Monday, October 09, 2006

Patriotic Eskimos go out on a limb

It's the principle, stupid!


And yet a few villages are refusing free heating oil from Venezuela, on the patriotic principle that no foreigner has the right to call their president "the devil."

....Dimitri Philemonof, president and chief executive of the association, said accepting the aid would be "compromising ourselves." "I think we have some duty to our country, and I think it's loyalty," he said.

I have a pretty strong connection to Alaskan Eskimo villages (not these specific villages), and these aren't just any ol' Eskimo villages. Mapqest them and you'll see where they are situated. Yeah, waaaaay out there.

This is what you call sacrafice. More than rationing during WWII? Could be, since this would be free to the villages.

I don't have the blog power that some of you biggies have, but it might be a good time to set-up a fund for these villages to show them we appreciate their loyalty and pricpled stand against tyranny & cheap parlor tricks.

Here is the APIAI's official statement.
However, after continued anti-American remarks including the scathing comments made at the United Nations by Venezulan President Chavez toward the United States and President Bush, it is essential we reconsider our position. During a meeting with APIA Board Members, APIA’s President/CEO, and Tribal residents from the affected communities on Wednesday September 27, it became clear that we must decline the offer. The Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association and the Tribal communities of St. George, St. Paul, Nelson Lagoon, and Atka made the decision not to accept this donation to patriotically support the United States Government and President Bush.

Even though this fuel prospectively provides a basic essential need for our people, the leaders feel compelled to make this sacrifice. One of our Tribal Council Presidents said it very well, “The fuel barge has not yet arrived, and we are now having to ration what fuel we have left. The price is almost $5 per gallon. But we just cannot in good conscience accept fuel from someone who has so denigrated our country and our President”. Despite the critical need for fuel in our region, the Unangan (Aleut) people are Americans first, and we cannot support the political agenda attached to this donation.

Brings tears to my eyes.

UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!: The APIAI has already set-up a donation fund. I think this is definitely one to keep on your list. They've earned it.

UPDATE 10/11: We received word that the APIA will have a Paypal account setup within a few days. Check the donation fund page for the link.