Power at Any Cost: Pala and Pechanga Tribal Chairmen Accused of Disenfranchising Voters to Remain in Control

Robert Smith  PALA

Mark Macarro
Pechanga

Pala Chairman Robert Smith and Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro have been at the helm of their respective tribes for over two decades, amid numerous allegations of voter disenfranchisement and abuse of power. The two chairmen have maintained a stranglehold on their tribes through a combination of tactics, including the manipulation of tribal elections via the disenrollment of dissident tribal members, and the use of fear and intimidation.

Take a look at the time in office of some well known tyrants

Robert Smith 33 years
Mark Macarro 27 years
Saddam Hussein 24 years
Bashar al-Assad 23 years
Xi Jinping 11 years
Vladimir Putin 11 years
Idi Amin 9 years
Kim Jong Un 7 years

The Pala and Pechanga tribes, both located in Southern California, have become embroiled in a long-standing battle over tribal leadership and governance. At the center of this conflict are Smith and Macarro, who have been accused of using their positions of power to maintain control over their respective tribes and to silence any dissenting voices.

One of the primary tactics used by Smith and Macarro to maintain their power is the manipulation of tribal elections.   In some cases, tribal members have reported being denied the right to vote, or having their votes invalidated.  Disenrollments happened just prior to tribal elections.

The disenrollment of dissident tribal members is another tactic used by Smith and Macarro to maintain control over their tribes. In both the Pala and Pechanga tribes, tribal members who have spoken out against the chairmen or challenged their authority have been targeted for disenrollment. This practice has resulted in the removal of hundreds of Pala and Pechanga tribal members from their respective tribes, stripping them of their rights and privileges as tribal members.

Smith and Macarro have also been accused of using fear and intimidation to silence dissenting voices within their tribes. Tribal members who have spoken out against the chairmen or challenged their authority have reported receiving threats and harassment, and have even been physically threatened.

Despite the numerous allegations of voter disenfranchisement and abuse of power, Smith and Macarro have managed to stay in power for well over two decades. This is due in part to their close ties to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which has been criticized for its inaction in response to allegations of voter disenfranchisement and other abuses of power within tribal governments.

The continued reign of Smith and Macarro has had a devastating impact on the Pala and Pechanga tribes, as well as on individual tribal members who have been disenfranchised and abused by their leaders. It is time for the BIA and other government agencies to take action and hold these chairmen accountable for their actions, and to ensure that the rights of all tribal members are protected and respected as provided for in tribal constitutions.

The stories of Pala Chairman Robert Smith and Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro are just two examples of the many instances of voter disenfranchisement and abuse of power that have plagued Native American communities across the country.

It is time for the federal government to take action to investigate and prosecute these violations of basic rights, and to ensure that the voices of all tribal members are heard and respected.

Confronting Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro at NCAI Marketplace Sacramento on Disenrollment of the Hunter Family

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro is the 1st Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians.  He has overseen and approved of the disenrollment (the stripping of citizenship from tribal members) of two large families, my own, the Paulina Hunter descendants and the first family to be disenrolled en masse, the Manuela Miranda descendants.

We had a protest of disenrollment at the NCAI Marketplace in Sacramento.  Security and police were on hand to protect the attendees from 40 elders of many tribes.   

I was able to get inside the meeting, and confronted Chairman Macarro at a break.

National Congress of American Indians VP Mark Macarro, Violator of The Civil and Human Rights of HUNDREDS of American Indians

Mark Macarro
NCAI VP

Mark Macarro of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians was elected to the First Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians.  Can we really believe this purported civil rights group cares about our civil rights?   

Under Mark Macarro's leadership, Pechanga tribal officials have been responsible for the mass disenfranchisement of over 300 adult tribal citizens, including many who still live on the Pechanga Reservation, which then comprised 25% of the tribal adult population.  The children have never been included in the disenrollment totals, nor the dead ancestors also disenrolled.

Citizenship is a birthright, membership in a church or other groups are a voluntary act. Tribal laws must be followed or there should be some ramifications not rewards or honors, like a leadership role at NCAI. 

It was no coincidence that the mass removals from Pechanga, and the denial of votes the members held,  occurred just prior to two regularly scheduled tribal elections in which Mr. Macarro ran for re-election as tribal chairman. Needless to say, Mr. Macarro was re-elected both times, as were other corrupt leaders. 

