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August 20, 2002
Meanwhile, back at the reparations debate
There actually are Mohicans left, you know. James Fenimore Cooper notwithstanding.
From the always good for an infuriating rage Indianz.com, some good news for a change:
The state of Idaho does not have the right to tax the sale of gas in Indian Country, a federal judge has ruled.In a major victory for three tribes, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter barred Idaho officials from enforcing a new state law that authorized the tax. His August 16 decision, released yesterday, said only Congress has the power to regulate Indian commerce.
"Congress has not created a specific authorization for states to tax motor fuels sold on Indian reservations," Carter wrote in an 11-page decision.
The ruling represents another chapter in a long battle over Indian taxation. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Shoshone-Bannock Nation have been forced to collect and remit a 25-cent-per-gallon tax on gas sold on their lands.
Over the years, the tribes have handed over millions to the state, money that would otherwise go to their communities. The Shoshone-Bannock tribes, for example, cite $22 million in lost revenue.
I'd'a sworn some idjit or other mentioned Indians in the context of the reparations debate, as a group that truly deserves payment for all the fucked-up shit that happened in the distant past. Because, you know, ain't no fucked-up shit happening now. If there was, you'd hear about it. Since you don't, there isn't.
Plus, you know, they have casinos. And that one chick is on the new dollar coin that don't nobody use.
No, really, tried using one at the Co-op, and the cashier just looked at it for a second.
Seeing as I've recieved a Guatemalan centavo, a Cypriot 1-something piece, a tuppence and more Canadian coins than I'd care to count shopping at Co-ops (fucking hippies), I have no idea why this would have come as a shock to the woman. Unless they're just being more careful now.
Oh, and in case you'd forgotten who is the source of all evil in this world:
The tax was finally struck down in June 2001 by a unanimous Idaho Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case after Idaho Attorney General Al Lance appealed.In response, Idaho Republicans this past spring rushed to overturn the decision and reinstate the tax by making it retroactive to 1996. They did so even though Lance, in a legal opinion, said the move was unconstitutional.
Yes, Republicans. The Grand Old Party of Original Intent. The Original Intent was for all you mother fuckers to be dead by now.
Posted by Aaron at August 20, 2002 02:42 PM
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