More than half of the companies that comprise the Standard & Poor's 500 Index have reported earnings for the quarter, and two-thirds of them have exceeded expected earnings per share by an average of 7%, according to Thomson Financial, compared with 4.2% over the past eight quarters. Two explanations spring to mind: Either companies aren't very good at forecasting, which means they shouldn't give profit targets at all, or they are purposely low-balling to spur post-earnings enthusiasm in the stock market.
Interestingly -- or troubling, depending on your perspective -- is that revenue growth of 6.2% has been outpaced by per-share earnings growth of 9.9%. One implication of this is that companies are squeezing more profit out of every sale.
Many of them very well may have, helped in large part by the weak dollar's influence on international revenue. But maneuvers like stock buybacks, which can boost per-share earnings by reducing the number of shares outstanding, also appear to have played a role, as companies manipulate the legal levers to game the system so that their earnings will look more robust.
Parisian Family Office, Founder & CEO. Started Wall Street, '82. Drexel Burnham alum in LaJolla, CA. Founded Native American Advisors, Chippewa Partners. '95. Chippewa. Conservative. Raised on reservations. Was NYSE/FINRA arbitrator. Trading O'Neil/CANSLIM methodology at PAMELOT, TN farm, GHOST RANCH, MT, on the Yellowstone River, or CASA TULE', their winter camp in Los Cabos, Mexico. Will always be, a relentless optimist with radical gratitude.
Parisian Family Office, Founder & CEO. Started Wall Street, '82. Drexel Burnham alum in LaJolla, CA. Founded Native American Advisors, Chippewa Partners. '95. Chippewa. Conservative. Raised on reservations. Was NYSE/FINRA arbitrator. Trading O'Neil/CANSLIM methodology at PAMELOT, TN farm, GHOST RANCH, MT, on the Yellowstone River, or CASA TULE', their winter camp in Los Cabos, Mexico. Will always be, a relentless optimist with radical gratitude.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sand Creek..........never forget.................
EADS - Members and friends of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Native American Tribes, whose ancestors were slaughtered by a militia in 1864, gathered at the site of the Sand Creek Massacre to celebrate national recognition of the land that holds deep meaning for the tribes.
More than 142 years have passed since Colorado militia soldiers, in a deadly onslaught of bullets and blows, attacked this peaceful encampment - killing some 160 people, mostly women, children and the elderly - about 30 miles northeast of Eads. The attack came while most of the men of the village were away hunting.
On Saturday morning, the land was dedicated a national historic site on a field about 1 mile south of where the massacre took place.
For the first time since the massacre, an American flag flew over the site as hundreds of people gathered for the dedication under a blue sky and a gentle breeze. Before the ceremony, members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes wearing headdresses chanted and played drums.
The Sand Creek Massacre is considered one of the bloodiest days in U.S. history.
It was here on on Nov. 29, 1864, where more than 700 U.S. Army troops, led by Col. John M. Chivington, attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho who were sleeping under a U.S. flag on the sandy banks of the stream.
Survivors witnessed atrocities that forever will be remembered as dark moments in human history, committed by a Colorado militia in a rage of killing, raping, looting and burning.
Descendants of some of those massacred were among several hundred people at the dedication ceremony.
As descendents sat on folding chairs listening to speakers, the gnawing reality of the senseless slaughter that occurred remained in their souls.
For 81-year-old Mary Bear of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the date is forever etched in pain, blood and tears.
Mary Bear sat among tribesmen Saturday recalling the stories told by her elder ancestors of the massacre.
"I have been here about four times now and I always feel the same. It's never going to be forgotten," Mary Bear said.
Mary Bear said on one of her visits she placed a staff in the land near the site of the massacre as a symbol.
"I had a dream that the souls of our ancestors were still suffering here. I placed the staff and told them to please go home - go where you belong. Go where ever you are supposed to go," she said holding a ceremonial feather.
Bear, who traveled from Wyoming on Saturday, said that four of her family members were killed in the massacre.
"They were killed in this battle - I am getting older and I am glad that I could be here today. This is a great event for all of us," Bear said.
Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, also wearing a ceremonial headdress, retold the painful story pointing toward the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site which on Saturday, was home to about 20 tepees and a sweat lodge set up on the grassy prairie where the killings took place. Tribesmen had been camping there since Wednesday.
"I camped out here last night and I wanted to kind of get a picture of how the people felt on Nov. 28, 1864, the day before the massacre. . . It's nice to see so many descendants here today," Campbell said.
"The night before the tragedy must have been so placid that I think the people were emotionally disarmed," he added.
Campbell said the militia formed by Evans had one goal.
"They wanted to get rid of the Indians so that Colorado could reach statehood sooner," Campbell said.
Campbell said the militia was called the "Bloodless Third" Regiment because most of them had never been in a battle and never wanted to be in a battle.
"The militia was raised - a good number of them - from the thugs and the alcoholics of skid row in Denver, Colorado. When they arrived here, they were already spoiling for a fight," he said.
Campbell said that after the massacre, the militia took some remains of those they slaughtered from the killing field to Denver where they paraded the body parts through the streets.
"They called Indians savages back then. If there were any savages that day, it was not the Indian people," Campbell said.
Campbell, who began working to memorialize the massacre site when he was elected to the Colorado House in 1983, said that Saturday's event was the completion of a spiritual circle.
"There was a terrible tragedy here. Part of this is a healing process and I know a lot of people are happy to be here. For me, it's like completing one of my great goals in life," he said.
Eugene Little Coyote, president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, compared the massacre to the Virginia Tech school shootings that occurred earlier this month.
"I can't help but remark that the campus tragedy of three weeks ago has been referred to as the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history - but I think the deadliest shooting in U.S. history was here, the Sand Creek Massacre," Little Coyote said.
"Much has been said and much will be said about the injustice and the slaughter of innocence here. But I think along with this, there will be talk of healing and peace," he added.
Several members of the tribes spoke at the dedication each telling stories about the massacre and collectively expressing happiness for the recognition of the site as a national historic site.
Gov. Bill Ritter and Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien were on hand along with former Gov. Roy Romer; National Park Service Director Mary Bomar; U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo.; U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and officials from both the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Representatives for U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., also were there.
"It is my honor to be here. I speak on behalf of the people of Colorado who think that it is fitting that we have a memorial here. Some would say it has been too long and it should have happened sooner. I would add my voice to that," Ritter said.
Brownback, a presidential candidate, apologized for the atrocity and asked for forgiveness. "You can sense the wounds that still ache," Brownback said.
Musgrave said that although Saturday was a celebration, she still was feeling the sadness of the massacre in her heart.
"When we look at our history, we never want to rewrite it; we want to remember history as it happened. I am touched to see the children that are with us and I am touched by the elderly that are walking with canes and you think of the helplessness of innocent people. As we dedicate this site today, we are doing what good people do. We are remembering the wrongs, we are regretting and we are repenting," Musgrave said.
As told, some 160 Cheyenne and Arapaho perished here. Survivors included many who fled before the attack, and others, including the wounded, who trekked northward throughout the day and into the night.
Park Service officials say that according to one Cheyenne witness, "We all stopped in a ravine about 10 miles above the battleground. . . It was very dark and cold. . . Of course, no one slept a wink thinking about what had taken place that day. Wounds began to pain and Indians kept up hollering all night."
Park officials said Saturday that for now, the site will be open to the public on a limited basis. A small contact station will be built in the weeks to come.
More than 142 years have passed since Colorado militia soldiers, in a deadly onslaught of bullets and blows, attacked this peaceful encampment - killing some 160 people, mostly women, children and the elderly - about 30 miles northeast of Eads. The attack came while most of the men of the village were away hunting.
On Saturday morning, the land was dedicated a national historic site on a field about 1 mile south of where the massacre took place.
For the first time since the massacre, an American flag flew over the site as hundreds of people gathered for the dedication under a blue sky and a gentle breeze. Before the ceremony, members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes wearing headdresses chanted and played drums.
