Prez chastised for comments to governors
By Noel Lyn Smith
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Jan. 26, 2012
Council Delegate Joshua Butler (Tó Nanees Dizí) questioned Shelly Monday during the Council's winter session about statements the president made last week to Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer at the Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day in Phoenix.
Shelly came under fire for saying that Brewer "turns me on" during a speech to Arizona lawmakers.
Butler did not say what Shelly said to New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. But the Associated Press reported that in a Jan. 18 meeting with Martinez Shelly told her that it appeared she had gained weight.
"Recently, you made some inappropriate comments to New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez as well as Arizona Governor Jan Brewer," Butler said. "So Mr. President, I ask that you be cognizant and very careful because every time you address these state and federal leaders, you are speaking on behalf of the Navajo Nation."
Butler said these types of comments can hurt the tribe's relationship with the state governments.
"At this point in time, as the Navajo Nation, we need to strengthen those relationships," Butler said. "They're very delicate and we need to build upon it."
In response, Shelly said his both statements were misinterpreted.
"She does excite me because she is a true, honest governor," Shelly said about Brewer. "She will tell you she will help you, and she will help. That is the person I like to work with. I compliment her for being the great lady that she is."
As for the comment made to Martinez, Shelly said it would cause no harm in the relationship between the tribe and the state.
"The compliment I gave her could be a big plus for us," he said. "When I go up there, I give her flowers and then thank her for being there as governor and also recognizing us. Those, to me, is not being disrespectful.
"Those are complimenting the lady governors," Shelly said. "I don't think I'm degrading the Navajo Nation."
(Shelly's speech to the Arizona Legislature is available at http://azleg.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view_id=13. Click on the video link for the Jan. 17 Senate Floor Session Part 1.)
In the Arizona incident at the Legislature, Shelly said, "I want to recognize Governor Brewer. I love that lady. She's up front, she'll tell you the way it is. I love that lady, for some reason she just turns me on every time I meet with her. Now wait a minute there, she's a lovely lady. She'll tell you if there's no money, she says there's no money."
Some in the audience laughed after Shelly said "she just turns me on every time I meet with her" but stopped after he said, "Now wait a minute."
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