Posted on 02/09/2012 12:23:56 PM PST by Osage Orange
Oglala Sioux Tribe sues Whiteclay stores, beer makers, distributors
LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota is suing the owners of four beer stores in Whiteclay, plus the beer distributors and manufacturers serving those stores.
The tribe's lawsuit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Nebraska, lists more than a dozen defendants, including beer manufacturers Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing Co. The 10-page lawsuit alleges the beer distributors and manufacturers knowingly provided alcohol to the four beer stores, which, in turn, sold alcohol to residents of South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned.
It alleges the defendants violated the tribe's alcohol ban as well as Nebraska law by providing alcohol to the reservation's residents, knowing those residents would transport the alcohol into the reservation and resell much of that beer to other reservation residents.
The lawsuit also alleges the owners of the four beer stores sold alcohol to intoxicated people and accepted sex, pornographic photos and food assistance vouchers in exchange for beer.
"Alcohol is a devastating drug to the Lakota people," the lawsuit states. "The vast majority of beer consumed in the town of Pine Ridge and the (reservation) is sold in Whiteclay establishments."
Tribal representatives and members of Nebraskans for Peace, which has long urged shutting down the beer stores in Whiteclay, planned to hold a 1 p.m. news conference Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda to discuss the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges the four beer stores sold nearly 5 million cans of beer in 2010, up from 4.3 million cans in 2004. The tribe is seeking monetary compensation "for all damages it has suffered in the past and is reasonably likely to suffer in the future caused by the actions of the defendants and as established at trial."
"The (tribe) does not have the resources to properly address families which have been torn apart by alcohol," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit cites numerous statistics regarding the impact of the sale of alcohol at Whiteclay on reservation residents, including: one in four children being born with either fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; an average reservation life expectancy of between 45 and 52 years; and a teen suicide rate that is 150 percent higher than the American average.
"The devastating and horrible effects of alcohol on the (Oglala Sioux Tribe) and the Lakota people cannot be overstated," the lawsuit states.
Are they going to sue Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and ever company that makes cleaning solvents, after shave, drain cleaner and every other compound the natives have consumed on the dry res because they couldn’t get alcohol?
So is Orange Juice, sunflower seeds, butter on mashed potatos and Hot Cocoa before bedtime. When you attack a group of people based on their religion, it's generally considered 'offensive'. I'm LDS, and I tire of the continual attacks by people who know little, if anything about the LDS faith.
If you want a list of things we aren't 'supposed' to touch, it's in the Word of Wisdom. This includes tobacco, coffee, strong alcohol. Why? Will we go to hell if we do these things? Nope, absolutely not. But, they have more negatives than positives attached to them. Some people can drink a glass a wine every day - in fact, we recognize this as a beneficial thing to do. However, how many millions of lives and family have been runed by alcoholism? Does the bad outweight the good? It's simply advice we are encouraged to follow - to avoid placing ourselves, and our families at risk. Seriously, is this bad advice?
So, when you attack "Mormons" - you might as well scream "Nigger" and be amazed that someone will call you on it. You won't see me attacking Catholics, Baptists, Lutherns or any other Christian denomination (this does NOT apply to Islam) - it's because I RESPECT other people; all I ask is that some respect be shown in return.
If there was a Catholic candidate for President and someone posted: "Watch out - if he's elected we'll all be playing Bingo!" I would take it for the joke it obviously was intended to be. Or if someone said: "If he gets elected, all steakhouses will have to close Fridays" I'd also take it as humour, though I might point out the prohibition on eating meat on Fridays, accept during Lent, is no longer operative. I CERTAINLY wouldn't take it as an ATTACK on Catholicism.
So while I appreciate the opportunity to learn about your religion, I do wish you could see your way to do it in a less hostile way. Don't make me your pinata because of the nasty things that have been said elsewhere about LDS.
If you go looking for offense where none is intended, you will find it everytime. But it's a free country (more or less), so if it makes you happy ...
He used to say that if ever charged with a crime, they would never be able to find a jury of his peers.
Thanks!
Oh, brother!! Turn the other cheek!!
The 'tobacco settlement' was court-backed looting based on the voluntary consumption of a legal product.
Injuns can't handle firewater.
People of European ancestry had millennia of one too many and getting run over by the chariot/oxcart/wagon and eliminating themselves from the gene pool.
Still, those with European Ancestors have problems, too...(Whitemens can't handle their coca...)
Just in case you’re offended look at the line from the lawsuit I’m mocking.
It's right next to the place for those who build casinos for gamblers, and sell tax free cigarettes to smokers.
Yeah, I may be sensitive .... but, when you look at the daily attacks from Freepers such as GreyFox and Caloflorian (spelling is likley wrong) - you will see that no other Christian religion is attacked on a daily basis, like the LDS.
And, what has the LDS church done that is so harmful to everyone else? Do we march on other faiths and denounce them? Do we force others to live by our standards? Do we protest against funerals, bomb abortion clinics? Nope. We pay our taxes, try to live our lives as best as we can, try to help our fellow man out - and for this - we get slapped.... daily. By fellow “Conservatives”, who apparently feel “Freedom of Religion” only applies to their particular faith.
Attacks???
Have you been physically harmed??
Christians defend their faith.....it's biblical.
There's big debate....and sorry you don't realize this...that mormonism isn't even Christian. I happen to believe many mormon's have a relationship with Jesus, and are Christians...but I also happen to think most mormon's don't.
Also happen to think...mormonism was born of a fraud. You may not like that....but so be it. I can give you plenty of biblical scripture to back that up....But I figure you are planted firm..where you are. No worries....
My advise...quit being offended, and move on.
Regards,
You should also know...you should ping those you talk about.
I won't do it....but I think you should in the future.
You talk about me....do it to my face, so to speak.
FRegards,
true.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.