Tribes bristle at Schwarzenegger's campaign rhetoric

[kskiska]

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has insulted American Indian tribes, including some of the few he has befriended, with his recent campaign rhetoric against a tribal-backed gambling measure on the November ballot.

Anthony Pico, chairman of San Diego County's Viejas band and one of the state's most influential tribal leaders, said he was "deeply hurt" by the governor's pointed jab at a recent San Diego event, where he said "the Indians are ripping us off."

The state's dominant tribal gaming lobby demanded an apology, noting that gambling tribes share their wealth with less fortunate tribes, the state, local governments and countless charities.

"California tribes are keenly aware of the injustice of being ripped off and it is not something that we would wish on any people, state or nation," the California Nations Indian Gaming Association said in a statement.

The organization, which represents more than 60 tribes, asked the governor to apologize and "cease making inflammatory remarks that do nothing but deepen the lines of division between Indian people and his administration."

more…
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041019-1802-cnsindians.html

[skylarmae]

1. yeah, I tried to tell 'em, but noooo, they wouldn't listen. They elected

the !@#$ and now listen to them squeal. The entire country needs to boycott this guy. The last thing we need now is another b-grade actor in the white house, which is his ultimate goal.

[aden_nak]

2. Wait. . . so the Indians are ripping the White Man off?

Does, um. . . how. . .

I know Arnie isn't from around here. . . did he at least take a crash course in American History before being elected to office?

[DuctapeFatwa]

3. Maybe he should consider deporting them

[Bandit]

7. That would learn them

If they won't act "American" then deport their ass right back to where they came from. :crazy:

[phantom power]

4. The native americans could "rip us off" for a long, long time and

still not be even. What's the going rate these days for, say, the entire continental US?

I get a kick out of people who think tribal casinos are an outrage. If you don't want to support them, don't go. If you just have to get your gambling fix, then support non-tribal casinos. Lobby to make them legal, if your state doesn't allow them.

[aquart]

5. Arnie really missed the irony of his statement.

Personally, I love the loophole that gave them the chance to make the rip off go the other way for a change. I wouldn't give the land back, but a little justice is a nice thing.

[phantom power]

6. Yeah, especially considering how voluntary it is. These people

call it a "rip-off", as if somebody is holding them up at gunpoint, or committing some kind of fraud.

What we have here, is the free market in action! They provide a service, and people pay money to avail themselves of that service. No fraud, no robbery. Which is more than we can say for other, supposedly "legit" businesses

*cough*Enron*cough*.
*cough*Halliburton*cough*.
*cough*Diebold*cough*.

[Sequoia]

8. He has ads running for two

propositions dealing with gaming and he says "Let me deal with them" like we're too stupid to decide for ourselves. He can take a goose stepping hike because I will do just the opposite. He probably views the Native Americans like Hilter...well, you know.