
Gov. Haley Barbour (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (AP) — Gov. Haley Barbour says the entire Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians should get to vote on a proposed casino in Jones County.
His comments came during a speech at the Neshoba County Fair. The proposed casino was approved by a split vote of the tribal council.
None of the politicians who spoke at the fair Thursday announced their plans for 2011.
Some observers were hoping for announcements, or at least strong hints about next year, from state Treasurer Tate Reeves and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, who are Republicans.
There is no argument that Native Americans have been mistreated, in my opinion more than other minorities.
However, it can not be documented on paper or in implementation that casino's improve anyone's Quality of Life...with the exception of the individuals at the top. Create jobs..yes. Destroy others lives..yes. Improve Quality of anything..NO.
From the abstract of a paper written by Larry D. Strate, J.D. and and Ann M. Mayo Ph.D, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on the topic of "Federal Control of Indian Lands v. State Control of Gaming" :
"In September, 1988, the 100th Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, concluding five years of debate over the Indian Gaming issue — brought to a head by a Supreme Court decision in February, 1987, that barred states from regulating Indian Gaming. That case (State of California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians) forced the legislature to take a serious look at issues of gaming on Indian lands. The result was the creation of a three-tiered system whereby tribes will control ceremonial games, the federal government will control bingo, and the states and tribes will negotiate agreements to cover casino games, parimutuel racing, and jai alai, if such games are legal in that particular state."
So, it seems that there may be an opportunity for states to "negotiate" with the tribes.
I hope that they refuse to "negotiate" with the state and go ahead and do what they want with their lands. They've been mistreated for long enough and should be able to build casinos on their land if they want to improve their quality of life.
As for Barbour getting booed is concerned, there must have been some smart people in the crowd at the Neshoba County Fair! :)