Anger

Ridwan sent Shusli and I a link to a sick and disgusting blog that just really pissed us the both off, and rightly so.

I made friends with my anger many years ago. I used to fear that my anger would become outrage and I would do harm to others in the process. But anger is both righteous and healthy and if you don't express it, it comes out in other ways that may not be so healthy. Like John Trudell says: "Don't trust anyone who isn't angry." I trust this baby, Shusli, and all the Angry Indians, out there too, as well as all those filled with righteous anger and ready to make this a righteous place to live instead of treating other human beings as non-humans.

GET PISSED THEN DO SOMETHING!

Return Voyage

On Thursday while running around Portland with Felicia, I went to KBOO. John was about to interview Iokepa and Inette, Hawaiians passing through town to discuss what is called the Return Voyage.

I immediately felt drawn to Iokepa and Inette, and when I listened to them talk, what they were saying is very similar to what Shusli has been telling me this last couple of years in our togetherness and Love. I had a strong desire for them to meet, and invited Iokepa and Inette, pictured above with THE GREAT FELICIA, to dinner before they leave town.

We went to Su Casa, a very good local Mexican restaurant. We discussed many things, including their current work. Shusli and Iokepa and Inette hit it off well, especially considering that is when they first met. Iokepa sang a chant honoring the ancestors of Shusli and I and this land and our land. A greatfulness for being so welcomed in our homeland.

We discussed all sorts of things. Iokepa and Inette are awesome folks and you can read about their adventures on their website above.

So, with the good news of meeting Iokepa and Inette and having had them in our home, visiting our homeland, knowing they will return to be welcomed again, I have some good news to tell you.

I have the most awesome wife, Shusli. Watching her insight and wisdom, watching her grow in her spirit, seeing lights come on in her eyes and her soul, I have to tell you all...I AM THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD TO BE IN LOVE WITH SUCH A FANTASTIC HUMAN BEING.

I have one heck of a fantastic daugthter, Felicia the Great! She takes some awesome photos with the camera I gave her, my old one, and I plan on posting some photos on this blog soon as she has offered me permission. Felicia, who has been struggling in school, has brought her science grade up from an F to a B in just a few weeks. Yesterday, I had the honor of helping her with her math homework, and where she was struggling with certain concepts, it was great to see the lights come on in her spirit when she understood the patterns.

I have made some great friends with this blog, like the great RIDWAN LAHER. Ridwan, all the way from South Africa, is here for a visit, if you will. Hey, Ridwan, give us a call this weekend, I'll be off of work here about...1...2pm maybe.

I did mention I'm married to the most wonderful woman in the world, didn't I.

I also have made many fantastic friends at the greatest place on earth, currently, KBOO radio station. I get to speak out on KBOO and MCTV. Great stuff.

I had the roughest week at my work. I've been training the laziest person I have ever worked with. I could have done the routes we've done together 1 to 2 hours faster WITHOUT HIM. Yesterday was my last day of training him, and when I took the photos you see in "It's Fall." Because of certain behaviors on his part, I was initially pissed at the man, and for the first 6 hours barely talked to him. Then, I opened up a bit (probably because I knew it would be over soon), and we had a fairly pleasant last couple of hours. So the good news here is, I AM ON MY OWN AGAIN TODAY! I'll be driving the McMinnville route pretty much all week, and I like that one, though not as much as TWI-5.

So, find some beautiful things in your soul and share them today.

PS I did tell you I am the luckiest man in the world for having married Shusli, a wonderful and beautiful human being, didn't I?

It's Fall

Disappointed...=o(

[I called Berta Benally shortly after making this post. She said they are now shooting for April. Since there is still so far a lack of interest from the Indian communities around here, they are shooting for Liberty Hall for their concert. I'm sure we can do that for sure. So, all is not lost, but I am still very disappointed. --EJ

PS, visit blackfire.net and buy some of their CD's and stuff]

After a week long journey into learning exactly what Portland area Indians think of the greatest punk band in the world, Blackfire of the Dine, I have failed in getting them a show in this area. Local Indian organizations were not only NOT interested in having them play a concert (even though two of the organizations had them play benefits for them some 3 or 4 years ago), but they weren't interested in having them do any workshops either.

