History of Washita

There is an episode on Dr Quinn Medicine Woman in Season 3 titled "Washita".  The episode educates viewers on the conflict between the Cheyenne Indians and US expansion (White Soldiers).  The show does a good job in general of providing perspectives to bridge understanding of cultures, but this episode in particular was very intense and saddening to realize the degree of ignorance and injustice in our history's past.

The term "Dog Soldiers" refer to the Indians who were "rebels", "extremists", or "fighters" for their people and customs. The "Dog Soldiers" are accepted by the other, traditionally peaceful, Indians only because their raids and killing of Whites provided them with food and survival. The US Army is called into the scene because of the outbreak of "Dog Soldier" raids. The scene clips are in 10 minute segments, but in this first video the important dialogues occur between the beginning until the 5 minute mark.

It is interesting to relate dialogue heard in this show from the 1990's (but set back in the mid to late 1800's) to the events and happenings of our world today. For instance, can you imagine the use of a phrase similar to "they can all burn in hell", as said by the injured railroad worker in the opening scene of the clip?  Then you have the propaganda-like comment by General Custer quoted as "enemies to our civilization".

The episode continues. In this clip, the important dialogue occurs between the 4:30 through the 10 minute time frame. 

After viewing the complete episode, Jenny turned to me and said "and the sad thing is it's true".  The killings did take place by both sides; and both sides were looking to protect their way of life.  And still today people live different "ways" of life, so were those killings worth it?  Nobody is ever going to be the same, so why do we seem to expect to be able to change the way someone lives (or think everyone should live like us?)  And more so, are unnecessary killings still occuring today due to our way of life differences?  Where are the active "Dr Quinns and Sullys" of our culture (ie seeking to bring all sides together)?

You can begin your own research on the history of Washita by clicking this Wikipedia Link

If interested, you can own your own seasons of the Dr Quinn show by clicking this Amazon Link

Foreign Thinking

Visualize a wide-eyed blank stare of fear, both hands on wheel, paled skin, with a police officer reviewing information behind your back.  I was witness to that scenario [some sort of traffic violation], however I was just driving by.

What would it feel like?  We might know the feeling of getting caught doing something we shouldn't have done or getting pulled over for a ticket, but certainly the legality of our citizenship prevents us from understanding other perspectives...like being called "illegal". 

How would it feel to be considered "illegal"?  Think for yourself.  How would it feel to walk into a grocery store or down a street, knowing that someone sees your physical appearance or hears your accent and immediately labels you "illegal" or unwanted or, recently in Indiana, deemed to go to jail.  Or better yet, how would it feel to leave your home for a foreign land where you don't know anybody, but do know that many in the land will discriminate against you, yet still you believe that it's probably the only way you can provide for your family?  Why do "illegals" do that?  Is it because they want to be American?  Or is it because they "have" to be American in order to survive?  Or neither?  Maybe it's because they want to overrun our nation.

Actually, my opinion is this: why do we ask these questions or attempt to answer them when it's not an issue up for debate...they "have" to come, and our society has actually profited from them.  Our society has taken advantage of their low pay services in order to sustain our lifestyle (manicured lawns, cheaper fruit, etc) at a low price.  Plus their countries were overpowered by our trade policies, our prices, and our overload of excess.  This creates few options and that's what we gotta expect if we strive to be the superpower of the world.  What are we going to do when the low prices begin to disappear? Our lives won't be sustainable unless we cut back on our wants, which we've begun to witness over the last several years, yet we continue to retain our wants.

So instead of debating, we ought to seek other perspectives and see what ideas for solutions come from others (who don't look like us), because yes, immigration is going to be a long-standing political issue whether we deport them [undocumented citizens] or not.  Last time I checked, those of us who call ourselves Christian follow a power that is higher than government...higher than "American" and higher than "citizen." We follow a higher example, one of a man who reaches out to every person and offers acceptance.

I will never forget the wide-eyed blank stare on the face I saw in that car, and I was just driving by.  Only he and our government (and God) know what occurred that day, but I hope that that man is given a voice to share his story, because it is he who knows...not us, "the legals".

You may have a different opinion.  Please retain your right and share with us.

The Donald

Donald Trump has done many things in the business and financial world, but now he's causing media to believe he wants a shot in the political world.  He's not the first non-politician to seek a place in Office, but he certainly has made the headlines while doing so by way of some of his strategies and focal points (ie challenging President Obama's birth certificate).  Politics is politics, and all are manipulating and for purpose of getting attention (to some extent), but I'm not so sure The Donald is so ready for being on the criticized end of the political world...in some opinions he's used to having his way and doing the "firing".

Check out the criticism jokes he had to listen to at the 2011 Correspondents' Dinner (hosted by Seth Meyers)!

The video is lengthy.  For the Donald Trump specific jokes, look at the 2 minute mark on the video, and the 9:30 minute mark.  Every year, politicians and journalists get very entertaining with there comments and jokes about each other.  And just to make this a bi-partisan post, here is also a link to Bush's remarks at the 2008 Correspondents' Dinner.