Native American reservations cover just 2 percent of the United States, but they may contain about a fifth of the nation’s oil and gas, along with vast coal reserves.
Now, a group of advisors to President-elect Donald Trump on Native American issues wants to free those resources from what they call a suffocating federal bureaucracy that holds title to 56 million acres of tribal lands, two chairmen of the coalition told Reuters in exclusive interviews.
The group proposes to put those lands into private ownership - a politically explosive idea that could upend more than century of policy designed to preserve Indian tribes on U.S.-owned reservations, which are governed by tribal leaders as sovereign nations.
The tribes have rights to use the land, but they do not own it. They can drill it and reap the profits, but only under regulations that are far more burdensome than those applied to private property.
“We should take tribal land away from public treatment,” said Markwayne Mullin, a Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma and a Cherokee tribe member who is co-chairing Trump’s Native American Affairs Coalition. “As long as we can do it without unintended consequences, I think we will have broad support around Indian country.”
The only rationale for picking Manchin is to open up the West Virginia Senate seat. Politics over national security. As cynical as it gets. https://t.co/GUjTfB6FNt
Thanks once again for all that you do. You are doing a fabulous job, and I’m so glad that we all have you giving us information like you do. You are a treasure.
Good morning TOD! Thanks so much Nerdy for starting the week on this topic. From what I saw on Twitter it was an Obama love fest last night. They have done so much for the arts and a variety of artists in bringing them into the WH. Can’t imagine this will be worth watching in the future:-)
Pres & Mrs Obama get standing ovation as they take their seats in the Presidential Box for the Kennedy Center Honors. pic.twitter.com/aSs85lEqop
What a wonderful thing to wake up to. I love these occasions and am really looking forward to seeing the performances at the program later. Thanks for giving g us a smile to start the day, NW.
Got around to watching the Sunday morning Fareed Zakaria last night, the only thing I watch on CNN these days. He had several long clips from the upcoming documentary on Wednesday, The Legacy of Barack Obama. They looked very interesting and include a new interview with PBO. Keep in mind, Fareed Zakarai has done some of the best interviews with PBO over the last eight years, never tries to cut off his long answers or is disrespectful in any way. One of the segments aired last night was on the Iran deal, with the conclusion that this deal could ONLY have happened with these four men (PBO, Kerry, Rouhani, Zariff) together at this point in time. Change out any one of them, and it wouldn’t have been done. So while I am generally boycotting CNN I have this scheduled to record:-)
Hope everyone has a good week while PBO remains our President!
What are the particulars about this again? I have to be at school for Literacy Night on Wed and need to set the dvd to make sure I see this:) Thanks, FF
Here's a financial disclosure showing Trump's stake in the Dakota Access pipeline company. As prez, he could undo decision to block it. pic.twitter.com/d8O6fB28iF
His campaign says this holding was sold over the summer. But it doesn’t matter, he’s got several other holdings that also are impacted by this decision, albeit less directly.
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Monday morning. Congrats df, on being first this morning.
Nerdy, thanks so much for helping Ms. Chips and the sacrifices you are making for us TOD’ers. 💫🙏👌👊❤
To all, I hope that your dynamic, effervescent, and energetic persona is on full display today. ❤ ❤❤
Notwithstanding the nightmare of BuffoonTrump in the Whitehouse, I am more than ever, Thankful to God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
DEMOCRATS WARN REPUBLICANS ON OBAMACARE: SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE WARNING REPUBLICANS WHO ARE PLANNING A QUICK REPEAL OF OBAMACARE NEXT YEAR: DON’T COUNT ON US TO HELP REPLACE IT.
That’s according to CNN, which cites Democrats including Patty Murray, who will be her party’s third-ranking member in the Senate next year. “If they break this, they own it,” Sen. Murray said. “If they take it away, they better tell us how to fix it because they broke it,” she said. Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer said Republicans would find “repealing Obamacare without putting in a replacement will be far more disastrous and less clever than they think.” He added, “That’s all I’m going to say.” …
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trumps-taiwan-call-was-a-long-planned-move-democrats-plot-ways-to-thwart-obamacare-repeal-2016-12-05?siteid=bullytweet
Obama learned from Saul Alinsky's acolytes that ordinary citizens don't need self-improvement tips. They need ways to gain political power: pic.twitter.com/6OT2Elgqva
— Apocalyptica (@ApocalypticaNow) December 4, 2025
Dick Cheney Celebrates a World Where Facts Don’t Matter
by David Atkins
December 4, 2025 5:47 PM
Dick Cheney is thrilled with the election of Donald Trump. Trump’s tweets have made his dream of a world free from the accountability of the press and basic realities come true:
I think one of the reasons people get so concerned about the tweets is it is sort of a way around the press. He doesn’t have to rely upon, uh, rely upon — this is the modern era, modern technology. He’s at the point where we don’t need you guys anymore.