The Sand Creek Massacre is considered one of the bloodiest days in U.S. history.
It was here on on Nov. 29, 1864, where more than 700 U.S. Army troops, led by Col. John M. Chivington, attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho who were sleeping under a U.S. flag on the sandy banks of the stream.
Survivors witnessed atrocities that forever will be remembered as dark moments in human history, committed by a Colorado militia in a rage of killing, raping, looting and burning.
Descendants of some of those massacred were among several hundred people at the dedication ceremony.
As descendents sat on folding chairs listening to speakers, the gnawing reality of the senseless slaughter that occurred remained in their souls.
For 81-year-old Mary Bear of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, the date is forever etched in pain, blood and tears.
Mary Bear sat among tribesmen Saturday recalling the stories told by her elder ancestors of the massacre.
"I have been here about four times now and I always feel the same. It's never going to be forgotten," Mary Bear said.
Mary Bear said on one of her visits she placed a staff in the land near the site of the massacre as a symbol.
"I had a dream that the souls of our ancestors were still suffering here. I placed the staff and told them to please go home - go where you belong. Go where ever you are supposed to go," she said holding a ceremonial feather.
Bear, who traveled from Wyoming on Saturday, said that four of her family members were killed in the massacre.
"They were killed in this battle - I am getting older and I am glad that I could be here today. This is a great event for all of us," Bear said.
Former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, also wearing a ceremonial headdress, retold the painful story pointing toward the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site which on Saturday, was home to about 20 tepees and a sweat lodge set up on the grassy prairie where the killings took place. Tribesmen had been camping there since Wednesday.
"I camped out here last night and I wanted to kind of get a picture of how the people felt on Nov. 28, 1864, the day before the massacre. . . It's nice to see so many descendants here today," Campbell said.
"The night before the tragedy must have been so placid that I think the people were emotionally disarmed," he added.
Campbell said the militia formed by Evans had one goal.
"They wanted to get rid of the Indians so that Colorado could reach statehood sooner," Campbell said.
Campbell said the militia was called the "Bloodless Third" Regiment because most of them had never been in a battle and never wanted to be in a battle.
"The militia was raised - a good number of them - from the thugs and the alcoholics of skid row in Denver, Colorado. When they arrived here, they were already spoiling for a fight," he said.
Campbell said that after the massacre, the militia took some remains of those they slaughtered from the killing field to Denver where they paraded the body parts through the streets.
"They called Indians savages back then. If there were any savages that day, it was not the Indian people," Campbell said.
Campbell, who began working to memorialize the massacre site when he was elected to the Colorado House in 1983, said that Saturday's event was the completion of a spiritual circle.
"There was a terrible tragedy here. Part of this is a healing process and I know a lot of people are happy to be here. For me, it's like completing one of my great goals in life," he said.
Eugene Little Coyote, president of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, compared the massacre to the Virginia Tech school shootings that occurred earlier this month.
"I can't help but remark that the campus tragedy of three weeks ago has been referred to as the deadliest shooting rampage in U.S. history - but I think the deadliest shooting in U.S. history was here, the Sand Creek Massacre," Little Coyote said.
"Much has been said and much will be said about the injustice and the slaughter of innocence here. But I think along with this, there will be talk of healing and peace," he added.
Several members of the tribes spoke at the dedication each telling stories about the massacre and collectively expressing happiness for the recognition of the site as a national historic site.
Gov. Bill Ritter and Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien were on hand along with former Gov. Roy Romer; National Park Service Director Mary Bomar; U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo.; U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and officials from both the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Representatives for U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., also were there.
"It is my honor to be here. I speak on behalf of the people of Colorado who think that it is fitting that we have a memorial here. Some would say it has been too long and it should have happened sooner. I would add my voice to that," Ritter said.
Brownback, a presidential candidate, apologized for the atrocity and asked for forgiveness. "You can sense the wounds that still ache," Brownback said.
Musgrave said that although Saturday was a celebration, she still was feeling the sadness of the massacre in her heart.
