Comments Sent to me on March 8th, 2008
There are many opinions about this statue and what the Osage should do insofar as generating income and diversifying our revenue base. Several months ago I stated that not one more penny of the Osage revenue should be spent until a forensic audit was conducted covering each and every program and office of this failing government. I stand by that statement today merely on the basis of common sense.-------------Common sense also tells me that nowhere in the state of Oklahoma do we have a professional baseball team such as the St. Louis Cardinals nor is the Tulsa Airport a major transportation hub as is St. Louis, Missouri.--------I would also point out that suggesting this statue could even possibly generate the number of people that the Washington Monument does yearly is exactly why the people making these decisions have no business doing so.-----------I hardly think that Tulsa, Oklahoma can be compared to Washington D.C., the Nations Capitol and the most visited city in the United States of America and Europe! I would also add that the last time I was in D.C., a trip to the top of the
Washington
Monument was free.-------------Furthermore, we need to remember the Real Estate Code of common sense: Location, location, location! Combine this with the state of the economy and as far as I can see this is a “no brainer”. The only problem is it doesn’t matter what I think or what you think. We have no say in this matter or any other matter. This is nothing more than the “big I” syndrome. Those supporting this monstrosity are doing so in order to satisfy their personal egos. This is typical BS which has absolutely nothing to do with the welfare of the Osage people.------------ Again, I tell you I am doing everything I can to put a stop to this nonsense. Anyone wishing to help can e-mail me at mashunk545@sbcglobal.net.
This is true, the Congress member pushing this albatross is none other than Anthony Shackelford the same one that wanted the Drug Warehouse in liew of a prescription bill introduced by Shannon Edwards and co/sponsor Debra Atterbery.
The question is:
Do the members of the Osage Nation benefit?
The genesis of the Strategic Plan health initiatives came from you, our Osage People, and kicked forth ONCA 07-52, which was sponsored by Shannon Edwards.
This bill authorized the Executive Branch to designate the Health and Wellness Advisory Board to research, analyze, and recommend a prescription drug program for Congressional approval
ONCA 07-52 Vetoed
so that you can have help paying for your prescription drugs.
ONCA 07-52 was presented with a great deal of hope and expectations to the Osage Congress in the fall of 2007 and returned to committee to be rewritten in order to broaden its scope.
After much hard work and great enthusiasm from many people, it was presented once again to Congress on
April 9, 2008, and received unanimous approval.
Chief Jim Gray vetoed ONCA 07-52 unsigned on April 14, 2008.
His reasoning was that although the bill authorized the Executive Branch (the principal chief of the Osage Nation) to designate the Health and Wellness Advisory Board to research and report on this health issue — with its intent to find the best plan to help you pay for your prescription drugs — the Osage Constitution gives him the supreme executive power to designate and appoint who within the Executive Branch will perform the research and report on such issues.
He pronounced such a law as unconstitutional as it would de-authorize the power of the Executive Branch and set a precedent for further congressional authorizations.
On the other hand, due to his self-proclaimed unwavering support, the Chief will be issuing an Executive Order to carry out the basic provisions of ONCA 07-52.
The Constitution allows for a congressional override in such cases as this.
I have to question why three out of the five members of our Congressional Committee on Health voted against an override of the veto.
Although
Eddie Red Eagle, Jr. and Archie Mason, Jr. voted for the override —
Debra Littleton Atterberry, Anthony Shackleford, and Raymond Redcorn did not.
After all, this committee helped to draft the bill.
It seems to me we faced the governing issue of who should authorize research versus moving forward to benefit the Osage People.
It is not my desire to get tackled by power struggles between the Executive and Congressional Branches, struggles that interfere with helping our People.
I believe the Osage Congress has the authority to draft bills and appropriate funds so that the Nation can function.
We as elected officials, including both the Executive Branch and the Congressional Branch, have a duty-authorized responsibility to carry out the functions of our elected positions.
