Thanks for this post and the podcast - THIS is real journalism. Thanks for carrying the torch that the mainstream press left behind!
Sorry to hear about your family's loss, but just like Everett Waller, you are indeed walking in a legacy...
Again, excellent piece and great that the little guy wins. But one question I had after the podcast. You mentioned that the lawsuit was over minerals - specifically the rock that was mined for building the wind towers. (as an aside, there is tremendous amount of concrete and below ground construction for a wind tower - this is then covered back up with the soil etc.).
But didn't someone from the Osage tribe sign off on the wind lease? My understanding is that wind (and solar) leases are similar in that they are negotiated with a party. So, if it is built on Osage land, then someone signed off on the wind lease. And removal of the towers would affect the income from the wind lease(s) etc...
Yes, it would be egregious for Enel to start digging/mining without proper contracts especially after the court ruled against them on that very point. In your podcast with Everett, it sounded as if Enel had several different law firms represent them. It could have been poor advice from counsel OR perhaps more likely is that Enel didn't follow legal advice and instead shopped around for answers they liked. In any case, Enel was in and found to be in the wrong and therefore will be paying...
Another thought...since Enel is an Italian company, could it be that they just didn't understand mineral rights are owned by in this case a tribe? Again, bad counsel or bad listening to counsel...
Good work by the Osage. They've learned how to play the game and win.
Lack of coverage isn't necessarily political... the coastal media never carry Oklahoma news whether it's good or bad by their standards. Oklahoma is an Unstate.
I hope Everett Waller and the Osage continue to prevail. When Andrew Jackson and his cabal of land speculators coveted Indian lands, they got Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act. Instead of going on the warpath, the five civilized tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole) went to the Supreme Court. After they won, Jackson said "Mr. Chief Justice Marshall has handed down his decision. Now let him enforce it." Then his hand-picked successor, Martin Van Buren, evicted the Indians from their ancestral lands, by way of Ohio, in the dead of winter. A Quarter of them died.
Your informed, impartial, and fact-based writings are an essential counter to the swill offered by much of the mainstream media. Keep up the good work!
Great win for the Osages. The green transition has developed into a trance-like state among supporters, oblivious to realities.
I really didn't expect "legacy media" to ignore this story. Big story. But, you called it.
Thanks for this post and the podcast - THIS is real journalism. Thanks for carrying the torch that the mainstream press left behind!
Sorry to hear about your family's loss, but just like Everett Waller, you are indeed walking in a legacy...
Again, excellent piece and great that the little guy wins. But one question I had after the podcast. You mentioned that the lawsuit was over minerals - specifically the rock that was mined for building the wind towers. (as an aside, there is tremendous amount of concrete and below ground construction for a wind tower - this is then covered back up with the soil etc.).
But didn't someone from the Osage tribe sign off on the wind lease? My understanding is that wind (and solar) leases are similar in that they are negotiated with a party. So, if it is built on Osage land, then someone signed off on the wind lease. And removal of the towers would affect the income from the wind lease(s) etc...
Yes, it would be egregious for Enel to start digging/mining without proper contracts especially after the court ruled against them on that very point. In your podcast with Everett, it sounded as if Enel had several different law firms represent them. It could have been poor advice from counsel OR perhaps more likely is that Enel didn't follow legal advice and instead shopped around for answers they liked. In any case, Enel was in and found to be in the wrong and therefore will be paying...
Another thought...since Enel is an Italian company, could it be that they just didn't understand mineral rights are owned by in this case a tribe? Again, bad counsel or bad listening to counsel...
I’m very happy for the Osage people and their great victory over big wind. Excellent article. My condolences for your loss
Good work by the Osage. They've learned how to play the game and win.
Lack of coverage isn't necessarily political... the coastal media never carry Oklahoma news whether it's good or bad by their standards. Oklahoma is an Unstate.
I hope Everett Waller and the Osage continue to prevail. When Andrew Jackson and his cabal of land speculators coveted Indian lands, they got Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act. Instead of going on the warpath, the five civilized tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole) went to the Supreme Court. After they won, Jackson said "Mr. Chief Justice Marshall has handed down his decision. Now let him enforce it." Then his hand-picked successor, Martin Van Buren, evicted the Indians from their ancestral lands, by way of Ohio, in the dead of winter. A Quarter of them died.
Robert
I listened to this podcast. What a great man Everett Waller is. Thank you for the interview. God bless him and his nation.
Inspiring post ! Praise for the warriors.
I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law passing away.
So sorry for your family's loss.
So sorry about your father in law. What a great career he had! Another super article, we need to get you back to speak at the GSTC!
Sorry for your family’s loss.
Many thanks again for your easy to read and understand reporting and analysis. Condolences on the loss of your f-in-law. He sounds like a great human.
P.S. I'm addicted to those Off the grid homebuilders. Any comments on that use of solar panels? It always seems a bit too easy.
Your informed, impartial, and fact-based writings are an essential counter to the swill offered by much of the mainstream media. Keep up the good work!
It works great until it doesn’t.
Being off the grid here in Alberta today at -35C, if your panels and batteries run flat then prayer is all you have left.
The damages claim amount rhymes with millions, could that be Billions???
Enel refuses, so far, to give their earnings record on the project. Probably fear that they will lose their revenue that might ryhme with it
My condolences.
Keep up your great work.