Cheat, Cheat...Never Beat!

I have one thing to say...the Republican National Committee and the Convention as a whole -- a bunch of liars and crooks. Ron Paul got six states today....enough to nominate him for President -- but oh! wait! A vote was taken on the floor today to change the rule from 5 states to 8 states...during the "voice vote" the NOs! clearly had it but the rule was changed anyway - WTF! WTF! WTF! Appparently Ron Paul is on the right track with restoring OUR freedom or this would never had happened.

I watched our republic burn to the ground today through the RNC - there is no voice of the voters- it is all an illusion -and I weep for our future...uneffing beliveable...okay - I get it - The neocons are afraid of Ron Paul...but the fucking (pardon my language) blatant cheating on the floor today LIVE ON CSPAN should make any self respecting republican NOT vote for Mitt Rommey. Worse part -- when delegates tried to call Roberts Rule of Order...their mics were shut off...yes...SHUT OFF and they were ignored. Bottom line....Romney and his neocon gang had to cheat and LIE to get the nomination....is this really who you want for President? Not me...Romney lied to this country on Ben Swan's reality check....

....and his neocon crooks stole our liberty today. Hell has frozen over in my world today because I HOPE that Obama wipes the floor with this POS....anyone but Romney! Seriously....what I watched transpire today angers me to the bottom of my soul....do NOT vote for Romney. Lies and corruption is what the RNC is supporting and I will have NOTHING to do with it and neither should anyone who loves our country....disgusted. 

Anyone who wants to know what a President of the United States of America should sound like needs to listen to this.....

I will always vote what I have promised, and always vote the Constitution, as well as I will not vote for one single penny that isn't paid for, because debt is the monster, debt is what's going to eat us up and that is why our economy is on the brink. - Ron Paul -

There is only one kind of freedom and that's individual liberty. Our lives come from our creator and our liberty comes from our creator. It has nothing to do with government granting it. - Ron Paul- 

- be the change you want to see in the world -

Just Call it the "Obsession with Iran Act"

If we were really interested in civil liberties why wouldn't we look to ourselves? Why wouldn't we look to the things we do here? What about our warrantless searches under the Patriot Act? What about the policy of assasination - assasinating American citizens - what about arrests by the military, The National Defense Authorization Act? What about the drone warfare we go on, do you think we protect civil liberties by arbitrarily dropping drones/bombs anyplace in the world with innocent people dying? If we really want to care about civil liberties in Syria, why dont we care about the secret prisons we have and the history of torture we have in this country? What about the fact that kill lists are being made by the Executive Branch of Government and we sit idlely by and approve of it by saying nothing and the American people put up with it and we march in this direction....marching into a determination to have another war....I strongly support a NO vote on this resolution....



- All Tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent - Thomas Jefferson

- have you heard the path of freedom is the road you rise to meet -  Jordan Page

- be the change you want to see in the world -

What the Hell is that Smell?

A few days ago I made a comment regarding the Mashpee Wampanoag's Land in Trust Application...or lack thereof.  The application reads like an amicus brief...arguing how the regulations are unfair...but the tribe will proceed as if said regulations actually mean anything.  Reading the application and trying to figure out what the hell this Tribe was trying accomplish was akin to solving a rubiks cube.  Luckily, we had the handbook, which was quite handy indeed -- but this post isn't about the content of the application. However, I will say  - very sneaky Cedric...but we know your game...it ain't gonna work and all the lobbying in the world won't change that.   My comment regarding the application was "we are so far down the rabbit hole with this thing that I keep expecting to hear the doorknob say Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.  Ahhh...sound advice doorknob - we read the directions in the handbook and they DID directly lead us in the right direction.....but I digresss.

What has me knowing we are so far down in the rabbit hole is the fact the our dishonorable Governor Deval Patrick has hired a law firm to lobby the Department of the Interior to grant land in trust to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.  Seriously???  I really want to know if Cedric's BFF Deval plans on paying for this himself or is it the taxpayers of the Commonwealth getting stuck with that bill?  Why is it exactly that we have to foot the bill for the Mashpee Wampanoag's lobbyists??  It seems to me that Cedric's other BFF's from Genting should be footing the bill -- especially since the land in trust deal will not benefit the Commonweatlth in any way...only the tribe.  Don't believe me?  Okay...here are a few things to mull over....

