Don't assume that our congressmen know what we've been through. This process needs to change. We need to get the TRUTH into the public record. These letters will be read!
We need to tell them all about the blatant reservation shopping that went on in Middleboro. If you can't find enough to fill 2 or more paragraphs on this blog and others, then you just aren't trying!
Let them know that Carcieri should stand!
Get those letters written or make a phone call. This is important. This committee is already aware of the concept of reservation shopping. But they need to hear from the people who've lived through it. They need to hear our real-life stories.
Last year we had five minutes to tell our side of the story at a BIA hearing. Now we can take all the time we want. People from Rhode Island and other States are writing letters - so join your words with those of other people across this country to STOP RESERVATION SHOPPING!
This doesn't have to be a long letter - just a heart-felt one. A truthful one.
Send a copy of your letter to:
1.) Your Representative in Congress
2.) Senator Kennedy
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-4543
Fax (202) 224-2417
3.) Senator Kerry
218 Russell Bldg.
Second Floor
Washington D.C. 20510
Phone (202) 224-2742
Fax - (202) 224-8525
4.) Sen. Byron Dorgan
Chairman, Senate Committee for Indian Affairs
Chairman, Senate Committee for Indian Affairs
Fax (202) 224-1193
5.) Sen. John Barrasso,
Vice Chairman, Senate Committee for Indian Affairs
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
e-mail
Main: 202-224-6441
Fax: 202-224-1724
Tollfree: 866-235-9553
6.) Senate Committee for Indian Affairs:
838 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
comments@indian.senate.gov
Phone (202) 224-2251
Vice Chairman, Senate Committee for Indian Affairs
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main: 202-224-6441
Fax: 202-224-1724
Tollfree: 866-235-9553
6.) Senate Committee for Indian Affairs:
838 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
comments@indian.senate.gov
Phone (202) 224-2251
Still looking for a quick recap to jog your memory? Here's a few excerpts from my blog.
Keeping it Real
"A year and a half ago, the Middleboro Board of Selectmen, after gaveling public opposition, forgoing an accurate assessment of economic impacts, declining to research it's potential 'partner', refusing to personally review Federal regulations, fast-tracking negotiations, rushing a town meeting, listening only to lawyers, one of whom was a non-impartial advocate for the gaming industry, and labeling dissentors as 'braying donkeys' and 'idiots', proudly signed an Intergovernmental Agreement for a Sovereign Nation Mega Casino with Glenn Marshall, convicted rapist and pathological liar, and the Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe, which had cooked the books, lied to Congress and purchased it's recognition with payoffs to various elected officials, with help from nefarious investors and convicted lobbyists, and shunned anyone who got it's way."
Postcards from the Sovereign State of Denial
"The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was not recognized in 1934. It was only recognized in 2007, after thirty years of trying, and thanks to an influx of funds from a Detroit casino developer with assistance from the most notorious lobbyist in the country. Your then-chairman lied to Congress and later turned out to be a convicted rapist and pathological liar, and was recently indicted for crimes related to gaining your Tribe's Federal recognition and criminal self-enrichment. Furthermore, roughly two seconds after your Tribe gained it's hard-bought recognition, it proceeded to plant it's flag in a Middleboro swamp identified by a 2002 Harvard study as the most lucrative location for a tribal casino in Massachusetts, then pump the local populace for a quick agreement before all the impacts could be assessed. The Governor himself does not want a Middleboro casino. Your Tribe's Intergovernmental Agreement with the town of Middleboro was obtained by questionable means, by questionable people, not to mention the fact that your Tribe has no historical or modern ties to the land and is located beyond the 25 mile radius from Middleboro required by new Federal regulations. And, lest we forget, a Federal investigation is still on-going."
The Big Concern - Part 2
"But wait - is that the same Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island which has about 2,137 Members and receives approximately $5.5 million tax-free federal dollars per year, and which is not required to pay taxes on any income they make on the Tribe's 1,800 acres?
Then I'd say it's a good thing that Chief Thomas ALSO doesn't have to be "concerned" about a Sovereign Nation, consisting of a modern-day Tribe he only knows from their frequent criminal escapades documented in the media isn't opening up a gambling casino next door from where he's trying to raise his kids, and which would also bring environmental devastation, increased crime, traffic, and social problems, and be funded by foreign billionaire investors with the money to influence his elected officials, while being informed that he had absolutely nothing to say about it, that it was a done deal, and that this inevitable scenario was going to play out all over this country thanks to official Federal law.
Because, I bet that would really burn his biscuits!"
Just the Tip of the TeePee
"OK, let's see if we can keep count here. A guy from Detroit, with some help from a currently incarcerated lobbyist from D.C., aided by a selectman from New York, upon the advice of a lawyer from the Skokie, for the ultimate benefit of a couple of investors from South Africa, under the guise of helping secure a sound financial future for a middle class tribe from Cape Cod, manipulated by a State election specialist from Dorchester wants to bring class III gambling to the Bay State, in the form of the world's largest Indian casino in Middleboro, Massachusetts."
Here's a post that covers a lot of ground:
They Say that When God Closes a Door He Opens a Window
And just a few of Carl's gems:
For the Record
Who are the Mashpee?
Why are there Indian Casinos?
And a couple from Fiferstone I'm particularly fond of:
Beginnings
The Loophole Narrows
And let's face it, pretty much anything on Carverchick's blog - just do a search on Wampanoag or Mashpee.
C'mon kids, we've written a lot of letters, what's one more???? But don't wait on this! The mail moves slowly in DC! And we don't know when the hearing will be rescheduled. For everyone who's ever been subjected to the whims of the IRG or IGRA, and for everyone who may be in the future, it's our responsibility to come together and speak the truth. Once, and for all.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." -- John Donne
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2 comments:
The reminder was needed. I almost forgot! As usual, you've provided a great deal of information for background. Thanks so much.
Yes, thanks for the reminder and thanks for the help.
Will get right to it.
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