[Demidog]

and the 5,000-square mile reservation, second-largest in the nation, still has no banks, motels or movie theaters.

I've never met another Indian yet who was pining away for a bank, motel or movie theatre. In attempting to poke at Mr. Daschle, this author has proven that most people are still of the belief that the "savages" need to be civilized. If I said what I was feeling right now, I'd be banned.

[Sabertooth]

I've never met another Indian yet who was pining away for a bank, motel or movie theatre.

So, they only want casinos? What's your point?

Are you saying they're happy with a life expectancy of 50?

[SAJ]

Some civilisations triumph, some societies triumph.

Some don't. Yours didn't. No one says its 'fair' or 'right' or 'just'...it's merely a fact. WHEN you accept a fact, and deal with it, you win.

Or, you can whine and remain a loser (speaking societally, not personally).

[sneakypete]

I've never met another Indian yet who was pining away for a bank, motel or movie theatre.

While I am willing to bet many of them would really appreciate a movie to go to within 50 miles of where they live,I'd be willing to bet even more of them would like to have places to work and earn a living for their families. About the only way to bring commerce to the reservations is to bring tourism,and tourists won't come unless there are places to provide for their needs.

[alloysteel]

A couple of realities about the Sioux, or the Dakota, as they call themselves. Culturally, they have been totally dependent on handouts since about the time the buffalo were nearly wiped out in the late 1800's, and with the loss of buffalo, they lost their identity. And people without a focus in their lives, tend to turn to alcohol and drugs. So there have been a few Tribes that have been extraordinarily successful in establishing gambling and casinos, with a huge turnover of cash. But successful casinos are not evenly distributed among all Indian Tribes. And the presence of a casino is not an unquestionable good. In fact, another layer of problems is added, with the attraction of easy cash, and a further inducement for addictive personalities to indulge in fantasies. There is also the sullen resentment that boils just below the surface, of the "white man ways", and a general willingness to adopt lifestyles that submerge and further erode the few sources of unique ethnic distinctions. Life on the prairie is a lonesome and tedious thing at best, made worse by apparently institutional poverty. Just giving them money only provides them with the means to buy better quality of alcoholic beverages. Yet, they would not relocate from where they are, because of a belief in spirituality that is tied to the land. And because of this same belief, they resist bringing in the improvements and developments that would make an economically viable community. Thus, the cycle repeats and repeats. One could almost believe that they know very well that the Democrats will never change the status quo very much, and they fear that Republicans will get busy and eventually erase every vestige of whatever culture they still retain, while dragging them, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century. Serious problem when you have adults who get into charge.