Kowabunga Senor

My Reservations

“ For prices starting at $50, two nonfederally recognized Indian tribes are offering membership to thousands of illegal immigrants, claiming they can achieve legal status by joining the groups. But immigration authorities insist becoming a tribe member gives no protection against being deported. And immigration advocates condemn the practice, saying it defrauds immigrants of money and gives them false hope. "You can't just decide to become a member of a tribe and all of a sudden legalize your status," said Marilu Cabrera, a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In Nebraska, some people reported paying up to $1,200 to join the Kaweah Indian Nation, which became the target of a federal investigation after complaints about the tribe arose in at least five states. [Tribes Offer Membership to Immigrants] ” I think, in retrospect, that one of the dumbest damned things we ever did was allow Indian tribes to  establish separate nations within the United States.  The effect on American Indians is similar to what happened to Arabs subjugated by Islam, an immediate halt of progress as they floundered  between two competing worlds.  The best thing we could have done is treat them like immigrants, and let them become Italians. Jamie Mac