"When we look at our history, we never want to rewrite it; we want to remember history as it happened. I am touched to see the children that are with us and I am touched by the elderly that are walking with canes and you think of the helplessness of innocent people. As we dedicate this site today, we are doing what good people do. We are remembering the wrongs, we are regretting and we are repenting," Musgrave said.
As told, some 160 Cheyenne and Arapaho perished here. Survivors included many who fled before the attack, and others, including the wounded, who trekked northward throughout the day and into the night.
Park Service officials say that according to one Cheyenne witness, "We all stopped in a ravine about 10 miles above the battleground. . . It was very dark and cold. . . Of course, no one slept a wink thinking about what had taken place that day. Wounds began to pain and Indians kept up hollering all night."
Park officials said Saturday that for now, the site will be open to the public on a limited basis. A small contact station will be built in the weeks to come.
Go Get'em Gladys......................
Tribal Mismanagement Threatens Sovereignty
April 15, 2007
To the Editor:
Our tribal governments are being accused of misconduct and abusive practices. One thing is certain, continued corrupt practices seriously weaken our tribal sovereignty. If we don’t come up with a solution, it could become a serious problem in our community affairs. These practices are largely attributable to mostly male leaders in office. Women are not appointed to tribal offices or even allowed to have a voice. Poor, dysfunctional government has led to significant problems in our own area for the last 10 years … taking on various forms: rigged elections or appointments, freebies at conferences, perks, free lunches or dinners, entertainment tickets, contracts, paid vacations out of the area, and taking ownership of confiscated vehicles without any rationale.One high-profile case involves leaders who compensated themselves in addition to their salary. These leaders come from high unemployment, poverty-stricken areas. Expensive junkets and vacations are justified by attending conferences. In one such case, an Indian treatment center spent thousands of dollars for a trip to California. One Indian official and his wife traveled out of the U.S. to a famous vacation spot. Much of this is true if one listens to other tribes and their problems. So much more goes unreported that public perception is hardening.What has happened to what we were taught about honesty, moral ethics, values, and leaders’ obligations to represent tribal members’ well-being? What are our kids learning from our leaders? Is it OK to take what does not belong to you? Is it OK to deprive others of what they deserve? Is it OK to bully your own people?There is little accountability for all funds, while the need is so great for many members who reside in this poverty-stricken area with high unemployment. Even those who are qualified are not hired, despite repeated attempts to get jobs. Jobs are reserved for family members, qualified or not: nepotism in the purest form.How do they justify these actions and sleep well at night? Is it possible not to have a conscience? Anyone who attends a conference to learn, or goes to an essential meeting, should be required to make a full report to the rest of the tribal members. Then we will know that they spent tribal funds constructively. Keeping the community informed is a must, as is having a voice without any repercussions. We have to let the governing body know that exploiting the tribe of Taos Pueblo is not acceptable, especially discrimination against those they do not like. Funds are allocated to tribes based on population counts. We need to let the federal government intervene and audit all the programs, businesses, beneficiaries, and co-mingled funds (although at times the federal government cannot be trusted).If there are repeat offenders, they must be prohibited from being appointed to any office in the future. They should take responsibility for their actions. Remember, it was their choice. There are consequences for their behavior. The 2006 Taos Pueblo Tribal Administration should be questioned as to why bonuses, honorariums, and additional funds were given to members of tribal government and others. What individuals decided who got what—including tribal credit cards? This is the most serious issue facing us today and it should not be taken lightly. We need to elect persons who can be trusted in their capacity as leaders.Also, funds appear to be unaccounted for. The accountants for the tribe should be worried. Business being conducted currently requires extensive knowledge and efficient skills for effective operation. This kind of damage should be halted quickly or it will continue to resonate for generations. “Everyone needs someone to believe in.”Call 751-7221 if you were discriminated against. A list will be compiled to see who was left out of the distribution.
