Dennis Kucinich: “the drilling for oil in the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, called by the Gwich'in Tribe ``the Sacred Place Where…”

“the drilling for oil in the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, called by the Gwich'in Tribe ``the Sacred Place Where All Life Begins'' will disrupt caribou calving grounds, lead to the long-term decline not only of the herd, but of the Gwich'in Tribe which depends on the herd for survival. Christian teaching tells us to do unto others as we would have them do unto ourselves. We learn from other spiritual insights that what we do unto others we actually do to ourselves. We cannot in the consciousness of true American spirit return to a history of exploitation of native tribes anymore than we could return to a history of slavery or a history where women had no rights. We must make our stand now to change our path by changing who we are. When we perpetrate acts of violence onto others we are damaging ourselves as humans. We cannot do this to the Arctic Refuge because it will destroy the land, it will destroy the herd, it will destroy the tribe. Another part of the true America will die. We must not only search for alternative energy. We must search for an alternative way to live. We must escape this cycle of destruction. We must reconcile with nature in this season of peace. We must find a new path to peace on Earth with our native brothers and sisters and within ourselves. ____________________”