The Case for Term Limits

While hiking into Willamette National Forest, I was lucky enough to be present while the topic of term limits was brought up. Being so mired in the world of Tribal politics, I've forgotten how what might seem bland and mundane to us is enormously fascinating to outsiders, to whom Tribes can be enigmatic and mysterious. During the hike I was confronted regularly by our guides about the political arena of Grand Ronde.

A question that has been posed to me numerous times is a simple one: Don't you guys have term limits? And if the answer is "no", why not? The second part of the question is invariably easier to answer than the first. Because we must abide by the Tribal Constitution, which has no language for term limits. The first part is not so easy.

What I've noticed about the 2007 Tribal Council elections, and with all due respect to most everyone reading this because you really have to be in or near my position to appreciate this, is that there is in the air, ever so slightly, the scent of revenge. When Angie, Buddy, and I were elected in 2004, and in the subsequent election, we unseated a few longstanding and well-known incumbent Council members. I believe at least one of those Council members has learned to live with the results, such is life, such is democracy. While the others, one in particular, I would say the exact opposite--they haven't learned to live with the results. In fact, for every one of us incumbents who tumbles this year, and there may be different degrees of savoring on this one depending on who falls, there will be much rejoicing and fist-pumping. That we've done a decent job is irrelevant. That we are still looking out for the best interests of the Tribe, in other words their interests, is overlooked. Payback what matters most. Control is a close second.

I'm not going to provide some sort of psychological analysis here. There is little point. But what I can and will say, and few will convince me otherwise, is that term limits might have eliminated a lot of the bitterness and hard feelings that are so prevalent in Grand Ronde politics right now. It would also have eliminated the "whatever it takes" attitude, including upholding and endorsing wrongdoing, that is growing a little too obvious these days.

I expect that "whatever it takes" philosophy to only be cultivated further in the next two elections. Heck it will probably even grow worse. The former powers that be are not only focused on regaining control, something I've become convinced a few of my co-workers almost view as a right, but they've grown used to their positions, including the income and even more crucially the influence. The latter, I really believe, is a much bigger reason for the kicking and screaming over the whole SMGI scenario. The influence there has probably paid off in more ways than one. Furthermore, it's an influence gained with only 20% of the vote in Council elections. Ultimately, I've often wondered if the turmoil and clannishness of our Tribe isn't fueled by the fact that nobody on Council seems to ever be elected with a majority. Election reform might be an alternate answer.

Of course I would never advocate for such a major change like term limits without it going to a vote of the general membership. To ever be trully effective it would have to be in the Constitution anyway. The real question is when will that opportunity for the membership to decide ever come?

Partisan animosity stings unlike anything else. The idea that people hate you just because you were elected over somebody they like or are related to is still hard to take, even after three years. That more than anything I think is what stokes the tension on Council and in public meetings. When you genuinely care about the Tribe, the strife grows old. We see it in national politics as well, which has become a decades long see-saw of power between Republicans and Democrats. Like Bill Clinton, I've noticed George W. Bush is exiting office with a lot whiter hair. But he's exiting whether I voted for him or not. He's done his two terms, like Clinton before him. Somebody else will always get the chance to take the reins.

I think three terms is plenty of time for a Council member to make a difference. This great country of ours can send their most powerful public official packing every eight years, and yet the nation survives. In fact, it thrives. That is more than good enough for me.

Another Trek into Willamette National Forest

Once again, I am not making this kind of post because there is nothing important to report. Like two years ago in our hike to Obsidian Cliffs we once again made a venture into Willamette National Forest as part of our Memorandum of Understanding. This time it was me, Jack Giffen, Jr. and Rob Greene, in addition to three Forest Service workers who helped arrange the trip.

While not as arduous as Obsidian Cliffs, it wasn't easy either, as we hiked a little less than ten miles Thursday and Friday. What was interesting about this trip is we encountered a couple of sites, one was definite, that had been areas for obsidian-working. Two of our Forest Service workers found what looked like a little cache of obsidian flakes, as if somebody had clearly been chipping away.

The lakes you see are Lake Benson, Lake Tenas, and an unnamed lake that we had all to ourselves. I spoke with the representatives about making the Obsidian Cliffs hike an annual event. Per law we can't take parties of more than 12 into the area. But even at that number it would allow a good number of people. Like the meteorite, or the canoe journey, I would hope that we could make this yearly rite of passage for Tribal members who are willing. Though it can be grueling at times, it is well worth the sweat. What I like best is the pristine nature of this area. You have to see it to believe it. We were only a few miles from the Obsidian Cliffs area, in fact from one of the mountain tops you could see exactly where we had been two years previously. I kid you not, this place was absolutely beautiful. Whatever attraction was there for our ancestors is definitely there now.

The other photos are the lava fields around Belknap Crater, also spectacular. My legs are very sore right now.