Conservatives have long complained about a “media filter” that supposedly doesn’t let them get their messages across. If the media were somehow distorting the words of conservatives that would be one thing. But there’s a reason a media filter exists: to provide some sort of reality-based check on whether a politician is being truthful or not. Without some sort of filter, communications from politicians are nothing more than propaganda.
So when Cheney celebrates the notion that Trump can bypass the media, he’s not championing the notion of truth over bias. He’s lauding a world in which a politician can falsely claim that, say, there were millions of fraudulent votes cast when nothing of the sort ever happened, and millions of his followers will blindly believe it without verification.
But then, that sort of fact-free environment isn’t a new creation of Donald Trump. It was the modus operandi of the George W. Bush Administration as well:
I was beginning to think that besides gerrymandering districts, suppressing votes by various tactics, not replacing judges if their party was in power and counting the vote wrong the GOP was just going to refuse leaving office period. Glad to see the Governor finally conceded.
White House — “Over the past eight years, Michelle and I have invited some of the best writers and musicians, actors, dancers to share their gifts with the American people, and to help tell the story of who we are, and to inspire what’s best in all of us.” —President Obama paying tribute to this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees
Here’s a little more info on the organizers Gail. I suspect what they end up doing will in part depend on how much they raise. I gave them some money just because I want someone to do something!
WATCH: Al Gore arrives at Trump Tower in NYC to discuss climate issues with Ivanka Trump, presidential transition team says. pic.twitter.com/8yyxqHyEnj
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) December 5, 2025
If Obama sent Malia to meet with Al Gore about climate change, every conservative in the country would mock him mercilessly (and deservedly)
I read an article posted either here or on Facebook that Ivanka was going to carry out the duties of First Lady and that Climate Change was one of her priorities. Donald is going to find a way to involve his kids regardless of nepotism laws.
Hello TOD on a Manic Monday.
Thanks to You All, TOD continues to provide a Heavenly Oasis for the World.🍸 🍸 🍸 To NW, especially while We still miss our {{{{❤ Chips❤ }}}} more.
Congrats to all the Gold⭐ winners since Friday.
WH Presser Is LIVE, Josh "The Voice" Earnest is presiding, a tad over 1/3 already in progress😉
So here is an excerpt of Al Gore’s remarks after meeting with Trump & Daughter, Inc. Read of it what you will. But what I’m hearing from Gore is “WTF was I even thinking meeting with these loonies?!?!?!?”
Al Gore remarks after Trump Tower visit -> pic.twitter.com/I7pphGjF7r
One of the finest Gore quotes I recall was during an interview after President Barack Obama was first in the White House. The questioner asked what he’d offer as advice to the new President. Gore said something like, “I would hesitate to give him any advice - he’s doing so well.”
That was then; this is now. Run for yer life, Gore.
BREAKING: The unemployment rate just dropped to 4.6%. 180,000 new jobs last month - a 7-year low! THANK YOU SO MUCH @POTUS! #UniteBlue pic.twitter.com/yXLjnjy869
"The longest, loudest standing ovation… wasn’t reserved for Pacino, Mavis Staples or the Eagles. Instead, it went to… President Obama." https://t.co/pw9LOMoFE0
— StereoCultureSociety (@CultureInStereo) December 5, 2025
Al Gore says he had "extremely interesting conversation" with Donald Trump at Trump Tower: "To be continued" https://t.co/fOJpLOuj6k pic.twitter.com/m49I3NbaEI
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2025
He looks uncomfortable at best, horrified at worst. Bottom line, is that his body language says, “GET-ME-THE-HELL-OUTTA-HERE-NOW.”
We can only hope, if Mr Gore has any
rational brain function left to use, he will now sound the alarm loud and clear, using his influence to avoid a worldwide, irreparable disaster. No holds barred. No protecting only ones
own. There will nowhere for the wealthy to hide if they willfully destroy
the only planet we have.
“Interesting” That word we use when we don’t know what to say. It is an empty word…..means nothing, which is why he used it here. I used to tell my freshmen that word was in “word jail.” Not to be used, because it said nothing. He looks completely nonplussed. I’m sure the stupidity he encountered was more than he anticipated.
carolyn,
“I’m sure the stupidity he encountered was more than he anticipated.”
