The Shinnecock Nation casino is a win-win situation for all concerned. Our Native Americans need to improve their quality of life, and they should not be treated as second-class citizens. This country is their land, and the European immigrants stole their land—and now the descendants of the immigrants want to tell our Native Americans how to live, and what to do with their land? The Shinnecock Indian Nation is a sovereign nation, such as Monaco and other nations. They deserve a better life than the descendants of immigrants. Let's respect them and honor them for giving us the chance to live on their land.
Assemblyman Fred Thiele and other East End politicians who are opposed to the casino should think twice, because their homes may be in the land that belongs to the Shinnecock Native Americans. Let's not forget, the Shinnecocks were here longer than the United States of America or the State of New York. And the King of England had no right to distribute the land of the Native Americans to the settlers. Remember that there are records of the land of the Shinnecocks, and further research can be done to actually reclaim the land stolen from the Shinnecock Native Americans.
Assemblyman Thiele and others in Albany are approving the installation of slot machines (casinos) at racetracks in the State of New York. Assemblyman Thiele is not telling the State of New York nor the New York State Lottery that runs the casinos in the racetracks to build bed and breakfasts in state land, or install gas stations, so the state can benefit. They are building casinos in racetracks such as Saratoga, Monticello and Yonkers, and others in the planning stages.
It appears to many of us that the elected people in office are getting money for their campaigns from the Atlantic City casino owners. The owners of casinos in Atlantic City do not want competition from the Shinnecock Nation casino.
The proposed site of the casino will be accessible from Sunrise Highway. The Long Island Rail Road goes by the property. The proposed site is ideal for transportation; it won't cause traffic congestion the way politicians have exaggerated. Just remember that traffic congestion on the East End is east of the Shinnecock Canal. The proposed casino is west of the canal.
Let's get the green light for the Shinnecock Native Indian Casino. The State Assembly will not be building slot machine casinos in racetracks if there was no revenue for the state. The question is, where is the money from those casinos going? They say for education, but it appears, with the Lotto, the money is going to fund political appointments and no-show state jobs.
The Shinnecock Native Indian Casino is a win-win situation for the county and the school districts, jobs for the people of Suffolk County, and additional revenues for the county, Town of Southampton and school districts. Call your elected people in office and tell them to stop stalling the building of the casino in the land of the Shinnecocks.
CESAR A. MALAGA