Not Celebrating the 4th of July

This country was founded trying to break away from a corrupt tyrannical government that stuck it's unwelcome destructive nose into people's lives and livelihoods. Now our country has become that same unwelcome nose, not only in other countries, but to the nations within our own borders!

I am disgusted and outraged at our government's treatment of the Lakota people in South Dakota. I'm not talking about distant past atrocities or wars; I am talking about today.

Last night I was watching PBS and the POV documentary Standing Silent Nation by filmmakers Suree Towfighnia & Courtney Hermann. Here is a description of the film:

In April 2000, Alex White Plume and his Lakota family planted industrial hemp on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota after other crops had failed. But when federal agents raided the White Plumes' fields, the Lakota Nation was swept into a Byzantine struggle over tribal sovereignty, economic rights and common sense.

I was simply appalled at our illogical, backwards, and ineffective judicial court system that has quite obviously turned a blind eye upon reason and justice. These poor people have been screwed over so many times, and just when they are trying to better themselves and rise from their government-sanctioned poverty, our government cuts them off at the knees -again. Enough is enough. Let the Lakota grow their hemp for its fiber, oil and other products. This is not a drug crop people, this is a PLANT that other countries grow commercially without harm.

Why can't our so-called leaders wise up? The US government has become a nation of ignorance, violence, and exploitation. This is why I will not celebrate the 4th of July today.