Spoiling for a fight.There's something romantic, something that appeals to us about the outsider. We support the man who stands up against big government, big business, big religion, for what's right.Hollywood has made a basket full of underdog movies. We all hope against hope for the underdog, especially when he's one of ours. That does not mean, however, that any underdog, that any armed resistance to the law, is legitimate. Some underdogs are just criminals. The cause of the so-called "free-men" in Montana, for example, is not legitimate. They do not identify one issue that is a long-standing problem; they don't have the support of the local community. They simply reject the authority of the U.S. federal government to say anything to them (but they take the feds' money). These are outsiders and losers. Arming themselves and pretending to be some kind of outlaw folk heroes A folk hero is type of hero, real or mythological. The single salient characteristic which makes a character a folk hero is the imprinting of the name, personality and deeds of the character in the popular consciousness. appeals to them. It makes them feel important. Neither do the armed rebels at Waterhen have a legitimate cause. They have contested -- and lost -- a number of band elections. They do not have the support of the community, most of which ran away when they seized power. When they claim to be poor, hard-done-by, discriminated against victims, it's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a for the community -- a community that has had the strength to support Oka and Wounded Knee Wounded Knee, creek, rising in SW S.Dak. and flowing NW to the White River; site of the last major battle of the Indian wars. After the death of Sitting Bull, a band of Sioux, led by Big Foot, fled into the badlands, where they were captured by the 7th Cavalry on Dec. -- to stand up and say "NO." Not every Native person behind a barricade has a legitimate reason to be there. Some of them are simply criminals. They should be dealt with as such, and they should be dealt with harshly. And, while it's worthy to support a cause, we have to be careful of what we support. Each cause must be judged on its own merits and, if possible, away from the rosy ros·y adj. ros·i·er, ros·i·est 1. a. Having the characteristic pink or red color of a rose. b. Flushed with a healthy glow: rosy cheeks. 2. glow of romanticism romanticism, term loosely applied to literary and artistic movements of the late 18th and 19th cent. Characteristics of Romanticism Resulting in part from the libertarian and egalitarian ideals of the French Revolution, the romantic movements had given to underdogs. Legitimate causes are damaged by the illegitimate ILLEGITIMATE. That which is contrary to law; it is usually applied to children born out of lawful wedlock. A bastard is sometimes called an illegitimate child. actions of others. Really oppressed op·press tr.v. op·pressed, op·press·ing, op·press·es 1. To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority: a people who were oppressed by tyranny. 2. people don't need this kind of ally. Native people with real problems must say strongly, clearly: "Get off our side!" |
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