Our friend Susan Bradford continues to raise questions on John McCain's actions against Jack Abramoff. Was McCain acting in concert with his contributors? Here's Susan Bradfords post:
By Susan Bradford
Recently, members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan have come forward with complaints that they were pressured into purchasing life insurance from the Mutual of Omaha, a company with ostensible ties to Sen. John McCain.
In the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which McCain convened in 2004, the Senator called Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff to task for, among other things, offering life insurance to tribal elders in the form of an Elder Legacy Program, which was created and promoted by his employer, Greenberg Traurig.
On November 15, 2006, Abramoff commenced his prison sentence after pleading guilty to trumped up corruption charges stemming from Florida and Washington, DC. The scandal had its roots in Indian Country, and among Abramoff’s biggest critics was Saginaw Chippewa SubChief Bernie Sprague, a McCain ally who nursed a personal grudge against the lobbyist who nearly nixed his uncle’s plan to acquire a casino for the Gun Lake tribe.
As tribal members have alleged, and paperwork seems to confirm, McCain interrogated Abramoff’s ally, Deputy Secretary of Interior Steven Griles, about whether he tried to block Gun Lake’s casino aspirations, as a personal favor to Sprague.
On December 20, 2006, just a month after Abramoff’s incarceration, Sprague, who was serving on Tribal Council, motioned for his tribe “to gather membership data from the Tribal Clerk’s Office in regards to the possibility of Life Insurance coverage for Tribal Members.”
Bringing a life insurance carrier on board was a slow process. In September of 2007, a request was filed with the Saginaw Chippewa’s Tribal Council “to approve the Group Life insurance coverage,” but the plan was tabled for further review by the tribe’s Finance Committee.
Finally, in 2009, the Tribal Council agreed to pay $251,203.25 to Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company per month for the group insurance plan. Funding for the plan was slated to come from the Gaming Trust in the form of a monthly wire transfer, Tribal Minutes report.
On November 2, the Tribal Council unveiled a group life insurance product underwritten by Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance for the tribal membership, which was to take effect January 1, 2010. Tribal members were given the option of purchasing as much as $150,000 in life insurance for as much as $76.50 per month.
Showing posts with label Sarah Palin; Joe Biden; John McCain; Barack Obama; Hot Air;. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah Palin; Joe Biden; John McCain; Barack Obama; Hot Air;. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Susan Bradford: John McCain Beholden to Abramoff Witness?
Susan Bradford continues to ask questions from her new book LYNCHED:
The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
Was McCain Beholden to Witness Who Testified Against Abramoff?
By Susan Bradford
A confidential memo written by a relative of Saginaw Chippewa SubChief Bernie Sprague, whom Sen. John McCain freely allowed to make false allegations against Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee indicates that the Senator may have been beholden to the lead witness.
A little over a week before the hearings got underway on September 29, 2004, the relative wrote to the membership of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan that “It’s been discovered that Bernie Sprague is secretly planning to avoid the members (sic) vote “NO” on Proposal B/Secretarial Election and any other future vote of the membership by traveling to Washington, DC on this day to meet with Senator McCain in an attempt to grandfather membership into the tribe by passing a bill into Congress.”
This statement seems to indicate that McCain may have been knowledgeable, if not complicit, in tribal membership fraud and that he might have been willing to take officials on behalf of a witness against Abramoff. Sprague has been a longstanding defender of efforts of a coalition of Saginaw Chippewa tribal members, whose Native credentials are in dispute, to dominate the tribe’s government and businesses.
“Evidently Bernie from his previous Council powers helped Senator McCain get into office and now Bernie feels Senator McCain owes him a huge personal favor,” the relative continued in her statement.
Among the favors McCain evidently doled out to Sprague was to interrogate Deputy Secretary Steven Griles, Abramoff’s chief contact at Interior, about any actions the agency might have taken to obstruct a casino for the Gun Lake tribe, which is chaired by Sprague’s uncle.
Susan Bradford is the author of Lynched: The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
(Book is available here: https://www.createspace.com/3494997)
The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
Was McCain Beholden to Witness Who Testified Against Abramoff?
By Susan Bradford
A confidential memo written by a relative of Saginaw Chippewa SubChief Bernie Sprague, whom Sen. John McCain freely allowed to make false allegations against Republican super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff in the Senate Indian Affairs Committee indicates that the Senator may have been beholden to the lead witness.
