Buffalo Indians Bite the Dust

The Buffalo News ^ | July 9, 2008 | Michael Beebe NEWS STAFF REPORTER

[Larry R. Johnson]

A federal judge today ruled against the Seneca Nation's Buffalo Creek Casino, saying that casino gambling cannot legally take place on the nine-acre site on Michigan Avenue.

U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny, in a 127-page decision, vacated the earlier decision by the commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission to allow gambling.

It was not immediately clear whether Skretny's ruling will halt construction on the $333 million permanent casino, but it is clear that the temporary casino no longer has the legal right to operate.

Skretny ruled that the parcel is indeed Indian country.

"However, the court finds that the (National Indian Gaming Commission's) July 2, 2007, determination that the Buffalo parcel is gaming-eligible ... is arbitrary, capricious and not in accordance with the law."

[Behind Liberal Lines]

My question remains . . . what business does a white judge have making rules in the Indian nation

Indian tribes are governed by federal law. This was a federal judge.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Are you paraphrasing Scalia, “I love the law, there is nothing I would rather do but it doesn't produce anything.”

[Petronski]

Did they want a casino in Buffalo, or did they want a reservation in Buffalo on which to build a tax-free casino?

[Ratblaster]

Casinos are for suckers. Indian casinos are for those people that are too stupid to be suckers. They make up their own rules, and they change them whenever they want. There have been instances of jackpot “winners” being denied their winnings. The only recourse is to appeal to the tribal commission.
In California, the tribal casinos are self regulated. They make billions a year, and, mostly, they pay no taxes. They run TV ads about how wonderful the the tribes and their gambling are.
They spread more money around the state Capitol than anybody. The tribes alone determine who's a member, and, some tribes have mass expulsions, with no appeals, of any members that the leaders think might challenge their authority. Some tribal members get more than $40,000 per month, tax free, without lifting a finger. That kind of money corrupts the soul. If I want to gamble, I'd rather play in a mob joint. The Mafia runs a much cleaner game.

[SouthDixie]

Typical, takes 127 pages to say, NO.

[indcons]

“Gambling is NOT a good thing because there is no product.”

How do you say that? There is a product - not a physical one - but an emotional one (happiness and satisfaction) that many would gladly pay money for. Using your logic, movie theaters, sports stadia, and convention centers are all bad things.

[Larry R. Johnson]

Indians call themselves Indians, “politically correct” non-Indians call them Native-Americans, which is silly. I am a native American (note lowercase “n” and no hyphen).

[PLMerite]

“This was land they purchased, not part of a reservation.”

You mean there’s not a “Michigan Avenue Band” of the Seneca Nation ?

[Sacajaweau]

All those other things exist within communities. There’s a difference.

[Wilum]

The Oneidas took their Bingo enterprise in Verona, NY (outside of Utica Rome Area) and turned it into The Turning Stone Casino with stage talent appearances we never had the opportunity to see in Central NY and a payroll (good wages) and growing. Hotels, two lounges a Pro gulf course and more. In lieu of property taxes, the Oneidas contract for fire protection and generously give to local school districts and other local concerns.

The payback? Constant court fighting and threats to shut down by the state. Oh did I mention cigarettes and gas without state sales tax?

[Phantom Lord]

I left Buffalo in May 1996 and have not been back once.

Seems there are two employers in Buffalo. Government and bars.

[hedgetrimmer]

You must be getting paid to say things like this.

The Indians and their casinos create poverty and destroy local economies. There are a multitude of examples, if you care to look.

In addition to that, they increase vice related crime in every location.

[Phantom Lord]

The Indians and their casinos create poverty and destroy local economies. There are a multitude of examples, if you care to look.

But corporate casinos don't? And if they do, shouldn't Las Vegas, with teh povery and economic destruction that casinos cause be similar to a town in Haiti?

[hedgetrimmer]

But corporate casinos don't?

Indian casinos ARE corporate casinos. And the difference between them and las Vegas is that they exist unconstitutionally as sovereign states within states, so when you walk onto on, you are effectively in a foreign nation.

No American should support further harm to the US constitution by allowing more 'sovereign territory' to be created within the borders of this country. Especially for the purpose of vice and the siphoning of money away from the local economy.

[Phantom Lord]

Sovereign indian territory is unconstitutional? Where do you come up with such nonsense?

My personal opinion on Indian reservations is they either should become 100% sovereign nations, with their residents being citizens of those nations and not Americans. And they should operate as actual sovereign nations with all that intails. Visas, border check points, customs, etc...

And if they are unwilling to do that, reservations and all aspects of indian nations and indians privileges should be eliminated in total.

[hedgetrimmer]

Where do you come up with such nonsense?

The United States Constitution

[indcons]

“And if they are unwilling to do that, reservations and all aspects of indian nations and indians privileges should be eliminated in total. “

The Feds signed treaties with the Indians and broke most of them. Governments aren’t supposed to break treaties that have been signed in good faith and most of these treaties were via unilateral action.

If anything, Indian nations should be given greater autonomy in running their affairs.

[indcons]

“All those other things exist within communities. There’s a difference.”

No, they don’t. Show me proof that EVERY community has one of these facilities and further ones that have all three. If you can’t (and you won’t be able to obviously), then your argument is specious.

You might have a good reason to argue against casinos - this is not one of them.

[Phantom Lord]

The United States Constitution

The Constitution mentions Indians 3 times.

[Phantom Lord]

If anything, Indian nations should be given greater autonomy in running their affairs.

Which is exactly what my post prior to the part you cut and pasted said. Why did you leave out or ignore that part?