So this is very close to my heart. Always has been since I was young. Watching “The English” on Prime yesterday (highly recommend) there is a scene where the main character is trying to explain that the land already belonged to the Natives. The settler was adamant that the land was given to them by God.
Only after finishing school and as a young adult, did I begin to learn the real history of our treatment of the Indigenous peoples of this country. “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” had a profound effect on me. I follow some Lakota accounts on Twitter and continue to learn.
Our treatment of the Indigenous peoples of this land should be viewed the same as Hitler’s treatment of those of Jewish faith and slavery. My opinion, but I see little difference. For this, the people of this country, our government, carry a shame that hangs heavy around us.
Yes, I agree with the points listed Steve and believe those actions need to be taken now. No, these actions will not change the past, but maybe it is a way to say we were wrong. America needs to humble itself and admit wrong doing more often. Admitting wrong, is more from God, than taking away someone’s land.
“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children”.---Sitting Bull
Steve in order to accomplish these things we can’t allow the spineless, haters of truth to continue and promote pushing for “pretend history” in schools.
The truth is hard and more often than not very ugly but until you accept the facts there is no way to fight for a better future for all.
Anything less is a fucking fairy tale, ignorance of the facts will be our demise.
As a former soldier I've sometimes thought about those ordinary Joe's serving on the front lines of the Indian Wars out west. One truth I know is that the military is about following orders and the chain of command. How many of those Cav Scouts, Infantryman, etc, understood the evilness the mission endeavoured or even questioned the strategy? Will history look back upon our peers who slashed and burned their way across Vietnam or as in my own case, stepped off into Afghanistan in search of terrorism?
What happened was wrong. Period. I"ll withhold judgement for the everyday soldier following lawful orders for those in power who are exceptionally responsible and nearly always found blameless. Loved the history lesson Steve, thanks!
Splendid and true. Thank you Steve. I live in Indian Country, in a city surrounded by 19 Pueblos and a big part of the Navajo Nation.
European settlers (especially the Spanish) have much to answer for, (including mass crucifixions and chopping off one foot of every male in the tribe, to make fighting impossible.)
It's high time to honor our treaties, investigate the mass disappearances of women on our Reservations, and see more representation of Original Americans in our branches of government.
We are very proud of our Deb Haaland, the first Native American to be Secretary of the Interior. Well done, President Biden... every journey begins with a single step, and that appointment was a step in the right direction. Keep 'em coming! And let's do everything Steve laid out in this moving essay.
I always enjoyed reading James Michner. Each book was a history lesson disguised as a novel. Each book revealed uncomfortable facts, at least from my point of view.
We now have a movement afoot 1619 that wants to teach uncomfortable facts but is being targeted as “traitorous “ by a segment of Americans who feel it is ok for a President to yell “fire” in a crowded theater.
Their are white men” Christian Nationalists” who are still pushing people on to or off off reservations claiming to be “Holy Warriors” Mike Flynn and his revival tour.
I remember learning "history" in school (in quotes because we learn so little of real history), and one of the very few non-white historical figures I learned about was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce nation, and how he surrendered to US troops after nearly escaping the US into Canada. This sentence from his speech still brings tears to my eyes: "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
In an almost cruel twist of irony, the non-Anglicized name of the Nez Perce people is Nimiipuu, which means "We The People." The fact that this also comprises the beginning of the preamble to the Constitution speaks directly to the dignity and sovereignty we have stolen from indigenous peoples in order to establish the country we know as America. As Steve has written, if we don't acknowledge these parts of our past, we cannot move on.
"We The People" must include ALL the people, or else it is just another empty platitude.
Thank you, Steve, "Humility will be required to listen. Listening will be required to hear, and hearing will be required to obtain wisdom." May we listen deeply. May we keep our promises to the indigenous people.
We weren't here when the treaties were signed with the indigenous people so understanding our thinking then is not really possible. But, we are here now and those treaties are still valid. Today we adhere to treaties we sign. Was Tyler a traitor? I'm not so sure. At that time, there seemed to be more loyalty to one's state rather than the United States. Through today's eyes of course his actions would label him a traitor. Thanks for the history review, I had forgotten much of this. Those citizens who are seemingly calling for a cleansing of our history do their children and children to come much harm in stealing their past. Let's try not to let that happen.
This is so powerful. I must admit, the honesty shocked me. One point not addressed us reparations for those who were ripped from a foreign continent, enslaved for free labor, and denied the opportunity after freed, equal access to success by government sanction actions.
This is why I have had deep respect for your natural skills since I first saw you with Nicolle Wallace. Ironic that most of us first found you on the media you now rightfully abhor - but I am looking forward to watching The Turning Point: Split Screen on MSNBC tonight - although I suspect that you don’t appear nearly as much as that promo of you stating the need for truth in democracy. Clearly they would love to have you back on the air. I think I understand why you don’t want to support transactional media with preconditions - both spoken and unspoken.