The actions to remove these citizens from the tribal rolls, and deny hundreds more their citizenship, have been characterized by lack of due process and equal protection of existing tribal and federal laws. In fact, laws enacted by the United States Congress to protect Indian individuals from arbitrary and capricious acts of tribal officials, such as the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, have gone largely ignored during Mr. Macarro's tenure. 

Can FAWN SHARP, NCAI President Speak Out on Disenrollment When She Has Disenrolling Chieftain Mark Macarro As Vice President?

Secure our traditional laws, cultures, and ways of life for our descendants.  

       MISSION STATEMENT of the NCAI

 
We thought we had a coup, when Redding Rancheria disenrolled Cam Foreman got National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp to release a statement on disenrollment, after Cam got Secretary Deb Haaland to mention that in a public forum.

I was pushing hard to get more, so hard, that President Fawn Sharp BLOCKED me on Twitter (@opechanga).

Stifling discussion by blocking
those who expect Fawn to LEAD?

NCAI VP MARK MACARRO, WHO DENIED VOTING RIGHTS TO 20 PERCENT OF TRIBE ISSUES STATEMENT ON VOTING

 This is RICH, AND DISGRACEFUL coming from a guy like Mark Macarro.  I can't VOTE in MY tribal elections, neither can my children who are adults.   We lost, thanks to Macarro, our FUNDAMENTAL right to vote in Pechanga elections.

American Indians from HIS TRIBE HAVE BARRIERS TO VOTING  HE ALLOWED . SADDAM HUSSEIN WOULD BE PROUD.

Pechanga Casino News Report: Thousands of Native Americans are being OUSTED from tribes by Disenrollment WITHOUT A TRIBE

Colleen Williams of KNBC Los Angeles fronted this FEBRUARY 2007 story of Pechanga Casino Tribe's Disenrollment, which is the STRIPPING of Tribal Citizenship, in this case, the Hunter Family, who had more documentation, than ANY other tribal family.  The Pechanga Resort & Casino has helped many in the tribe, and hurt many others. #stopdisenrollment

In the opening, Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro, sets up a strawman argument, which we beat down with facts here

Truth & Healing Council: Mark Macarro and Calleen Audrey Sisk Speak at California Native American Heritage Commission

Interesting what came up at the 

Truth and Healing Conference on Thursday December 3. The 16 member Native American Heritage Council was set up to give Californian's a view of the historical wounds CA's Native Americans have experienced over the centuries.  

VIDEO:
   

The diversity of experiences of the "victim population" must include the victims of tribal disenrollment of THOUSANDS of Native Americans THIS CENTURY by tribes such as Redding, Chukchansi, Pechanga and Pala to name just a few. There are 50 links on tribal disenrollment here

Chief Caleen Sisk, WINNEMEM  Wintu near Shasta, CA activists gave the opening prayer for the meeting.   She also spoke on unrecognized Indians and disenrollment.  "There should be NO California Indian who fits into an

anunrecognized category" which is what disenrollment does, moves natives into an unrecognized category.  Macarro seems to be okay with his tribes actions.

Chief Sisk stated:"We shouldn't also  have disenrolled Indian tribal members"    We need to address that, she said.   The committee needs to work on the people for survival.    THANK YOU  Chief Sisk.

The topic of restorative justice came up. we wrote about Restorative Justice early last year.  Mark Macarro chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians from Temecula, CA and which, under his tribal leadership, unjustly disenrolled hundreds of California Native Americans from his tribe.   He admitted he was not a practitioner of restorative justice.  He should read the article on restorative justice linked above.  You, my readers can help others learn by sharing the article to your social meeting.   

Chief Sisk also says any landback restoration should promote TRIBALISM,  Her tribe lost their land when Shasta Dam went up and block the way home for the Salmon.  Now Natives can't go home due to disenrollment.

Joe Biden Chooses Apartheid Supporter Kamala Harris AS VP

WELCOME to INDIANZ.com READERS, PLEASE look around the blog

KAMALA HARRIS
NO FRIEND to Native Americans
               photo by Washington Examiner

Apartheid supporter?  You bet.  CA's junior Senator Kamala Harris accepted the endorsement of Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Chairman Mark Macarro, a tribe from Temecula, who runs an apartheid reservation.  More on that down post.

Remember Kamala Harris and Columbus Day? 

