January 25, 2012 By Barbara With
In one of the most stunning displays of fascism yet to be witnessed in the hostile takeover of Wisconsin, yesterday Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) declared war on the all 11 sovereign tribal nations within the borders of the state.
During yesterday’s executive session of the Jobs, Economy and Small Business Committee, AB426, the horrific new ferrous mining bill was brought up for amendments. Most now believe the bill was written by and for the protection and profit of the mining company for the specific purpose of gaining control of the iron ore and fresh water resources in the northern part of the State. Despite a huge outcry from residents of the area, environmental groups and Assembly Democrats; and despite the fact that AB426 has been overwhelmingly rejected two-to-one at both public hearings, Republican Fascist committee members once again used their majority vote to move their agenda forward. Rep. Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point) and the other committee Democrats did their best to stand against the Republicans’ illegal and immoral support of a bill so awful even pro-mining people in northern Wisconsin are denouncing it, to no avail.
After passionate debates about treaty rights, the sacredness of the area’s archeological sites and geological structure, the removal of environmental protections, the lack of recourse offered to aggrieved citizens who will be damaged by a 22-mile open pit iron ore mine, the denial of democratic process, and moral violations to the spirit of Wisconsin’s progressive values, Republican Fascists once again committed acts of treason. By using their majority, they extorted the vast riches of iron ore and fresh water away from the citizens and put them in control of GTAC Mining, a subsidiary of Cline Mines, whose deep pockets include the Carlyle Group, a billion-dollar industrial war machine that props up the likes of Karl Rove and his many privatized war-making corporations.
Back on February 27, 2004, the Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issued Executive Order #39 which recognizes the sovereignty of the 11 tribal governments in Wisconsin and the unique government-to-government relationship that exists between the State and the tribes. This was recognition of the many Treaties that have been signed since 1767 meant to protect the Native Americans. These rights are recognized in international courts, and are not granted by the state of Wisconsin. Instead, because of their structure, the treaties state that Native Americans retain the right to co-manage the resources of the lands they gave away to the United States if they affect their reservations.
Many of these treaties were written even as the US government launched an attack of genocide on the Native people that rivals the Nazi holocaust. In Germany, 6 million people were exterminated in concentration camps; in the US, by conservative estimates, the population prior to European contact was greater than 12 million. Four centuries later, the count was reduced by 95% to 237 thousand.
One method used to kill off the native culture was the destruction of their food source. For the Plains Indians, life depended on the buffalo. By around 1895, the formerly vast buffalo populations were practically extinct, leading to starvation and colonization of the tribes.
Today’s modern genocide is another example of the truly evil work being brought to Main Street Wisconsin. Stone’s comments came early on in the debate, but were as good as a declaration of war against Wisconsin’s Native people, particularly the Bad River Tribe whose naturally-occurring wild rice stands will be destroyed if an open mine iron ore mine is allowed to operate in the Penokee Hills. Just like the destruction and pillaging of the American Bison as a way to kill off the natives, destroying their wild rice will be the next step to the Great American Genocide.
Yesterday, Stone stated clearly, “The tribes made it abundantly clear, that they believe they have rights under Federal Law, that they are going to pursue regarding any impacts to the tribal interests. I think the committee is once again making reasonable efforts to ensure that everyone in the vicinity of the mine is copied with the information about [what permits are] being applied for. I think our jobs is to represent the state of Wisconsin and make sure those who are impacted are aware of what’s going on. I don’t think our job is to provide a seat at the table for the tribes.”
Stone’s complete denial of the Treaty Law, recognized in Federal Court, does not negate its reality. However, once again using propaganda as if it were truth, law and morality, Stone commited a crime against the sovereign nations by denying the laws exist and despite Executive Order #39.
Wisconsin citizens have experienced repeated use of this form of denial of federal law. Last month, Scott Walker was caught lying in public about his unilateral decision to deny federal funds designated to FamilyCare. In that case, the Feds stepped in and demanded he return the money, but only after he publicly lied by claiming that he had “found” $83 million and was graciously giving it back.
This absolute totalitarian move on the part of Stone and the Wisconsin Republicans to deny international law is more than just wrong. It’s immoral. The State does not have the power to deny treaty rights, nor to they have the power to alter those nations’ rights. But judging from their track record of repeatedly abandoning their posts as elected officials who swore to uphold the US constitution and protect it and the people of the State, this act of treason is not surprising.
