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Vol 1, Issue 1 |
 Page 9 |
Monday, July 31, 2006 |
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Sections
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Hidden Stories continues ... The Ten-Year-Old Indian Trust Lawsuit Against the U.S. Government Continues to be Ignored by the Media This is one of the great hidden stories of both the 20th and 21st centuries. More than ten years ago, Eloise Cobell, a Blackfeet Indian from Montana as the lead plaintiff, filed the landmark case, Cobell vs. the Secretary of the Interior. Originally filed in 1996 when Bruce Babbitt was the Secretary of the Interior, the named defendant had been changed to Secretary of the Interior Norton, who recently left her post. It probably will be changed again to reflect the name of the new Interior Secretary, Dirk Kempthorne. Federal Judge Royce Lamberth, after a 59-day hearing in the summer of 2005, issued his opinion and conclusively decided in favor of the plaintiffs. For decades, 500,000 Indians have been denied payment for the lease of their lands and royalties for the extraction of resources on and under their property.
The evidence, as well as independent investigative sources, proved conclusively that U.S. government witnesses lied under oath and mishandled both trust fund accountings and payments to the beneficiaries. Judge Lamberth further opined that former Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton lied on the stand. Specifically, our government officials did not tell the truth about the lack of safeguards that prevent hacking and destruction of computer programs, the accuracy of the accountings and the destruction of documents. The U.S. government has received funds for years that should have been paid to the rightful beneficiaries of the funds. The judge also found that the government continues to destroy evidence and records in the case, currently refuses to pay beneficiaries and has not established program security safeguards. It is clear the government is at fault, although the extent of the fault may be in dispute. The funds estimated to be owed Native Americans run from $3 - $4 billion to $100 billion. There are many accounts of Native Americans going without food, heat, adequate medical care and other essentials due to our government’s misfeasance and malfeasance. The government’s stonewalling, particularly the Bush Administration (other administrations also are at fault), is outrageous for several reasons, including the cost to the American taxpayers. Ms. Cobell has noted the government has admitted in congressional testimony that it had spent $100 million defending the lawsuits. Contrary to the feelings of some non-Native Americans, most Native Americans are not getting “rich” from gambling casino money. This case reflects a continuing wrongdoing by our government against Native Americans who, under treaty and contract, are entitled to such funds. Ms. Cobell also has attempted to negotiate a settlement with Congress; she has not been successful. We plan to do an in-depth story on this continuing tragic American saga in the near future.
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Take Thee to a Bunery
by Bernard Levy Now, don’t get me wrong. I like a healthy regiment as much as the next Joe. You know, organic foods, a solid game of full-court basketball two times a week, limited carb intake, protein and salads in excess and one jelly-filled donut every other day. I’m sure there is much value in the South Beach and other diets. You know the old saying: “A waist is a terrible thing to mind.” But, come on now. This healthy diet stuff has gotten out of hand. Commercial high-carb factories are going out of business. Interstate Bakeries Corporation, once number two in the baking game, filed for bankruptcy in 2004. Krispy Kreme, the benchmark of donut excellence, is losing sales and stock market value. Those doughy breads favored by the masses and stacked high in supermarkets are no longer universally coveted for the heavily-slathered peanut butter and jelly or bologna and cheese sandwiches. Health conscious parents and grandparents are opting for the specialty breads baked with whole grains, flax seed and other nutritious stuff. Where is all this emphasis leading? Economic ruin and loss of more jobs in our economy? Less overweight citizens and a healthier populace? This path could even penetrate the health industry—insurance companies, HMOs, drug companies and physicians. Yes, there is the possibility that a healthier citizenry will result in lower insurance premiums, HMO memberships, co-pays and drug and doctor costs. The savings “will be passed along to us.” Yeah, right! You’re smiling out loud. Now, you’re laughing. You don’t believe me? What’s that? I’m naïve? Consumer costs will not go down because health insurance providers will probably increase their prices? That’s downright un-American. Supply and demand and all that jazz. But, on second thought, you might be right. What’s that? Now you’re quoting Calvin Coolidge: “The business of America is business.” What happened to our focus, as the good ‘ol Declaration of Independence declares, in “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”? |
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