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December 16, 2009 | 9:10 pm

A Vile Character Performs at the Taper

Posted by  David A. Lehrer

From now until January 24th LA audiences will the opportunity to see Palestine New Mexico, the world premiere of a play by Richard Montoya at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown. The play stars actors from Culture Clash and includes Russell Means as an Indian chief named Birdsong.

On reading the review, I had a flashback to Russell Means, the Native American activist and American Indian Movement (“AIM”) leader who took over Wounded Knee, Alcatraz and Mt. Rushmore in his more notorious days. I also recalled reading some time ago about Means, Israel and the Middle East situation and thought that that was a relic of his youthful days as the director of AIM in the early 70’s.

Thank goodness for Google. In short order, I discovered that Means never left the looniness of his youth but remains, to this day—-a far out radical with hateful views on Obama, the United States, Israel and God knows what else if I cared to sift through over his 8 million citations on Google.

In a video blog that he recorded after President Obama was announced as this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, he denounced the president as a “Manchurian candidate and flim flam man….nothing more than Bush’s third term.” He described “Demopublicans as all brain dead” and then punctuated his commentary by announcing that “the revolution is on!”

His description of President Obama as a “Manchurian candidate” wasn’t just casual jabber, he has a notion as to who is pulling the president’s strings. In an interview earlier this year he described the president as being “a Zionist controlled by Israel.” He observed that “the Zionists who control Israel now control the United States….they found a house servant by the name of Obama.”

He blithely renders his view of history—- the United States began “as an outlaw and renegade nation” and that “today its imperial policies mean that Israel is a surrogate of the US… the 51st state of the United States.”

His nuttiness and vile rhetoric go on and on, it’s actually difficult to listen to.

I, for one, have no interest in buying tickets that might in any way pay the salary for a hatemonger and political nut like Russell Means. He may look like the quintessential American Indian and his website may describe him as “the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse” but his fame will not be added to by my subscriber dollars, his politics are beyond the pale.

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Just to clarify… his website doesn’t make that quote, the LA TIMES described him as “the most famous American Indian since Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse”. Did your intense Google searching miss that?  You shouldn’t buy tickets to the show you should talk with Russell yourself.  It certainly would make better material than your quasi-Seinfeld attack on a man you had to Google to get to know.  Where’s the Hebrew News?  Did I hit the wrong website?  Shucks.

Comment by Mike on 12/29/09 at 6:46 pm

Have you bothered to read his book, have you bothered to go to his web site?? Evidently you do not know anything about Native Americans, what they have gone thru and are still going thru. I find your writing about Russell Means offensive.

Comment by Eve on 12/29/09 at 7:01 pm

You have not done your research on a man that stands tall among his people(Native Inians). His views are indeed shared by many native americans and the growing minority groups in the US. In the short future when White people are the minority and no longer the ruling force in the united states, Isreal will have to forage for herself. That day comes, the we’ll see the vile nature of humans represented.

Comment by Benjamin on 12/29/09 at 7:10 pm

Dear Jewish Journal:

In response to David A. Lehrer’s December 16th piece titled “A Vile Character Performs at the Taper”,  I ask those of you who are seeking truths and balance to please visit the Republic of Lakotah website RepublicofLakotah -dot- com, which documents the vile past and present genocidal policies of the United States of America. I also encourage those same readers and visitors of the Jewish Journal to read my autobiography “Where White Men Fear to Tread”, published by St. Martins Press (on its 15th printing in 15 years) for a truthful personal explanation of how I was and who I am.  Then make your judgments upon the truths of my world view.  I suggest you also read the review by the Entertainment Industry‘s most prestigious publication, “Varity”, and decide if purchasing tickets to “Palestine, New Mexico” now playing at the Mark Taper Forum is indeed a “brotherhood message for this holiday season“.

I challenge you to judge for yourselves the message of the folly and stupidity of the Patriarchal Cave Man mentality of settling misunderstandings with a club.