I heard my co-host David talk about how you don't any bi-annual stories of successful Indians in the newspapers. Maybe this could be a reason why? I have no idea. I just know that I am heavy hearted and extremely disappointed I couldn't even get interest from anyone other than the Liberty Hall folks (who couldn't host them on their day in town) who are NOT an Indian organization.

Maybe in a couple of years, but if no one is fucking interested, what's the point.

I think I'll have to save my money for a journey for Shusli, Felicia, and I, to go see them in Europe where they are actually popular.

***sigh***

Well, here are some videos for the 1 or 2 Americans who might be interested and for all you Euro's who read this blog.

Blackfire

Conversation With a Nike Reporter

[The following is a conversation I had with a Nike reporter who posted on my blog. As I have stated to him, other than blanking out my phone #, this is our e-conversation in its entirety. I don't trust reporters because I have been misquoted and thus have decided to post this conversation in its entirety. --EDJ]

Eugene--

I'm doing a story for American Indian Report re: the new Nike Native show. I found your thoughts interesting--can you e-mail me as soon as possible, so we could talk?

Rob
Rob Capriccioso

Uh, what's your e-mail address. I can't find how to get a hold of you on your website.

mine is:

kbooindian@yahoo.com
Eugene

H Eugene,

Just saw your comment. I'm a reporter with American Indian Report
magazine working on a tight deadline regarding the new Native Nike
show. I'd like to speak
with you about these developments as soon as possible -- let me know
if you're available by phone, or could answer a few questions via
e-mail tonight.

All the best,

Rob Capriccioso

Hey Rob,

My number is ************. I have to go get my kid. 2:30 PST Should be back by 4 to answer questions preferrably by e-mail, call if necessary. I'm also waiting for my wife to call for an herb class if we're gonna meet there or if she is gonna come home first, not that you needed to know all that.

Thanks

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Eugene

If you can answer these questions ASAP via e-mail, I would much appreciate it:

Are you a member of a tribe?

What's your full name?

I've noted that you are critical of the Native Nike shoes -- do you have a problem with the feathers that are displayed on their soles and the general imagery of the product (rainbows, sunshine)? Do you think Nike should have released the shoes without these images? If so, why?

Do you think it's strange to think that, based on Nike's research, the average Indian foot is of a different size than the average non-Indian's foot?

Do you think Nike's attempts with the shoe are noble?

Would you buy these shoes? Do you think the average Indian would?

Nike says it's trying to combat obesity via this effort. Do you think there's a better way?

Should Nike have any role in trying to combat Indian obesity?

I look forward to your responses.

Rob

http://deathandconscience.blogspot.com/2007/09/better-than-moccasins.html

First of all, Rob, I have a few questions for you that you are not required to answer. By the way, I will be posting this on my blog. As well, the above link goes into great detail as to the opinion of my wife, Shusli (Rhonda) Baseler-Johnson on her blog.

My name is Eugene Douglas Johnson. I was given the name He Who Laughs A Lot by an auntie about 15 years ago. I was adopted into the Blackfoot about 7 years ago and given the name He Who Lives by the Shore (Itsu Tapi Kuwan). I am a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz with Alsea, Klickitat, and Lower Umpqua ancestry, as well as Finnish, English, Dutch, Scots, and Irish.

My questions for you are as follows:

I recently heard that Nike has a Native American think tank or something like that. Do they have a white think tank? Mexican? Black? Asian? European? Etc.

You've made mention of some Nike Show, what is that about?

Who are you? How'd you become a reporter? Do you work for or are affiliated with Nike? How old are you? Are you Indian?

Now to move on to your questions, which I will answer with a statement more than specifically:

Indians are going to buy those shoes no matter what I have to say. Period. So, if you are employed by Nike, please do not think that my statements about the shoe will in any way effect the sales of such.

In my opinion, the whole idea is racist.

This is a branding scheme of advertising that Nike is known for. It is focusing specifically on the Indian market, however, I have no doubt that the sales folks are hoping that Indian sympathizers and the general public will be thinking of how Nike is so charitable in thinking of the Indians. Thus, increasing sales through the usual brand of Nike branding advertising.