This is my thought too.🙂
I also have a suspicion that Mr. Gore had a discussion with PBO & the Clintons before he attended this meeting and will probably give a report to them afterwards.
Why, why did he do this? This is all the Birther wants, to be made to look like he is reasonable, normalized. To my mind, any decent person hanging with this crowd, wears their stench. Not one word from these fools about the daily hurt and pain inflicted on minorities across the country, to acknowledge them. Birther just went on his victory tour, ostracizing folks. So to me, that Gore will go there and think that this was anything else but to use him is sad. Personally, I think this was just showboating. If I were Gore, would watch to see what these folks do, before before being paraded like the rest of the GOPers. I bet this will lead the evening news. That’s what they want.
Speaking of racist or just dumb… Trump will be the first president to have been investigated for violating the Fair Housing Act. https://t.co/ZQevJcdUfe
That is all kinds of twisted.
JER’s comment about Carson being picked for this position, is ringing in my ears, except I can’t locate it at the moment to repost.
My first thought of DJT picking Ben Carson for the HUD post was to protect his actions against the cry of racist. Ben Carson’s stated ideology is along the lines of the GOP’s against giving too much Government “handouts” making others dependent on Government. Whom else serves that purpose more than one of their “own” telling them they don’t need or deserve it?
There are tens of millions of poor elderly white women who live in subsided housing through HUD. Any tampering or cuts with those programs will kick them to the curb. My mother spent most of her later life living in subsided housing where she paid only a third of her SSI income towards rent. Without that help those ladies are homeless and won’t survive.
White House.gov
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-tribes-insight-idUSKBN13U1B1
Native American reservations cover just 2 percent of the United States, but they may contain about a fifth of the nation’s oil and gas, along with vast coal reserves.
Now, a group of advisors to President-elect Donald Trump on Native American issues wants to free those resources from what they call a suffocating federal bureaucracy that holds title to 56 million acres of tribal lands, two chairmen of the coalition told Reuters in exclusive interviews.
The group proposes to put those lands into private ownership - a politically explosive idea that could upend more than century of policy designed to preserve Indian tribes on U.S.-owned reservations, which are governed by tribal leaders as sovereign nations.
The tribes have rights to use the land, but they do not own it. They can drill it and reap the profits, but only under regulations that are far more burdensome than those applied to private property.
“We should take tribal land away from public treatment,” said Markwayne Mullin, a Republican U.S. Representative from Oklahoma and a Cherokee tribe member who is co-chairing Trump’s Native American Affairs Coalition. “As long as we can do it without unintended consequences, I think we will have broad support around Indian country.”
Bad. Thank you, Nerdy. Morning everyone
You gotta be phucking kidding me.
No. It’s worse than I imagined. When the authoritarian speaks, we should believe him. This will not end well.
Morning everybody,
Thank you, Nerdy.
(((((((((((Chips)))))))))))))
This is a disaster waiting to happen. Very, very bad idea.
Does leave one wondering what the ‘intended consequences’ might forebode…
Wouldn’t that cover the reason for picking Senator Heidi Heitcamp too?
Good Morning, Everyone🙂
NW,
Thanks once again for all that you do. You are doing a fabulous job, and I’m so glad that we all have you giving us information like you do. You are a treasure.
Good morning TOD! Thanks so much Nerdy for starting the week on this topic. From what I saw on Twitter it was an Obama love fest last night. They have done so much for the arts and a variety of artists in bringing them into the WH. Can’t imagine this will be worth watching in the future:-)
Ha. If I had a parking spot there, they could have my parking spot. ❤
What a wonderful thing to wake up to. I love these occasions and am really looking forward to seeing the performances at the program later. Thanks for giving g us a smile to start the day, NW.
NW, thanks for posting PBO video on TOD. I appreciate your continued efforts to bring PBO to us on every Thread 🌹
Got around to watching the Sunday morning Fareed Zakaria last night, the only thing I watch on CNN these days. He had several long clips from the upcoming documentary on Wednesday, The Legacy of Barack Obama. They looked very interesting and include a new interview with PBO. Keep in mind, Fareed Zakarai has done some of the best interviews with PBO over the last eight years, never tries to cut off his long answers or is disrespectful in any way. One of the segments aired last night was on the Iran deal, with the conclusion that this deal could ONLY have happened with these four men (PBO, Kerry, Rouhani, Zariff) together at this point in time. Change out any one of them, and it wouldn’t have been done. So while I am generally boycotting CNN I have this scheduled to record:-)
Hope everyone has a good week while PBO remains our President!
