Republicans Declare War on Sovereign Nations of Wisconsin

In one of the most stunning displays of fascism yet to be witnessed in the hostile takeover of Wisconsin, yesterday Rep. Jeff Stone (R) declared war on the all 11 sovereign tribal nations within the borders of the state.

During yesterday’s executive session of the Jobs, Economy and Small Business Committee, AB426, the horrific new ferrous mining bill was brought up for amendments. Most now believe the bill was written by and for the protection and profit of the mining company for the specific purpose of gaining control of the iron ore and fresh water resources in the northern part of the State. Despite a huge outcry from residents of the area, environmental groups and Assembly Democrats; and despite the fact that AB426 has been overwhelmingly rejected two-to-one at both public hearings, Republican Fascist committee members once again used their majority vote to move their agenda forward. Rep. Louis Molepske (D-Stevens Point) and the other committee Democrats did their best to stand against the Republicans’ illegal and immoral support of a bill so awful even pro-mining people in northern Wisconsin are denouncing it, to no avail.

After passionate debates about treaty rights, the sacredness of the area’s archeological sites and geological structure, the removal of environmental protections, the lack of recourse offered to aggrieved citizens who will be damaged by a 22-mile open pit iron ore mine, the denial of democratic process, and moral violations to the spirit of Wisconsin’s progressive values, Republican Fascists once again committed acts of treason. By using their majority, they extorted the vast riches of iron ore and fresh water away from the citizens and put them in control of GTAC Mining, a subsidiary of Cline Mines, whose deep pockets include the Carlyle Group, a billion-dollar industrial war machine that props up the likes of Karl Rove and his many privatized war-making corporations.

Back on February 27, 2004, the Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issued Executive Order #39 which recognizes the sovereignty of the 11 tribal governments in Wisconsin and the unique government-to-government relationship that exists between the State and the tribes. This was recognition of the many Treaties that have been signed since 1767 meant to protect the Native Americans. These rights are recognized in international courts, and are not granted by the state of Wisconsin. Instead, because of their structure, the treaties state that Native Americans retain the right to co-manage the resources of the lands they gave away to the United States if they affect their reservations.

Many of these treaties were written even as the US government launched an attack of genocide on the Native people that rivals the Nazi holocaust. In Germany, 6 million people were exterminated in concentration camps; in the US, by conservative estimates, the population prior to European contact was greater than 12 million. Four centuries later, the count was reduced by 95% to 237 thousand.

One method used to kill off the native culture was the destruction of their food source. For the Plains Indians, life depended on the buffalo. By around 1895, the formerly vast buffalo populations were practically extinct, leading to starvation and colonization of the tribes.

Today’s modern genocide is another example of the truly evil work being brought to Main Street Wisconsin. Stone’s comments came early on in the debate, but were as good as a declaration of war against Wisconsin’s Native people, particularly the Bad River Tribe whose naturally-occurring wild rice stands will be destroyed if an open mine iron ore mine is allowed to operate in the Penokee Hills. Just like the destruction and pillaging of the American Bison as a way to kill off the natives, destroying their wild rice will be the next step to the Great American Genocide.

Yesterday, Stone stated clearly, “The tribes made it abundantly clear, that they believe they have rights under Federal Law, that they are going to pursue regarding any impacts to the tribal interests. I think the committee is once again making reasonable efforts to ensure that everyone in the vicinity of the mine is copied with the information about [what permits are] being applied for. I think our jobs is to represent the state of Wisconsin and make sure those who are impacted are aware of what’s going on. I don’t think our job is to provide a seat at the table for the tribes.”

Stone’s complete denial of the Treaty Law, recognized in Federal Court, does not negate its reality. However, once again using propaganda as if it were truth, law and morality, Stone commited a crime against the sovereign nations by denying the laws exist and despite Executive Order #39.

Wisconsin citizens have experienced repeated use of this form of denial of federal law. Last month, Scott Walker was caught lying in public about his unilateral decision to deny federal funds designated to FamilyCare. In that case, the Feds stepped in and demanded he return the money, but only after he publicly lied by claiming that he had “found” $83 million and was graciously giving it back.

This absolute totalitarian move on the part of Stone and the Wisconsin Republicans to deny international law is more than just wrong. It’s immoral. The State does not have the power to deny treaty rights, nor to they have the power to alter those nations’ rights. But judging from their track record of repeatedly abandoning their posts as elected officials who swore to uphold the US constitution and protect it and the people of the State, this act of treason is not surprising.

But what Stone’s words should be is the final wake-up call as to the level of criminality we are being governed by. By moving this bill out of committee and onto the floor of the Assembly Thursday, they have declared war on us all.

When will this end? Understand in no uncertain terms: if they allow a mine to go into the Penokees, they begin the next phase of the genocide of the Native American people, beginning with the Bad River Tribe. It appears that Republican Representatives Stone, Loudenbeck, Williams and the other will set their sights next on the non-Native Americans, as their actions will directly result in the loss of potable water in most of the northwestern part of the state. Without water, we will all die.

Tonight Scott Walker will be giving the State of the State at 7 PM. Thursday, Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald will officially break international law when they pass AB426 and declare their war. Make no mistake, they are the war makers, so they won’t care. But this is just as serious as the US government declaring war on Iran, and will be just as destructive to the north.

Yesterday I officially considered myself attacked by my own government. This is internal terrorism, the most frightening form of it.

How can the citizens of this state demand that the Democrats have US marshals standing by to finally arrest them? Will any of them have the wherewithal to understand the terrifying implications of this vote? Will we be subjected to listening to more arguments about jobs or will any of the Dems have the courage to speak the truth to their faces?

Over the next two days, Wisconsin will once again make history. With the certain passage of AB426 we enter new uncharted territory. What happens is anyone’s guess.

What will it take to get you down to the Capitol? Your very life might depend on it.

Tagged environment, mining bill, native americans, Penokee Mountains, Treaty Rights, WI mining, wisconsin uprising