Posted on 06/13/2004 4:27:40 AM PDT by oceanperch
Indians trying to save their reputation 10:42 PM PDT on Friday, June 11, 2004 By PAT McREYNOLDS / KING 5 News
TACOMA, Wash.
Native Americans are fighting back after federal agents raided 12 tribal smokeshops earlier this week. Shop owners didn't like their businesses being mentioned in the same sentence as Al-Qaeda.
Just as motorists cross into Tacoma on I-5, a new sign blinks in to view that says: "We are not terrorists. We are American Indians. We have been fighting terrorism since 1492." KING
"We are not terrorists. We are American Indians. We have been fighting terrorism since 1492." Patrons of the Emerald Queen Casino couldn't help but comment as they walked by. "I couldn't believe they put something like that up there," said one. "To me, it looks like an over-reaction," said another.
The owner of Lyle's Smokeshop authored the sign in response to a massive raid by customs agents earlier this week when they seized cash and thousands of cigarettes from 12 stores on the same day that the government announced a crackdown on cigarette smuggling and its ties to terrorism.
Those claims touched off a demonstration by smokeshop employees. David Turnipseed owns BJ's, another shop raided by federal agents.
"I think most people know that we're not terrorists. I think everybody knows that's a crock, that's just an excuse to get in the door," he said.
He even claims to have documents proving the cigarettes seized had already passed through customs. "It was bogus. It's a way in the backdoor to try and break the Native Americans," he continued.
Customs officials still have no comment on the raids, and even though many were put off by the message on the reader board, none of them felt their neighbors are funneling money to Al-Qaeda.
The sign is not owned by the casino and has nothing to do with it, and the message has done very little if anything to slow down Friday night business.
The raids took place on Tuesday and so far, customs agents have not charged any of the shops with a crime.
Unfair is unfair.
Your words. Was it fair to to confiscate their lands,destroy their culture and at one time the US Government paid bounties for murdering Indians. What does the Bible say about that? Also the sovereignty of Indian lands was agreed by Congress and treaty, so now you wish to dissolve that? There are many more divisive projects going on in the US now that are far more serious and costly. But the Indians make a pretty good target to some.
I know about some of the issues you raise against the Indians, but as you say, it's the government that's the real problem here. Also, no one is ever going to say "How" in Washington. There are too few of them. We'll be saying "Si" long before that.
It was unfair that Eve got tempted with the devil, how far back would you like to go?
Indians have land now in the form of reservations. But certainly you can see that that doesn't mean they should also now ignore every law that you and I obey. If we go with your line of thought, then in another 200 years families of American businessmen and women will be able to claim destruction and confiscation of THEIR property and also want "reparations." THEY will need special prividges for the "wrongs" done to them by unfair Indian preferences. Wrong is wrong.
Sometimes you have to wipe the slate clean and move on for the good of all. again, a new unfairness doesn't make things better. This is two hundred + years later, Bob. Let's move on from the hurt of hundreds of years ago. Or would you also agree to pay "repartions" to blacks in America as well?
The next step is to state that smoking cigarettes helps Al-Queda.
Just another part of the war on smoking, not terrorism.
This was NOT legitimate business. The Indians are being charged with smuggling in cigarettes from overseas. etc. Please explain to me why that should be preotected as "legitimate" business? And how is it "legitimate" for some businesses to be allowed a slot machine, but down the road two hundred yards thee same type of business is not allowed to own one?
If the tax law is the law of the state, ALL state businesses should pay it. Not the "black ones" or the "white ones" or the senior ones" or the Indian ones."
Maybe each other?
Reparations to blacks is not the law. Sovereignty of Indian lands is the law. Promises and laws were repeatedly reneged on to the Indians to the point that they were awarded this right by Congress. I can not predict what will happen 200 years from now, but I bet this country (if still inhabitable) will be unrecognizable to you and me. This is not about unfair, its about the law.
Why can't I have a casino ?
ROFL.
This is nothing more than a power grab by the state government because they're not getting their cut of this lucrative business. Don't you think they have enough already?
NO. In Washington it is about transferring certain industries to tribes, who just happen to fund democrat politicians BIG TIME. Same as what is happening in CA.
Check the statutes in your state. If not illegal, start spreading money around like a drunken sailor to politicians and your wish may come true.
NO. In Washington it is about transferring certain industries to tribes, who just happen to fund democrat politicians BIG TIME. Same as what is happening in CA.
Bribery takes place every day. But we call it lobbying. Funding politicians to take your viewpoint is a time-honored tradition. Of course politicians being the snakes they are can take your money and not comply. Chance you take.
The raids took place on Tuesday and so far, customs agents have not charged any of the shops with a crime.
But I bet the evidence is still seized
I have to say, after reading your posts I feel you are more about emotion and a feeling of "historical wrongs by American whites" than you are about factual knowlege of the subject. You do not reside in this state and seem determined not to understand. Hopefully at some point in time you'll be able to let go of the "feelings" and learn about the real situation.
Why is it that you always take the side of the government against the tribes, Libertina?
These "special rights" that you decry are granted through treaty, not bribery. Many state and local authorities have no jurisdiction on tribal land, so any bribery would be going to the Feds, not the locals.
Maybe they weren't after the smokes at all. Maybe - just maybe - they were actually after pseudoephedrine.
Hey I have an idea. How about giving everyone no sales taxes instead of having the Indians pay them too? I used to think that they should pay taxes, but I've changed my mind. Anyone not putting money in the pockets of the government is a friend of mine.
This view didn't sit too well with the state and local governments that wanted their lands. Hence we have part of the dilemma which we are in today. I suspect that the Indians in the west were treated differently.
You'll need to settle for the older stuff, less technology, ALL the regulations, and pay the taxes. Indian casinos "police" themselves in drinking, "safety" regulations ect.
The Pierce County Health Deartment recently went over the head of the STATE and banned ALL SMOKING - EXCEPT on Indian land. Because of this, DOZENS of bars, restaurants and casinos of the "non-Indians" closed down! All their employees lost their jobs. Non-Indian casinos - owned by people who had invested half a million dollars, and mortgaged their homes closed down.
While their competion was being driven under by our "elected officials" the Indians actually advertised ON BILLBOARDS that THEY could have smokers when the rest of the "regular" casinos couldn't.
It was a "bloodbath" for small businesses here. Washington state is one of the of the top three in unemployment. We have had a RAT governor for 40 years. Businesses are moving out or not coming in. We have only 4 insurance companies. The democrats have been in control almost forever and our state is dying. Our attorney general actually joined in the suit against Microsft OUR premiere Washington company. Boeing - BORN in Washington, was driven out to Chicago, and the left is now working with the tribes. The good news is that we have a good chance of geting a strong R governor and AG in this upcoming election. If not, the state will die off.
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