In other words, if Congress enacts a vote, the Executive Branch shoulders the duty to carry out the administrative functions of the government to benefit our People.
Good health is important to all of us.
Being able to sleep at night without worrying about how to pay for medicine is having a good night.
My desire and I’m sure your desire too is that we all have a health benefit to help manage our prescription costs.
Contributor:
John D. Red Eagle
Writer and editor:
Cherri J.M. Riding In
Hello, I received this announcement in the mail today
and wanted to make sure those of you out there are aware of what is going on. There are other states that are included
in this process, but I know some are not and perhaps you may not have the opportunity to so. I wanted to
make sure you and your families have a voice in this process, it is very important to all of us. I havetried to get these people here in the Osage to consider all Osages worldwide and outside our Nations boundry, but I am the only one person and I need your help to insure you have a voice and to let them knowwhat you need or would like to see in your areas. You are welcome to send me e-mails if that is easier for you or send them to the
OsageNation.com Executive
Branch. Let's remind the powers at be that you do exsist and are an Osage.
Thanks Sandra Akins
A Nation that listens to the will of the people
The Osage Nation invites you to participate in a nation building conference in your area. PA
Chief Jim Gray and Assistant Chief John Rod Eagle want to visit with you face to face and discuss how you can
contribute to this nation building approach.
The Osage Nation is ernbarkng upon a strategic planning initiative that relies upon a collectiveOsage vision.
To truly build a successful Osage Nation, the Osage people themselves have to be willing to set long-term objectives, identify priorities and concerns, and take a hard-nosed look at the assets the tribe has to work with.
White the prosperity of the Nation is on the rise, it is the time to plan where our prosperity will lead. We have local services and programs that provide for the nations people living on The resevation, but 3/4 of Osages live off the reservation. What can the Nation do tor you?
The Osage Nation has many members who have established themselves as leaders in industry, government, the arts, and business; the wisdom of the Osage peopte is absolutely necessary as the Nation engages in thisStrategic Planning process. We must ask ourselves now, what will the Osage Nation took like in 25 years? What is your vision? The Nation wants to know.
What are your ideas for improving heathcare in the Osage Nation? How important is education for Osage children? How will the Nation benefit from economic development, and how can we better care for our old? What are your ideas for minerals development and natural resource protection? How can our system of justice and governance best serve the people? How will Osage Culture be preserved? Come and participate, theconference is free and Lunch will be provided. Call your relatives and bring your children, its about you! it!s about them. lt!s about our future]
For questions or to let us know you plan to attend
call the Osage Nation Executive Branch at
1-800-320-8742 and ask for the Strategic Planning
office.
Letters received from concerned Osages:
Yes, I am an Osage, daughter of an original allottee and proud of it.
I cling to the old ways. I honor our principal chief and assistant chief and all the elders of our tribe. I am so sorry that I am unable to attend the meetings held in
Texas, but please keep me informed and tell me what I can do to preserve our tribe and way of life.
Am I not reading this right, or is there not a date on when the conference is? Is it going to be real soon, or is it a few weeks off? Sorry, I haven't called, I have been wanting to. I have just been under everything. I am still trying to get everything set up down here. I just have spiratically been checking email in my spare time. Hopefully after this weekend I will have more time to get more involved in these issues and actually sit down and talk to you and see if you could try to explain to me some of these things because I am totally lost on the minerals thing. I mean I know what the minerals are, and some of what the uproar is about, but with the new structure, etc without a firm understanding to begin with, it is easy for me to get confused on that subject. But I think it is important for me to get a firm grasp on what is going on for now and future purposes.
Oh, and I read the Osage forum. Eddy Redeagle answered my post! I was really surprised. I didn't think anyone would since the forum is going through growing pains. LOL I hadn't been on there in several months because of everything. I agree with you, it would be great if people would take the forum seriously. I think that people are equating it with yahoo chat rather than a serious govt sounding board. It is sad. Question is.....how can we change that perception?
Gotta run, take care.
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