WHY SHOULD A TRIBE BE ABLE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHERE TO HAVE A CASINO

Implications: Is any person or persons able to put up a casino any place they like? This must be the exclusive right of Native American Tribes. How will this affect community relations? Where do the tribes go from here - do they actually have any restrictions? Must they be appeased every time they want something?

Analysis: My thought on the Native American fight for the right to have casinos was based on the land that was being occupied by the tribe. Not on any piece of property they thought was a good possibility for a casino project. Mind you, I don't really have any ax to grind, however, if the same luxury was afforded to any citizen or company I would have no beef at all. We seem to still be fighting Custer's Last Stand and loosing another battle. I am very much in favor of the Native Americans having casino based operations. They should be located on existing property that the tribe now inhabits. I am not in favor of them being able to operate off their reservations. They always have stressed the importance of their right to a separate nation within the U.S. - OK - that was considering that they were on reservation grounds. I don't recall anything being said that they are free to go where they want and still claim that right.

When the Government steps in and gives land away, how come the average citizen is cut out of this process. A little far fetched, but you get the thought. The bottom line is, the tribes want their own people to be employed by the casino. There is generally a lack of commitment to the local communities that serve these properties.

Having said all of that, I am only concerned about the way this was handled. It does not seem that the communities concerns were considered. The main thought was to justify giving up land that was set aside for housing to be made into a casino. I have lots of respect for what the Native Americans have accomplished over the years and generally endorse all their endeavors. Their entry into the casino business has helped the reputation of our industry a great deal.
It's just my thought that we should all have similar rights to do business. Certainly enough said on this subject.........