Gladys Kozoll
Taos Pueblo
April 15, 2007
To the Editor:
Our tribal governments are being accused of misconduct and abusive practices. One thing is certain, continued corrupt practices seriously weaken our tribal sovereignty. If we don’t come up with a solution, it could become a serious problem in our community affairs. These practices are largely attributable to mostly male leaders in office. Women are not appointed to tribal offices or even allowed to have a voice. Poor, dysfunctional government has led to significant problems in our own area for the last 10 years … taking on various forms: rigged elections or appointments, freebies at conferences, perks, free lunches or dinners, entertainment tickets, contracts, paid vacations out of the area, and taking ownership of confiscated vehicles without any rationale.One high-profile case involves leaders who compensated themselves in addition to their salary. These leaders come from high unemployment, poverty-stricken areas. Expensive junkets and vacations are justified by attending conferences. In one such case, an Indian treatment center spent thousands of dollars for a trip to California. One Indian official and his wife traveled out of the U.S. to a famous vacation spot. Much of this is true if one listens to other tribes and their problems. So much more goes unreported that public perception is hardening.What has happened to what we were taught about honesty, moral ethics, values, and leaders’ obligations to represent tribal members’ well-being? What are our kids learning from our leaders? Is it OK to take what does not belong to you? Is it OK to deprive others of what they deserve? Is it OK to bully your own people?There is little accountability for all funds, while the need is so great for many members who reside in this poverty-stricken area with high unemployment. Even those who are qualified are not hired, despite repeated attempts to get jobs. Jobs are reserved for family members, qualified or not: nepotism in the purest form.How do they justify these actions and sleep well at night? Is it possible not to have a conscience? Anyone who attends a conference to learn, or goes to an essential meeting, should be required to make a full report to the rest of the tribal members. Then we will know that they spent tribal funds constructively. Keeping the community informed is a must, as is having a voice without any repercussions. We have to let the governing body know that exploiting the tribe of Taos Pueblo is not acceptable, especially discrimination against those they do not like. Funds are allocated to tribes based on population counts. We need to let the federal government intervene and audit all the programs, businesses, beneficiaries, and co-mingled funds (although at times the federal government cannot be trusted).If there are repeat offenders, they must be prohibited from being appointed to any office in the future. They should take responsibility for their actions. Remember, it was their choice. There are consequences for their behavior. The 2006 Taos Pueblo Tribal Administration should be questioned as to why bonuses, honorariums, and additional funds were given to members of tribal government and others. What individuals decided who got what—including tribal credit cards? This is the most serious issue facing us today and it should not be taken lightly. We need to elect persons who can be trusted in their capacity as leaders.Also, funds appear to be unaccounted for. The accountants for the tribe should be worried. Business being conducted currently requires extensive knowledge and efficient skills for effective operation. This kind of damage should be halted quickly or it will continue to resonate for generations. “Everyone needs someone to believe in.”Call 751-7221 if you were discriminated against. A list will be compiled to see who was left out of the distribution.
Gladys Kozoll
Taos Pueblo
MN Gaming Impact forum...............
MINNEAPOLIS, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- PUBLIC FORUM: Gambling's Impact: Who is it helping, who is it hurting? SPONSORED BY: Minnesotans for Responsible Government, and The Resource Sentinel Public Forum Friday, April 27, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. Room 300S State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 Press Conference Friday, April 27, 10 a.m. Room 181 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155
Minnesotans across the state are being invited to attend a forum on gambling's true social and economic impact, as well as its previously unrecognized threats to national security. Dr. John Kindt, JD, MBA, and one of the country's leading experts will lead the forum on the economic and societal effects of gambling.
Citizens are also being asked to encourage their representatives to participate as well.
Topics Dr. Kindt is prepared to discuss include:
-- What is the real economic impact of gambling?
-- How is legalized gambling affecting crime rates?
-- How does gambling really affect tourism, restaurants, hotels, and small
businesses?
-- Are the games "fair" and to what degree are casinos racketeer
influenced?
-- What effect has the gaming industry had on academic research?
-- How is legalized gambling cheating our children's educational funding
and impacting local property taxes.
Dr. Kindt has spent over 20 years of research on the impact of gambling. He has been recognized for his work in environmental law, international law, and economics.
