, and I. If
we don’t leave the world a better place for having been here then
what’s the point?
Editorials & Opinion:
Tuesday, February 08, 2000
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEATTLE TIMES
Tribal rights -- Governor's position, behavior on tribal rights are
insulting
I am unable to decide if it is racism, hypocrisy, or just plain
stupidity that prompts the current shameful behavior of this state's
government with regard to the issue of the Yakama Nation acting
lawfully within their treaty rights ("Yakama alcohol taxes have the
state smoking," Editorials, Jan. 26).
The Yakamas, exercising their right to fight alcoholism and drunken
drivers, have utilized the same widely accepted mechanism of
individual states and the federal government, which is to increase
taxes on those products deemed medically dangerous and societally
destructive.
Our own state and the federal government raised taxes on tobacco
products under the banner of protecting our children and recovering
medical costs.
The issue is "demon rum" and the state snivels about money lost in
liquor sales. That is pathetic.
But, what is more pathetic is that nothing is said about the horror of
ruined lives and the destruction of families by alcohol and "(Gov.
Gary) Locke's aides identified $4 million in federal dollars that
could be used for alcohol programs."
Every day I see people on the street visibly suffering from the
effects of alcohol abuse and it makes me very angry that I cannot
personally help them. They are in my face and they can't see the
extreme sorrow, rage and frustration there because they are lost. I
don't want to lose any more.
I would be failing in my duty as a citizen if my silence were to be
seen as support of a governor who wants to sell more booze.
The governor needs to pull his head out of his wallet because his
position and behavior are insulting.
Rita Nalette, Seattle
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Letters to the Editor
HURRICANE AFTERMATH
Louisiana officials have some explaining to do
I should think that before we plunk the buck on the desk of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, we might stop at the desk of
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco or even New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
Why haven't they placed employment advertisements in all major
newspapers asking for the return of the residents to help in the
cleanup and rebuilding?
Why has the silence been so deafening with regard to the plight of the
Native Americans who also suffered greatly from Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita?
Rita Nalette
Seattle
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