October 7, 1998

A vote for Ed, but not for Bugsy!

One of my classmates in grade school was a member of the Pomo tribe of native Americans. His name was Ed Johnson. His grandfather would drop in often to visit Sonoma County's state senator, Herbert Slater, in his office at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. I lost track of Ed many years ago. I hope he's done well, but I also know the descendants of California's most ancient citizens have been pretty much elbowed aside. By the time my ancestors arrived, just about 100 years ago, California's natives were living on a fraction of their former territory. The acorn producing oaks they'd depended on for food were neglected or cut, and certainly not allowed to renew themselves. Pests of the acorn were allowed to proliferate, unchecked by the periodic fires which had been set by the Indians.

The treaties intended to protect the rights of those Ohlone, Miwok, Pomo, Hoopa, Yurok, and other tribesmen were generally ignored if they were inconvenient. California's peaceful natives were treated with disrespect. Of course those who fought back, like the Modocs, didn't survive any better.

Then, not long ago, someone discovered that Indians had federal legal rights, including the right to set up casinos and invite those Euro-Americans, Asian Americans and African Americans foolish enough to risk their money to gamble at tribal casinos. When I heard native Americans were using treaty rights to take advantage of the descendants of folks who had so often taken advantage of them, I laughed right out loud. How wonderful! How appropriate! How ironic! How delightful!

Proposition 5 is designed to protect the Indians' casinos on their own tribal lands. While these lands are miles from any big cities, they're a good deal closer to San Francisco or Sacramento than Harrah's, Circus Circus, etc. This represents a terrible danger to Nevada gambling interests, which is why the spiritual descendants of Bugsy Siegel are spending so much money to persuade you and me to vote against Prop. 5. I plan to thumb my nose at Nevada and vote Yes on 5. With a little luck, I might be able to shake the hand of Ed Johnson or one of his relatives some day soon, congratulate him on the success of Prop. 5 and wish his tribe continued success. That I would enjoy.

Proposition 3 is designed to return to California's registered partisan voters their right to help choose the next president. Obviously the major parties can't let crossover voters nominate candidates for president and vice-president. Prop. 3 will allow our vote as registered Democrats and Republicans to count, instead of once more neutering California voters. It's time we really had our say in choosing the nominees for president, and really affected the outcome. I will vote yes on Prop. 3. Prop. 6, put forward to stop the slaughter of horses and their use for human consumption, is one of those sappy ideas which will probably pass handily. Not with my vote, however. I'm voting neigh!! Selling a steak should not be a felony.

Paul Azevedo plans to be a part of the election on Nov. 3, and hopes you plan to participate as well. His e-mail address is reactor@wenet.net.