Tom Laughlin as Billy Jack

 Tom Laughlin died last week, and I always respected his movies and opinions.  He used his writing and cinema to send a message.  A message against violence towards our native Americans, women and children.  I know his wife was from South Dakota, and from her experiences with the local Lakota in towns such as Winner, White River and Wanblee . . . Laughlin created the character Billy Jack, a white man who would fight for equality of the local people.  When I ride my motorcycle through SD each year, I appreciate the history of that land too . . . one ideal me and Billy had in common.