Posted on 01/28/2006 4:49:14 AM PST by Keltik
Well the South lost the Civil War. We came in and ran down the native population. There's a difference, imo. Not that I'm not sympathetic to the South to a certain degree. That doesn't include owning slaves, btw....
Indians are the great welfare societies largest (liberals) success, (conservatives) failure. "From the womb to the tomb", they are supported by the government.
If this was to be done, it should have been a LONG time ago without making official government treaties. Sometime SOMEWHERE a government has to respect the rights of indigenous people, esp. if they're the ones that granted the rights in the first place.
See post #31, from seacapn to me. This is news to me, and I'm very angry. One would think after all this time, our government could at least show a little respect. Lord knows we broke enough treaties : (
Where was that picture taken? It's magnificent! (New Mexico?)
good points
Your mention of McCain and the revenge he reserves for those thought insufficiently respectful....
Excellent point. After all, who showed the greatest disrespect to McCain than a certain George W. Bush, who trounced him in the South Carolina primary in 2000. Denied McCain the presidency. Revenge is in order.
Just look at how McCain has behaved ever since.
I don't want to be harsh, but Indian reservations and "public housing" are the new ghettos and concentration camps...
I don't think this is the way to go. For one thing Indian Reservations are one of the more free parts of our increasingly authoritarian country. Why destroy the freedom outposts? Not only do they have gambling, but in Washington State the only public spaces (like a bar for instance) that you can smoke in are on tribal lands. Tax free tabacco is another plus.
As the Democrats complete their takeover of many states via methods like those used here in Washington (naked vote fraud, forced unionization of all state workers to fund Dem candidates, etc.) these little outposts of freedom will become a quality of life issue for many of us. In fact I think MORE not LESS Indian reservations might be in order.
The history behind this is also pretty complicated. It has to do with laws made back in the 1800's to prevent con-men and hucksters from stealing land from non-English-speaking Indians. Of course, that happened anyway, and the law quickly became a burden as we moved into our modern economic system.
For example, there are tribes in prime position to build things like golf courses or boat marinas. But because of the land status, they can't attract outside investment. And because of IRS regulations, they can't simply float bonds, either. Perversely, this pushes tribes away from investments like these, and toward investments like casinos, where it is easier to find speculators and investors.
Tribes and members of Congress alike (McCain among them) are considering ways to abolish the old trust system. I would also eliminate some of the IRS regulations, which are simply baffling in this day and age.
But my favorite parts (as far as actually wanting to live there) are between Mescalareo and Cloudcroft. When I was a kid, I spent summers at Camp Geronimo, riding horses and hiking all over.... Didn't realize how lucky I was; they don't let non-indians wander around like that anymore.
Used to play in these barns back then:
If I could re-do the inside of these barns into a small house and a workshop, while pretty much preserving the look of the outside, I'd happily spend the rest of my days living on this pasture.
I'd post more photos, but I don't have them on this particular computer. There are quite a few at my CafePress shop though.
Do the Feds let them decide what you can smoke in public places?
I haven't looked at this in a long time, but I think the litigation you are referring to involves BIA accounting for oil and gas royalties. This problem has been kicking around for a long time and no one ever seems to be able to get to the bottom of it. One of BIA's excuses has been that many relevant reords were destroyed when protesters sacked their offices in the 1960s. Otherwise, I do not recall that the trust relationship that exists between the US and the Indian tribes is in issue.
You do really nice work. The pics are wonderful - they're making me wistful and eager to get back there. You're very blessed to live in such a beautiful place!
Thank you.
Getting too crowded though. Our full time population increased by ~15% in the last year. And the whole place may burn down this summer if we don't get a LOT of snow in the next few weeks. (or a really rainy spring).
Last year was a 35 year record for snow and about a 20 year record for rain. This winter just the opposite. Even the ski area has gotten only a few inches of snow. Cold enough, but no moisture. :-(
It is in federal court, and every once and in a while I see the judge cite Gayle Norton for contempt. I am sure she has no contempt and that it is getting attention. Congress tried to fix it but ran into bureaucratic sone walls.
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.