What are the particulars about this again? I have to be at school for Literacy Night on Wed and need to set the dvd to make sure I see this:) Thanks, FF
The Legacy of Barack Obama, documentary by Fareed Zakaria, Wednesday 12/7 on CNN, 7pm EST:-)
Good morning g TOD folks!
His campaign says this holding was sold over the summer. But it doesn’t matter, he’s got several other holdings that also are impacted by this decision, albeit less directly.
And we should believe him, why? Thanks for the PBO info
Right! When do you believe a liar and campaign of liars?
Good morning Ms. Chips, Danny and TOD family, I hope all is well with everyone this lovely Monday morning. Congrats df, on being first this morning.
Nerdy, thanks so much for helping Ms. Chips and the sacrifices you are making for us TOD’ers. 💫🙏👌👊❤
To all, I hope that your dynamic, effervescent, and energetic persona is on full display today. ❤ ❤❤
Notwithstanding the nightmare of BuffoonTrump in the Whitehouse, I am more than ever, Thankful to God that President Obama is still the President of The United States of America. ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆 ⭐🏆
All that’s like a rallying cry for me! ❤
DEMOCRATS WARN REPUBLICANS ON OBAMACARE: SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE WARNING REPUBLICANS WHO ARE PLANNING A QUICK REPEAL OF OBAMACARE NEXT YEAR: DON’T COUNT ON US TO HELP REPLACE IT.
That’s according to CNN, which cites Democrats including Patty Murray, who will be her party’s third-ranking member in the Senate next year. “If they break this, they own it,” Sen. Murray said. “If they take it away, they better tell us how to fix it because they broke it,” she said. Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer said Republicans would find “repealing Obamacare without putting in a replacement will be far more disastrous and less clever than they think.” He added, “That’s all I’m going to say.” …
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trumps-taiwan-call-was-a-long-planned-move-democrats-plot-ways-to-thwart-obamacare-repeal-2016-12-05?siteid=bullytweet
BRAVO!!!! RanMan❤
Thank you GG. I will try and RT this in at least 3-time slots (morning, mid-day, and evening) using Tweetdeck until Dec 19th.
Thanks RanMan.
I just know in my heart that if we pull together and stand behind this effort, like the Native American’s did.
If we just have the faith of a mustard seed…
We must do more than lip service.
If this effort doesn’t yield fair results, we really will have no one to blame but ourselves.
The Evil One Speaks:
Dick Cheney Celebrates a World Where Facts Don’t Matter
by David Atkins
December 4, 2025 5:47 PM
Dick Cheney is thrilled with the election of Donald Trump. Trump’s tweets have made his dream of a world free from the accountability of the press and basic realities come true:
Conservatives have long complained about a “media filter” that supposedly doesn’t let them get their messages across. If the media were somehow distorting the words of conservatives that would be one thing. But there’s a reason a media filter exists: to provide some sort of reality-based check on whether a politician is being truthful or not. Without some sort of filter, communications from politicians are nothing more than propaganda.
So when Cheney celebrates the notion that Trump can bypass the media, he’s not championing the notion of truth over bias. He’s lauding a world in which a politician can falsely claim that, say, there were millions of fraudulent votes cast when nothing of the sort ever happened, and millions of his followers will blindly believe it without verification.
But then, that sort of fact-free environment isn’t a new creation of Donald Trump. It was the modus operandi of the George W. Bush Administration as well:
Finally, victory in NC!
I was beginning to think that besides gerrymandering districts, suppressing votes by various tactics, not replacing judges if their party was in power and counting the vote wrong the GOP was just going to refuse leaving office period. Glad to see the Governor finally conceded.
Wow. Finally. Unless I’m dreaming!
White House — “Over the past eight years, Michelle and I have invited some of the best writers and musicians, actors, dancers to share their gifts with the American people, and to help tell the story of who we are, and to inspire what’s best in all of us.” —President Obama paying tribute to this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees
SOOOOO happy these kids are organizing this event! Please support if you can.
https://www.gofundme.com/saythanksobama
Also, please SHARE!
They need this much money just for the venue? Will POTUS & FLOTUS be at this party? Will I be able to attend this party without spending more money?
I love my HBCU students, but, this article doesn’t say much, nor does it provide a breakdown of what the $100,000 will cover.
Here’s a little more info on the organizers Gail. I suspect what they end up doing will in part depend on how much they raise. I gave them some money just because I want someone to do something!
http://thegrio.com/2016/11/14/obama-thanks-event-spelman-grads/
I don’t understand this move by Al Gore, I thought Trump made his position crystal clear as it relates to Climate Change.
I heard late last week that the official position of the Trump administration & the GOP is climate change denial.
