Opinion From the Buffalo News

News series on Senecas was a real eye-opener

5/26/2004

Special thanks to The News for its revealing article on the Seneca Nation. As a history teacher for more than four decades, I have discussed the evil deeds of such people as Col. James Forsythe, Col. John Chivington, Francisco Pizzaro, Juan Cortez and the many other enemies of Native Americans. The article has added more than a half dozen Native Americans to that list of infamous people.
The first part of the series revealed how they exhibited a lack of ethical behavior and indifference to their people as they accumulated huge fortunes and collected cars and mansions. At the same time, their brothers and sisters lived in abject poverty. Shame on them. Their behavior is appalling.

I would hope that Gov. George Pataki would show some courage. Gasoline and cigarette sales to non-Indians must be taxed. Internet sales of cigarettes to children must be stopped. Maybe if we act quickly, local casino construction could be stopped. Why should these individuals become even richer as they take money from the poor, the elderly and those compulsive gamblers who must steal from their employer to feed their gambling habits?

Jerome Collins

Lancaster

Opinion From the Buffalo News