Indian Freedom

Americans are, as a general rule, a rather disrespectful, unruly bunch. At our best, we ask too many questions, insist upon our inalienable right to mock and belittle our leaders, and have the temerity to belive that our liberty comes directly from God. That attitude is, in fact, much older than the United States, and is probably, ironically, the greatest gift Native Americans gave to the nation that ultimately would betray them. The Founding Fathers, particularly Jefferson and the wily Dr. Franklin, recognized the democratic culture of the "savage Americans." Today, every American, black, white, brown or red, is the ultimate beneficiary of the Indians' instinctual sense of freedom and aversion to coercion and tyranny. Indian givers, indeed.

Hat tip to Rob @ Newspaper Rock