Free Republic

SACRAMENTO (AP) - The split between the haves and the have-nots among California tribes widened Wednesday, when disenfranchised Indians formed a new organization and asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to halt casino negotiations until tribes create courts to resolve membership disputes. Several hundred Indians gathered on the Capitol steps to begin collecting signatures for an appeal to Schwarzenegger, and for a petition asking Congress to hold a hearing on current law that gives tribal councils nearly unfettered freedom to decide who belongs to a tribe. "As soon as they get casinos, they start looking to kick people out," said Eddie Vedolla...

<p>The New York Times Magazine had a lively cover story in its Sept. 28 issue about the recall election, and it started with an equally lively anecdote about how Gov. Gray Davis' next-door neighbor disliked Davis' un-neighborly behavior so much she gave $2,000 to the recall campaign.</p>

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. AUGUSTA — Pro-casino lobbyists took their cause to the editorial board of the Morning Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal on Wednesday, preparing the ground for the Nov. 4 referendum question that will decide whether Maine will have a casino. The group, Think About It, held an hour-long briefing for the board that was part of a campaign to drum up support for the casino. Think About It has approached about six editorial boards in the last six months, said the group's representative Erin Lehane, including the Brunswick Times-Record, the Lewiston Sun-Journal...

<p>It didn't take long for the gubernatorial hopefuls to make their pilgrimage to Indian Country, hats in hand and money bags open. Wealthy gambling tribes have eclipsed prison guards, insurance companies and utilities as the biggest campaign contributors to political campaigns in the state. As such, they command attention, respect and fear from those seeking office.</p>

<p>It didn't take long for the gubernatorial hopefuls to make their pilgrimage to Indian Country, hats in hand and money bags open.</p> <p>Wealthy gambling tribes have eclipsed prison guards, insurance companies and utilities as the biggest campaign contributors to political campaigns in the state. As such, they command attention, respect and fear from those seeking office.</p>