float on
HoHummm, Despite the background music being the best song of 2004, I will bow to your wishes of limiting the amount of noise I force you to listen to and take off the loop.

On to important things: On Thursday you received the first essay assignment, a draft of which is due in your journals Friday, January 14. For those of you who missed class, the topic choice is:

Essay 1: Although Chief Joseph's 1877 speech, I Will Fight No More, Forever, was on the surface a statement of surrender to General Howard, there is another purpose to his words. In light of this "other purpose", was Chief Joseph's decision to surrender the right choice for his people?

Essay 2: Despite today's politically correct sentiment regarding Indian Affairs, take the side of the US Cavalry regarding the "Battle" of Wounded Knee Creek. Although evidence seems to support the politically correct version of the event as a massacre, rather than a battle, try to understand the soldiers' point of view. Remember this is the same 7th Cavalry that under General Custer was ambushed nearly to the last man.

I have not worded these essay topics identically to those provided in class with the hope that reposing (is that a word?) the topics will help you to better focus on the question.