HOW DO YOU MAKE GOOD PEOPLE DO BAD THINGS?
This entry was posted on 11/25/2008 10:14 PM and is filed under Comments.
I was in the council chambers when legal papers were served on each of the
seven council members. The court papers listed 49 individuals who
were taking legal action against the entire tribal council. It is a matter
of public record. It was nothing more than rehashing issues related
to the last election and what these individuals believed James Miles,
David Bean and Nancy Shippentower Games did illegal. Which is a
lot of rhetoric, retaliation and individuals who carry malice in their
hearts.
I thought about the 49 individuals who were bringing these false
accusations against our council and remembered something I learned in
college. It is a quote which goes "How do you make good people do bad
things? You can't. You make them believe that what they are doing is good
and they will do anything you tell them to do." I believe that is the case
in this legal battle.
Some of these individuals are vulnerable, some are illiterate, others are
easily persuaded and most of them really believe that they are doing is right
for whatever reason. You have a collective group of individuals who are
following individuals who are less than truthful, have fabricated stories and
are hell bent on regaining their previous power within or tribal organization.
I have observed David Bean in a lot of situations. I knew him
as a young, sincere, intelligent, dedicated and caring young man. He
sought out a formal education. His goal was/is to help our people in any
and all ways. He focuses on the youth and spends much of his time
concentrating on assisting them. He encourages them to continue their
education. He attends the circle at Chief Leschi most every
day. He always has to time to talk to elders, children and
teen-agers. His message is a good message. Just being there is a
powerful movement as I cannot recall any previous council member devoting
as much time to the youth as David. I have never seen David angry,
hateful or "out to get anyone." Rather he takes all situations and
methodically thinks it out. His first goal is to not insult anyone or
spew out hateful reactions. There are few such individuals who handle
difficult situations as well as David. I see him now and he is still strong but
he is hurt to his heart to see the names of the 49 individuals who are taking
legal actions against him.
He loved his mother who raised him to be the good person he is
today. He thinks of her daily. I remember when Gloria would get up
to bring to the attention of the membership the numerous short-comings at the
tribal school, administration and the need to invest more time and effort into
our youth. Maybe she held the microphone too long but as everyone else got up to
serve themselves a meal, talking and ignoring her, I sat and listened and her
words and they echo in my head today. She was right.
She had the best interest of all of our people in her heart. I remember
when she came to a meeting going around, smiling, shaking hands and hugging
people. Three days later she passed away. What a great loss to our
tribe.
What exactly has David Bean done so wrong or illegal? As the
legal process plays out and the drama fades out in front of our eyes
the the truth will vindicate him. As David states, "I stand here
alone and welcome all of these allegations. I know I've done nothing
wrong."
Verna Marie Bartlett
