[Arkinsaw]

The funny thing is, a lot of people have bought into the idea that the US owes the Indians something - and by Indians we mean someone who is 1/8 or even 1/16 of Indian ancestry - but they'll reject the same idea when it pertains to blacks. Why?

I can only speak as to why I have "bought into the idea". It has nothing to do with race particularly. It has to do with signed treaties and agreements and a history of broken treaties on our side. Its more about us than them. The Clinton administration's theft of billions entrusted to "our" care and their subsequent treatment of the issue sickened and embarassed me. And its not just that administration but many previous also. Its dishonorable behavior and I'm just not inclined to countenance it.

[marron]

"The Clinton administration's theft of billions entrusted to "our" care "

Really, it was during the Clinton years that it occurred to me that something needed to be done. I saw the way the BIA was used to vacuum up campaign money from the tribes, the way they played one tribe against another for partisan political purposes, the way the tribes played one against another to make sure one tribe got a casino permit and another didn't. This is what convinced me that things needed to be modernized.

I read about shoot outs on this or that reservation as one mafia sought to take control of the casino from another.

This is the source of my concern. I don't know what can be done to clean house but it seems to me something needs to be done.