Nike is NOT concerned with Native health. They are concerned with opening up new markets and increasing stock values. If Nike and Phil were actually interested in Indian health, they would be helping Indians, especially on the most impoverished reservations, get HEALTHY FOOD for one (Pine Ridge's poverty creates conditions of very poor food choices as they can only buy what they can afford or eat that shit commodity food). They would also be doing something like, say, helping build gyms for Indians to work out in on, say, on IMPOVERISHED Indian reservations such as...Pine Ridge or Rosebud or the Burns Paiute. But they don't. Instead, Phil has donated $200 million to the University of Oregon, an organization I can easily link to the genocide happening against the Akha folks who are indigenous to SE Asia. If you are interested, go to www.akha.org. If not, ignore that statement like most folks do.

Now to answer questions more specifically:

Do you think it's strange to think that, based on Nike's research, the
average Indian foot is of a different size than the average
non-Indian's foot?

I have a friend who is a former archaeologist Ph.D candidate. We talked about skulls one time as I was trying to nail him down on some issues I had with the Kennewick Man case. He informed me that as far as skull shape and size, there is more variance within the group than between the groups. In other words, the skull shape and size between individuals of the Spokanes will vary greater within the Spokanes than say as compared to the Umatillas. So, it is my belief that at best, it is disingenuous.

Do you think Nike's attempts with the shoe are noble?

Noble? Please! Nike, as a corporation, cares only about one thing, the bottom line. As stated previously, I do not believe Nike cares about Indian health and obesity because there are better methods to actually deal with it. I can't wait to see some 300 pound Indian standing in the powwow frybread line wearing a pair of Nike shoes. He won't be doing any jumping jacks.

Would you buy these shoes? Do you think the average Indian would?

Pardon me for being blunt, but FUCK NO, I won't be buying any of these shoes or ANY Nikes anytime soon. It is virtually impossible, yes, to buy any clothing in this nation anymore from anywhere that doesn't have a base in a foreign nation where their clothing is made in sweat shops of one variance or another. I would prefer some option that, say, I could buy clothes from folks who pay an above living wage. Not one where the CEO has exorbidant amounts of money while many of his foreign employees suffer sometimes horrifically. That's what I would like. And yes, Indians will be buying these shoes as a STATUS symbol, not so they'll doing jumping jacks any time soon.

The rest of your questions I believe I answered with my previous statement.

Now, I see this as racist because the company is branding using Native Americans as a symbol to garner Native and Native sympathizers FOR SALES PURPOSES, not for ANY genuine desire to combat obesity as you are attempting to suggest.

Pardon me for my bluntness, but if you knew me, you wouldn't have expected it any other way. My wife is much kinder at bashing this bullshit, so I would suggest you read her post.

Thanks for being interested in my opinion, and the reason I will be posting this on my blog is, as other reporters have been occasionally interested in my opinion of various subjects, like war for instance, have MISQUOTED me. I hope you don't mind.

I would also like a link or transcript or something of the article, and I will post that as well, IN ITS ENTIRETY.

My concerns are for a better world for EVERYONE to live in. I don't see it heading that way with a profit driven economy that doesn't have ANY GENUINE concern for the health of not only Natives, but honestly, of its entire population (watch "Sicko"). That said, I hope some of this will be posted in your article. I kinda doubt you will, and that is OK, I've done that to a few folks as well.

I could say more, but damn, there is only so many hours in the day.

Thanks for your interest in my opinion, I hope you find it useful or at least educational.

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Sincerely,

Eugene Douglas Johnson

Thanks so much for your responses, Eugene. I'm a member of the Sault
Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and have reported for several
years on various Indian issues.

Rob

Rob,

I appreciate your interest in my opinion. I know it is not the type of opinion you are looking for, and that is OK.

Thanks Anyway!

more later, REVOLUTION NOW!

Eugene Douglas Johnson

Blackfire! No Indigenous Organizations In Portland are Interested In Sponsoring A Concert

Blackfire will be in Portland on November 12.

I figured the Native American Youth Association would be interested. I mean, the greatest punk band in the world...NOPE. Not interested. They want to offer workshops...NOPE! Not interested.

Portland State University has an Indian organization called United Indian Students for Higher education. They have a large venue, etc. I was just informed that there is NO ONE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THEIR COMING TOWN!

