Aboriginal Rights

» Tom - Easy Rider

It’s nice to see you writing at the Suite. I liked your article, you hit a lot of nails right on the head; you should be a carpenter!

The members of the Fonda family, very prominent in entertainment and political dissent, have always fascinated me. I grew up watching Henry Fonda in the movies, and then along came Peter and Jane.

You may remember that Jane got the infamous title of Hanoi Hanna, after her stance against the United States over its so-called war in Vietnam.

The real statement was made by her brother Peter, with his “Easy Rider” movie back in the mid sixties. Believe it or not, it was actually the film debut of superstar Jack Nicholson. The movie is a pure American classic, but I often wonder just how many people actually understand it.

The movie is rife with flashbacks, and shots of future events. The flash backs and glimpses into the future show that the funds used to send the two motorcycle wanderers on their trek across the United States was conceived of ill-gotten gains (Drug selling proceeds), and the future glimpses showed the disaster that ensued because of it.

It has always been my contention that Fonda’s political statement was telling us that our country will never be successful because it was founded on the destruction of nearly an entire civilization of American Indians. These Native American people were slaughtered by the US Army in the so-called name of “God and Country,” just to steal their land to build the decadent society that we have now.

I’m always confused when I hear the idiot in the White House tell about how proud he is to be an American. I’m wondering what it is that he is proud of? I really doubt if he knows… I find it sad the way these so-called politicians are so used to spouting off rhetoric, and wonder if they actually know what their words mean.

Tom Sampson - - Human Rights




All animals are equal...except some animals are more equal than others


George Orwell...Animal Farm - 1944

-- posted by Tom

» woorama - Easy Rider

yeah, you might recall that the "bad trip" scene in easy rider had elements of sacred native ceremony to it.

captain america was a symbol of american neo-colonialism, while buffalo bill was a symbol of pioneer colonialism. (the destruction of the buffalo herds by the foreign hunters was one of the most heinous affronts to the people and land, and one which i think all "americans" still grieve today at some level).

so yeah, i'd have to concur with your critique.

-- posted by woorama

» Tom - Easy Rider

Wow, I’d forgotten that Tyson, thanks for jogging my memory! It has been a lot of years since I’ve seen that movie. I think it would do folks a lot of good to rent it and watch it, myself included!





Tom Sampson - - Human Rights




All animals are equal...except some animals are more equal than others


George Orwell...Animal Farm - 1944

-- posted by Tom