David Yeagley is the great-great-grandson of Comanche leader Bad Eagle. 
One of the first observations made of the Comanche people, by early European observers, was that the Comanche tribes and bands were never known to fight each other. They were fiercely independent from one another, but never fought amongst themselves. Perhaps it was because of their individualism and independence, even in small groups, that it was not necessary to fight one another.
Today, things are intensely different. The “impeachment” (or “recall”) meeting of April 5, 2011, when the chairman (Michael Burgess) and one committee member (Mark Wauahdooah) were removed from office was just a taste of more battles to come. The April 16, 2011 General Council meeting, the annual gathering of Comanches to nominate new officers, to approve the annual budget, and to consider new motions, new proposals, etc., was racked with irony and impropriety.
Vice-Chairman (temporary acting chairman) Richard “Bunky” Henson attempted to conduct the annual meeting in a way that was never done before, and gave no prior notice of this radical move. It offended the people, and the meeting was a complete failure, except for some nominations. The consideration of the budget was put to the very end, and the people were essentially not allowed to speak or to discuss anything. The meeting got out of control, and Bunky called the meeting off. A quick count of the number of people present was given as the cause of adjournment. There was no longer a quorum. However, when the video of the meeting is posted on ComancheMedia’s USTREAM, it will show that there is considerable doubt that the attendance count was accurate. The legal quorum is only 150 people. There appear many more.
Be that as it may, the budget was not approved by the General Counsel. This is the second year such circumstance was created by the Comanche Business Committee leaders. To all appearance, when the CBC knows the people have major objections or questions about the budget, the agenda is arranged so that the budget is put last on the program, when it is more than likely that none of it will be considered carefully, the day is late, and people are leaving. Thus, the budget will have to be approved, rearranged, or otherwise manipulated, by the CBC, and then voted on by the people in May. But the people will have had no say in what’s on the budget. The people can only vote “yea” or “nay” on each line item. Worse, the people are never assured just exactly what the votes were.
The elders tell me that this recent uprising in Comanche land is nothing compared to what happened in the ’70′s, when the meetings were more like a mass bar room brawl. Threats and physical violence were common, and some elders to day, who were young then, wonder if we’re not headed for the same kind of frustrations. The General Council meeting of April 16th saw a definite rise in heat.
There is an interesting “inside” commentary on the tribal office nominations posted on a YahooGroups “ComancheNationForums,” entitled, “Read, Weep, Or Stick Your Head In The Sand.” The Lawton Constitution posted a report as well: “Dissention Mars Tribal Meeting.”
It seems obvious that the new CBC style is to truncate disscussion, or to streamline tribal meetings. The people are diverse in opinion, and the leaders, traditionally and legal bound to consider tribal opinion, want to avoid the logistical burden of hearing out the tribal members–who often disagree. The CBC would like to operate independently, efficiently, and progressively, and the people drag the CBC down. The CBC wants to run the tribe. The Comanche Consitution says that the people run the tribe. This is the foundation of the dissent. Bunky’s attempt to change the whole process of the General Council did not work, and probably will never work. Once a year the people gather. To cut off their voices at that time is outrageous, and will not be soon forgotten.
Interestingly, recently ousted chairman Michael Burgess was present, and managed to publicly pointed out two corrections in the budget. But, as discussion began to open just slightly, Vice-chairman Bunky Henson closed it off. This was not the people’s meeting. This was a CBC obligatory exercise–yet it did not meet the most fundamental concept of the General Council meeting as prescribed in the Comanche Consitution. At was an attempt to streamline the process, so that the CBC was not burdened with the diversity of conflicting and opposing opinions of the Comanche people.
In the near future, BadEagle.com will offer suggestions which may be of some usefulness in the way of Comanche government. The cues for Comanche people should derive from the old days, the free days, and not from superimposed Bureau of Indian Affairs formulae designed in the 1930′s. There is indeed governance tradition that has evolved since the reservation days. Many Comanches live by this. BadEagle.com, however, will suggest concepts of intuition evident in the pre-reservation days, the free days. Comanche people are still Comanche, before or after the wars. We mustn’t allow 20th century traditions obscure our genetic coding.