Her reply sent shivers of confidence in her:  "Sign me up," Harris replied.  Not, "I've been supporting this for the decade I've been in higher office"  Not, "I've already drafted a law in the Senate".  (has she passed ANY laws?)
and

A Senatorial candidate,Harris concerned a CA Native American Democrat group 

We are dismayed by the lack of sensitivity to tribal issues and to Native Americans as individuals that we see in our announced candidates. Their comments and actions provide little assurance that they grasp the government-to-government relationship guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
When Kamala Harris first became Senator, we sent her a letter that scared even the crickets from chirping, the silence was so deafening.

Dear Senator Harris,

As you assume office and begin the job of familiarizing yourself with the various issues and concerns of your constituents, please take notice of the unique problems facing Southern California Indian Country. American Indians have long suffered unfair and discriminatory treatment from the U.S. Government, and since the passing of the I.G.R.A. (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) individual Indians have been assaulted by “elected” leaders that pursue wealth and power to the detriment of the general welfare of the people.

As CA Attorney General she was not helpful to many Native Americans

Attorney General Kamala Harris submitted a brief in a lawsuit that seeks to diminish the boundaries of the reservation of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

Indian Gaming Groups were unsure of her as Indianz.com reported

She’s just failed to take positions on some critical issues … and that causes alarm,” Steve Stallings, the chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, told The Los Angeles Times. “Unfortunately, what it looks like is politics.”

As attorney general, Harris opposed at least 15 tribal land-into-trust applications, Dave Palermo reported for Pechanga.net in February 2014. Her office also tried to stop the Big Lagoon Rancheria from opening a casino on land that was placed in trust more than two decades ago.
APARTHEID SUPPORT 

If you say, "Trump is Racist, and that makes his supporter Racist!"  Then you have to believe that if Kamala Harris takes the support from an Apartheid Tribe's Leader, that means she's okay with Apartheid, right?

I'm proud to earn the endorsement of Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. As President, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Native communities to solve the challenges they face & ensure our nation respects the sovereignty of Tribal governments. pic.twitter.com/gQm2PzCEoQ

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 20, 2019

FIFTEEN TIMES she opposed tribes on land into Trust applications, she also worked to keep Chukchansi closed.. OK..one time she was right.

Is this the woman we need as Vice President of the United States. Don't forget, she accused a prospective US Supreme Court Justice candidate and FAILED spectacularly.   She's NOT the only Democrat accepting APARTHEID MONEY

Before you send me comments about being a Republican lapdog, I ADMIT I voted for Dianne Feinstein last election, WHY?  TO KEEP THIS TWIT from being my senior Senator from California.

Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro Keeps FIRST COUSIN from Tribe

The Pechanga Moratorium is 20 years old.  Eschewing kinship, Mark Macarro keeps his own family OUT.

It was purportedly designed to give the Pechanga Enrollment Committee time to review their membership rolls. Ya think they could do it in 20 years?   ARLENE MACARRO cousint to Pechanga Chairman Mark Macarro and to Victor Rocha, editor of Pechanga dot Net is still not in the tribe.  (OP:Yet some adults who voted for disenrollment got their family into the tribe in a quid pro quo)

The LosAngeles Times wrote about the Macarros

And then there’s the squabble between Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro, the main television spokesman for the Yes on 1A campaign, and one of his first cousins, who says she was unfairly dropped as a tribal member & denied reinstatement.

Pechanga's Hack Thinks We Should Give Up The Fight For OUR Rights As Original Pechanga People

MORE on Pechanga HACK'S comments

EB, the resident Pechanga Hack made a comment in a previous post :

They may wish to consider instead their fortune as citizens of the greatest nation on Earth. They should orient themselves to basking in the sunshine. They will then enjoy their lives more. 

I believe that if Pechanga would have taken this advice, and not fought for 50 years to get the tribe's water rights, denied by law and courts, restored and clarified by Congress, the storage would be dry.   WHY DIDN'T the TRIBE QUIT?  In fact, on that issue, we didn't quit either, getting critical amendments to the bill that protected the water rights of Temecula Indian Reservaton allottees in 2010 and again in 2015 with Barbara Boxer's people, who admitted that Macarro's lobbyist wife wrote the bill.

Taken from a press release in 2017

Mark Macarro Destroyed Pechanga Children's Heritage

Many Nations are working to protect Native Children..

Chairman Mark Macarro and Pechanga, not so much.  Over 100 CHILDREN have had their heritage stripped by the Pechanga Enrollment committee headed by Bobbi LeMere and with Ruth Masiel and Frances Miranda.