As a post script, please do go to Google and in short order discover all of my visual citations.

Russell Means, Oglala Lakota Patriot

Comment by Russell Means on 12/29/09 at 7:31 pm

Mr. Lehrer. You really dont have a clue, what this is about? You are just trying to show how intelligent you might be and you are doing so by attacking a person who lives his whole life, struggling for his people….that is so not intelligent and offensive. You may have some intelligence, but your lack of knowledge, insight and wisdom are truly sad…
toksa ake
fr, Martin Canku Ota Rübenack
  Mitakuye Oyas`in

Comment by Martin Canku Ota Rübenack on 12/29/09 at 7:46 pm

Mr. Lehrer you’re beginning to sound like a loony character yourself.  What’s up?  You don’t know anything about us and how we were treated by that decadent nation called the USA.  I thought (of your origin) we share a history as an oppressed people yet you yourself don’t give a damn about who your people once where.

Comment by Jack Nighthawk on 12/29/09 at 11:17 pm

Obviously you simply read a few articles about Mr.Means that were written for the intent of negative propaganda by the very same establishment that highly supports both financialy and otherwise,your nation and its people…if youd have bothered to actually see and for once listen to our peoples opinion of Mr.Means,then perhaps your perspective would be different,then again,doubt youd bite the hand that feeds you,the us government…however,we still struggle and Russell is a man we look to for his leadership,guidance and insight so…remember where you came from,if you still can!

Comment by Roy Robertson on 12/29/09 at 11:30 pm

Mr.Lehrer. I have never heard of you. Mr Means posted a link to your article on his facebook. I read your article. Very poorly researched. Mr.Means has been an advocate for his people for a very long time. I first heard of Mr. Means 40 years ago. I have never heard of YOU. Mr Obama is a foolish politician. I suppose one way to get famous is to attack a person who is known. Like you did with Mr. Means. I will continue to follow Mr. Means words and deeds. You I can forget about. For your info I am a white man living in Houston Tx

Comment by Tom McReynolds on 12/30/09 at 1:51 am

I ask that all who choose to read this rubbish and write these negative words to please do your research. Don’t hate Mr Means for taking a stand for what is right, what we ALL know to be right but turn a blind eye to because we don’t want to cause waves and stir up a commotion. If our Jewish brothers and sisters hadnt given up so easily thinking it might save them, maybe more would have survived the Holocaust…Mr. Means is helping many people and families with his voice and his knowledge. You don’t see it because you don’t understand what is going on. These are things the government are trying to keep quiet. You call yourselves the chosen ones but why arent you out there trying to help other brothers and sister dispite their nationality. That is what God wants, for us to spread our love for one another. Not sit back and allow for more negative to bring us down by ANYONE and yes if that means having a voice and speaking your TRUTH to the government then so be it. They are not Gods, They are human just as we are. If they are not reminded of that things CAN get worse. But to stand up for what is right is not an easy thing for a lot of people, Will you be one of those people? Research what is going on with the Reservations (Crow Creek Lakota Land for one), (Drilling on Sacred lands of the Chiricahua Apache) and so many more that is happening TODAY!! There is so much you don’t know and yet you are so qiuck to condenm. As a Light worker and a child of YHWH I stand behind Mr. Means Cause because I know and understand that he is trying to remove that darkness that is being pushed on our Brothers and Sisters as We Are All Related!! Love and Light to All!! Many Blessings!!

Comment by Mariah Morrison on 12/30/09 at 12:55 pm

It sounds like you are the hatemonger, it looks like you are the vile one. What if I told you I was a native american with connections in the jewish community and I could make you look so bad they wont even let you wear a yamaka anymore. Get a grip on it little small white boy Russel Means fights and inspires peoples. while you live in a society of users under an umbrella of sympathy. If I was your chief I would cast you away for such an unbelievable article of disrespect to a peoples who lands have PROTECTED your people and SERVED your disgusting piggish greedy ways for hundreds of years.