But what Stone’s words should be is the final wake-up call as to the level of criminality we are being governed by. By moving this bill out of committee and onto the floor of the Assembly Thursday, they have declared war on us all.
When will this end? Understand in no uncertain terms: if they allow a mine to go into the Penokees, they begin the next phase of the genocide of the Native American people, beginning with the Bad River Tribe. It appears that Republican Representatives Stone, Loudenbeck, Williams and the other will set their sights next on the non-Native Americans, as their actions will directly result in the loss of potable water in most of the northwestern part of the state. Without water, we will all die.
Tonight Scott Walker will be giving the State of the State at 7 PM. Thursday, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald will officially break international law when they pass AB426 and declare their war. Make no mistake, they are the war makers, so they won’t care. But this is just as serious as the US government declaring war on Iran, and will be just as destructive to the north.
Yesterday I officially considered myself attacked by my own government. This is internal terrorism, the most frightening form of it.
How can the citizens of this state demand that the Democrats have US marshals standing by to finally arrest them? Will any of them have the wherewithal to understand the terrifying implications of this vote? Will we be subjected to listening to more arguments about jobs or will any of the Dems have the courage to speak the truth to their faces?
Over the next two days, Wisconsin will once again make history. With the certain passage of AB426 we enter new uncharted territory. What happens is anyone’s guess.
What will it take to get you down to the Capitol? Your very life might depend on it.
Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative 
How can this happen? Who is letting this happen? How can it be stopped? Hitler all over again.
All indigeous people need to band together to stop this travisty…..
“Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism, because it is a merger of corporate power and government”….Quote from one of the world’s great fascists—Benito Mussolini. (Circa late 30’s…By “great”, in no way do I mean that as a compliment. I despise fascism.)
Etta: I agree…And, we need to stand with the indigenous people in this struggle. When our environment is defiled for the private profits of a few at the top of the economic pyramid, they are defiling the earth for all of us.
I agree with you Chuck. This affects everybody! I have family that comes from Bad River as well. This is horrible!
I do not live up there but I am a member of the Bad River Tribe and have many family members who do live there. I visit multiple times a year with my family and would be very upset if I was not able to in the future. I am very conservative in my view points and almost always vote Republican. But is there a way this can be done and ensure the safety of the water and air?
This is DISGUSTING! As Indigenous People, our nations MUST work together to ward off such evil scum. I’m appalled with this man’s rhetoric. It takes ONE man, like this man to BREAK a part good relations with the surrounding non-Native communities. Are we stepping back into the past?
i cant believe what this world is coming to. the government needs to be stopped period along with these idiotic politicians. i think for ppl who think ignorance is bliss will get what they got coming to them sooner or later. all this power and control crap gots to go. white men really think its their world lol im white too but native also.
only the damn president should have the say so in everything..who gives these other morons the right to control sh*t?
they can only control what ppl allow them to! its time to stand up for whats yours! i think america needs anonymous
Fucking Scumbags!
I am of the iwi (tribe) Kai Tahu from New Zealand, and this made me very sad to read. The way our world is going is shocking considering all the lip service that goes on about indigenous rights etc… when it comes down to it, when a conservative government sees indigenous people’s rights as standing in thier way of pillaging the earth to fill thier own pockets they will do whatever they have to to get you out of the way… I hope they do not get their way..
If the white guy deeclared war-then who are we not to respond.. all four directions of ndns staring up towards wisconsin.. HoKahey.. getting out my scalpin knives.LOL
How dare he and his committee do such a thing. We know it’s all about that almighty dollar, I wonder what he’s getting out of it. He actually sounds totally ignorant (or he doesn’t give a hoot) about the people that live in the state he is supposed to be representing. We all know the tribes are giving millions of dollars to state to do business in Wisconsin. Why doesn’t he acknowledge that. What a putz!!!!
how can this happen? once again….first they kill the natives and take their land back on the days…..now they want to take their will’ again…..? “one Nation with JUstice for ALL”???????? they have to understand to respect their land the’r people……………..does any of them CARE?