1.  The Tribe does not qualify for Land in Trust regardless of the lame argument laid out in their application.  So sorry to tell you Cedric -- the intent of the IRA was not to determine which tribes were under federal jurisdiction in 1934 so your argument that the tribe was under federal jurisdiction then because you were recognized in 2007 doesn't hold water.  The intent of the IRA was to return land to Tribes that were disinfranchised under the Alloment Act.  The Mashpee Wampanoag were never disinfranchised under the Allotment Act and therefore it cannot be successfully argued that the tribe was under federal jurisdiction in 1934 as claimed in the application.  No doubt it is an interesting arguement, but it is not the intent of the law. 

2.  Why is Deval Patrick suddenly backing this tribe?  He freely admits that he does not have to enter into a compact with the Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe but he did anyway.  He negotiated a compact with the Tribe behind closed doors and without input or a care in the world about the concerns of the host community and the surrounding communities.  Deval Patrick seems to have no issue at all with handing private land over to the Tribe, has no problem with super water right issues and for some reason thinks that land claims are still a valid means fo tribes to get land regardless of the City of Sherrill SCOTUS decision.  He just went ahead and promised land in Mashpee to the Tribe without even discussing it with the Town of Mashpee....and then hires a lobbying firm to support the Tribe, on our dime. 

What the hell is that smell?    Could it be the stench of a corrupt and bought out Governor? 

Gosh Governor Patrick....I am wondering, do you have sights for a Presidental run in 2016?  Is that it?  Has a little seed been planted in your head that promises to grow into a campaign money tree?  Is it the idea of endless amounts of money coming from trust land that doesn't need to be reported to the Federal Election Committee that turned you?  It is no secret that trust land does not fall under the Federal Election Campaigns Act.  In fact, this little factoid was quite the discussion at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs a few years ago....you know...how federally recognized tribes on trust land aren't  "people" under this act since "people" are taxable and federal tribes on trust land cannot be taxed so they don't fall under the definition.

Come on Governor - the people want to know - tell us why you sold out the citizens of this State...sent us packing....completely ignored your duty under the Constitution of Massachusetts....which in part reads:

The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals: it is a social compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good. It is the duty of the people, therefore, in framing a constitution of government, to provide for an equitable mode of making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation, and a faithful execution of them; that every man may, at all times, find his security in them.

Was it not enough that you provided the legal means for the Tribe to open a casino under the new gambling law - you know...equal footing to open a gambling facility on trust land - if they can get trust land - which they cannot....now you have happily signed a compact with a tribe that has no trust land and then proceed to spend taxpayer money to lobby for them?  Are you kidding me???

Here is a thought...how about letting the Tribe wash it's own dirty Land in Trust laundry and refrain from staining the the sovereign rights of this Commonwealth.  Your stench of betrayal to this Commonwealth disgusts me. 

3.  The Compact that was signed is not legal.  I have heard from a very reliable source that the BIA has already told the State that they do not like the 21.5% revenue on gambling profits being paid to the State under the compact -- they consider that a TAX which is ILLEGAL under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and therefore unenforcable as proven in the Rincon Band of Indians ruling out of California.    What about the land claims in the Compact ....do you plan on handing Otis Airforce Base over to the Tribe to build a casino there, thus freeing up SE MA on this side of the bridge for a commercial venue?  That would be a great way to quell the unsettling KG Urban Enterprises lawsuit now wouldn't it Governor...oh -- by the way -- kudos to Ken Salinger for his newly appointed judgeship by the Governor's Council....hmmmm....correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't he the lawyer who argued for the State against KG Urban Enterprises in the lawsuit in New Beford?  Either way....back to land claims....there are no land claims!!  A landmark SCOTUS decision effectively ended land claims.

