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About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1984)
Page 4 January 6.1984 Editorial E Coosh EEWA: (th e way it is) Letters to the Editor— ... Critical of governmental involvement, spending To the Editor, There come times in the relationship of a Christian to his government when protest in words is not enough. There come times when a C h ristian , or indeed any re sp o n sib le citizen , m ust actively resist complicity with the actions of a government. I believe that such a time has come in our own country. T o d a y , as th e w o rld celebrates the birth of the P rin c e o f P e a c e , o u r government enmires itself ever more deeply in war and p rep aratio n s for war. In L e b a n o n , M a r in e s a re propping up a m inority government ruled by a party founded in open imitation of th e N azi m o v em en t in Germany. In Grenada, both the U .S . m ilita r y a n d th e government installed by it are censoring the press, banning public meetings, arresting and detaining people without trial because of their political beliefs—all in the wake of an invasion supposedly intended to “restore democracy.” In C e n t r a l A m e r ic a , o u r government supplies arms and military training to govern ments conducting wars of te r r o r n ot only ag a in st guerrillas but against masses of their own population—while it also supplies and encourages bands of terrorists operating against Nicaragua. In western Europe (and elsewhere), our government installs first-stake nuclear weapons, defending its actions with the lie that the Soviet Union enjoys military superiority and is threatening the United States. And this list could all too easily be extended. The fact is that our government is abusing our tax dollars, and now the lives of our young men as well, to support repression, reaction and agression around the globe. As a Christian, I cannot condone the use of violence even in a just cause—-let alone in the unjust causes for which our government employs it. As an American, I cannot idly stand by while the honor of our country is deflied by actions and policies which trample underfoot the democractic and, yes, revolutionary principles on which our nation was once founded. I consider that I have the same responsibility in this situation as a German citizen under Hitler; as conscientious Germans resisted (at far greater personal risk and sacrifices than I face) the crimes of the Nazi government, so I am called upon to do what I can to resist the crimes of the United States government. I believe that I have an obligation, deriving not only from moral law and from the Gospel but also from the Nuremburg principles and international law, to refuse complicity in the violence of our government. For me, this complicity takes the form primarily of my willing payment of war taxes. As a Christian and as a citizen I cannot in good conscience cooperate any more in this way with those who abuse our tax dollars. I am resolved to refuse, to the extent that I am able (given the realities of the Withholding system), to pay to the government that portion of my Federal taxes that goes for military purposes. This money I will redirect to works of peace and justice. I also stand ready to give assistance and support to anyone else confronting the call to resist m ilita rism and violence, whether it be by redirecting tax monies to peaceful purposes, refusal to register for the draft, or w hatever else a person’s situation may call for. No one, of course, should undertake any act of resistance or civil disobedience without careful and prayerful consideration beforehand and a willingness to fa c e le g a l a n d o t h e r consequences; but I think that in our situation we need also to take seriously (without letting ourselves fa ll in to self- righteousness or a quest for martyrdom), the admonitions of our Lord in St. Matthew (5:9-12). May the Christ Child shine his light and love on President Reagan, all our national leaders and all our people in these difficult times. Sincerely, Henry Morrison Appreciative of raise Dear Zane and Members of the Tribal Council, I have received your nice letter of the 21st in which you advised me of the Tribal Council decision to approve a six percent cost of living in c re a se to a ll r e tire d employees who are receiving the Tribal pension. I wish to thank you very kindly for this very nice and considerate action. It is greatly appreciated. Jessie and I are thoroughly enjoying our retirement. We have not been able to have traveled as much as we liked. We are enjoying raising flowers and shrubs. O ur vegetable garden has been very productive. We have a long growing season which enables us to raise a variety of tasty foods. . We have many activities that keep us busy. I have been doing some oil paintings. The area being a photographers paradise keeps me interested in taking many pictures for subject material. May each of you have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Our Best Wishes To All Cliff and Jessie Yarnell Community invited to dinner Letter to the Community The Community Center is personally inviting, community members to be a part of a very important learning day for our children. A traditional dinner is planned for January 15, which is a Sunday. Everyone is to bring some kind of Indian food. We want to have people bring and share foods like it was done years ago. We wish to teach the young ones how to give from their hearts and 5 pityay Tymoo photo by Shewczyk Suyen Smith preparing fo r 1983 L i’l Miss Warm Springs contest. prepare food with love. The Tribal Council will not be asked for money or fish. This dinner is part of the teachings for our “Lil Miss Warm Springs” contestants. All contestants must be dressed in wing dresses. We want to encourage parents, young adults, and all children, boys and girls, who wish to learn the cultural ways of our people, to please come and share in the learning experience of serving the traditional foods. We plan to have the elders head the Washat services and at the meal, we wish to have all young adults and young people, four years old and up, serve the food the traditional way it is served at a feast. Rem em ber, everyone is asked to bring a salad or dessert, enough for five people, if a traditional food is not available. We are asking for everyone who will be attending to dress in traditional dress. We would deeply appreciate y o u r a tte n d a n c e a t the Community Center on that day, January 15 at 9:30 a.m. Hopefully the Washat service will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the dinner at noon. This event will be held at the Community Center instead of the Longhouse as planned. This is a Community Center activity. Contact Carol or Lucinda at the Community Center for any questions or information. Sincerely, Carol Allison W inter term begins COCC winter term classes will soon be starting. The schedule contains a variety of interesting subjects. Pre- registration is going on now and will continue through January 6. Classes begin the week of January 9. Registration for all classes is done on a first come, first served basis. Please register during pre-registration week if possible. Registrations will be taken by phone (with a VISA or Master Charge card), by mail (with check, VISA or Master Charge card) and by walk in. The COCC office in the Community Center will be open for registration Tuesday- Friday, January 3-January 6 from 8:00-5:00. Come by the office or call 553-1428. Tribal Council Agenda January 9 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m. Education-509-J Review 2. 2:00 p.m. Education Task Force Replacement January 10 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m . H ealth Concerns N arrative January 16 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m;—Committee Vacancies, Fish and Wildlife committee, Timber Committee, Water Board Committee, Local Housing Authority Committee 2.2:00 p.m. Review purpose of: Legislative Committee and Energy Committee January 17 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. J . 10:00 a.m. Donation Policy 2. 2:00 p.m. Tribal Council Rules January 23 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m. JSA Charter January 26-27 Meeting with Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission January 30 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m. Budget Ordinance 2. 2:00 p.m. Enrollments January 31 Tribal Council Meeting, 9:30 a.m. 1. 10:00 a.m. Chief Judge 2. 2:00 p.m. Realty
