Posted on 12/21/2007 12:57:04 PM PST by Pyro7480
Here is the kind of story that really proves how little the MSM bothers to research things, how they often simply print glorified press releases without doing any real "journalism," and how the defective end product gets picked up and regurgitated like it is suddenly a "fact." In this one we have the story of "the Lakota Sioux Indians" announcing that "they" have withdrawn from agreed upon treaties with the US government and that they are now a sovereign nation, no longer to be called citizens of the USA. Problem is "the Lakota Sioux Indians" that have made this announcement are just an unaffiliated group of Indian activists the leader of whom does not represent the official Lakota tribe leadership! Yet here is the news media reporting this story as if all "the Lakota Sioux Indians" have banded together and quit the union.
Take this report from USA Today: Lakota withdraw from treaties, declare independence from U.S
The Lakota Sioux Indians, whose ancestors include Sitting Bull, Red Cloud and Crazy Horse, have withdrawn from all treaties their forefathers signed with the U.S. government and have declared their independence. A delegation delivered the news to the State Department earlier this week.
Wow, it sounds momentous, alright. But, who says that "the Lakota Sioux Indians" have abandoned their treaties?
"We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us," said Russell Means, a longtime Indian rights activist. "This is according to the laws of the United States, specifically Article 6 of the Constitution," which states that treaties are the supreme law of the land.
And who is the Russell Means? He is a long time Indian activist who does not officially represent any tribe, that's who. It takes the local press to make this clear. The Rapid City Journal of Rapid City, South Dakota informs us that, "Means' group is based in Porcupine on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation," and that "it is not an agency or branch of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Means ran unsuccessfully for president of the tribe in 2006."
Yet in report after report, this Means character is presented as if he is "the Lakota Sioux" when, in truth, all he really is is A Lakota Sioux -- not a representative of all of them. He does not represent American Indians except as a tangential, activist. He has no authority to make this "declaration of Independence" for the Lakota or any other American Indian tribe.
It turns out that these reports are nearly all just a rehash of Russell Means’ press releases and not based on any real reporting at all.
And here is the worst part. The bulk of the news outlets that have picked up this story are foreign press agencies like the Agence Presse France, The Telegraph, and Radio Netherlands, all of whom presented this as if it was somehow legal and binding instead of an activist's scheming.
So, since this story wasn't reported correctly, foreigners are imagining that all American Indians are trying to leave the USA and become a new nation. The truth is less shocking, that Russell Means does not represent "the Lakota Sioux Indians" at all.
Russell Means is one strange dude.
So what else is new?
If you read the thread based on this bogus report you will find it also proves you can get some inane knee-jerk reactions from those willing to lap up the MSM’s BS.
“Meanwhile, the delegation has delivered copies of the letter to the embassies of Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile and South Africa. “We’re asking for recognition,” Means said, adding that Ireland and East Timor are “very interested” in the declaration.”
He ought to contact Cuba and N. Korea as well for recognition. Perhaps Hamas could send an official delegation and establish an embassy and spread the concept of Sharia Law among Mean’s Lakota followers.
I figured he died from an overdose of peyote long time ago.
This why Rush calls them the ‘drive-by media’. Perfect description.
FREE LEONARD PELTIER!
Yeah, I couldn’t believe how fast this story flew around. Anyone who’s heard of Russell Means knows that he’s just a grandstander with about as many supporters as he can fit in his van. Heck, if all he has is a bike that just might be enough.....
Surely, you jest. ;-)
Nope! he was framed.
PELT LEONARD FREEPER!!!
Care to expound?
Now it's correct.
Oops!
As I see it, Gov. interference in a semi-autonimous nation. Hires and provides weapons to the GOONs to mess with the tribe. It was said as many 300 died violent and unexplained death at Pine Ridge.A group of 17 people , 6 of who were men, went to a property where the resident were frighten of the GOONs. 2 FBI agents were killed and they needed a scapegoat.
Think Waco!
bump
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