Do you know what the Sherill decision did to land claims for tribes? Do you Governor?  No?....too bad...look it up.  I am sick and tired of doing it for you because you don't listen anyway...and based on your recent actions, I can honestly say you don't care either.  But I will tell you one thing...and I hope you remember this when all of this blows up in your face -- The only thing final in a final negotiated settlelment with a tribe is that the tribe never gives back what it takes.

So Governor Patrick -- I know you must be super-duper busy getting ready for the fundraiser dinner at your home for President Obama....you must be so excited to see him again and I am sure Cedric Cromwell is just giddy over his invitation to join you and the President.  How wonderful....you get to listen to President Obama yammer on about how reversing trust land decisions is "his Administration's top priority for Indian Country" and giving away land in one of the original 13 colonies is "an important step toward reconciliation" for the wrongs of the General Allotment Act of 1887.  Nevermind the Allotment Act had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe as they were never disinfranchised and were actually quitely living in the town of Mashpee as full citizens of the Commonwealth....Oh - or maybe he will tell you all about the $1.5 million dollars he received in campaign contributions from tribal donors on July 18th, but I don't want to take up any more of your time...really.  I just want to know why you walked away from your duty as Governor of this State, to spend our hard earned money lobbying for something that isn't going to happen. 

Yep -- something sure does stink up on the Hill......



I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!

Better read it first, for if one drinks much from a bottle marked "Poison", it's almost certain to disagree with one sooner or later.  - Alice


 
- Be the Change you want to see in the World -

A Public Service Announcement......

We are in the process of reviewing the Mashpee Wampanoag Land in Trust Application against all applicable regulations....and the Proclamation Checklist (which they reference in their application) as well as the Fee to Trust Handbook (which they also reference).

....all I can say at this point is this...

And this......

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.” - Bessie Stanley

“I am for integrity, if only because life is very short and truth is hard to come by.”

- be the change you want to see in the world -

To Be Submitted.....

So we FINALLY got the Land in Trust application for the Mashpeee Wampanoag Tribe for land in Mashpee and in Taunton....Taunton specific for building a casino...they apparently don't know what "area", "significant" or "historical" means but that is okay....they have plenty of time to figure it out -- or perhaps read the actual definitions as stated in the Federal Register...but okay....all their historical proof and super secret documents are referenced in tabs but go to the tab and read....TO BE SUBMITTED.....as is all of their so called proof that they were:

A.  Under federal jurisdiction in 1934 - more on THAT claim to come...
B.  Have significant (or any) modern and historical ties to the land in Taunton
C.  Their economic proof that they are a tribe in need...oh wait...they did submit that evidence -  a Cape Cod Times article stating they need 30 Million dollars to self govern....wow....
D.  And so much more that still needs to be submitted.

More on all of the application to come...stay tuned. 

I could amost feel bad for our Governor for negotiating a compact based on this application...the application he obviously didn't even make an effort to get, nevermind read and use to ensure a "great" compact for the citizens of Massachusetts and a "fair" deal for the tribe.

To Be Submitted:   My break down of their arguement as to why they think they were federally recognized in 1934 -- and why it won't stand up in a court of law.




 - be the change you want to see in the world -

Viva la Revolution

The 2008 Ron Paul Grassroots Presidental campaign was apparently the largest in American history....this video recaps the message Dr. Paul started in 2008 and the same message that continues today....it is an idea that resonates with democrats, republicans, libertarians and independents across the board, and it's time has come :)

The funniest and yet so right on line in this documentary is the response by Ron Paul supporters at an Iowa Candidates forum being put on by the Iowas for Tax Reform.  They didn't want to let Ron Paul participate.  This idea was compared to "...not inviting Batman to your convention against the Riddler..."

.....Yup! 
 


- Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come - Victor Hugo

- One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government” - Presidential Candidate, Ron Paul

- Be the Change you want to see in the World-

EXTRA! EXRA! Read all about it....

Did you hear the news?! According to a press release issued today by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the National Indian Gaming Commission has approved the tribe’s gaming ordinance!!!!      