A New Low

This blog entry is definitely not positive. But right now I am upset enough to not care. For anybody who is interested, last night Angie Blackwell put up two brand new campaign signs along Grand Ronde Rd. While driving to the office this morning, I saw they had both been stolen. Neither had lasted much more than 12 hours.
For those who might remember, Buddy West had a banner disappear completely a few weeks back. My own luck has been good so far, although I did have to retrieve one of my signs from some bushes last week. This sign is encased in a heavy metal frame and drove in deep, so I know that the wind couldn't have moved it so far.
These signs are not cheap. They add up after a while. I just hope that the people who feel the need to do this haven't forgotten that there are better, and more legal ways, of voicing their opposition to us. Voting is one of them.

Another Stop for the Udall Kids

I must admit to being very envious of this whole project. Had something like this come along during my college days I'd have signed up without hesitation, no questions asked.

http://blogs.udall.gov/2007/08/grand-finale-stop.html

Opening The Door

I’ve gotten a lot of compliments recently regarding my proposal to put the issue of Tribal Council members on the Spirit Mountain Gaming Incorporated Board of Directors into the hands of the General membership via advisory vote. In all honesty, I am still unsure of how to take that. You see, I am unsure if some of the people who have thanked me are grateful because they foresee the practice continuing since we were basically ready to pull the four Council off the board regardless of the lynch mob that was present Thursday night. In other words, they expect the membership to vote in favor of keeping them on. Or are they just happy to have a say in what is really a major decision, one that frankly I think is more important than people really think? I am not sure, honestly.
The Tribal Council had numerous discussions about this over the past few months. What spurred those discussions was the realization that there had been a number of events which had occurred at Spirit Mountain over the past year plus which I believe would have made anybody with common sense or integrity skeptical and alarmed. I am not going to get into those right now (sorry Rosemary), because they will be brought up very soon anyway. Trust me on that one. But what I am ready to get into is my own sense of frustration over the reaction we have received for even proposing this.
For those not in the know, word had gotten out about this Wednesday even though I think there was clear effort to act like nobody knew about it. I know this because two of the Council members who didn’t agree with our impending decision basically indicated they would be rallying support with a few phone calls, and said so deliberately within earshot of me. Wednesday’s Tribal Council meeting didn’t get over until after 9 p.m., and most of it was held in Executive Session, where we were allowed to expound on some of our concerns within legal limits, which unfortunately was just a fraction of our reasons. The crowd that night was definitely a stacked deck, and not in our favor. Nor were they especially nice.
Fast forward now to Thursday night, the Special Tribal Council Meeting in which we were supposed to actually do the deed. It was basically the same crowd, with more support. It was also all the usual suspects amongst my, or should I say our, detractors. We might have had one or two friendly faces, but not many. Two hundred years ago they would have been carrying five sets of rope.
So there we were, poised to engage in a very unpopular, if necessary decision, and in all likelihood the crowd that night was ready to take this to dawn. Thus my proposal: The Council each present their argument in a special publication, no more than 800 words each, with September 15 as a deadline to respond. The deadline for our arguments would be one week. Furthermore, every Council present would give their word that they would honor the decision of the membership. Nearly all of us agreed, though one of our number was a little vague in his assurance. There you have it.
Now in retrospect I’m a little tempted to pat myself on the back because of the overwhelming popularity of this decision. A meeting that seemed destined for a hanging ended with graciousness and applause. But realistically, the proposal I made seemed about the only one likely to be met with compromise by all of the Council. Plus I had all the previous night to think something up, after not being able to sleep. I guess we’ll see how this turns out. Either way, I am very excited.
I must admit though to being a little dismayed though too. The reaction to our potential decision was vicious and mean-spirited. Tribal members who happen to listen to this audios of both meetings will notice that readily. I can’t claim to be a stranger to that after three years on Council. But I can claim to be appalled.
I am appalled because we didn’t just make up our reasons for wanting to do this. What we can cite as reasons are shocking in some respects, and the ones we can’t cite would probably be even more so. But the reaction of some Tribal members in both meetings was directed more at us for pushing the issue and "rocking the boat" so to speak. Or in hindsight, was it because what we were doing we were doing to Council members they supported? I tend to think the latter. That is what disturbs me the most. The politics of Grand Ronde have become so partisan, supporters have become so loyal to their "party", that the real issues in this matter are irrelevant. They hate me, Angie, Buddy, Wink, and Kathy so much that they’ll defend wrongdoing if it means making us look bad. I’ll never get over that.
For all our differences, and some of these have been public, I was very content when Betty Bly took the podium and spoke her mind. Indeed, she and Monty Parazoo seemed to among the minority that night who truly understood why we felt the need to do what we were going to do. Betty in particular understood that it really boiled down to one simple concept: right and wrong. In this case she acknowledged that there had clearly been wrongdoing at Spirit Mountain Casino, and that some Council board members appeared to not care, in fact they even seemed to defend it, all because of who the perpetrator was, (and if I may go so far, their political allegiance to that individual. But that is my comment, not Betty’s).
Betty Bly in fact provided what to me was the perfect illustration of my frustration. Speaking to the issue of trust, she simply inquired, or seemed to be inquiring anyway, as to whether one of the Council board members in question had abused their credit card. A good friend of this Council member yelled at Betty immediately from the back of the room. And if looks could kill, then a very vocal supporter/Tribal Elder/former Council member would have struck her dead. In fact, that is the quickest I’ve ever seen this person jump out of their seat. I told Betty I was reluctant to respond. Angie Blackwell however noted that the credit cards are the people’s money. But despite that the issue Betty raised might be perfectly legitimate, even if correct those people were ready to defend it, and even assail the person who dared bring it up. Politics overrides integrity sometimes I guess.
Because of this reaction, I honestly can’t predict the outcome of this advisory vote, especially if voters are more focused on the "who’s" of it all and not the "why’s". In other words, they don’t like us, and for that reason alone they’ll vote against it, regardless of risks to the Tribe and casino. But if there is any victory in this, it is as Monty Parazoo pointed out: Do this once, and Tribal members will want to do it again. Heck, they will expect it.
For that reason and possibility alone, it was worth one very vicious and degrading meeting, a severe headache, and a night with little sleep.