I see your situation with the media and MSNBC in particular as similar to Olbermann’s - but I’d bet you could succeed with one of those weekend slots where they seemingly relegate voices that offend their transactional partners, but seem to be allowed to say just about anything. A show hosted by Steve Schmidt in one of those slots would be very successful for everyone in my opinion.
It would also be good to see you back on TV.
Again, well done today. I was caught off-guard by your unexpected and important take on what it means to truly be an American, true to the principles outlined and espoused in our Constitution and with respect for the peoples who made that road. 
(Optimus Prime is constantly, if not always, depicted as having strong moral character, excellent leadership, and sound decision-making skills, and possesses brilliant military tactics, powerful martial arts, and advanced extraterrestrial weaponry.)
I do enjoy your motivational writing. It requires a humble reflection of our moral character.
Thank you for a well needed history lesson. We as Americans have much to be proud of and still more to feel shame. However, I believe we have learned many lessons from those mistakes that formed our laws and our military justice system. I am not saying we have become a perfect nation but rather a more just nation. There is still things in our past that need to be rectified but the law and its processes moves painfully slow. Our history is thankfully still being written because it gives us time to right the wrongs of our past. Reflection is always needed to move forward so the same mistakes are not repeated.
I pray that we may live up to the ideal of a more perfect union our forefathers envisioned. I believe their cause is still our cause today, to live free and not bow to any King or tyrant. I further pray that no one person shall rule over us ever again.
I think this is one of the most perfect things you have ever said. "Strength will be required to forge reconciliation. Weakness will be required to sustain more fighting. Humility will be required to listen. Listening will be required to hear, and hearing will be required to obtain wisdom. It's sad to think of the soldiers in the "Indian wars" who were really just following orders. Should orders not be followed if one thinks they are dangerous or just morally wrong??? I believe so. So the small person follows orders and we suffer the consequences. Thanks again Steve for a wonderful essay.
This is one of your best posts yet. I have long felt the same way, especially about our treatment of Native Americans. We have a long way to go to escape our violent past.
So this is very close to my heart. Always has been since I was young. Watching “The English” on Prime yesterday (highly recommend) there is a scene where the main character is trying to explain that the land already belonged to the Natives. The settler was adamant that the land was given to them by God.
Only after finishing school and as a young adult, did I begin to learn the real history of our treatment of the Indigenous peoples of this country. “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” had a profound effect on me. I follow some Lakota accounts on Twitter and continue to learn.
Our treatment of the Indigenous peoples of this land should be viewed the same as Hitler’s treatment of those of Jewish faith and slavery. My opinion, but I see little difference. For this, the people of this country, our government, carry a shame that hangs heavy around us.
Yes, I agree with the points listed Steve and believe those actions need to be taken now. No, these actions will not change the past, but maybe it is a way to say we were wrong. America needs to humble itself and admit wrong doing more often. Admitting wrong, is more from God, than taking away someone’s land.
“Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children”.---Sitting Bull
Steve in order to accomplish these things we can’t allow the spineless, haters of truth to continue and promote pushing for “pretend history” in schools.
The truth is hard and more often than not very ugly but until you accept the facts there is no way to fight for a better future for all.
Anything less is a fucking fairy tale, ignorance of the facts will be our demise.
As a former soldier I've sometimes thought about those ordinary Joe's serving on the front lines of the Indian Wars out west. One truth I know is that the military is about following orders and the chain of command. How many of those Cav Scouts, Infantryman, etc, understood the evilness the mission endeavoured or even questioned the strategy? Will history look back upon our peers who slashed and burned their way across Vietnam or as in my own case, stepped off into Afghanistan in search of terrorism?
What happened was wrong. Period. I"ll withhold judgement for the everyday soldier following lawful orders for those in power who are exceptionally responsible and nearly always found blameless. Loved the history lesson Steve, thanks!
Splendid and true. Thank you Steve. I live in Indian Country, in a city surrounded by 19 Pueblos and a big part of the Navajo Nation.
European settlers (especially the Spanish) have much to answer for, (including mass crucifixions and chopping off one foot of every male in the tribe, to make fighting impossible.)
It's high time to honor our treaties, investigate the mass disappearances of women on our Reservations, and see more representation of Original Americans in our branches of government.
We are very proud of our Deb Haaland, the first Native American to be Secretary of the Interior. Well done, President Biden... every journey begins with a single step, and that appointment was a step in the right direction. Keep 'em coming! And let's do everything Steve laid out in this moving essay.
