With all the stereotypes and prejudice in this world that divide groups of people, it's crucial to help clear up misunderstandings causing enmity amongst them. If the Israelis and Palestinians just understood the facts, I'm sure they'd all have a big laugh over it and get along fine from now on. Hmmhmmh ... well, maybe that's not the best example ...
Okay, let me find a better instance of a misconception rather than reality dividing two sets of people ... All right, I've got one: the long-lasting but surprisingly seldom mentioned in the media rift between the Apache Nation and the secretive Skull & Bones Society of Yale. So, I shall do my part to heal it.
The President's grandfather, future Senator Prescott Bush, boasted than when training at Fort Sill in 1918, he had dug up the skull of Apache leader Geronimo and given it to the Skull & Bones society to display in their windowless redoubt on the Yale campus known as "The Tomb."
The Yale Herald reported in 2003:
Apache tribal leader Ned Anderson was informed of the alleged theft in 1986. As an ancestor of Geronimo, Anderson petitioned the Federal Bureau of Investigations to force the return of the skull. Noting that Apaches have a "great fear and respect for death," Anderson said that he hoped to honor Geronimo's express wish to be laid to rest in "Arizona acorn country."
Unwilling to remove himself from the case entirely and yield all his evidence to the FBI, Anderson withdrew his request for action. Instead, he arranged to meet with George H. W. Bush's, DC '48, brother Jonathan in New York City. Anderson recounts that Bush sounded "very encouraging" during their initial meeting. Eleven days later, Bush presented the display case. Anderson refused to accept the skull because it appeared to belong to a small child. Bush acknowledged this fact but claimed that it was the only relevant artifact in the society's possession.
He urged Anderson to accept the display and sign a document verifying that the society was not in possession of Geronimo's skull. Anderson refused.
By the way,
"Robbins, herself a member of Scroll and Key [boring! -- I like the name of another Yale secret society a lot better -- The Book and Snake], attests to the centrality of ritualized stealing in many of the societies at Yale. Each class attempts to outdo its predecessor in the acquisition of valuables. In addition to Geronimo's skull, the Bonesmen's tomb is rumored to contain the skull of Pancho Villa and Adolf Hitler's silverware.
Anyway, the Apaches have been sore ever since that the Bonesmen tried to pawn off a kid's skull on them instead of giving them back Geronimo's real skull. But, now a reader has sent in some inside information that may clear the good name of Skull & Bones as a whole (although not necessarily the Bush family).
But, a reader writes:
Oh, dear, it's says at the bottom of the email to check with the sender before posting any of it. Okay, well, I'll write off for permission. In the meantime I'll post this fragment anyway, just to show you I'm still alive.
Update: The reader writes:
"On Geronimo’s skull, my impression is that even the members themselves don’t know whether it’s genuine. My source always thought it was some child’s skull, not the skull of Geronimo, and that the issue had already been settled with Apache leaders. Recent reports that the skull might actually be genuine were news to my source."
In other words, Apaches, it appears that the Bonesmen were trying to play it straight with you in 1986 -- that kid's skull is, presumably, what Prescott Bush had told their predecessors was Geronimo's head. So, it looks like the President's grandfather either dug up the wrong head by accident, or intentionally pulled their leg. Was Prescott incompetent or insincere? You be the judge! (Funny how this dispute comes up over and over with the Bush Dynasty -- maybe it's hereditary?)
My published articles are archived at iSteve.com -- Steve Sailer
Apache tribal leader Ned Anderson was informed of the alleged theft in 1986.
ReplyDeleteNed Anderson? The leader of the fearsome warrior tribe of Apaches (and descendant of Geronimo) is a guy named Ned Anderson? Is anyone else just a little bit disappointed?
If we're gunna let these people keep their reservations and run their casinos then the least we should demand of them is that they give their kids really cool Indian names.
No wonder my Cherokee and Sioux great great great grandmothers both married white dudes. All of their tribal suitors had lame names like "Ned."
ReplyDeleteAs an ancestor of Geronimo, Anderson petitioned the Federal Bureau of Investigations to force the return of the skull.
That makes Anderson a living legend, it seems to me. At least one generation older than Geronimo and still alive to talk about it.
Perhaps Geronimo was a Flores Islander?
ReplyDeletehehe
Actually, Apaches are big, surly SOBs. My boss, who worked on their rez, told me a funny story about them.
When he arrived at the rez, a huge Apache got in his face and began wildly gesticulating and stamping about. Thinking this was simply an Apache greeting ritual, my boss (quite a large man himself, but also an uber-nerd along the lines of Alan Cox -- don't ever tell him I said that) calmly stood there and looked him directly in the eyes.
The Apache, taking the eye-contact as a challenge, increased his efforts, shouting, jumping and lunging, but all to no effect. Finally, dejected, the huge Indian slunk off, leaving my boss standing tall and much respected by the gathered Apache men.
Later, they drank potato juice fermented in Hefty bags, and a good time was had by all.
How about genetic testing?
ReplyDeleteAll that is needed is for a prominent Skull & Bones member, such as Eddie Lampert, Steve Shwartzman, George Bush, John Kerry, William Donaldson, Robert McCallum, etc., to deliver the search warrant to the Tomb.
I have long said that if Kerry wants MY vote, he needs to personally deliver that search warrant to his club house.