I am SORELY disappointed in our local student indigenous organizations. This is a group that through music, educates and inspires many native and non-natives alike. But they aren't interested in sponsoring a concert nor FREE FUCKING WORKSHOPS! What the fuck? I'm sure my disappointment will NOT be felt by either organization.

So, a non-Indian woman told me a few weeks ago that her organization, Liberty Hall, would INDEED be interested in sponsoring and hosting a Blackfire concert AND WOULD LOVE TO DO SO. So...

LIBERTY HALL IT IS!


Click on the pictures above (the concert photo I believe that is one of the "Ramones" singing with them) to get to their website.

Oddly, both organizations, NAYA and UISHE, had both sponsored a concert some four of five years ago by this fantastic band..."the times they are a changin'."

THIS IS WHAT ERIK PRINCE LOOKS LIKE

Some criminals don't like to have their picture taken. The reasoning, of course, is because they don't want to be easily identifiable in public. If you're a criminal, why would you want to be identified, ESPECIALLY when you are trying to maintain a presence of being a fine upstanding heartless murderous piece of shit. So, I've been contemplating about doing this for a while, so:

THIS IS A PHOTOGRAPH OF ERIK PRINCE, CEO OF BLACKWATER, THE LARGEST PRIVATE MERCENARY ARMY CURRENTLY SLAUGHTERING IRAQI'S FOR A WHOLE LOTTA FUCKIN' MONEY!

The FCC Song

While going through some old papers, I found the lyrics to this song that I learned some 3+ years ago. It's by Eric Idle and so f****** funny!

Of course, the fines are now $350,000. OUCH!

$@#$#!&&*((((&^^_!

Continued Conversation About the Impending War With Iran That Only Shusli, Ridwan, and I Will Be Commenting On

I'm telling you more and more, folks:

folks like these ultra privileged pieces of shit are gonna start slaughtering Iranians so the ultra elite in this nation can attempt to control the world's oil supply, and thus the world. And of course, there is king dick and co-king george, the genocidal duo. So all these genocidal folks, I am telling you, will indeed be slaughtering Iranians by the time the king and co-king declare themselves as such and never leave office. Click on bob's picture to read the new commondreams article. Click on Genocidal Joe's picture to be reminded of his war mongering comments about the Iranians this last June.

And, as usual, below are the folks they will be murdering.




Of course, the great thing about all of this soon to be slaughter is that the pieces of shit, Genocidal Joe and Genocidal Bob, won't have to do any of their own killing. The killing will be done by the brutal arm of the U.S. global dictatorship, the U.S. military and the security agencies they have sold part of the U.S. nation to.

Someone, somewhere, please do something to stop the genocidal U.S. monster.

A Leaf Snow Globe

(dedicated to Shusli Baseler-Johnson,
whose Beauty and Love are ALWAYS inspiring)

The storm clouds open
and the sun showers tree tops
of green and red and yellow
that are being shaken by the wind
with a golden carpet
that awakens the soul
to the beauties of nature.

"Let's go for a walk,"
I suggest to Shusli
who sees how tired I am
from my stressful day
and in recovery from my nap.

The wind is loud in the tree tops
drowning out the usual noises of the city
that are usually drowning out
the sounds of nature
and it is amazing and powerful.

"It is like a leaf snow globe,"
Shusli tells me with childlike enthusiasm
as we watch autumn leaves
being lifted from the limbs of trees on the street before us
surrendering every which way
as the wind takes them from the limbs of the trees
who are about to sleep
through the winter.

Leaves are traveling
in large groups
down the street before us
and life is just amazing
in this stormy windy evening.

We get to Columbia Park
and the earth is covered with brightly colored leaves
We laugh at the beauty
of the evening
we share together.

The wind becomes so loud
and powerful in the treetops
we are amazed by its beautiful song.
I wish that the wind
could be pulled to the earth
where Shusli and I would then have to struggle
not to be carried away with the leaves
and laugh and the beauty and power of it all
but the wind is not as strong
on the ground
as it obviously is
in the treetops.

There is a group of young boys
with dark faces
and bright smiles
playing a game of soccer
in the quickly fading sun.