Comment by Raymond Harjo on 12/30/09 at 1:22 pm

Have you ever heard the old saying it’s better to remain silent and be thought of a fool than to speak and remove all doubt? You have removed all doubt. You are an ignorant uneducated fool. You would not make a pimple on the ass of Russell Means.

Comment by Jerry Dollar on 12/30/09 at 2:24 pm

Obviously you need to see the Romero documentary “The American Holocaust” to see that that the genocide of the American Indians was the same as that of Jews and Europeans by Hitler. If an Indian man will stand up in the name of his people and the millions killed for only greed and hatred, does that make him looney? I don’t think so.

Comment by Many Feathers on 12/30/09 at 4:56 pm

A vile character named David Lehrer spews an ignorant diatribe in the Jewish Journal. How dare Lehrer describe Russell Means’ political activism with the American Indian Movement as looney? How dare this ignorant racist characterize Russell Means’ actions in defense of the freedom of Indian people, and of all Americans, with the pejorative term “notorious”? Fighting for freedom makes one notorious, according to this fascist by the name of David Lehrer. Russell Means is a staunch defender of the U.S. Constitution at a time when the principles embodied therein are not being defended by the Executive, Legislative or Judiciary branches of the U.S. government itself. Lehrer is an insult and embarrassment to Jewish people and white people everywhere. Logical arguments ARE difficult for close-minded idiot ideologues such as Lehrer to listen to. By his own admission, he did no extensive research. Too painful for this fool, it might require actual thinking on his part, or, even more scandalous, some revision of his polemical close-minded hate-mongering neo-con views. Lehrer is an intellectual dinosaur, and would be well-advised to broadcast his brain-dead views as stand-up comedy—at least then he might find some benefit in those laughing at (not with) him. And for your information, Lehrer, if you check your history on Google you will find that the U.S. did in fact begin as an outlaw nation. George Washington was heavily mortgaged due to investments in Indian land west of the Appalachians—claims that had been invalidated by the King of England. Why did the richest man in the 13 colonies (a land surveyor and speculator, incidentally) risk hanging for treason in order to start a revolution? Because if he wasn’t able to break England’s power over the colonies and make good on his illegal claims to Indian land in the Ohio Valley, he faced financial ruin. Inform yourself, Mr. Lehrer, before opening your mouth and making a public ass of yourself. I confess I haven’t done any research on YOU…but I can’t help but wonder if you are in favor of the illegal settlements now planned by Israel to be built on land that the entire world agrees belongs to Palestinians.

Comment by Joaquin Murrietta Johnson on 12/30/09 at 9:01 pm

Mr. Lehrer,
You may wish to educate your self by picking up some books on what the truth is about what has happened in “Indian Country” over the last 500+ yrs. Instead of trying to read the “Readers Digest” version of things on Google. Read why AIM was formed back in the late 60’s early 70’s and by who. Read “Bury my heart at Wounded Knee” and try to understand the occupation that took place there and why. Read why Alcatraz was taken over by Natives, NOT just Russel Means but, many who were there to bring awareness to the whole, as to the policies of the US Government and the Sovereign Nations of the United States. Some may not care what the truth is, but if you are going to take a stand on your soap box about 1 (One) of the Native people of the US that is well known, then it may prove to be advantageous for you to become aware of the issues before you open your mouth and prove to everyone that your paycheck in not justified by your boss.
Paula Rose
A Proud Mixed Blood Native Woman

Comment by Paula Rose on 12/31/09 at 2:58 am

I wonder why Mr. David Lehrer has not commented back to defend his sorry self.

Comment by Many Feathers on 12/31/09 at 9:15 am

Mr. Lehrer,
you must be Jewish, aren’t you? Your reaction and comment is so very
stereotypical if someone dares to question the relationship of precious little Israel with the United States. I totally concur with Mr. Means’ comments.

