[ZTWsquared]

meford4u,May 23 2006, 07:40 PM Wrote:Like I said.  We should all have to live within the laws that govern us.
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Generally speaking I'm fairly liberal minded when it comes to native issues and there are a number of issues where they have my sympathy.

But they totally lose my support, my goodwill and my respect when they use tactics that are at best those of a bully, and at worst those of a gangster or terrorist.

I don't care what the issue is or how long it's been outstanding, there is no reason in this country to use illegal force and violence to make your point; and it should not be tolerated, especially by those who supposedly represent the best interests of the law-abiding citizenry.

There's the notion within our first nations that they aren't Canadians and don't have to adhere to "our" rules. So does that mean that it is legal according to native law to barricade public roads? I doubt it. I can guarantee that if I and my buddies decided to barricade a road in the reservation we'd be hauled off while the brake rotors on our cars were still warm.

And to your point meford ... the minute that barricade went up all negotiations should have stopped. Those who negotiate with a figurative gun to their head do nothing but perpetuate the future use of that tactic. It's no wonder to me that native groups continue to use barricades and the like, because so far it's been working for them. That's gotta stop.