Letter: Navajo president betrays his people

Thursday, January 25, 2007  

"We read, hear and watch stories of a member of a Native American tribe turning in his people for selfish gain. In the end, the turncoat is usually turned against himself by the people he tries to impress, and also by his people, whom he hurt.

I see this in the leader we have elected. His tactics of satisfying his need for recognition by the building of another power plant in the vicinity of two that already pollute all the air being breathed by his people in the northern nation, proves his ignoring of the cries of his own people, people who lay trust in him to lead them to a proud, healthy future.

If our elected officials choose to do things for selfish gain and not care who they hurt, then it is up to each member to, 'Look to themselves to resolve the problems that face them.'

Already, many Navajos in the northern part of the Navajo Nation have asthma and other breathing problems, among other health problems complicated by emissions from the coal-generated power plants, while our leader hides behind the mountain with the attitude, 'If you can't see it, don'tt worry about it.'"

Get the Story:
Nation Pres. Shirley, Breathe out air (The Farmington Daily Times 1/25)

Relevant Links:
Desert Rock Clean Air Act Proposed PSD Permit - http://www.epa.gov/region09/air/permit
Desert Rock Energy Project - http://www.desertrockenergy.com
Diné Citizens Against Ruining our Environment - http://dinecare.indigenousnative.org

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