A little over a week before the hearings got underway on September 29, 2004, the relative wrote to the membership of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan that “It’s been discovered that Bernie Sprague is secretly planning to avoid the members (sic) vote “NO” on Proposal B/Secretarial Election and any other future vote of the membership by traveling to Washington, DC on this day to meet with Senator McCain in an attempt to grandfather membership into the tribe by passing a bill into Congress.”
This statement seems to indicate that McCain may have been knowledgeable, if not complicit, in tribal membership fraud and that he might have been willing to take officials on behalf of a witness against Abramoff. Sprague has been a longstanding defender of efforts of a coalition of Saginaw Chippewa tribal members, whose Native credentials are in dispute, to dominate the tribe’s government and businesses.
“Evidently Bernie from his previous Council powers helped Senator McCain get into office and now Bernie feels Senator McCain owes him a huge personal favor,” the relative continued in her statement.
Among the favors McCain evidently doled out to Sprague was to interrogate Deputy Secretary Steven Griles, Abramoff’s chief contact at Interior, about any actions the agency might have taken to obstruct a casino for the Gun Lake tribe, which is chaired by Sprague’s uncle.
Susan Bradford is the author of Lynched: The Shocking Story of How the Political Establishment Manufactured a Scandal to Have Republican Super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff Removed from Power.
(Book is available here: https://www.createspace.com/3494997)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Harry Reid Fails in Attempt to Get Internet Gaming into Tax Deal
Our friends at HOT AIR are reporting that Harry Reid was trying to sneak an online gaming proposal into President Obama's tax deal.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is trying to use the tax cut package President Barack Obama brokered with Republicans to legalize online poker, POLITICO has learned — a move that could further complicate the deal Obama announced Monday.
Already, the online poker proposal has exposed the Nevada Democrat to charges of flip-flopping on a controversial issue, as well as using his Senate leadership position to repay big casino interests that helped him win reelection in a hard-fought campaign against Republican Sharron Angle last month.
The National Indian Gaming Association is opposing Reid’s effort to insert the online poker language in any tax cut bill, said an official with the group, Jason Giles. He asserted it gives an advantage to Las Vegas-based gambling operators while discriminating against tribal operators. OP: Tribal Gaming Nations want to discriminate all by themselves.
BUT, late in the day, it looks like Harry couldn't pull it off:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Las Vegas Sun after a press conference this afternoon that despite a flurry of last-minute lobbying, he would not be adding legalization of online poker to his list of objectives during the lame duck.
“We’re still working on that, we’re not able to,” Reid said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is trying to use the tax cut package President Barack Obama brokered with Republicans to legalize online poker, POLITICO has learned — a move that could further complicate the deal Obama announced Monday.
Already, the online poker proposal has exposed the Nevada Democrat to charges of flip-flopping on a controversial issue, as well as using his Senate leadership position to repay big casino interests that helped him win reelection in a hard-fought campaign against Republican Sharron Angle last month.
The National Indian Gaming Association is opposing Reid’s effort to insert the online poker language in any tax cut bill, said an official with the group, Jason Giles. He asserted it gives an advantage to Las Vegas-based gambling operators while discriminating against tribal operators. OP: Tribal Gaming Nations want to discriminate all by themselves.
BUT, late in the day, it looks like Harry couldn't pull it off:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Las Vegas Sun after a press conference this afternoon that despite a flurry of last-minute lobbying, he would not be adding legalization of online poker to his list of objectives during the lame duck.
“We’re still working on that, we’re not able to,” Reid said.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Why Those Who Have Been Denied Their Civil Rights By Pechanga, Redding, Enterprise, Picayune should Support Obama and The Congressional Black Caucus
Not to pick sides or try and influence how you may vote on November 4th, but a key advisor to Senator Obama just happens to be John Conyers, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
Chairman Conyers and the Congressional Black Caucus hosted a panel discussion on the Cherokee Freedmen issue at their last conference in September 2008.
The Chairman supports the efforts on behalf of the Freedmen and played a role on getting hearings on the Freedmen issue scheduled for the next session of Congress (I will touch more on this in a later email).