In the case of Pechanga, whose enrollment committee included a relative of the family they disenrolled, sharing the same common ancestor, destroyed the welfare of a hundred Indian children.   Where were the protections for their welfare?   Why would the BIA refuse to get involved?   They may claim they were powerless, but they certainly could have issued guidance.    WHO protects the Native American child, when it's a Native American tribe that's harming them?

In the case of two large families from Pechanga , the Manuela Miranda and the Paulina Hunter descendants, the tribe voted to end all disenrollments, even though the tribal members knew it meant foregoing the resulting significant increase in their own per capita

The tribal enrollment committee consisting of less than a quorum and including members who had NO Indian heritage, voted to disenroll Paulina Hunter posthumously by a single vote.  That single vote, from a non-Indian has harmed the welfare of 200 Indian Children.  Non Indians taking the rights of Indians, while claiming those same rights for themselves.

I WILL CALL THEM OUT, put your tribe that's disenrolled in the comments.

#stopdisenrollment

KAMALA HARRIS in Quid Pro Quo Chooses Leader of APARTHEID Tribal Nation to Her Tribal Leadership Council

Bottom tier Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party Senator Kamala Harris has announcee her Native American Platform. She ignored the pleas of those who needed help when she was California's Attorney General, which we wrote about here  We hoped she would be better than Barbara Boxer. Alas, no, Kamala Harris so bad and worthless, we almost miss Boxer, whose son was caught bilking a Native American Tribe

We wrote in September, that she gladly accepted the endorsement of the tyrannical leader from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Mark Macarro and now the QUID PRO QUO...a spot on her "leadership council".   

Mark Macarro has led the ABUSE of civil/human rights of Native Americans from his Pechanga tribe in Temecula, CA. We have reported about the APARTHEID and Segregation. He led the disenrollment 2 large families to control his opposition, disenfranchising tribal voters and keep the tribe under his thumb. A good democrat?

Key aspects of her Native Issues  plan include:

• Honor tribal sovereignty: Hold an annual Tribal Nations Summit to hear from tribal leaders and youth and collaborate on ways to improve Native Americans' quality of life and access to justice.

• Restore tribal lands: Push Congress to amend the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) to clarify that tribes federally recognized after 1934 can receive land into trust; take 500,000 acres of land into trust.

• Promote health equity: Maximize tribes' autonomy over their IHS programs so they can provide culturally competent, holistic care.

Kamala Harris Accepts APARTHEID Leader Mark Macarro's ENDORSEMENT

Well, Kamala Harris lost MY vote. Mark Macarro has led the ABUSE of civil/human rights of Native Americans from his Pechanga tribe in Temecula, CA. We have reported about the APARTHEID and Segregation. He disenrolled 2 lg. families to control his opposition and keep the tribe under his thumb

YES..SHE KNEW  And she had to apologize to Native Americans, remember? Democrats have ALWAYS supported the apartheid policies of disenrolling tribes

   

I'm proud to earn the endorsement of Mark Macarro, Tribal Chairman, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. As President, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Native communities to solve the challenges they face & ensure our nation respects the sovereignty of Tribal governments. pic.twitter.com/gQm2PzCEoQ

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 20, 2019

Los Angeles Rams Partner with Apartheid, Segregation Tribe, Pechanga Which Abused their Own Elders and Children

Rams OK with Apartheid

  

Turning a blind eye to the human and civil rights abuses including Apartheid and Segregation, (as well as trapping rightful members in a phony moratorium) by the Mark Macarro led Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, the NFL Los Angeles Rams football team and Pechanga Resort Casino have announced a one-year partnership that makes Pechanga the official Indian casino of the sports franchise. The partnership will cross-promote the two entities and bring new philanthropic events to Southern California, according to a statement from Pechanga.

“The Los Angeles Rams represent such a storied franchise,” said Jared Munoa, president of Pechanga Development Corp. and whose OWN FAMILY is kept from the tribal membership rolls. “We are thrilled to join forces with a team that brought a Super Bowl run back to Los Angeles and has made such a deep commitment to the broader Southern California community.

“This partnership will help us provide exclusive VIP experiences for our Pechanga guests while also engaging fans before, during and after games.”