Dr. Kindt has testified in Congress before the U. S. House of Representatives' Commission on Resources, the House Commission on the Judiciary, and the House Commission on Small Business. He recently presented his findings on gambling's strategic socio-economic threat to national security at the International Business Conference sponsored by Harvard's Business School, Law School, and Kennedy School of Government.
This will be an unusual opportunity to meet Dr. Kindt and to ask him questions about gambling's impacts here in Minnesota and in comparison to other areas of the country.
All academic and articles on gambling are downloadable for free at http://www.citizenlink.org/gamblingresearch
A Legislator, A Mirror, and Truth
David Hoch, founder of Minnesotans for Responsible Government, has a long history of advocacy in Minnesota. It was during his exploration of alternatives for funding a new baseball stadium that he discovered the hidden side of "gaming" in Minnesota. This led to Mr. Hoch being threatened and, eventually, being sued -- all in an attempt to keep Mr. Hoch quiet. Why? Because Mr. Hoch told the truth.
Minnesota remains the only state in America receiving no financial benefit from the compacts that permit Tribal casinos within its borders, while at the same time having no off-reservation casino-style gaming. Only $150,000 per year total from all 19 tribal casinos, considered an offset to state inspections of the casinos, is paid to the state. That comes to a ridiculous $7,894.74 per casino! (And, several Tribes failed to even make these nominal payments to the state). Contrast that amount with Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN -- which by itself pays the state of MN more than $900,000 for state regulation and inspections of its facility. And now, the state wants to tax Canterbury even more. Why?
Minnesota's casino inspection capacity lacks personnel with any technical training; qualification to be a 'casino inspections agent' in Minnesota is limited primarily to prior work as a police officer. All other states with casino gaming employ electrical engineers on their respective staffs, so that they can truly inspect the slot machines. An official with a Las Vegas casino told Mr. Hoch this: 'The casino inspections in Minnesota are a joke. Everyone in Vegas knows Minnesota is totally corrupt when it comes to the casinos".
The State of MN does not track the number of slot machines within its borders, and never re-inspects a machine that has failed inspection. In other words, machines which fail an 'inspection' are allowed to remain in play -- which means thousands of Minnesotans -- your constituents -- are allowed to play slot machines which are in violation of the TRIBAL-STATE COMPACT FOR THE REGULATION OF CLASS III GAMING IN MINNESOTA -- and the State of Minnesota allows it!
Tribes in Minnesota mandate that slot machine manufacturers ship operating software separately from the machines, and directly to, respective Tribal offices. Neither the state nor manufacturer has any idea who installs the software into the machines. There is not another place in the United States where this is allowed to occur. Only in Minnesota.
Indian "gaming" has deep, and growing, roots in Minnesota. Lyle Berman, instrumental in founding Tribal casinos across America and the World Poker Tour, is from Minnesota. Former Congressman Gerry Sikorski, Chairman of Holland & Knight, the largest lobbying firm in Washington DC, lobbies for several Tribes. Tom Heffelfinger, former US Attorney from Minneapolis, now heads up the Native American Law department at Best & Flanagan in Minneapolis. Tadd Johnson from Minnesota was Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Chris Georgacas, former head of the Minnesota Republican party, lobbies for several tribes. Dave ('Famous Dave') Anderson (from MN) was Head of the BIA.
The State of Minnesota has an account at the only Tribally-owned bank in Minnesota.
Minnesotans for Responsible Government possesses substantial -- and irrefutable -- documentation showing both the Tribes and the State of Minnesota have repeatedly violated the TRIBAL-STATE COMPACTS.
Stay tuned -- Minnesotans for Responsible Government may have a very big bombshell coming soon!
Paid for by Minnesotans for Responsible Government 1827 Beckman Avenue St. Paul, MN 55112
Minnesotans across the state are being invited to attend a forum on gambling's true social and economic impact, as well as its previously unrecognized threats to national security. Dr. John Kindt, JD, MBA, and one of the country's leading experts will lead the forum on the economic and societal effects of gambling.
Citizens are also being asked to encourage their representatives to participate as well.