I always enjoyed reading James Michner. Each book was a history lesson disguised as a novel. Each book revealed uncomfortable facts, at least from my point of view.
We now have a movement afoot 1619 that wants to teach uncomfortable facts but is being targeted as “traitorous “ by a segment of Americans who feel it is ok for a President to yell “fire” in a crowded theater.
Their are white men” Christian Nationalists” who are still pushing people on to or off off reservations claiming to be “Holy Warriors” Mike Flynn and his revival tour.
You are right, we are a violent people.
I remember learning "history" in school (in quotes because we learn so little of real history), and one of the very few non-white historical figures I learned about was Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce nation, and how he surrendered to US troops after nearly escaping the US into Canada. This sentence from his speech still brings tears to my eyes: "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
In an almost cruel twist of irony, the non-Anglicized name of the Nez Perce people is Nimiipuu, which means "We The People." The fact that this also comprises the beginning of the preamble to the Constitution speaks directly to the dignity and sovereignty we have stolen from indigenous peoples in order to establish the country we know as America. As Steve has written, if we don't acknowledge these parts of our past, we cannot move on.
"We The People" must include ALL the people, or else it is just another empty platitude.
Thank you, Steve, "Humility will be required to listen. Listening will be required to hear, and hearing will be required to obtain wisdom." May we listen deeply. May we keep our promises to the indigenous people.
I agree we need to follow through with the commitments on the Treaties with the Native Americans (the few commitments we are still able to accomplish)
We weren't here when the treaties were signed with the indigenous people so understanding our thinking then is not really possible. But, we are here now and those treaties are still valid. Today we adhere to treaties we sign. Was Tyler a traitor? I'm not so sure. At that time, there seemed to be more loyalty to one's state rather than the United States. Through today's eyes of course his actions would label him a traitor. Thanks for the history review, I had forgotten much of this. Those citizens who are seemingly calling for a cleansing of our history do their children and children to come much harm in stealing their past. Let's try not to let that happen.
It is a real pleasure to read your profound and relevant commentary, daily.
This is so powerful. I must admit, the honesty shocked me. One point not addressed us reparations for those who were ripped from a foreign continent, enslaved for free labor, and denied the opportunity after freed, equal access to success by government sanction actions.
This is why I have had deep respect for your natural skills since I first saw you with Nicolle Wallace. Ironic that most of us first found you on the media you now rightfully abhor - but I am looking forward to watching The Turning Point: Split Screen on MSNBC tonight - although I suspect that you don’t appear nearly as much as that promo of you stating the need for truth in democracy. Clearly they would love to have you back on the air. I think I understand why you don’t want to support transactional media with preconditions - both spoken and unspoken.
I see your situation with the media and MSNBC in particular as similar to Olbermann’s - but I’d bet you could succeed with one of those weekend slots where they seemingly relegate voices that offend their transactional partners, but seem to be allowed to say just about anything. A show hosted by Steve Schmidt in one of those slots would be very successful for everyone in my opinion.
It would also be good to see you back on TV.
Again, well done today. I was caught off-guard by your unexpected and important take on what it means to truly be an American, true to the principles outlined and espoused in our Constitution and with respect for the peoples who made that road. 
I shall dub thee: Optimist Prime
(Optimus Prime is constantly, if not always, depicted as having strong moral character, excellent leadership, and sound decision-making skills, and possesses brilliant military tactics, powerful martial arts, and advanced extraterrestrial weaponry.)
I do enjoy your motivational writing. It requires a humble reflection of our moral character.
Thank you for a well needed history lesson. We as Americans have much to be proud of and still more to feel shame. However, I believe we have learned many lessons from those mistakes that formed our laws and our military justice system. I am not saying we have become a perfect nation but rather a more just nation. There is still things in our past that need to be rectified but the law and its processes moves painfully slow. Our history is thankfully still being written because it gives us time to right the wrongs of our past. Reflection is always needed to move forward so the same mistakes are not repeated.
I pray that we may live up to the ideal of a more perfect union our forefathers envisioned. I believe their cause is still our cause today, to live free and not bow to any King or tyrant. I further pray that no one person shall rule over us ever again.
I think this is one of the most perfect things you have ever said. "Strength will be required to forge reconciliation. Weakness will be required to sustain more fighting. Humility will be required to listen. Listening will be required to hear, and hearing will be required to obtain wisdom. It's sad to think of the soldiers in the "Indian wars" who were really just following orders. Should orders not be followed if one thinks they are dangerous or just morally wrong??? I believe so. So the small person follows orders and we suffer the consequences. Thanks again Steve for a wonderful essay.
This is one of your best posts yet. I have long felt the same way, especially about our treatment of Native Americans. We have a long way to go to escape our violent past.