Good News for the Holiday Season--About Time

President Obama said yesterday he would sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigneous Peoples. The arc of history creaks toward justice. If my memory serves me well, it was almost a quarter of a century ago that I talked with Tim Coulter and Steve Tullberg of the Indian Law Resource Center about the United Nations effort to draft such a declaration. The idea at that time was the full participation of both American and Canadian Indians in the drafting of the Declaration would create a positive framework for something constructive for indigneous peoples around the world. By the active role of the American Indian community and non-profits devoted to Indian issues, it was hoped that the United States would support the Declaration. My own attempts to lobby the last American administration were pathetic. "American only defends the rights of individuals and not groups." was the refrain. Like corporations and the right to collective bargaining and the numerous Indian treaties. Anyway, to all those who advocated for the Declaration, a big bravo for creating something that is meaningful for planet earth. To the past and present personnel at the Indian Law Resource Center,you remind us how long and tough the road can be but that it can be worth it. With the recent settlement of the Cobell case, which went even longer than the United Nations Declaration,the Obama Administration has made significant progress in beginning to address old historical wounds. The President also said he supported the Native American Apology Resolution , which had been passed by Congress last year.

Other good news--Harry Reid failed in his attempt to bring the $1.1 trillion spending bill to the floor of the Senate. It will probably be replaced by a continuing Resolution. Why good news? Reid, who was pissed off by the Republicans who balked at the pressure of the tea party folks,immediately called for a cloture vote on DADT and the Dream Act for tomorrow. As of yesterday, there were 62 votes for the repeal of DADT. If the cloture vote succeeds, then there has to be a vote and DADT is likely to be repealed. I still have my doubts about the Dream Act.

The President signed into law the tax cuts and unemployment act. While both the right and left still are crying about it, none other than Charles Krauthammer opines that President Obama now has taken the high ground and captured the center and thus started his comeback at least a year ahead of Bill Clinton's.

The President met with the CEOs of major companies with the exception of the health insurance industry and oil companies. He tried to talk them into loosening their purse strings on the nearly $2 trillion they have been hoarding and getting them to invest in the economy and create jobs. Little noticed by the MSM was the news that the Administration's talks with China have paid off with new trade agreements. Today, President Obama is meeting with the major unions to talk about the economy and job creation. The man has begun to get his groove back.

In other great news, Ricky Cantor, Gentleman John Boehner's Number 2,has developed the new House calender for next Congress. If you recall the Republicans lose the House in 2006 because their was a public perception that they didn't do anything, having met only half the year. Well,this time they don't want it to be too exhausting. Cantor has decreed that for every two weeks the House works they will get a week off. He claims this will make the House more efficient and productive. So this means once again the House will sit for less than 6 months of the year. With Gentleman John Boehner's pledge to cut the congressional budget,this should put a little damper in Rep. Issa's crusade to investigate everything the Obama administration has ever done.

Hapless Harry Reid has to one of the most exasperating politicians to listen to and watch. But if he can pull off the repeal of DADT, the Dream Act,the New Start Treaty and the Tax Package in a lame duck session, he deserves Time Man of the Year and not Mr. Facebook.