Topics Dr. Kindt is prepared to discuss include:
-- What is the real economic impact of gambling?
-- How is legalized gambling affecting crime rates?
-- How does gambling really affect tourism, restaurants, hotels, and small
businesses?
-- Are the games "fair" and to what degree are casinos racketeer
influenced?
-- What effect has the gaming industry had on academic research?
-- How is legalized gambling cheating our children's educational funding
and impacting local property taxes.
Dr. Kindt has spent over 20 years of research on the impact of gambling. He has been recognized for his work in environmental law, international law, and economics.
Dr. Kindt has testified in Congress before the U. S. House of Representatives' Commission on Resources, the House Commission on the Judiciary, and the House Commission on Small Business. He recently presented his findings on gambling's strategic socio-economic threat to national security at the International Business Conference sponsored by Harvard's Business School, Law School, and Kennedy School of Government.
This will be an unusual opportunity to meet Dr. Kindt and to ask him questions about gambling's impacts here in Minnesota and in comparison to other areas of the country.
All academic and articles on gambling are downloadable for free at http://www.citizenlink.org/gamblingresearch
A Legislator, A Mirror, and Truth
David Hoch, founder of Minnesotans for Responsible Government, has a long history of advocacy in Minnesota. It was during his exploration of alternatives for funding a new baseball stadium that he discovered the hidden side of "gaming" in Minnesota. This led to Mr. Hoch being threatened and, eventually, being sued -- all in an attempt to keep Mr. Hoch quiet. Why? Because Mr. Hoch told the truth.
Minnesota remains the only state in America receiving no financial benefit from the compacts that permit Tribal casinos within its borders, while at the same time having no off-reservation casino-style gaming. Only $150,000 per year total from all 19 tribal casinos, considered an offset to state inspections of the casinos, is paid to the state. That comes to a ridiculous $7,894.74 per casino! (And, several Tribes failed to even make these nominal payments to the state). Contrast that amount with Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN -- which by itself pays the state of MN more than $900,000 for state regulation and inspections of its facility. And now, the state wants to tax Canterbury even more. Why?
Minnesota's casino inspection capacity lacks personnel with any technical training; qualification to be a 'casino inspections agent' in Minnesota is limited primarily to prior work as a police officer. All other states with casino gaming employ electrical engineers on their respective staffs, so that they can truly inspect the slot machines. An official with a Las Vegas casino told Mr. Hoch this: 'The casino inspections in Minnesota are a joke. Everyone in Vegas knows Minnesota is totally corrupt when it comes to the casinos".
The State of MN does not track the number of slot machines within its borders, and never re-inspects a machine that has failed inspection. In other words, machines which fail an 'inspection' are allowed to remain in play -- which means thousands of Minnesotans -- your constituents -- are allowed to play slot machines which are in violation of the TRIBAL-STATE COMPACT FOR THE REGULATION OF CLASS III GAMING IN MINNESOTA -- and the State of Minnesota allows it!
Tribes in Minnesota mandate that slot machine manufacturers ship operating software separately from the machines, and directly to, respective Tribal offices. Neither the state nor manufacturer has any idea who installs the software into the machines. There is not another place in the United States where this is allowed to occur. Only in Minnesota.
Indian "gaming" has deep, and growing, roots in Minnesota. Lyle Berman, instrumental in founding Tribal casinos across America and the World Poker Tour, is from Minnesota. Former Congressman Gerry Sikorski, Chairman of Holland & Knight, the largest lobbying firm in Washington DC, lobbies for several Tribes. Tom Heffelfinger, former US Attorney from Minneapolis, now heads up the Native American Law department at Best & Flanagan in Minneapolis. Tadd Johnson from Minnesota was Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Chris Georgacas, former head of the Minnesota Republican party, lobbies for several tribes. Dave ('Famous Dave') Anderson (from MN) was Head of the BIA.
The State of Minnesota has an account at the only Tribally-owned bank in Minnesota.
Minnesotans for Responsible Government possesses substantial -- and irrefutable -- documentation showing both the Tribes and the State of Minnesota have repeatedly violated the TRIBAL-STATE COMPACTS.
