Sacred sites

John just mentioned, in his last post, that he could understand why a
country could be angry if their sacred sites were occupied by a foreign
nation. Of course, we need to realize that many Native Americans feel
that their sacred sites have been occupied for hundreds of years, now,
by the Europeans...and, they are correct. Take a look at Mt. Rushmore,
for example...the Black Hills were/are, indeed, a most sacred site to
the Lakota (and many others)...to have the carved heads of American
presidents sitting there is deeply offensive to those who rever the
Hills. Of course, that's just one example among many. It's real weird to
me how we can support and understand why Israel wants control of
Jerusalem, as a highly sacred site in their religion, but we totally
ignore that the Natives feel that way about many places in this country
(of course, tribal cultures feel that the Earth is sacred all over, and
that's why they can't understand how we could put poisons into the air
and water; I don't get it, either). And, again, this total disregard for
what other cultures feel is one big reason why the USA is not exactly
loved by many folks around the world. It is really very very simple, and
we, as a nation, really need to do a serious reality check as to our
values, and how they may inflict great pain and suffering on others. And
yes, of course, the USA is certainly not the only bully in the
world...as I said in my last post, I think now's a great time for all
countries to look inside, and see if they are a just society, or a
menace to others. Then, and only then, are things going to change. And,
since I live here, not in China or Arabia, I feel it's appropriate to
examine my own land first, and talk about the things I feel we may need
to do to get our house in order..that doesn't mean I condone nasty crap
elsewhere; far from it. I truly feel the door is wide open now...either
the end of life as we know it is emminent, or we will find ways to
change what needs to be changed. This isn't going to go away anytime
soon, and it's not going to get better unless some hard changes are
made...Hstick