The plain fact is that Israel would not exist were it not for the financial backing of the United States - basically it exists are U.S. taxpayer’s expense.

Comment by Daniel Guggenberg on 12/31/09 at 6:21 pm

Mr. Leher,
It is a shame you are so against a person of Mr. Means’ stature.  He has gathered peoples of the world to follow the simple truths he believes and puts forth.  You should try, if possible, to learn from such a leader as Mr. Means.  Then, you will not be considered such a tragedy.

Comment by Debra on 12/31/09 at 7:47 pm

Mr. Lehrer,

Your project organization:  Community Advocates, Inc lists the following information on your ABOUT US page:

“CAI’s leadership is composed of Chairman Richard Riordan, former Mayor of Los Angeles; President David A. Lehrer, former Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League; and Vice President Joe R. Hicks, former Executive Director of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission. CAI spreads its vision through op-eds, speeches, panel presentations, journal articles, media briefings and offering legal services. In addition, the organization will advance its vision through cooperative programming, made possible by an affiliation with the University of Southern California.”

We’re you aware that your Chairman, the former mayor of Los Angeles, Richard Riordan gave Russell Means a proclamation congratulating Russell on all his outstanding activism work?  You should check out the commemorative plaque, because it’s at Russell’s ranch in Porcupine, South Dakota.  I’ll see if I can get a candid photo for you in case you can’t travel in that direction.

I thought it might be appropriate being the moral authority that you are, to simply apologize for not only attacking Russell Means when you clearly misappropriated your comprehension of him, or at least apologize to your organizations Chairman for making him look kind of foolish.  Your choice, because I know you’re an honorable kind of man.  I’ll also email this to you, because I’m honorable also. 

I can only hope you read the comments here.

Sincerely,

Mike

Comment by Mike on 1/01/10 at 4:36 am

After reading David Lehrer’s article I could only conclude that Russell Means is a hero and that his play must be worth seeing, and that David Lehrer is the loon. Keep it on Russell!

Comment by Richard Hugus on 1/01/10 at 8:02 pm

After reading all the e-mails submitted so far as comments to David Lehrer’s remarks, I am led to the realization that the Wizzard of Oz is still alive and well behind his curtain…. In order to understand the real place of Russell Means in history, one cannot rely on his autobiography which contains major distortions of the truth, but instead read the thoroughly researched book written by Joe Trimbach , titled “American Indian Mafia.”  A better, truer portrait of Russell Means is offered in that book. The book is a major work which addresses all the mythical drivel repeated ad nauseam by a non-critical press and well intentioned groupies on the activities of the American Indian Movement, and outlines how destructive the movement and more specifically its leaders have been to American Indians in general. Good reading to all…

Comment by Guitry on 1/10/10 at 2:59 pm

if one cannot rely on his autobiography… then one cannot rely on the american indian mafia. are you trying to be funny? because we are all laughing. Are you defending the comments of Mr leher? Haha even if there was a native american mafia which im sure there is as there is a jewish mafia etc, it still doesnt give you substance to defend the comments of Mr leher. you are both Jew-Nazi pigs as far as Im concerned. Thats what those comments about Mr Means make you out to be. Jew Nazi racist pigs. The jews let the nazis round them up without a fight which makes them pig pussies. How does that feel? Then they got out and continued to be a black scab in the eyes of all the middle eastern religions, in the eyes of all the other people all over the world because of the way the jew is. How does that sound? And now they cant even beat the palestinians and the muslim world is going to consume israel and your people will cause more trouble for the world with your jew ways and maybe we’ll all anhialate each other because the jew is such a greedy selfish pig. The Jew religion and all other middle world religions are false, there is no god you were just a bunch of dumb jewish retards who thought they knew shit but didnt. Now go figure out a way to disprove that you worthless jew Nazi pig. hows that? hows the truth feel? To know you are the true losers of the middle world? wheres you country? that little nothing of a piece of land it looks like you guys are the losers to me nothing like a good hand me down to the jews no wonder they tried to seriously get rid of you all!!! You see thats the kind of thing you just defended you reject. Happy Reading!!!!