Native n non native we all need to band together n stop this n who the he’ll does he think he is but being racist n not really thinking n looking at the big picture we will all die there is now safe mine ever it’s all greed they won’t be happy until we are all dead
We have very similar issues unfoldig in Canada with the fascist Harper/CON cartel. It’s not just a Native issue as the consequences will impact ALL life. It’s also not just an issue within Canada and the U.S. Citizens around the world are under attack by corporate owned fascist govs. They want to control the resources of the world and will do whatever is necessary to accomplish that end. Why? FOR PROFIT!
Many of us in Canada are supporting the Idle No More movement. It’s the only chance we have to fight the corporate take-over and corporate welfare state that Canada has become since Harper won his fraudulent majority in May, 2011. Canada is unrecognizable to us.
The INM movement is gaining support and recognition around the world and Aboriginals and non-aboriginals everywhere are joining. I once thought that the ‘New World Order/Agenda 21’ was just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore, it’s unfolding around the world http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agenda_21 and the official document is here: http://www.unep.org/documents.multilingual/default.asp?documentid=52. And here’s my google search: https://www.google.com/search?q=NWO&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=Palemoon:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=fflb#hl=en&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=Palemoon:en-US%3Aofficial&channel=fflb&sclient=psy-ab&q=new+world+order+agenda+21&oq=New+world+order&gs_l=serp.1.2.0l2j0i20j0.0.0.2.1864.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0.les%3B..0.0…1c.YpCiD6u9UA4&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41248874,d.cGE&fp=a34ece7cf1cbb7bd&biw=1600&bih=728
Just as world gov/corporate fascists have joined together to oppress and suppress, so must the citizens of the world join together to stand in their way. Thanks for your comments. In solidarity with Wisconsin from BC Canada.
People need to realize that this mining bill affects the entire state. It states clearly in the bill that the overburden, which will produce billions of gallons of sulfuric acid (according to a geologist at the last hearing), can be dumped anywhere in the state. This will affect our entire state. I repeat. This will affect our entire state! Water is life, If this land, is state land, it is OUR LAND. It belongs to the people. It belongs to us. Who are they to decide that they can simply give our land away?
Appalled but sadly not surprised. This sociopathic mentality is rampant throughout the majour political structures of the world. Our own government is rotten to the core and we were given the power and responsibility to put a stop to it.
Reblogged this on Wenona Morning Star Gardner and commented:
What will it take to get you down to the Capitol? Your very life might depend on it.
My late mother-in-law came from Bad River Rez. I knew of this a few months ago from one of the Native News papers.
Scott Walker has allowed this through his minions in congress, for the hunting and killing of the Native peoples who may or may not be hindering the greed of the wealthy. So basically it is open season on Indians, as well as wolves in Wisconsin.
The vast majority of people will never hear of this or will not believe it if they do. They are probably the same people who do not know that America was the first country in the world to use germ warfare. AKA The Blanket Fever. In Michigan, John Engler broke one of the treaty’s the Federal government had with the Native People in my state, never mind the rules/laws. Anything that might get in the way of greed is expendable according to the PTB. They will never be happy and they have yet to learn that no matter how much money they have, it is never enough.
After the last animal destroyed, the trees all cut down and the waters all poisoned, only them will you realize you cannot eat money. Buffalo Spirit.
The assault by the govt. on individual rights, in favor of fake corporate personhood continues. Why are the rights of Native people less important than the rest of society? Why are the rights of the people around the hills and the headwaters less important than the rights of out of state mining interests? It’s just more and more big government cronyism and corruption. Corporations are collectivist constructs, they do not represent conscious human life, and they do not deserve the same rights as a conscious human. The people will prevail in this struggle against fundamentally irrational premises such as corporate personhood, and hopefully we will use this ugly fascistic maneuver as a way to stimulate people to take action in support of their sovereign rights.
Although I am not Native American, except through two Cherokee great great grandmothers, the plight of Native Americans stirs my compassion and deeply offends my sense of justice. Many Western people do not understand the depth of corruption in their own system. Many of us who do are overwhelmed by that knowledge. Material wealth and power seem to be all that matters. The earth is run by a huge banking cartel that is basically an evil entity with a non-humanitarian agenda. Ethical behavior like honoring treaties has been crushed under the tsunami of utilitarian ethics. But fight we must, or life has no meaning.