Stay tuned -- Minnesotans for Responsible Government may have a very big bombshell coming soon!
Paid for by Minnesotans for Responsible Government 1827 Beckman Avenue St. Paul, MN 55112
.........Monday it is............
Why America and the major media won't fall in line for the Fair Tax movement faster than Slick Willie to an intern is beyond me. (FairTax.org) A tax code 10,000 pages in length with a million words is beyond me, beyond my accountant and beyond anyone at the IRS.
George Bush must think that the media will attack him for flip-flopping on Iraq if he pulls out. Sort of what happened to Kerry. Another 100 Americans dead this month over there. If there is a surge it is surging toward more dead Americans. Maybe we need more flip-flop than body bags.
Abelson in Barron's is again adrift this week. Which makes it months, years and decades that he has been dead wrong on the stock market. Long term it only goes one way folks.
A friend and money-manager over in Birmingham brought to my attention a book he says is a fine read, "The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read." It is written by Daniel Solin, a leading securities arbitration lawyer. Mine is headed toward my office as I type.
Speaking of Alabama, the redneck lunatics tossing Budweiser cans at Jeff Gordan after his victory at Talladega was a new low for NASCAR. What is up with that?
At the lake this weekend it was obvious the correlation for ladies on the lake between the amount of tanning bed time they use and their breast augmentation. It was nearly obvious to a posse of 4th-graders. Dad for sure.
George Bush must think that the media will attack him for flip-flopping on Iraq if he pulls out. Sort of what happened to Kerry. Another 100 Americans dead this month over there. If there is a surge it is surging toward more dead Americans. Maybe we need more flip-flop than body bags.
Abelson in Barron's is again adrift this week. Which makes it months, years and decades that he has been dead wrong on the stock market. Long term it only goes one way folks.
A friend and money-manager over in Birmingham brought to my attention a book he says is a fine read, "The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read." It is written by Daniel Solin, a leading securities arbitration lawyer. Mine is headed toward my office as I type.
Speaking of Alabama, the redneck lunatics tossing Budweiser cans at Jeff Gordan after his victory at Talladega was a new low for NASCAR. What is up with that?
At the lake this weekend it was obvious the correlation for ladies on the lake between the amount of tanning bed time they use and their breast augmentation. It was nearly obvious to a posse of 4th-graders. Dad for sure.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Some lovely redneck humor for Friday..........
How to say 'I love you' in 25 languages.....
English - I Love You
Spanish - Te Amo
French - Je T'aime
German - lch Liebe Dich
Japanese - Ai
Shite - Imasu
Thai - Phom rak khun
Italian - Ti amo
Chinese - Wo Ai Ni
Swedish - Jag Alskar
Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and parts of Florida: "nice ass , get in the truck."
English - I Love You
Spanish - Te Amo
French - Je T'aime
German - lch Liebe Dich
Japanese - Ai
Shite - Imasu
Thai - Phom rak khun
Italian - Ti amo
Chinese - Wo Ai Ni
Swedish - Jag Alskar
Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Louisiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and parts of Florida: "nice ass , get in the truck."
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
CBS..........
CBS has policies concerning irresponsible use of alcohol, but no policies on irresponsible or false news reporting? The less I hear major media the better I feel.
And if Barrons would jettison Abelson at Dow 13,000 I might get a subscription.
Wishful thinking. Good news doesn't sell advertising in America.
And if Barrons would jettison Abelson at Dow 13,000 I might get a subscription.
Wishful thinking. Good news doesn't sell advertising in America.
Monday, April 23, 2007
High Performance.............
Accenture Opens Application Process for 2007 Scholarship Fund for American Indian Students"
Accenture is now accepting applications for its scholarship fund program for American Indian students. The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund supports students with demonstrated leadership ability and financial need entering fields of professional study.
Accenture is now accepting applications for its scholarship fund program for American Indian students. The Accenture American Indian Scholarship Fund supports students with demonstrated leadership ability and financial need entering fields of professional study.
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