Read more about Pechanga's actions here:
Pechanga’s corrupt tribal council
Mark Macarro
READ about moratorium culture of corruption child molester testimony

Jason Griffiths, Rams VP of Partnerships added, “Pechanga shares our commitment to give back to our neighbors and we are looking forward to developing meaningful programs with them to inspire Angelenos to shine bright. We are excited to welcome Pechanga to our family of partners and to work with them to enhance game days for our fans.”

The one-year agreement gives Pechanga access to premium in-stadium seating areas during games at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum; the ability to develop a variety of VIP events with the team; a halftime presenting sponsor; and a media presence in the Rams’ radio and television channels before and after games.

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Macarro, Citizenship Stripper, LAMENTS Lack of Listening to Natives, Recognizing Existence

Gaming writer Buck Wargo has an incomplete piece in CDC Gaming Reports on how Native Americans  are reacting to negative comments, sovereignty, and acknowledgement. He's not there to make a complete story, but report on gaming. I'll clap back in blue..

There’s frustration among Native Americans that people aren’t listening to them, not taking their sovereignty seriously or recognizing that they exist.  Tribal leaders said they want politicians and the public to condemn what they consider a slur to Native Americans as if someone makes a comment deemed anti-Semitic or other negative racial or religious connotations. 
We've written about the Pocahontas issue and the Redskins issue numerous times.  This is the FIRST time we've heard Macarro mention it.

Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians in Southern California, once the subject of a RECALL ATTEMPT  said there was pushback from politicians and others when Congresswoman Iihan Omar, D-Minnesota, made controversial comments about Israel and Jews.  They weren't controversial, they were racist, anti semitic and hateful.

“A lot of people came down on her and there was pushback because she denigrated Jewish people and politicians,” Macarro said. “Donald Trump talks about Pocahontas, and people laugh and snicker, and nobody says anything. Our Indian Country community (did) but is anybody listening?”  We feel the same about YOU, Mark and your cohorts who stripped us of our heritage, denigrated our ancestors, ruined our children's futures, threaten us with banishment.  And nobody says anything.

Macarro expressed frustration about a 2018 survey that said 40 percent of people didn’t think Native Americans still exist.  This from a man who disenrolled 25% of his tribe out of existence, pals with other who did the same like Pala's Robert Smith, and who skirted poltical donation rules we saw in Wikileaks.

“We are invisible largely to American society, and that’s a problem,” Macarro said. “When we try to articulate argument of government parity and tribal sovereignty (SOVEREIGNTY DOESN'T mean RIGHT) who is listening other than a very small segment of Congress. You SHRINK your tribes and then cry about being invisible.  What is you disenrollers had 11,000 MORE to rally to the cause? And, politician only listen to your casino money.  The GOOD ones, listened to us, Mark, and kept you from your water bill even after you paid your lobbyist wife HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of Dollars.  We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Macarro: We have a lot of work to do to turn that around. We talk to ourselves in our own echo chamber and listen to ourselves but outside of these walls nobody is hearing us. That’s a problem we need to make sure they do because our future is ahead of us.”  Our future is ahead too, imagine the great publicity should disenrolling tribes bring their people home like Enterprise Rancheria and Robinson Rancheria did.   BRING the Pechanga disenrolled HOME Mark.  Let those caught up in a DECADES long Moratorium INTO the Tribe where they BELONG, just like their relatives.  Show REAL leadership, real concern for your OWN family, your own TRIBE......

TOP TEN INDIAN CASINOS To AVOID: IF THEY CHEAT Their OWN People, WHY NOT Their Customers

These Ten TRIBAL Casinos are some we chose to STAY AWAY from and NOT spend our entertainment dollars there. In NO particular order, except for Pechanga because they are MY TRIBE and they cheated MY family and dishonored MY ancestors and our progeny.

MARK MACARRO HONEST?  

There is much more detail at each of the links, please click through
PECHANGA RESORT & CASINO:  Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians CA

In 2004, 130+ adult members and their immediate families were disenrolled from the Pechanga Band. The members were all descendants of Chief Pablo Apish, a historically significant leader of the Pechanga/Temecula people. None of the members were allowed to participate in the 2004 tribal elections as a result of their disenrollment.

TRIBAL DISENROLLMENT CREATES A 21st Century ELECTION MIRACLE AT PECHANGA RESERVATION

Everyone has been asking "What's the latest at Pechanga regarding the elections?"  They are usually held in the summer.


