[Vicomte13]

You're Cheyenne (and no doubt something else too?).
And as an old Marine, you call yourself "an American, dammit" when someone asks "what you are", don't you?
And if really pushed, you call yourself an "Indian", or probably "a Cheyenne" - and not "a Native American" - don't you?

[An Old Marine]

Interesting that you should bring this up. Earlier today I wrote this post on another thread when someone asked me about AIM since they knew I was an injun. AIM is quite simply another group of special pleaders that is trying to cash in today on the suffering of some of their ancestors. The logic escapes me. As I pointed out I'm 4 generations removed from that warrior that gave the 7th Calvary such close haircuts.

Whatever wrongs there were perpetrated against the Indians they are no different than those perpetrated against blacks, or Irish, or Hispanics, or Chinese or scores of other ethnic groups. Further every nation shares some such sorry behavior in their history.

What matters is that we are a nation of reasonably equal opportunity today and you can truly make of yourself what you want. At 14 I was a penniless orphan. At 16 I ran away from the "caring" NYS welfare folks to live in thewoods up behind the local high school.

Today I'm wealthy, have a business, and 5 kids including a doctor and two Marine officers. Only in America could a smuck like me have a life like this.

If anyone asks me ehat I am I'd say an American, if pressed I'd say an American thats a former Marine.

The reason that I mentioned the Cheyenne thing is that someone was calling for a Navajo Chief (in Marine lingo an Indian) to kick ass. So I anted up.