A Tribe Takes Grim Satisfaction in Abramoff's Fall

[kpete]

A Tribe Takes Grim Satisfaction in Abramoff's Fall
Desire to Protect Casino Revenue Made Coushattas Receptive to Lobbyist's Pitch on Access

By Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, January 7, 2006; Page A01

ELTON, La. -- The dizzying downfall of lobbyist Jack Abramoff means more than just another Washington political scandal in this rural outpost of tin-roofed homes and fraying trailers.

It is a measure of vengeance.


Special Report


Led on by what they say were his false promises of political access, leaders of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, which is based here, paid Abramoff and his partners about $32 million for lobbying and other services -- more than $38,000 for each of their 837 tribal members. By their accounting, they got very little in return.

It was thievery, tribal members said, that echoes the historic losses of Native Americans to European settlers.

"Abramoff and his partner are the contemporary faces of the exploitation of native peoples," said David Sickey, a member of the tribal council. "In the 17th and 18th century, native people were exploited for their land. In 2005, they're being exploited for their wealth."

The money the Coushatta Tribe and other tribes with casino interests paid to Abramoff helped him spread favors and gain access in the nation's capital -- the subject of speculation about a widening political dragnet. But even more rankling to many Coushattas is the knowledge that Abramoff had, in released e-mails, referred to some of his Native American clients as "monkeys," "troglodytes" and "morons."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/06/AR2006010601796.html

[salin]

1. Frankly, with an exception, I do not have much sympathy

the tribe that was yanked around in Texas - behind the scenes Abramoff Co got their casino shut down - and then charged tons of $$$ to lobby to get it back open. That group has my sympathy.

However in this case, they were spreading money around to try to buy influence - to prevent other tribes from being able to do the same thing that they themselves were doing ... not too much sympathy. Were I them, I would be outraged - esp at learning how some of the money was spent - I don't doubt the legitimacy of the outrage - I just don't have that much sympathy for any entity that tries to corrupt the system.

[Hugin]

2. Y'all thought I was only kidding....

`"Abramoff had, in released e-mails, referred to some of his Native American clients as "monkeys," "troglodytes" and "morons."`

Only Mr. Prag is allowed to call Mr. Prag a Moronic, Troglodytelike, Monkey.