We wander towards the tables
in the area near the playground where
in my youther
there was always an unspoken
peace
in my families.

We find a lone table
in a concrete circle.
We sit and roll a few smokes.
We light cigarettes
which was quite challenging
in the wind
and un-chemicalized papers.

We talk of prayers
and spirits
as we make offerings to the worlds
in which we live.

We head home.
The dusk has sent home
the golden rays of sunshine
and the wind who reluctantly leaves
as she so much Loves
playing with the leaves.

At home
Shusli and I hold each other
talk of the spirit world
our spirits
how we all pray
in so many different ways.

We hold each other
in our hands
and carry each other
in a world
that is both beautiful
and completely insane.

Shusli's beauty is deep and powerful
and I Love her beyond all words.
Everyday is even more beautiful
when it is spent journeying through this world
with her.

Why I'm Not All That Concerned About Volksfront and the Hammerskins

Professor Black Woman made a post on her blog with a letter from a friend of hers in Portland that tried to post on the Sam Adams blog about the name change of a local street to "Ceasar Chavez," but for some reason, it wouldn't let her. Click here to read the whole post:

When I left the event, two things happened to conretize my own sense of being unsafe in a neighborhood where I have worked, shopped, and lived. First, I was literally almost knocked down by an angry white man walking from the meeting, and when I cried out, he said nothing despite being a publicly recognized figure in the community. Outside I was surrounded by anti-change supporters who were trying to pick a fight. Had I not had the misfortune of encountering hate groups whose tactics are to get you to throw the first punch in portland before I am sure that their might have been more to worry about. As it was, I simply smiled at my would be attackers and thanked them for all of the fight inducing behavior they were engaging in. Inside, I was terrified and reaching for both my cellphone camera and my mace. I told others about this event later and they all had similar stories - worse some of the potential victims were youth.

This, folks, is why the Volksfront and Hammerskins don't bother me all that much. I know that there are millions upon millions (add even more since 9-11) that are just waiting and ready to start another Nazi style mass murder of various non-white folks. Volksfront and Hammerskins are at least honest. They were easily found and shut down. You can't and doubtfully ever will shut down the institutional racism that motivates actions like the above and actions like the Nazi's took in the '30's and '40's, let alone all U.S. based wars like Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, etc. This is the shit that allows the murders of millions by the U.S. imperialist government and wants to bring that plague of death home to the non-white races here, in the occupied territories currently known as the United States. These are the folks you have to watch out for. These are the folks that need to be changed that NEVER will. You'll have a better chance at changing the hearts of Volksfront and Hammerskins than you EVER will those institutionally racist fucks that are a spoke in the wheel of the constant genocides going on that allow them to live under such privileged conditions.

With that, this:

Education in Arrogance

The other day Shusli and I were watching "Instinct," a movie inspired by the book "Ishmael," by Daniel Quinn.

I made the comment during a very emotionally powerful scene, "the book is much more powerful."

I immediately got a headache and a stomach ache and the voices in my head started telling me, "that was arrogant of you."

Who am I to say where people do or don't get their power from? It was indeed a powerful movie. It was indeed inspirational. It was indeed Hollywood. It has, indeed, made people think and explore further this reality called "civilization."

Who the hell am I to tell people where to get their power from? We are all human beings. We all find inspiration in many individual and en masse ways. This was an important lesson for me, and one I will try to keep working into my life.

Killers and the Dead

I like to tell people here that we are safe, because we are. There will be no bombs dropping on our heads soon. No one is yet running military up and down our streets with martial law. So we are in relative safety here abouts where I come from. So, I tell folks to get out there and do something, anything, with that safety and privilege.

Here (click on the photos to read the articles) we have Donnie Genocidal Rumsfeld being declared a distinguised visiting fellow at Stanford University, which the staff are up in arms about (as it were).

Then, Al Genocidal Gore wins the Nobel Peace Prize for a power point presentation, not to mention his work in Iraq and East Timor.

You got the U.S. military slaughtering more civilians and allegedly terrorists in Iraq. But weren't all the murdered folks in Haditha called insurgents and terrorists when it was actually a bunch of Marines doing what they do best, killing innocent people.

And the truth in Burma is coming out. Fuck!