In the meantime, we all suffer from attempts to rule ourselves by concepts which are foreign to us. The rule of the world is egotism and despotism. This wasn’t the original Comanche way, at all.
Eleanor McDaniel, the woman who led out in the efforts to reform the Comanche Business Committee, was in fact nominated to run for Chairman of the Comanche Nation. It should prove an interesting race. Probably, her only competition will be the elder, Rodrick Whitewolf, of an ancient, “royal” Comanche family.
Comanche, White Wolf, 1894.
27 responses so far ↓
1 Thrasymachus // Apr 17, 2011 at 12:20 pm
My suggestions are not really germane to all this.
On the budget, why not schedule a series of meetings, of fixed duration (perhaps each 60 minutes, or 90), in which ample time is given to each person to give voice to his or her concerns, one person at a time? Schedule enough meetings to ensure that no one is excluded from speaking his mind freely and fully. Keep a record of all words spoken (a stenographer may also be useful), and when all is said, draft a budget that best fits the desires of the people. Then let them vote on it line by line, if needed, as a final safeguard.
(Of course, I am not a politician and don’t exactly know what I’m talking about!
This is all theory, not praxis. Those with the necessary knowledge and experience in these matters would have to provide the order and procedure required to make something like this possible.)
2 Pamela K. // Apr 17, 2011 at 2:06 pm
“… the Comanche tribes and bands were never known to fight each other. They were fiercely independent from one another, but never fought amongst themselves.” – David Yeagley
It seems this is an issue which is more about pride and arrogance than politics as usual. I hope Eleanor McDaniel accepts the nomination and decides to run in the upcoming election. She would make a great chairwoman of the Comanche Nation because her heart, first and foremost, is clearly with and concerned about the welfare of your people.
3 David Yeagley // Apr 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Thras, you’re absolutely right about the multi-meeting idea, or at least, one large single meeting for the budget exclusively. There are some obvious logistical solutions here.
When nearly 500 people showed up on a Tuesday morning by 9:00 am, for an impeachment of the chairman, you know that, if concerned enough, the people we show.
Interestingly, the crowd that showed up April 16, on a weekend, was not only slightly less, but was a different crowd.
One friend of mind thinks that people tend to shut down on weekends, and there shouldn’t bee any meetings then. I think he has a major point.
4 David Yeagley // Apr 17, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Eleanor’s a wildcat, for sure.
Comanche leaders end up dealing with all kinds of professionals out there in the world, from local, to state, to national politicians.
One might naturally think that a Comanche with great education, vast business experience, finesse, expertise, etc., would be what we’re looking for.
But, “the Lord looketh on the heart.” I Sam. 16:7.
Things turn out so much differently when the Lord has His way.
I’m praying on this matter, most earnestly.
5 David Yeagley // Apr 17, 2011 at 9:36 pm
The videos are up on ComancheMedia UNSTREAM.
6 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 8:31 am
I realized something at the meeting, and after watching the video again: our leadership is now depending on non-Comanche attorney opinion as to what our Constitution means. They consult non-Comanche attorneys for authority to do what they want to do. This is a new time low in Comanche politics. It is as if the people cannot read, cannot think, and our opinion means nothing. Only the attorneys.
The exaltation of attorneys in tribal affairs shows how low Indian life has become. The people are nothing. The Indians are nothing.
There is no sovereignty of the people. No more.
7 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 10:03 am
“There is no sovereignty of the people. No more.” — David Yeagley
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Psychologically speaking, the belief in free will and responsibility is essential to mental and political health. Without it, people tend to abrogate their responsibilities, both personal and to the community.
This is where we are today: generally speaking, the people in many nations want to be dependent, not independent, of government.
In Europe, this leaves them open to the fatalistic doctrine of invading Islam.
These are sad days indeed!