I read an article posted either here or on Facebook that Ivanka was going to carry out the duties of First Lady and that Climate Change was one of her priorities. Donald is going to find a way to involve his kids regardless of nepotism laws.
Why is Al Gore even entertaining this Farce & utter idiocy?
Visiting Trump & Ivanka Trump is truly misguided.
For the DNC…
Hello TOD on a Manic Monday.
Thanks to You All, TOD continues to provide a Heavenly Oasis for the World.🍸 🍸 🍸 To NW, especially while We still miss our {{{{❤ Chips❤ }}}} more.
Congrats to all the Gold⭐ winners since Friday.
WH Presser Is LIVE, Josh "The Voice" Earnest is presiding, a tad over 1/3 already in progress😉
Of course, they are. That’s how our President rolls.
Ha! Yes indeed J’OB
So here is an excerpt of Al Gore’s remarks after meeting with Trump & Daughter, Inc. Read of it what you will. But what I’m hearing from Gore is “WTF was I even thinking meeting with these loonies?!?!?!?”
I could have told Gore that before he hiked up to see Trump.
One of the finest Gore quotes I recall was during an interview after President Barack Obama was first in the White House. The questioner asked what he’d offer as advice to the new President. Gore said something like, “I would hesitate to give him any advice - he’s doing so well.”
That was then; this is now. Run for yer life, Gore.
Same here, Hope! Personally, I think they are just looking for a positive headline.
Pres of Italy is as PM to sustain resignations until Budget is finalized.
Now, you’re talking! #Resist #FightBack (It’s still gonna be taxpayer monies, but why should NYC put up with it?)
Why is he sending it to the White House? Shouldn’t this be sent to congress? Doesn’t congress approve spending?
Not sure … maybe because of the Secret Service connection, somehow?
You GO Mayor de Blasio!!!!
He looks uncomfortable at best, horrified at worst. Bottom line, is that his body language says, “GET-ME-THE-HELL-OUTTA-HERE-NOW.”
We can only hope, if Mr Gore has any
rational brain function left to use, he will now sound the alarm loud and clear, using his influence to avoid a worldwide, irreparable disaster. No holds barred. No protecting only ones
own. There will nowhere for the wealthy to hide if they willfully destroy
the only planet we have.
“Interesting” That word we use when we don’t know what to say. It is an empty word…..means nothing, which is why he used it here. I used to tell my freshmen that word was in “word jail.” Not to be used, because it said nothing. He looks completely nonplussed. I’m sure the stupidity he encountered was more than he anticipated.
carolyn,
“I’m sure the stupidity he encountered was more than he anticipated.”
This is my thought too.🙂
I also have a suspicion that Mr. Gore had a discussion with PBO & the Clintons before he attended this meeting and will probably give a report to them afterwards.
Why, why did he do this? This is all the Birther wants, to be made to look like he is reasonable, normalized. To my mind, any decent person hanging with this crowd, wears their stench. Not one word from these fools about the daily hurt and pain inflicted on minorities across the country, to acknowledge them. Birther just went on his victory tour, ostracizing folks. So to me, that Gore will go there and think that this was anything else but to use him is sad. Personally, I think this was just showboating. If I were Gore, would watch to see what these folks do, before before being paraded like the rest of the GOPers. I bet this will lead the evening news. That’s what they want.
Bite it, Fuckabee
In response to this mess…
That is all kinds of twisted.
JER’s comment about Carson being picked for this position, is ringing in my ears, except I can’t locate it at the moment to repost.
My first thought of DJT picking Ben Carson for the HUD post was to protect his actions against the cry of racist. Ben Carson’s stated ideology is along the lines of the GOP’s against giving too much Government “handouts” making others dependent on Government. Whom else serves that purpose more than one of their “own” telling them they don’t need or deserve it?
Sadly OG, we do have those kinds
There are tens of millions of poor elderly white women who live in subsided housing through HUD. Any tampering or cuts with those programs will kick them to the curb. My mother spent most of her later life living in subsided housing where she paid only a third of her SSI income towards rent. Without that help those ladies are homeless and won’t survive.
Yes Bill, there are millions here in Southern California who depend on senior subsidized housing and yes, would be homeless without it.
http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2016/12/why-pat-mccrory-lost-and-what-it-means-in-trumps-america.html
Read the entire thing. Think Moral Monday:) And illuminating….
Wow! Lovely dress on a lovely woman.
Thanks for the reminder!
She looks so lovely. And of course he is handsome. Love my President and First Lady.
Gorgeous couple!!
Beautiful people
Thanks JER🙂
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/12/05/perfection/