Comment by Raymond Harjo on 1/10/10 at 4:35 pm

Giutry,
Obviously you think you know something about AIM. Yes, there are many Natives you don’t care for the group anymore. My question to you is “WHY”? What propaganda BS did the Government put out that caused all the conflict within the group and the Native community? Can you answer that? Can you answer the question as to “WHO” it was that the FBI sent in to infiltrate AIM and label it a subversive terrorist group before that label became fashionable back in the early part of this decade? We are talking many moons ago buddy so start lookiing for the answers in some TRUTHFUL books on the library shelves. AIM may be looked down on by many NOW but there was a time when MANY called on AIM brothers AND sisters to help with Native and WORLD issues. YES, I SAID WORLD ISSUES!!! Phony “Medicine Men” that want to charge you thousands of dollars to teach you how to Sun Dance and you bring your own new T-shirt to pierce. I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR AIM And it’s founding members as well as it’s present members! Members, and thier families, lost thier lives for the cause. For defending the People from the criminals that wanted to wipe out our ways. We are still here after over 500 yrs. of Genocide and War Crimes that this Gov. has put us through. AIM plays a part in our survival. Like it or not WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET IDIOTS LIKE YOU BREAK US. You KEEP trying BUT we are still here!!!!
Paula Rose
A Proud Mixed Blood Native Woman!

Comment by Paula Rose on 1/11/10 at 4:53 am

Mr. Lehrer
How deep is your ignorance!! I presume that a journalist must know the true, the history, the reality. You live in a stereotype world, you believe in what the television news says, you are only an emotionalist squealer who don’t care the truth… it will be better if you change job.
Believe me, hate is the mother of violence.
Your article is full of hate.
If one day you ( I hope) will know personally Russell Means, you will understand a lot of things regarding
the life, love, respect.
Look for the truth! Always.
How deep is your ignorance. How big is your hate.

Gherardo, Europe

Comment by gherardo on 1/11/10 at 6:00 am

Any friend of Russell Means is a friend of mine.

Comment by Curt Kastens on 1/15/10 at 11:53 am

Giutry is right. Russ is still a violent and disturbed con man, up to his ears in the Anna Mae Aquash murder conspiracy which also involves many of his relatives and friends. Soon, the triggerman and Russ’s convicted murderer friend and former bodyguard will both go on trial for the murder of Anna Mae. The curtain is about to fall on the man exposed in American Indian Mafia as the chief architect behind the destruction of Wounded Knee village in 1973 and the brutalization of village residents, most of whom were Indians.

Comment by James Simon on 1/24/10 at 12:52 am

your surname already gives you away, just another comment by a Jew, it is pathetic. Raymond Harjo’s comment has you all adequately sized up

Comment by Daniel Guggenberg on 1/29/10 at 8:09 pm

Means is correct, although I prefer the term Republicrat. Obama voted for the bank bailout as did McCain. Just more nepotism, as Bush is his cousin. Facism at its finest with their takeover of cars and banks. Wake up!

Comment by Saylor01 on 2/16/10 at 7:25 pm

Arrived at this post through some lateral online research - I was looking for the right words to send my Lakota friend in need and stumbled into this link - only know of Russell Means what I’ve learned within my adoptive circle, in Inipi and around Chanuppa, as well as media of all outlets, positive and negative, true, false and in between. To those who will attack my Judaism from a place of hate, fear, ignorance or elsewhere - you are my enemy. To those on the good red road - Mitakuye Oyasin. To David Lehrer - B’Shalom. I pray for the United States of America, for the Lakota Nation, for Eretz Yisrael…and for my friend.  Baruch Hashem.

Comment by Rob H. on 9/12/11 at 12:04 pm

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