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November 23, 2016 Dear Friends– I want to wish all my friends and fans
in the United States a very happy Thanksgiving. This is a very special time here in the
states when we stop our hectic lives for a few minutes and give thanks for
all the great blessings in our lives. Some of us have had a tough year and
it’s hard to find that “silver lining” or the ability to be grateful because
of job stress, family discord, disease or even the passing of people close to
us. Some have lost their jobs, their
homes, their families and everything that used to be normal while watching
others prosper financially, emotionally and spiritually. The election caused many to feel despair
while others celebrate.
We keep those who are suffering close
to our hearts. For me, special prayers for a safe and
positive outcome will go out to the brave people at Standing Rock. Money seems to be more important than
humanity here, a trend I am noticing more and more in issues around the
United States. I visited Standing Rock
last week and got a real sense for what’s going on there. It’s not just a tribal concern; this is a worldwide
investment of time and talent. I was
amazed at all the countries represented, standing shoulder to shoulder with Native
Americans from all different tribes.
And I believe all 50 U.S. States are represented as well. Water is life, as they say. It’s a common denominator that we all need
to survive. And the dispute at
Standing Rock today might be in our back yard tomorrow as profits continue to
be more important than humanity. I believe in their cause. I’ve met them. I’ve talked with them. There are over 2,500 people in camp. These are peaceful, positive and prayerful
people trying to save the Standing Rock Reservation’s one and only water
supply. If you’re not familiar with the
situation, here’s the gist of it. It started as the Keystone Pipeline
which President Obama halted because Kansas and Nebraska did not want to risk
their farmland and water supplies. The
project was rerouted to go just north or Bismarck, North Dakota and cross the
Missouri River before heading to South Dakota and Iowa, bypassing Nebraska
and Kansas. The city of Bismarck, the
state capitol, would not allow the pipeline north of the city because it
would put at risk their water supply.
The project was again rerouted to go south of Bismarck, at the
Standing Rock Reservation. The message
sent by this? That clean water for the mostly white city of Bismarck is more
important than clean water for the Native Americans at Standing Rock. Racism? Whatever it’s called, it’s wrong. If it’s not safe for Nebraska, Kansas or
the city of Bismarck, then it’s not safe for anyone. So on this Thanksgiving, please keep
these courageous men, woman and children in your prayers. And if you have a few minutes to help
them, send emails to your congressman, senators and even President
Obama. Here’s his contact link: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact Peace, Dennis |