You're welcomed. Yeah, I liked Kramer too.
That's right, Jerry. The guy said I was the one that "made Seinfeld 'work' " .....
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.
Go get em, sis. Next time don't forget the dang amphitheatre near Enumclaw.
You're welcomed. Yeah, I liked Kramer too.
That's right, Jerry. The guy said I was the one that "made Seinfeld 'work' " .....
Well, I can't agree with the whole selling of illegal drugs idea. Hell, I don't even personally agree with gambling (or playing cards, or drinking, or making love standing up - someone might see me and think I'm dancing)...
I agree that some of the tribes are taking advantage in trying to keep their monopoly. No argument there. But then, I'd have to say that's true of any business that has a good lock on a market. It's human nature.
For some reason, though, it really drives people nuts when it's indians doing it... Not sure what the solution is, but I will say that I am glad to see more and more tribes become self-sufficient and thereby making it less necessary for the BIA and IHS etc... to spend taxpayer's money. There's nothing worse than federally-run education and health care systems - something the tribes have had to suffer with for decades... ;0)
It's not just your constitutional rights that go out the window when you go on a reservation - everyone's constitutional rights do, even for the Indians... It got so bad, that congress had to enact an Indian Bill of Rights that applies on reservation land.
That makes too much sense. It's easier for people to have scapegoats, rather than admit they let their government get out of control because of who they voted into office, and on what platforms etc...
I do truly hope the American Indians make the best of the casino income and build structure that will serve them long term. I doubt they'll have a corner on gambling for very long.
Whenever I travel around the country, I make it a point to visit any nearby reservations, and spend some time talking to teh residents. From what I've seen thus far, many of the tribes with casinos have been really busy with infrastructure (power, water, sewer, health clinics, schools etc...) and taking over duties that federal agencies (such as the Indian Health Service) have been performing... Many also use it to invest in other businesses to be brought to the reservations. Some lease land to bsinesses such as car dealers etc... which provides further non-gambling revenue etc...
On many, they will hire non-indians into jobs for which they have no available tribal members qualified. Any job creation is a good thing :0)
As long as the tribes make good decisions with the bulk of the money they have, and use it wisely, we will see the standards of living improve on the reservations, and it will stay that way even if and when their monopoly on vegas-style gaming is gone.
Have you really not heard about it? There was a big fight to try to stop it from going in, but it went anyway.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
