Who Were Abramoff's Victims?

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I have to agree w/ the author that Native tribes are not entirely victims and I say this as a Native American. I think the tribal leaders were complicit in their dealings w/ these vulture-lobbyists to their own and their people's detriment. I think some of these tribal leaders need to have their leadership examined and I hope they were run out of office by people who do care about their tribe and their community. They have no business being in office if they are not going to be vigilant and protect themselves against vultures like Abramoff and his friends.
I also do not see McCain's role as completely great either. I have to disagree that McCain's relationships w/ tribes isn't all that great and I speak from experience having worked with tribes in Arizona.
I only hope that whoever gets in office as President of the United States recognizes the special status of tribes and that they work well with tribes to prevent this type of scandal in the future.

ST of AZ 6:12PM September 11, 2008

What has OBAMA done? NOTHINGGGGGG!!!! What has the Indian Tribes gain by being Sovent? much of nothing! Sovereignty benefits the tribal officials, a few members and their families. The votes are based on who dishes out the most money and beer, not qualification so when I read tribes speaking McCain did this. First look at your so called, "Tribal Leaders". You'll find the real truth behind that. I have not seen one stable, well-rounded indian tribe because the indian officials are corrupt. If a person can not see a clear difference in right and wrong, they need help, speaking of Abramoff. I am voting for the best candidate. I have no doubt McCain has made some bad decision, no one person is perfect. However, he has done more good than bad. He's a good father,husband, war hero and a good man with experience. When the indians start voting for good-quality, honest person with business knowledge things may change. Until then, stop crying! I do support keeping the war in another country, not in USA. I dont know bombs blowing up my house. What is so proud of being Sovent? Dont be dependent on government, depend on yourself through education and going to work everyday.

casey of MS 10:44AM September 10, 2008

just shows what man will do to his fellow man, be he
white-red-black- or other. quote alexander pope," and much
it grieves my heart, what man has done to man."

doyne anderson of WI 10:43PM September 06, 2008

100% indian, you talk about John McCain being a great leader and all he's done in the last 30 years in office, i ask you would the Dineh Navajo indians vote for McCain after their relocation in the 1970's, please read up on the Vanishing Prayer.

pokagon indian of MI 10:46AM September 06, 2008

The Indian woman doesn't need help,you just don't get it, Maverick McCain still uses lobbyists today by his own admission, tv ads, etc. We have been educated, everyone deserves a second chance, even Abramoff. How can you move forward if everyone depends on special interest, keep and still use lobbyists as the great Maverick confessed at his convention. As for the rest of us, we don't have a private jet to transport us here or there, nor do the majority of own 7 houses. The Maverick used us for his own political gain, he wants to send everyone to prison. Look at the real world!

Patricia Yahbay of MI 2:40AM September 06, 2008

There is so much false information out there regarding this scandal, and the other sixty or seventy scandals that are not talked about anymore. But who can keep up with all of them? It certainly could be a full time job. Where is the John McCain that would cross party lines to back a democrat if it was the right thing to do? or take a position that was unpopular. That guy appears to be long gone. Does the truth matter anymore? Do we have to have another mining accident before someone actually does something about the safety of the workers - how about the over 90% of cargo coming into ports that is not checked, how are we doing with gathering up the nuclear materials out there on the black market and unaccounted for. Anyone talking about that. It used to be the press would do some actual reporting on things like this and perhaps put some pressure on those responsible who are in a position to make things better or take action. McCain supports the troops but it is fine to give the current administration a pass regarding all the things that they mishandled, the complete incompetence. Is that a safe position for McCain, at this point, to look away when you have the authority to do something but elect to do nothing to get elected? This is the pro life stance - concerned for each life? all life? Let's bomb Iran, they pose a threat! ? Really. This sounds similar to what we have heard for over seven years now. Not that Obama has all the answers but thinking before talking, and talking before taking military action - to try and resolve things without military action - using the military as a deterant- that seems like a better idea than just attacking. How many countries pose a threat to us at this point ? Is that number going up or down? Judgement! Courage ?

Jon of MN 10:31PM September 05, 2008

The Abrahamoff scandal is one of many, he just got caught. Yes, NDN Country has been victimized by such outsiders, but has even more so been victimized and ripped off by their own. The list of failures where the Fed. Gov has failed to uphold their responsibilities to NDN Country is miles long, and the DOJ and Federal Courts will go after an Abrahamoff, but not a single one of the myriad Tribal Chairman, Council Members, and of course their paid hired guns (Attorneys) that keep them in power with the near constant (now) embezzlements, provision of "money, housing, or anything else that can get handed out to supporters" and other perks. Why did those Tribal Governmental Officials give that guy their People's money? Because they were buying services from an individual known for delivering the goods. The attempts at "innocence and ignorance" on the part of those Tribal Gov'ts over what was being done with the money is a joke to anyone who knows NDN Country... and since the Feds won't enforce their own laws, the crooks running things in NDN Country get away with looting out their own folks to buy such services...Abrahamoff is only different in that he actually delivered.

Katela of SD 6:18PM September 05, 2008

How is the view from the Cheap Seats Sam? I have been representing Indian Tribes for over 15 years and one of Abramoff's victims for nearly a decade. Never heard of you. Never saw you on the ground when Abramoff fronted money to put a fix in on the Tribe's election, then took the payoff of doing nothing for millions. Never saw you when the Tribe came apart at the seams as a result of the fractures Abramoff wrought. Never saw you when the Tribe's concerned members tried desperately to find out how this criminal was allowed to represent them and to be among them. Never saw you when the Tribe was being shunned from legitimate political participation because of the stain Abramoff put on it. And I'm sure I'll not see you as this Tribe picks itself up, tries to come together and move forward as a proud and sovereign people. Having an opinion does not make you informed, only opinionated. In this instance, you have no idea of what you speak. Hope at least that the concessions aren't costing you much in the Cheap Seats.

Joseph Halloran of MN 4:09PM September 05, 2008

white folks for ya, always saying it was the indians fault

Blu Jim of MS 3:02PM September 05, 2008

Maynard was conned and coached, by Abramoff and Scanlon, into making that statement. He didn't yet know the full extent to which Abramoff had lied to him and set him up when he made that statement. You saying that the tribes weren't hurt by Abramoff is amazingly stupid. It's no wonder you write for US News & World Report.

Roy of MI 1:24PM September 05, 2008