Ooohhhh…..ahhhhhh….casinoooooo……

This must absolutely, without a doubt mean that along with an approved but yet to be signed IGA, and the super duper negotiations happening behind closed doors with our “honorable” Governor Deval Patrick – the Tribe is moving full steam ahead with their goal to take land in trust to build the best casino ever on sovereign land!

Can anyone say….awesoooome.....

Well, I am sure Cedric Cromwell is thinking that it is totally awesome…that, and will use it as propaganda...errrr...proof.....that the casino is inevitable in Taunton.   Me?  .…I think it is them getting things done out of sequence of how they are normally done in order to speed up the process…but I get it – they are under a non-enforceable deadline as outlined in the State Gambling Legislation….that and the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe are really breathing down Deval's neck in their own bid to get a tribal casino in southeast Massachusetts.

So it begins again -

I swear I would love to know where the hell I left my Delorean because it honestly feels like 2007 again - only we are now at the other sign post up ahead (hands down- this is my all time favorite Gladys video).....Here we have Cedric Cromwell sharing his great news to anyone who is following this casino trainwreck - and he makes it almost sound like they have just conquered another ginormous hurdle to get land in trust and a casino, when the reality is – it’s the NIGC‘s job to determine if a tribe’s gaming ordinance meets the requirements in IGRA or not….if it does – approved! If it doesn’t – denied: please amend and resubmit for approval!

What Cedric fails to mention is that this approval – which is an approval of the amended (i.e previously denied) ordinance, is contingent on the tribe actually being able to get the land in trust. Good luck with that.

The letter clearly states:

…It is also my understanding that the Tribe has not yet acquired Indian lands as defined by IGRA. It is therefore important to note that approval is granted for gaming only on Indian lands, as defined in IGRA, over which the Tribe has jurisdiction….

yeeeahh....not quite there yet....kinda like putting the proverbial cart before the horse.

Not sure what the excitement is or why it is even newsworthy – except for maybe that the news came out a mere three days before the City of Taunton's non-binding vote for or against an Indian Casino...on sovereign land....land exempt from local, state and many federal regulations (regardless of what the uninformed, IGRA ignorant pros say – but I digress)

Long story short, the NIGC reviewed the Tribal Ordinance and confirmed that it met all the requirements of the law and is approved IF ...and that is one mother of an IF.....the land in Taunton is approved for gaming under IGRA. Too bad the article didn’t mention that part…or Cedric for that matter, but okay. Considering that the tribe is seeking gaming on the equal footing exception for an initial reservation under IGRA, this chick sees nothing newsworthy here because the land does not qualify for gaming under IGRA – nor does the tribe qualify for Land in Trust under the IRA as determined by the Supreme Court in the Carcieri decision. Now, if the Tribe actually did qualify to get the Taunton land in trust ….totally different story…but they don’t….and they won’t.

As to the tribe’s negotiations with the “ahem” honorable Governor Deval Patrick…..another non story in this chick's eyes...well, at least up until the tribe’s application is rejected for entering into a compact with the Governor before land has been placed in trust – ahhh...yes...then that will be quite the story - but I digress again. That is another requirement of IGRA altogether – oh well…nevermind those pesky details for now….just keep the voters of Taunton believing it is inevitable and the casino is the equivalent of their goose who lays golden eggs…golden eggs filled with jobs and money and jobs and police cars and jobs and firetrucks and jobs and more money and jobs and “city saving” revenue and jobs and most importantly….a magic economic engine that will revitalize downtown....aside from those jobs... 

Anyway – congrats Cedric, for finally submitting...or shall I say, re-submitting....a document that actually meets the requirements of the law regarding a tribal ordinance for gaming…well, minus the actual - having land in trust- part.

To every people the land is given on condition. Perceived or not, there is a Covenant, beyond the constitution, beyond sovereign guarantee, beyond the nation's sweetest dreams of itself - Leonard Cohen

The whole basis of the Constitution was a restriction of power, and the whole basis of the federalist system was that there was not one sovereign centralized power from which all authority flows  - Roy Moore

 - be the change you want to see in the world -