8 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 10:37 am
I can’t help but believe that, somehow, this is all related to the division of labor. As society grows more complex, there is less sense of management and control, therefore, persons are “appointed” to management positions. The cobbler doesn’t have time to grow his own food. The farmer can’t make shoes. And who’s going to decide whether the town wants to lease water rights from river that passes through it?
Government, it seems to me, is just another product of the process of division of labor. It seems unavoidable, and unavoidably problematic.
Government naturally turns tyrannical. I guess that’s the malignancy, the cancer, that we all wish to avoid, if we want health.
9 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 10:56 am
“I can’t help but believe that, somehow, this is all related to the division of labor.” — David Yeagley
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I believe that this is also entirely true. These questions are multi-faceted, and there is no single cause. It’s not always a question of “either/or.” Often it is “both/and.” One change in circumstance leads to another.
10 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 11:14 am
This is why I have sometimes commented here on the political philosophy of original Taoism.
This is an extremely conservative view of how life should be lived, and, if practiced, would result in a manner of life very similar to that of the Amish.
Original Taoism is not a religion at all; it describes a manner of life and of politics. The religion came centuries later, according to the scholars I’ve read. Indeed, there is no mention of God and religion in the Tao Teh Ching, if the word sometimes translated as “God” (occurs only once) is rendered the “First Ancestor (or the like).” It is possible, at least, that this word may not refer to what we Westerners think of as “God” at all.
This philosophy of simplifying life to the ultimate possible degree would lead us back, it is claimed, to true freedom (as Nature intended) and to the sense of personal responsibility that accompanies it.
Now, obviously, this is no longer possible in the modern age. But there may be principles here that can be observed and applied.
The Comanche once lived a life of utter simplicity and independence, not unlike what Lao Tzu preached!
My point? We need to “recover” our senses!
11 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Is simplicity possible when the population numbers are beyond a certain level?
12 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 12:48 pm
No, it is NOT possible. At least according to Lao Tzu and Plato!
Verse 80 of the Dao reads:
80
The ideal land is small
Its people very few,
Where tools abound
Ten times or yet
A hundred-fold
Beyond their use;
Where people die
And die again
But never emigrate;
Have boats and carts
Which no one rides.
Weapons have they
And armor too,
But none displayed.
The folk returns
To use again
The knotted chords.
Their meat is sweet;
Their clothes adorned,
Their homes at peace,
Their customs charm.
And neighbor lands
Are juxtaposed
So each may hear
The barking dogs,
The crowing cocks
Across the way;
Where folks grow old
And folks will die
And never once
Exchange a call.
13 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 1:02 pm
The “knotted chords” simply means the ancient method of computing, before the abacus replaced them.
Plato starts off his Republic by stating that he personally prefers the life of simplicity, but then he immediately concedes that others will not agree; so, he then turns directly to the division of labor as the basis of his “Republic.”
14 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 1:05 pm
“Never once exchange a call” means that people would live in isolated communities and not meddle in the affairs of other, even neighboring communities. Thus Lao Tzu predates the U.S. original isolationist policy by more than 2000 years.
15 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 1:07 pm
If I remember correctly, Lao Tzu was addressing the “Warring States Period” in Ancient China. So his philosophy was about restoring peace to the Empire, then in the greatest turmoil. He advocated a radical conservatism.
16 Maharishi of Mayhem // Apr 18, 2011 at 1:54 pm
In my lifetime, I have witnessed the erosion of respect for age, authority, and elected leadership in families, politics, and religion.
Perhaps this is due to the fact that so many who have been entrusted with the mantle of Vision, Protection, and Oversight have slipped past the surly bonds of humility and soared into the Luciferian Heights of demonically inspired pride.
I do not know what the answer is for the proud Comanche people.
History and tradition relate that my ancient Irish Clansmen, the O’Leathlobhairs (Gaelic for Lawlor, Lawler, or Lalor), whom have existed since antiquity, held together only through fighting a common enemy. The threat from outside interference and harm held them together and bound them in unity.
