Fish, Grand Lake (3/6/2008 4:34:04 AM)

Please don't include me in the apology. I have nothing to apologize for. Some of my kinfolks were killed by "native americans" for no apparent reason. The phrase "stewardship of the land" is laughable. The "native americans" had to move their campsites frequently because of the accumulation of garbage and trash and pollution. Let us move on and all become just Americans.

Jason O'Brien, Sapulpa (3/6/2008 5:49:23 AM)

Amen, Fish (#1). Take my name off of it, too, Dan. I owe no one an apology. And should anyone get the bright idea to revive the reparations issue for the 1921 Tulsa race riot, I want a little money, too. My white great-grandparents took in black refugees from the violence. How about an apology to the average Joe from our government for annihilating the middle class>

LesGuvment, Sand Springs (3/6/2008 6:05:07 AM)

I don`t think the Native Americans want or need an apology from our Guv-Ment. What`s done is done and the Indians know this. Do the Indians trust their Guv-ment? Yep, they do....just as much as their Guv-ment trusts them.
Hey, Boren, quit pandering. It ain`t gonna work....in this case.

Tony G., (3/6/2008 6:36:16 AM)

Why am I supposed to apologize for sins my ancestors may have committed?

Every ethnic group has been a victim at some time in the past.

Also--isn't the fact that we DON'T do those things anymore an apology of sorts?

With everything the Indians receive for free, land, medical, housing, jobs
I believe the Indians have been compensated!!

Jay, (3/6/2008 6:55:40 AM)

Being a card carrying Native American, I do not want the apology. I just want the government to uphold the treaties that were signed.
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And #4, obviously you have never tried to utilize the so called "free" compensation you boast about. The Native Americans of today already know what "universal health care" is all about....and it is pathetic at best. Free housing come-on you have no clue..land, your welcome-research history-it isn't free.jobs, they create their own.
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some people have absolutely NO idea....try again!!

Walkingstick, Sand Springs (3/6/2008 7:16:13 AM)

POOR ME, says #5. The card carrying native American says "nobody knows the trouble iv'e seen. Give up all the free stuff and work like the rest of us.

LL, Owasso (3/6/2008 7:18:12 AM)

Not ALL men are created equal, according to our government. When I see Irish casinos, Irish smoke shops, taxpayer funded Irish health care and, especially, an official apology for the mistreatment of the Irish immigrants who built the trans-continental railroads, I will begin to believe otherwise. Feel free to substitute any ethnic group you like for 'Irish" With a looming depression, a 9 TRILLION dollar national debt, eroding individual rights, crumbling infrastructure, an expensive war and plenty of other problems, I believe Mr. Boren shouldn't have to work too hard to find a better way to SERVE his electorate.

Willy, (3/6/2008 8:16:25 AM)

While we are passing out apologies, why don't we have the tribes apologize for all the people addicted to tobacco and gambling. We can just have one big apologizing moment. I feel better already.

wmcol, Tulsa (3/6/2008 8:25:26 AM)

Indians don't care about apology. They are making money faster than they can count it. Gringo is coming for them, just like with the oil, but until then......................

waldo, redwood (3/6/2008 8:27:59 AM)

When are we going to start treating these tribes the way they should be treated.

LIKE A CONQUERED PEOPLE!

There is no reason (other than the enrichment of non indian gaming magnates) for there to be any lands contained within the sovereign borders of the US to be ruled by any other "sovereign govt".

Assimilate or be left behind.

Windwalker, (3/6/2008 8:47:09 AM)

You guys are all a bunch of idiots!

Sam Navarre, (3/6/2008 8:52:16 AM)

I don't want an apology from the government either. If the government offers this blank, fake apology, then they basically assume that they are forgiven for breaking all the treaties they made with my Tribe and all the other Tribes. The government is just looking for a way to pat itself on the back for "making everything alright".

I also have a suggestion for all the euro-american folks who think that they somehow got the raw deal in all of this - leave. My Native ancestors did not impose themselves on your ancestral homeland, and I do not blame you, their descendants, for their immoral actions. All I expect out of you euro-americans is to look the other way when you see Natives getting screwed over. So when Tribes do finally get something to help our economy, why don't you just keep looking the other way, and then start walking that way.

