Today is the very first time candidates from the major parties are in Indian Country to present themselves to Native Americans. Sadly, only three Democratic Candiadtes are attending. Bravo to Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and Senator Mike Gravel for recognizing the worth of Native Amercans.

From the Indigenous Democratic Network (INDN):

Watch the historic Prez on the Rez forum presidential forum today via internet at www.prezontherez.org at 3:30pm Pacific time (5:30pm Central).

We are making history with the Prez on the Rez forum with these dedicated candidates -- Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and Senator Mike Gravel. This is the first time presidential candidates will assemble on Indian land to lay out their visions for the future of Indian Country.

Mark Trahant, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the editor of the editorial page at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, will moderate the discussion between the candidates and tribal leaders.

Join the proceedings online by watching the forum at www.prezontherez.org. The next President of the United States will realize tribes are a critical voting block and the opportunities and challenges in Indian Country deserve visionary leadership and dialogue with American Indian tribal citizens.
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'Twas a place for political anthropologists.

Last night was great if only because I got to see another glimpse of the innards of the Capitol Hill media and propaganda machine. Inside the innards there is an ecosystem composed of bacteria of all kind, some toxic yet others more akin to a benign flora.

I have identified some of the toxic ones. From the attached ensemble cast, it's up to you to decide who is who.

Here's a breakdown of the photos :

1. Bloggers row #1
That's Andy Carvin and Bob Cox in the foreground. Susan Madrak is blocking Meagan Ortiz with her big head (heh). Michael Sheffield of News Busters infamy is next to her (nice guy, btw) and Earl Dunovant is to his left. But of course.

2. Bloggers row #2
The laptop next to Andy is mine. La Shawn Barber was exactly behind me. That's Faye Anderson next to her.

3. The non-bloggers
And everybody else.

4. La Shawn and Tavis
She asked Tavis why didn't he invite conservative journos ... I guess she was trying to get into the next line up.
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