The Price of Unity?

There seems to be a lot of talk this campaign year about unity, about avoiding the negative, about wisdom, about integrity, about a lot of things. I can honestly say that during all my years of observing and participating in elections, this has been the greatest disparity between expected mudslinging and actual mudslinging. I say that from my own point of view, and even in light of a new and infamous campaign letter that never reached my address, many people would probably agree. While I don’t doubt that there has been plenty of mudslinging verbally and behind closed doors, in fact based on a couple of emails and phone calls recently I can say I know that’s happening, overall, publicly at least, the election climate has been very, very restrained.
I’ve a number of theories for this. One is that over time mudslingers have realized that voters tend to be turned off by the tactic, unless a person finds a way of doing it which is credible and legitimate. Second, some campaigns have gone underground, meaning rallies and meetings not open to the general public (read: all candidates), almost no presence on the worldwide web, and generally relying of word-of-mouth, family coalitions, and pooled support bases. Lastly, the incumbents this year, and I don’t say this because I am one of them, have a less known and visible flaws to point out, like criminal records, repeated public outbursts and unseemly behavior, and no lost ethics suits.
Those are just a handful of my theories, and the point of this posting isn’t to delve into all of them. My point really is that this year more than anything, being publicly respectful and nice to one’s opponents and/or adversaries is clearly “in”. I have no problem with that, except one thing: Repression can be unhealthy.
That phrase is will probably sound a little cryptic, but I chose it very carefully. One of the more recent catchy news stories that bothered me was the case of Pat Tillman in Afghanistan. For those of you not familiar with it, he was the former NFL player who left football in order to join the Army and serve his country. He was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan, but the initial reports were that he had fallen under enemy fire. Tillman was treated like a hero, which in a way he kind of was. But that didn’t change the fact that what his family had been told initially wasn’t true. Certain higher ups in the Army didn’t want a demoralizing story of a high-profile soldier being killed by his own men, so the version given to Tillman’s family was a heroic one. Now I am not going to get into the larger issues of the war in Iraq or on terrorism or President Bush or Republicans/Democrats because those are beside the point. The point really is that the way it was handled was wrong, and hurtful, not only to the family but to the American people.
I can’t say that on Council right now we are dealing with anything of that magnitude. But what I can and will say is that recently we are heading in that direction. We are starting to deal with issues, some of them really alarming. I run into Tribal members often, and almost daily am asked “How are things going?” and not in reference to my life but to my job. The bittersweet smile I give and the breath of hesitation I take are getting more and more noticeable. It’s getting harder to say “Fine” and be believed. My friends and confidants aren’t fooled anymore. They know something is up.
Council has had to deal with a couple of major “incidents” recently, both of which are likely to be known publicly very soon, and both of which, depending on how we deal with them, will appear very, very partisan. And maybe they are. They will definitely be “spinned” that way to some Tribal members. But truthfully, we are dealing with major philosophical differences, and in some cases good old right and wrong.
I guess the question is at what point do you stop letting things slide? At what point do you quit turning a blind eye to certain things because you know that to deal with them could get out of hand and result in tons of wasted staff and Council time? I am not really sure. On the one hand, I like having a cordial relationship with fellow Council members because then we can be productive together a lot of the time. Conversely, allowing one minor abuse seems to beget more minor abuses, and my conscience begins to nag at me.
Tomorrow and in the near future we will be faced with some very unpopular decisions, but ones that need to be made. Some people will probably be very, very angry. But I think that those decisions will be the right ones. I just don’t like to be accused of being divisive by demanding accountability. Unity isn’t turning a blind eye to wrongdoing, but dealing with wrongdoing consistently and fairly.
Problem is, I know not everybody will see it that way.

Me, Hubert, and the Gov

Now I am not just posting photographs because I have nothing to say. This particular occasion was very special. When Governor Kulongoski visited back on May 11, he was lucky enough to meet both Nora Kimsey and Hubert Mercier, the Tribe's two oldest members. Hubert made a vivid impression on him. When the Governor visited again on August 2, 2007 in order to sign our Tribal/State Hunting & Fishing Proclamation, Kulongoski asked if he could visit Hubert again, this time for a photo. Hubert felt very honored.