Non-Indian, Durango (3/6/2008 8:58:15 AM)

Hey Fish, O'Brien, and Guv Guy', ever been out of Ok? First of all, your forefathers would not have made it without some pro-immigrant Indians and as for them being killed, natives still are, and not just by their own hands. Our forefathers reaped the wealth and industry of this land from natives so you would continue sleep well knowing they continue to vanish at your comfortable ignorance. They serve in the military more than any American people for your freedom and kept in an obscure, humble existence. Casinos? I can never understand how a freedom driven capitalist society can crush another and then charge them, your rent is way over due pals, and why should US treaties today mean anything with the world if they are not honored here first? Tobacco has been around longer than you and cancer fellas. Pass on your rhetoric to your children and they'll be educated eventually! Oh yeah, at least you can yell hate at native mascots, can they? Apology? How about just some plain ol'American respect? After all, there's a good chance most of their waste was biodegradable, can we say that about Grand Lake, Sapulpa, and Sand Springs? And did it ever occur to you Talkingsmack that those cards are forced on them like Germans to Jews? You guys know the Irish were tribal people before they got here and then took the blacks jobs and became the working class. They were treated horribly even here, and today they forget who treated them bad. More often than not, natives welcomed and whites reject still!

Non-Indian, Durango (3/6/2008 9:01:39 AM)

Hey Fish, O'Brien, and Guv Guy', ever been out of Ok? First of all, your forefathers would not have made it without some pro-immigrant Indians and as for them being killed, natives still are, and not just by their own hands. Our forefathers reaped the wealth and industry of this land from natives so you would continue sleep well knowing they continue to vanish at your comfortable ignorance. They serve in the military more than any American people for your freedom and kept in an obscure, humble existence. Casinos? I can never understand how a freedom driven capitalist society can crush another and then charge them, your rent is way over due pals, and why should US treaties today mean anything with the world if they are not honored here first? Tobacco has been around longer than you and cancer fellas. Pass on your rhetoric to your children and they'll be educated eventually! Oh yeah, at least you can yell hate at native mascots, can they? Apology? How about just some plain ol'American respect? After all, there's a good chance most of their waste was biodegradable, can we say that about Grand Lake, Sapulpa, and Sand Springs? And did it ever occur to you Talkingsmack that those cards are forced on them like Germans to Jews? You guys know the Irish were tribal people before they got here and then took the blacks jobs and became the working class. They were treated horribly even here, and today they forget who treated them bad. More often than not, natives welcomed and whites reject still!

hrw, tulsa (3/6/2008 9:24:19 AM)

Ahhh, another day and more millions. I just keep seeing those dollar signs. We will accept the blanket apology that covers all the green eyed jealousy of all the whitey's who comment. Thank you very much. We will cover your arses through our generous donations to the Great State of Oklahoma, so that you can continue to enjoy the highways, construction projects, education and the many other projects you will benefit from, whether you want to or not. I just keep seeing those millions and that makes me happy! So, please everyone enjoy the gifts of our prosperity. And I don't want to forget our thanks to all the communities and visitors from other states who support our entertainment centers. Smoking is bad for you, but so are the many other bad that people subject their bodies to. Thank you for those profits also. My, I am just overwhelmed with the blessings that has been bestowed on our people. Come see us at the nearest casino and enjoy!

Mccintosh Clansmen, (3/6/2008 9:48:17 AM)

I would like an apology from the general public for all the negative publicity and snickers circulated about Scottish people and our wearing of kilts. We hear you and it still hurts.

Fireman, (3/6/2008 9:48:48 AM)

Two 55-gallon drums of firewater should keep danny baker and windwalkers' people quiet.

f, ba (3/6/2008 10:00:29 AM)

I wonder....what if Hitler had taken this land or many other ones like him. I think I know the compensation package and freedom some would not have. I owe no one an apology or tax money for something that happened so long ago.

T.G., (3/6/2008 10:02:14 AM)

To, #5,

Yep, it never ceases to amaze me when I hear about this "free stuff". Being part Indian, I've served my country in one of her wars, worked all my life, paid all my taxes out the eyeballs and have gotten no "free stuff". The only "free stuff" I see given to people are to the poor and underpriviledge. And people of all races qualify and receive it from the federal government, white, black, brown etc. And what people like #4, Tony G. forget to say, or, are too ignorant to know, people of his race, whatever it is, probably gets more "free stuff" from the government than the underprivilged Indians. The so-called "free stuff" was promised by the federal government to the Indians for their country in the form of Treaties. Good even trade wouldn't you say? And Waldo, #11, that sure sounds like the way you conquer people, make promises with a bunch of lies to stop them from fighting. Ironically, many believe we are now experiencing some of the same treatment, a slowly advancing takeover, from another race, not Indians, that our white ancestors dished-out back in the day. Know what I'm talking about? And when you finally wake up to that fact, don't complain because you presently are saying that type of behavior is fine with you. And Tony G., unless you are paying rent to an Indian Tribe, I would surmise you are getting free housing.

