David Rodriguez: America should put health ahead of oil company profits

White man speaks with forked tongue. Whether that’s a Hollywood line or an actual saying used by the American Indians, the meaning is the same. For years, American Indians have been lied to and their land taken; they’ve been disrespected and displayed through Hollywood as uneducated savages. I am extremely happy that many have joined their crusade to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota – including my daughter, who is on her second sojourn to North Dakota.

I fear for her safety, but I know deep down in her heart that’s where she wants to be.

I’ve always had high respect for our military veterans, even more so now that 2,000 joined the protesters at Standing Rock Souix Reservation. It’s not over yet, but there is a victory to be celebrated when the Army Corps of Engineers announced it would not approve the final permit to complete the pipeline on its current route. Let’s hope and pray the politicians will see the need to protect of our brothers instead of oil company profits.

This story was originally published December 7, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "David Rodriguez: America should put health ahead of oil company profits."