LICK MY BOOTS!
that Travis, he's such a nice boy...
Ayn Rand
- 2. a writer who espoused a philosophy of unabashed and absolute individualism, thus starting the most massive wave of apple-polishing the bootlickers of the world have enjoyed in decades.
Travis today: the Chumash are wonderful! they give us sooo much money!!
Travis yesterday:
BY TRAVIS ARMSTRONG
THE allure of big money gambling on Indian reservations ended for me when my father collapsed from a heart attack.
You will hear more such stories as gambling halls multiply across Native America -- particularly in California, which soon will be burgeoning with tribal casinos thanks to Proposition 1A. The federal government this month formally approved 58 tribal gaming compacts sanctioned by that initiative, which permits slot machines on Indian land in the state.
Commentators and lawmakers have bemoaned the social and economic problems that Las Vegas-style gambling will bring to California. But few people, including tribal leaders, have examined the devastating toll that the casino culture takes on American Indians.
They should.
These supposed engines of self-sufficiency often create hardship for reservation families, as the casino floors draw in more of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Tribal gamblers end up robbing themselves, financially and emotionally, by frequenting their own establishments.
My fellow tribe members and I own two casinos in Minnesota -- filled with slot and video poker machines, blackjack tables and other slick games to take quarters and dollars from your pockets.
Remember your ATM and credit cards. The more money you bring, the more we make. Those are the only sure bets at our casinos.