Well, will wonders and miracles NEVER cease?  For the first time this century, and for the most of recent (50 years) elections, THERE WAS NO opposition to the elected officials of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.

THAT is what happens when you disenroll any political opposition.  People get afraid to "rock the boat" or dip their oar in the water.   And as is customary with Democrats, of which, most of the council is...they stifle dissent.

Macarro has said that everyone is happy with the council (which includes a felon) yet, even when the casino first appeared, there was opposition for every seat.   Has the Crime Family and Macarro reached a detente?

Here are some links about the corruption at Pechanga, where Mark Macarro has ruled with an iron hand:

Pechanga’s corrupt tribal council
Mark Macarro
READ about moratorium
culture of corruption
child molester testimony
Larry Miranda
On burying the bad news at Pechanga

Native American Tribes CLASH with UC Over BONES, IGNORE the LIVING. Pechanga Accused of Theft of Ancestors

Cal Matters has an interesting article up today authored by Felicia Mello, this rebuttal of sorts, will be heavily linked by me and I'd love it if you'd take a look at them and share on social media:

Myra Masiel

As tribal archaeologist for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, Myra Masiel uses her UC Berkeley anthropology training daily. Her mission: track down skeletons of Native Californians extracted from gravesites over the last two centuries and shipped off to museums around the world, and return them to the tribe’s ancestral land near Temecula so they can be reburied with dignity.



OP: Masiel is part of Pechanga's Masiel Basquez Crime Family, which we documented. That family also has been determined to have falsified Bureau of Indian Affairs Documents while employed in the Riverside Office.

Pechanga and Pala Tribe's Disenrollment Stories Strikingly Similar: Tribal Heritage Erased and Citizenship Terminated.

PALA vs. Pechanga in the race to eliminate Indians.  Pechanga Resort & Casino has brought good fortune but that wasn't enough for some.  Greed won out over honor and tribal history.

Two casino tribes from Temecula the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and the Pala Band of Mission Indians in Valley Center, both related in Luiseno heritage, have affected their membership's lives by stripping tribal citizenship and erasing their heritage.

KCBS Channel 2 reporter CRISTY FAJARDO reports on disenrollment for greed and power tonight. Pay special attention as to how WEAK the responses are from the two tribal chairmen, Mark Macarro and Robert Smith .  They can lie and obfuscate with ease, because they know that nobody will put them in check.

Here is the video, PLEASE watch and share..

Mark Macarro: Native America's Vladimir Putin? Only the Numbers Are Different

Let's begin by saying what must be said:

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro is a strongman and a thug whose authoritarian regime rigs elections, has control of tribal media outlets,  regularly stamps out dissent, invades private property, lies to congress, disappears the opposition, abuses human rights, stinks of corruption and meddles in other nation's sovereignty-- including tribal casino opportunities, where he was the state SPOKESPERSON in pro-tribal casino referendums.

Vlad Putin
Russian Strongman

Mark Macarro
Pechanga Tribal Chairman

Is that any different that what Putin does in Russia? 

We have congresspeople and media up in arms for Trump congratulating Putin on his election victory, yet in Temecula, CA, we have our governor, local and national politicians like Darrell Issa and Ken Calvert and local media like the Riverside Press Enterprise regularly ignoring the civil and human rights violations of their tribal neighbor and attending functions at their casino and accepting ad monies.  Even the DNC and Hillary Clinton were Pro-Macarro. 

To add insult to injury, Native American entities that rise up against a nickname, are silent to the abuses of people like Macarro, even honoring them.

There are degrees of sin and crimes, surely, but where does a line be drawn?  How many does it have to happen to, TO BE WRONG? 

Apartheid?    Nope, okay.
Elder Abuse?  Nuh-uh, that's okay too.
Theft of Heritage? LOL, what's THAT?
Election Rigging? Child's play
Stripping Citizenship?   It could happen
Racism? 

If you get rid of your opposition and their votes, how can you lose? It's not murder Pechanga members fear, it's losing their share of casino profits, which can leave them penniless.  And Macarro knows it.

Trump phone Putin to "congratulate him on his victory", media pounces after ignoring the fact that Obama did the exact same thing.  Politicians stood up to apartheid in South Africa, yet stand idly by when it's in their own backyard. 



Thanks for NOTHING Senators FEINSTEIN and Harris (and Boxer before her) and thanks for NOTHING Governor Brown.  Failure to lead, failure to protect the defenseless and saluting corruption is your legacy.