515 Years

The first photo is contemporaries of Columbus having a good time with the Indians.

The second photo is a way the genocidal fucking weirdo signed his name once that no one has been able to interpret.

The first book I ever read and did a book report on was about Christopher Columbus. I was in second grade. I couldn't bring myself to read it and was not allowed to go to recess until I did and did my report. I finally did. I knew there was so much more to the story. I knew that a whole lot of the story presented was filled with glorifications and lies. And ALL the stories about Chris ended with October 12, 1492. It was as if nothing else happened until July 4, 1776. Ah, the American education system.

Those of you who know me know of my first encounter of finding myself in a world of nothing but white people as we were the first non-white family to move into Aloha, Or, 1971. I felt the same way after reading this book. I had to write what white folks wanted me to write. Otherwise, I could get into some serious trouble, and who the heck would be there to defend me. Not my white mother. Not my father who worked. My sisters were older. I was on my own. I started my report with the usual lie started with grade school reports, and oddly, I just somehow knew this without having an activist family of any sort: "Columbus was a great man."

Being older and wiser, I guess, I have learned a lot about the truths of this brutal sick fuck. He was such a weak cry baby (other than participating in the brutal sickness of genocide against Indians), that when he was taken back to Spain in chains for being a worthless shit governor of the "new world," he was only ordered to be in chains until they were out of sight of land. The drama queen demanded that the chains be left on until he get to Spain. "Woe eez me! I the poor Columbus..." blah blah blah.

When one digs up the truth about such a simple subject, ones eyes really start opening.

One story I enjoy bringing up is the dogs, as seen above. Chris and the boys as well as the assholes that followed found great entertainment in feeding Indians to dogs. Some of the dogs were fed an exclusive diet of human flesh. I've read stories of Conquistadors ripping babies from their mothers arms and feeding them to their dogs. I've read stories of pieces of human bodies hanging from the porches of homes Conquistadors lived in used to feed their dogs. Ah, yes, it is truly understandable why some folks in this worthless brutal shit american society would worship such a brutal, cry baby, piss poor sailor.

But you see, Chris isn't dead. And Chris wasn't the first. Heck, the Irish have been going through a similar genocide at the hands of the Brits for 800 years. Chris was just the FIRST asshole in a long never ending wave of assholes to come out of Europe to slaughter us Indians and take everything from us for their own gain. Christians. Man o man.

And stupid Christians like to say that Chris brought us heathen red niggers Christ. Christopher (which means bringer of christ) NEVER oversaw ANY conversions during his brutal and reckless career. In fact, there were NO KNOWN conversions for the first 6 years. The fucker only wanted gold. Read his log. He only wanted gold.

Bush only wants oil. It's all about the oil. The new gold. Chris aint dead. That is why I know there is gonna be a war with Iran. It's because it is all about the oil. Iran has oil that they are not just handing over to the empire. Control the oil, control the world.

Chris aint dead, but he will die soon. The empire is running on a fantasy. There is little to nothing to back up the capital in the U.S. Most labor jobs have been shipped beyond our borders. The U.S. economy is on the verge of collapse, and another prolonged war against yet another oil rich nation will only bring about retaliations that will bring forth an economic collapse. For example: Venezuela, an ally of Iran, has vowed to cut off all oil shipments to the U.S. should they bomb Iran, as they will. If Venezuela sticks to this promise, gas is predicted to skyrocket to over $5 a gallon in a matter of weeks. First, the small businesses will go under. Then the bigger businesses will follow, as most of the next tier (like the one I work for) depend on those smaller businesses. Then...

So, it's been 515 years as of today. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Oh, I KNOW I KNOW...

JUST GET OVER IT!

Reception Photos

Shusli and I both have photos on our blogs of our reception. Click the photo to go to my photo blog. Click here to go to Shusli's.

Columbus Isn't Dead

What Columbus did was colonization. He came here, slaughtered the people to more easily steal their resources. He was the spear point.

That system has not died. Look at Iraq and Afghanistan. Look at all the genocidal wars in between.

It didn't begin with Chris. It didn't begin in 1492. The Irish have been going through their genocide for 800 years. It began in the Western Hemisphere in 1492. It is starting to show signs of weakening. The monster is showing signs of weakness.