Court Nixes Appeal by American Indians

AP via SFGate ^ | 3/26/7

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Monday rejected appeals by American Indians to step into a decade-old lawsuit accusing the government of mismanaging more than $100 billion in oil, gas, timber and other royalties from their lands.

The justices declined to disturb an appeals court ruling that removed U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth from the case. The appeals court said Lamberth, who held successive Democratic and Republican Interior Department secretaries in contempt of court, had lost his objectivity in the case.

[rhombus]

Hey when did they become American Indians again and not Native Americans?

[jrestrepo]

I noticed that too...they should be drawn and quartered by their own PC ropes!

[AU72]

the government of mismanaging more than $100 billion in oil, gas, timber and other royalties from their lands

The gubmit mismanaging? But their intentions were good.

[Rodney King]

The tribes should either be totally disbanded, or they should lose their American citizenship, and let them have their own countries on their reservations. Of course, they will be on their own, and will need passports to enter our country. This has gone on long enough. The tribes just exist now to leech off of the federal government. For the most part, it doesn't even do them any long run good, just like welfare doesn't help the poor in the long run.

And yes, I know how badly we mistreated them, etc. etc. But, just as I don't think we should pay slavery reparations to Blacks, I don't think we should give the Indians any special considerations... we are many generations removed from it all.

Now, as for this specific case, it would appear that the FedGov has screwed over the Indians. Then again, what did they expect? You'd think after being killed and forcibly removed from your lands, you wouldn't trust the same people to look after your money.

[Beth528]

Remember these are not blacks who can sue for someone sneezing on them...or for their ancestors being slaves..

[bert]

.....Hey when did they become American Indians again and not Native Americans?.....

Have you stayed in a motel or hotel recently?

They are designated American Indians to differentiate them from the Motel Indians.

[Always Right]

The federal government mismanages almost $3 Trillion a year. Where do we join the lawsuit?

[P-40]

But have they ever been given the opportunity to manage these funds on their own? It is kind of like the social security fund situation. Yes, I know it is mismanaged to an incredible extent...but try doing something about it.

[mugs99]

they should lose their American citizenship, and let them have their own countries on their reservations

Sure...if you're willing to do without their oil, natural gas, timber and minerals.
.

[Rodney King]

Sure...if you're willing to do without their oil, natural gas, timber and minerals.

Huh? How would that be? Would the indians just stockpile it on their reservations? It would be sold at market price, just like it is today.

[Rodney King]

It is kind of like the social security fund situation. Yes, I know it is mismanaged

It's not that its mismanaged. It's that it doesn't exist. It is just an accounting gimmick.

[SoCal Pubbie]

We wouldn't have to do without them. The tribes could sell their resources the same way Finland sells Baltic Birch and Iraq sells oil.

[auto power]

....just give them yet another casino at the people's expense....

[xenophiles]

[I]t would appear that the FedGov has screwed over the Indians. Then again, what did they expect? You'd think after being killed and forcibly removed from your lands, you wouldn't trust the same people to look after your money.

Did they have a choice? The "what did they expect" argument doesn't work if they didn't.

[mugs99]

Huh? How would that be? Would the indians just stockpile it on their reservations?

Lets see, you want to take their citizenship and lock them up on the res...and you think they'll keep selling you cheap oil, natural gas and minerals?
.

[Rodney King]

Lets see, you want to take their citizenship and lock them up on the res...and you think they'll keep selling you cheap oil, natural gas and minerals?

Yes. Basic economics. They need to eat. They sell us at market price now, they will sell us at market price later. What else are they going to do with it?

[mugs99]

....just give them yet another casino at the people's expense....

1. Not all tribes have or want a casino.
2. The "people" do not support Indians. All monies paid to tribes comes from the federal trust fund that manages Indian oil, natural gas and mineral leases.
.

[Porterville]

Since Canadian and Mexican Indians wanted a bit of their doe.