Indian Tears--and Bush's Silence

Dark stains on some Arizona & Utah canyon walls are called Indian Tears

These stains, referring to the oxidation of chemicals within the rocks are more commonly called Desert Varnish.  Some years ago we took a tour of Canyon de Chelly, part of which was learning about Navajo history of the Trail of Tears.  Our guide explained that the Navajos who lived in the Canyon called these rock stains NavajoTears while other tribes in the area referred to them as Indian Tears. You can read about The Trail of Tears near the end of this article

Two stories have dominated the news coverage in the past few days:  Terri Schiavo and the Red Lake Shooting.  Both are tragic.  While I understand the conflict between Terri's family and her husband which sent them to the courts for resolution, I simply cannot understand a President, a Governor and the congressional majority, all of the same party, grandstanding for sheer political gain at the expense of Terri, her husband and family.  While I grieve for all of those caught in this difficult situation , I also grieve for our country which once had laws to protect individual rights in family matters.  I fear that Bush is eroding the checks and balances and taking us toward autocracy--or theocracy.

Today a friend sent me a copy of this article from the Washington Post discussing Bush's absolute silence regarding the Red Lake Shooting.  (I hope the link will continue past today.)  Being from Denver Colorado,  I distinctly remember the horror, grief and helplessness that pervaded our community during the Columbine Shooting--and the fact that Bill Clinton was on the phone immediately expressing condolences and offering help.  I so wish Bush would at least act like a President of the United States instead merely President of the Republicans. I guess grief for residents of a reservation is not "on message" for this week's talking points while rewriting constitutional law for political gain clearly is. 

This blog is not usually political but today my honest emotions are that I am sad and I am angry.  It's my blog and I can grieve and be angry here.

Comments

[John]

Thanks for sharing the link, Deb. It's all truly sad.