Maybe the Comanche people need to understand that their strength will only come through a common understanding and unity.
Maybe they need an enemy to bring this out. I do not mean this in the sense of violence, but in the way that Christians identify evil as the enemy of light.
Bad Eagle, you are a dear friend. I will continually pray for you and the Comanche people.
17 Pamela K. // Apr 18, 2011 at 3:53 pm
“Whoever wishes to be the greatest among you must be the servant of all.” Matthew 20:26
This was the mind of Jesus. The mind of a humble servant. And it is this mindset that is sorely lacking today in those chosen to lead others, be it nations, people, churches, etc.
In order to be a true leader of the people, you have to be willing to serve the people without expecting anything in return. You are there to protect the interests of the people and to be an example of accountable and responsible behavior, and be willing to be held accountable for your actions without arrogance or contempt. Your greatest reward should be seeing people live better and more secure and prosperous lives.
18 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Udah!
Now, the Oklahoma newspapers just published the fact that the Comanche Nation paid $2,227,850 to the state for the privilege of having Class III gaming machines in our casinos. This is said to be from 4% to 6% of the adjusted gross “revenue” of the casinos.
Now, our annual budget for this year is $24,289,547. Are we missing some money?
19 Thrasymachus // Apr 18, 2011 at 6:21 pm
We’re talking a minimum of $53,468,400 missing!
Isn’t it good to know how honest our governments are!
20 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Well, $2,227,850, as 4% to 6% of the gross revenue, would put that revenue at around $55 million, right? Our annual tribal budget is about half of that, as in “net.”
That means the rest is paid out to the government, the syndicate, and, what, private pockets? We don’t know. We just don’t know. We didn’t get an audit handed out to us this time.
21 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Casinos cost us our sovereignty, in many ways. Government money always has strings attached. Our “operating” budget (in combination with Kiowa-Apache tribes) is only $131,000. I don’t know what our actual BIA allotment is.
There is a PDF online 2012 budget, on the ComancheNation web site, but it is a little difficult to handle. Scroll down, and on the left column, you can see the paper. It is on page 4 of the March 2011 edition.
22 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Last I checked, the BIA allotment to all American Indian tribes, combined, was under $4 billion.
The NIGC bragged openly about a nigh $30 billion annual “revenue” figure from the combined Indian casinos. (They’re supposed to publish reports on their site, but they do not. I can’t find them.)
When will congressmen look at the BIA funding, compare it with the NIGC boasts, and say, “Why do we need the BIA?”
23 Pamela K. // Apr 18, 2011 at 8:31 pm
“Why do we need the BIA?”
That was the very same question recently posed by Rand Paul.and what he was blasted for in a scathing article in Indian Country Today with the byline, “Rand Paul’s War Against The Indians.”
I don’t think Paul has declared war on the Indians or anyone else, except may be the liberal Left, who are trying to destroy our nation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is a corrupt entity. They do not care about the problems facing Indians nor apparently do they care to investigate the mismanagement of money going on in certain tribes like your Comanche Nation. The arrogance of your leadership astounds me. It seems clear that they have it in for Eleanor McDaniel. Their nastiness towards her reminds me of the Obama Adminstration reaction to the Tea Party Movement. They show open contempt to people like Eleanor because they are actually afraid of her! And they should be!
24 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 8:41 pm
There’s the issue of sovereignty. The BIA feels obligated to let tribes manage themselves. They rarely intercede or intervene.
Indian affairs should be turned back over to the Department of War, as it used to be!
You may be right about Eleanor!
25 David Yeagley // Apr 18, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Couldn’t find the Rand Paul article in Indian Country Today, but found this on PoliticusUSA:
Rand Paul’s Indian War
Probably the same information.
Casinos are basically an international, global money laundering operation. I’ve always been against them. However, they have provided the only financial opportunity–for some tribes.
I’ll have to write on this subject again.
26 raf // May 31, 2011 at 8:23 am
raf
27 raf // May 31, 2011 at 8:23 am
Thanks…
raf
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