Frybread, Pontotoc Co (3/6/2008 10:04:13 AM)

Haven't we been apologized to already? We've received billions in reparations from the U.S. government over many years. Uncle Sam gives us grants to help prevent meth abuse on our reservations. The U.S. would just be like Mexico if we ruled anyway, right?

future, (3/6/2008 10:11:29 AM)

In the next 100 or so years we will apologizing to the Hispanic for what is being done. Can't tell if your legal of not so we just attack all Hispanics.

CA, Tulsa (3/6/2008 10:42:26 AM)

OMG!! LETS WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON USELESS STUPID BILLS!

Assimulate?, Durango (3/6/2008 10:48:07 AM)

Assimulate? It seems every race of people, natives included, have fought and died for the rights and freedoms to be American, sought the American dream, and played by the rules, with opportunities/doors closed in their face, and the only people who are complaining are whites, why is that? Because you choose to have Baseball, Apple pie, and Walmart as your culture does not mean natives relinquish ancient foundations of theirs. Remember, if Amerigo Vespucci didn't beat Columbus to the mainland, you would be a proud Columbian, so why isn't there a Vespucci Day instead of a Columbus Day? Ask yourself that one. You don't even know your own history or the land and its people, and that makes you an "instant, just add water, microwave culture". Nothing is made in America anymore except money for some and poverty for most.

Native enterprises may be the last vestige of "American" business since most non-Indian "AMERICAN" owned corporations move overseas, supporting India, Tiawan, Japan, South Korea, and communist China's economy while here, state, local, and county monies are blundered. Then you would have viable arguements. Why aren't you protesting this? The next time you want to talk of assimulate, start with yourself and get used to buying your goods from WalMart that are "MADE IN CHINA", understand and appreciate that it is very possible those casinos might help small town America, much like WalMart, without supporting Chinese jobs.

And it is sad you keep the old wounds alive bleeding while an attempt to bring healing to the people is being made. It never ceases to amaze me how Oklahomans, predominantly Christian and Republicans, cower to big business, government, love the military, and support authoritiarian leadership that both neglects them, laughs at them, and keeps them on a conservative leash? Oklahomans work hard for little, spend everything in OK, and keep feeding their corrupt leadership, why is that? And you can't feel a little compassion for a people who supported, survived and participated in every major war in support of the United States? It is whites like these men that keep Oklahoma from growing and changing into the millenium, keeping themselves in the caves of ignorance and complacency while they support a vegetable form of freedom. Is this what our young die for? Where is your prosperity Oklahoma, but in the tourism and revenues generated by natives. Perhaps it is you "waldo" who is conquered and needs to assimulate?

David, Tulsa (3/6/2008 10:52:20 AM)

I won't hold my breath. Someday the U.S. will realize what we did and how wrong it was. Maybe by 2060? 3000? Oh wait, the U.S. will no longer be around by then.

hawk, rogers county, ok (3/6/2008 10:53:10 AM)

The apology idea is stupid. History speaks for itself. There were great mistakes made in the past by settlers and by the native people. Imigrant settlers were misinformed by their own power hungry government about the opportunities. I cannot blame white settlers from trying to improve themselves. But claiming 'free' spaces in the great frontier was actually tresspassing and stealing. The native people did not own the land but they had lived on it for centuries. They had no option but to stand thier ground.
The native people reacted to these trespassers like any one would. The native people were seen as savage because they attempted to protect thier families from these invaders.
There should have been an honest attempt to honor the tribes way of life. There should have been an open dialogue and honest treaties agreed upon and honored.
No apology is necessary. The way we treat one another says it all.

I am a Cherokee Indian and recieve no special treatment and I don't ask for any.
I do wonder why the millions of dollars made by the casinos are not distributed to tribal members. The Cheroke Casinos' name sems a bit misleading.