Correction
Letter writer, not Adele, was off mark
You published a letter from Charlie Burrow of Indianola questioning my Nov. 14 column saying Andrew Jackson was the only candidate who won both the popular and electoral votes in the only party then, the Republicans, but still lost to John Quincy Adams, with the headline “Information on our president was off.”
I don’t know where he got his information but I got mine from the booklet, “The Presidents of the United States,” published by the White House Historical Association, with the cooperation of the National Geographic Society.
It says on Page 18, “Within the one and only party — the Republican — sectionalism and factionalism, were developing and each section put up its own candidate for the Presidency. Adams, the candidate of the North, fell behind Gen. Andrew Jackson in both popular and electoral votes, but received more than William H. Crawford and Henry Clay. Since no candidate had a majority of electoral votes, the election was decided among the top three by the House of Representatives. Clay, who favored a program similar to that of Adams, threw his crucial support in the House to the New Englander. Upon becoming President, Adams appointed Clay as Secretary of State.”
Adele Ferguson
Hansville
Sports
Attitude in NKHS gym must change
As the North Kitsap basketball season approaches, it’s time to reflect on last season. Not the quality of play or the wins and losses, but the gym atmosphere.
North Kitsap in the Narrows League has the reputation of being the NO FUN GYM. I am glad to hear that they are keeping this tradition alive, because we all want to have something we are known for.
If you haven’t been to a game lately, it can be a very relaxing experience. The first thing you will notice is the calm, quiet atmosphere, no band, no students, and no excitement. The game announcer will put you to sleep with his low, monotone announcing. The only time he raises his voice is to announce, “AND REMEMBER NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE GYM.” This he will announce at least 25 times during the game. It is always a pleasure to see the look on visiting parents’ faces when they have just purchased a bag of popcorn, only to be stopped by a guard at the door and refused entrance to the gym.
If you watch a college game on TV you will see hundreds of students at their games cheering for their team. These are the kids who just one year earlier didn’t go to their high school games. What’s the difference? The kids on TV seem to be allowed to have fun. Maybe it’s time that North Kitsap administration loosens their ties and unbutton their top buttons and allows the kids to have fun. People eat in movie theaters every day without causing severe damage. Yes the floor needs to be protected, but just keep people from eating on the floor.
The coaches, players and cheer squad at North Kitsap work hard and have tried to make a fun atmosphere, but they are treated as if they have been given a new bike and the administrators have let the air out of the tires.
Traditions can be a great thing, but some traditions need to be buried. Let’s bury the NO FUN GYM. If we don’t, then you can still come out for a nice, quiet, relaxing game of basketball. But if you plan on eating come early because NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE GYM!
North Kitsap Taxpayers,
SuAnn Skelley
Poulsbo
Tribal Government
Letter on tribes was full of misstatements
Mary Pickens’ letter in the Nov. 21 Herald must be answered. Only so many misconceptions and misstatements can go unchallenged. The first being referral to racial bias by her and others.
Tribal governments are not racial in nature. The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that they cannot be racial since that would violate the U.S. Constitution, therefore in order to legally exist they must be political in nature, and, therefore their membership must not be dependent on racial ancestry. There is no imposed racial requirement for tribal membership.
The only reason that tribal members and tribal governments can continue to receive grants and special entitlements is because they are not racial but political in nature. Those who continually cry “racism” at every opportunity are in fact a threat to the special funding not available to other citizens. Tribes have been allowed to have it both ways for some time, but that time may be growing short. All citizens must be treated equally and NO racial classifications are constitutionally allowable.
Indian lands are NOT well marked and known. There are no signs or other markings on lands whether under state or federal jurisdiction. No Indian lands are alienable. They may not be bought or sold. Signs along the highways were rejected by the Supreme Court and have no legal meaning. “Indian lands” MUST be under federal jurisdiction.
Jobs provided by tribal government or tribal enterprise are not generally well paying and are available only to people who are willing to give up their constitutional protections, either knowingly or unknowingly. Tribal “donations” are made on a pick-and-choose basis and do not amount to but a small fraction of the taxes that anyone else would have to pay.
Ms. Pickens may not have “Native” ancestry, but she is disseminating the exact information that tribal officials want people to believe.
Buz Whiteley
Suquamish
Thank You
KCYC appreciated huge derby support
The members of the Kingston Cove Yacht Club would like to express their gratitude to all of the individuals and businesses that made such generous donations to the annual Kingston Fishing Derby.
As a result of your phenomenal support, the event was an unbelievable success.
With great appreciation,
KCYC and The Derby Committee
Kingston
Letter writer should have gotten the facts on Native Americans
I’d like to respond to the letter submitted by Susan Null on Nov. 14. I am a member of the S’Klallam Tribe and would like to educate Susan a little.
We usually don’t come under attack from these type of people until they’ve run out of Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Jews and just about every other ethnic group out there. It’s sad that these people still exist.
The reason NAs don’t pay property taxes is because we don’t own the land, the government does. It’s called federal trust land. If you want some just submit a grant. You won’t have to pay taxes on it either. If you want to pay taxes at the reservation establishments, go ahead. I would think you’d like saving whenever possible.
We pay taxes for everything else just like you.
We pay federal income taxes just like you.
When referring to us as “TAKERS,” think about why we are on reservations to begin with. Somebody took our land away from us forcibly. Don’t believe it? Look on every treaty in this state. They are all signed by military officials, not the president.
As far as the casino is concerned, it is run by a white person and regulated by the state and federal government.
If you’d like to consider our “ZONE” for a moment. We live on the downhill side of the Hansville dump. Where do you think the corrosives, acids and sewage from that dump go once they’ve been absorbed into the ground? Right down the hill into our streams, water supply and tidelands. Three of our most vital resources.
Can you think of any worse conditions under which to plan a future for your people?
If you don’t want “our” lands right in the middle of “your” neighborhood, maybe you should think about moving. We had to. Please, stop for a moment and educate yourself next time.
Shawn DeCoteau
Kingston
