The Akaka Bill, Tribal Governments, & Civil Rights

GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society.

WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW - September 19, 2007

The Akaka Bill, Tribal Governments, & Civil Rights
A Message from Dick Rowland

Dick Rowland The Citizens Equal Rights Alliance (CERA) is an organization dedicated to combatting civil nights violations that arise due to U.S. Indian policies.

The following is from their July/August 2007 newsletter CERA Report:

Will you defend American’s most basic civil rights? The threats are real - and growing. By supporting CERA you can do all the following.

End the unconstitutional and corrupting effect of tribalism as a governing system
Tribalism is a collectivist (topdown) government that promotes the priorities of a tribal government over, and often at the expense of, individual tribal members. The U.S. Constitution guarantees an individual citizen’s rights, and provides a government that serves and preserves the individual rights of each American citizen (bottom-up). Collectivism or tribalism is not a form of government recognized by the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. is fighting to free entire countries of tribalism while Congress is spreading tribalism throughout our own.

Protect voting rights and America’s election system
CERA is pushing to close two major loopholes in campaign finance and election laws. First, tribal governments can provide undisclosed millions for political parties, incumbents, and candidates willing to meet tribal government demands. Second, tribal governments can act like political parties and coerce bloc votes to swing close elections. These loopholes are serious because they insert separate unregulated governments into American’s election process.

Effect change through America’s judicial system
A critical part of our work is strategic litigation to protect civil rights of all citizens. We research federal Indian policy’s effect on tribal members, other citizens within or near Indian reservations, even citizens far from reservations. We follow cases through federal appellate and Supreme Court systems. We submit Amicus Briefs to confront the unconstitutionality of federal Indian policy.

The proposed Akaka Bill uses the Indian tribe precedent to establish a separate governing entity for Native Hawaiians. Will the battles being fought by CERA become our battles if the Akaka Bill passes?

And what does CERA say about your Grassroot Institute of Hawaii?

This gutsy organization has been lone voice the relentless effort of radical Hawaiians to pass the Akaka Bill. This is legislation that would allow Congress to play games with American demographics and set up yet another race-based, apartheid, and entirely federally subsidized “tribal” government. For refusing to blindly support the radical ethnocentric of Hawaii, GRIH has been protested and harangued incessantly.

You can find more about CERA at www.citizensalliance.org.

IN THE NEWS - HIGHLIGHTED COMMENTARIES
Grassroot Institute is regularly featured in news articles and broadcasts around the state. Here is a sample of some of our recent articles, research stories, and other articles of interest.

Deliberately Further Dividing America
By Wes Vernon

Some forty years ago when the civil rights movement eliminated legally enforced segregation (Jim Crow), we were told repeatedly that this would end ethnic and racial divisions in America. We were all Americans, and we would all share in the benefits of our unique society.

There are some who did not get that message.

(To read more, click here.)

Testimony: Dick Rowland on the Akaka Bill
Before the Hawaii State Advisory Committee and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

It is understood that there have been several verbal attacks on Grassroot Institute of Hawaii before this panel in the last few days. I have come to clear the air by giving you the five key concerns we have regarding the proposed Akaka Bill.

(To read more, click here.)

Letter: Stephen Aghjayan on the Akaka Bill
To the Hawaii Advisory Committee of the United States Commission on Civil Rights

I am writing you about the grave and negative consequences our state faces from the potential passage of the Akaka Bill. The proponents of this bill like to say that all they are asking is for is the Federal recognition that other native peoples have. There is never any discussion as to how Federal Indian Policy (FIP) and the reservation system is working on the mainland. I can speak a little to this point.

(To read more, click here.)

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Opportunity for Young Adults:
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii created the Fresh Perspective column exclusively to publish the work of high school and college students. In addition to work appearing on GRIH’s website, their work is also submitted to Hawaii Reporter. Submissions are welcome from any interested young adult, and we will publish work that is clearly written and grammatically sound. For earlier Fresh Perspectives please click here.

Contact: wendy@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.

TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>USCCR Testimony from One Nation United

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>Blog Archives>>>JP Muntal on Haunani Apoliona: Holy Mackerel, there she goes again!

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>Government Math

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>How Do You Destroy a Program for Poor Uninsured Children?

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>American Families Save $2,500 in 2005, Shopping at Wal-Mart

Dash of Calabash>>>Blog Archives>>>No Emergency Help for You!

Read what others have written or add your own thoughts. Click here for more blogs.

LIBERTY NETWORK

Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a member of an extensive international liberty network of organizations that promote more individual autonomy and less governmental involvement in human affairs.

A letter from GRIH president Dick Rowland entitled “Exactly what are one’s ‘aboriginal rights’?” was printed in the Sunday, August 19, 2007 edition of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Read it here.
A letter from GRIH president Dick Rowland entitled "Akaka bill is largely empty, analysis shows" was printed in the Monday, September 17, 2007 edition of the Honolulu Advertiser. Read it here.
GRIH has been blogging a lot lately. We invite all of you to read the posts or to comment. Registration is necessary the first time you comment. Use the links in the blog section.
COALITION LETTER: GRIH joined Americans for Tax Reform and 34 other citizen groups in a September 17 letter to all members of Congress asking that they extend the Internet Tax Freedom Act before it expires on November 1, 2007. If the moratorium lapses, states and municipalities would be free to assess taxes for accessing the Internet. You can read the letter here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

All of the Institute’s events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are available on our website.

REGISTER NOW!!! Saturday, November 3, 2007
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Annual Meeting and Dinner
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Hale Koa Hotel, Waikiki

You are cordially invited to join us for our 2007 Annual Awards Dinner honoring Ken Schoolland and Unsung Heroes The Pacific Legal Foundation, State Representative Colleen Meyer (47th District), and Paul Vierling . The keynote speaker for the evening will be Paul Jacob, a member of the GRIH Board of Advisors and Senior Advisor at the Sam Adams Alliance and Foundation. An acclaimed multi-media commentator, Paul hosts an online, radio, and print opinion program, Common Sense, which reaches a growing list of over 15,000 e-mail subscribers and is aired daily by more than 150 stations in 48 states. For more information about Paul Jacob, click here.

Click here to learn more about this event, and to register for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.

November 10-12, 2007
The 2007 Preserving the American Dream Conference
"Recovering from Smart Growth"
Wyndham Hotel, San Jose, Calfornia

Does the high cost of rail transit have you down? Are heavily subsidized, high-density developments infesting your city? Is utopian urban planning making housing unaffordable in your region?

If so, you need to attend the 2007 Preserving the American Dream conference, cosponsored by the Grassroot Institute. This conference will give you the opportunity to meet dozens of expert speakers and activists from all over the world. It will be held November 10 - 12, 2007 at the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose, California. Click here to learn more.

How fast does the state spend your money?
State spending is out of control. Watch the dollars fly out the window.....

Have an Institute speaker at your next meeting!
From taxation to education, from health care to transportation, the Institute’s staff is ready to address your group regarding the important policy issues facing all citizens of Hawaii. Call (808) 591-9193 to check availability and make arrangements, or e-mail us at roz@grassrootinstitute.org.

Grassroot Institute is a proud member of the State Policy Network and Townhall..

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