His input, if Senator Obama is elected President, could lean towards selecting an Assistant Secretary who understands that civil rights for individual Indians are a key aspect of sovereignty. Rep. Barney Frank has already stood up for the Freedmen and will support those of us who have been denied Civil Rights. Maybe some hearings about those tribes that have wielded sovereignty like a club will ensue.
Additionally, Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the rich and that will affect those like Pechanga, who enriched themselves by destroying 300 of their tribesman. A small way to raise $20,000 from each of them.
Lastly, because it will be good for UNION! Card check will be passed and unions can take over tribal casinos with just a little strong arming of the future rank and file. But more importantly, unions will be able to use the dues to keep Democrats in office.
Chairman Conyers and the Congressional Black Caucus hosted a panel discussion on the Cherokee Freedmen issue at their last conference in September 2008.
The Chairman supports the efforts on behalf of the Freedmen and played a role on getting hearings on the Freedmen issue scheduled for the next session of Congress (I will touch more on this in a later email).
His input, if Senator Obama is elected President, could lean towards selecting an Assistant Secretary who understands that civil rights for individual Indians are a key aspect of sovereignty. Rep. Barney Frank has already stood up for the Freedmen and will support those of us who have been denied Civil Rights. Maybe some hearings about those tribes that have wielded sovereignty like a club will ensue.
Additionally, Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the rich and that will affect those like Pechanga, who enriched themselves by destroying 300 of their tribesman. A small way to raise $20,000 from each of them.
Lastly, because it will be good for UNION! Card check will be passed and unions can take over tribal casinos with just a little strong arming of the future rank and file. But more importantly, unions will be able to use the dues to keep Democrats in office.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
San Manuel Chairman Supports JOHN McCain Because of DEEDS not Promises.
In an op-ed piece from Deron Marquez, former chairman of the San Manuel Band, in Indian Country Today, he lays out why Native American voters should consider the person who by DEED, has been good for Indian Country, and that is JOHN McCAIN.
Which to help provide guidance for your choice, deeds, or promises? Barack Obama will pass Union Card Check, which will erode tribal sovereignty even more than actions by some corrupt tribes like Pechanga, or Redding and Picayune. McCain has been in a leadership role for 20 years, helping to strengthen sovereignty and benefits for Indian Nations.
Here is a comprehensive look at Senator Obama from Hot Air.
As Nov. 4 approaches, I find myself reading blogs and op-ed pieces from various tribal corners, mostly supporting the Democratic ticket in the race for the White House. I was surprised to note that there are few public statements being expressed by tribal leaders and representatives about Sen. John McCain and his public record of support for sovereign tribal nations.
Campaign promises being voiced by Mr. Barack Obama to Indian country are noteworthy. But we should remember that no group of Americans has been promised more and delivered less than the First Americans. Instead of more promises, let’s give attention to real accomplishments involving issues of significant importance, which have benefited Indian tribes because of Sen. McCain’s deeds.
Few issues are as fundamentally important and sacred to Indian tribes as their cultural resources and their histories. Sen. McCain’s leadership resulted in the enactment of federal legislation that serves today as the foundation for the protection of these important resources. The Native American Graves Protection Act was passed by the Congress in 1990. Aware that congressional efforts to protect tribal cultural resources – including sacred sites and graves – had failed in 1986 due to opposition from museums and other groups, he introduced NAGPRA during the first session of the 101st Congress. OP: That's one more than Sen. Obama did his whole Senate career on ANYTHING.
In partnership with then-committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, who had introduced a bill of his own on the subject, McCain convinced the world-renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz., to convene and lead a national dialogue on issues related to the protection of American Indian cultural resources. The national dialogue was tasked with producing a set of recommendations, which could serve as a basis for legislation to protect these important resources. The national dialogue, which involved museums, archaeologists, anthropologists and Indian tribes and organizations took nearly two years but was successful in producing recommendations for the Indian Affairs Committee. Once the recommendations were delivered to Sen. McCain, they were incorporated into legislation that became NAGPRA. OP: Reaching across the aisle, working with the loyal opposition, getting things accomplished FOR Indian Country.
Read the OP ED HERE
Which to help provide guidance for your choice, deeds, or promises? Barack Obama will pass Union Card Check, which will erode tribal sovereignty even more than actions by some corrupt tribes like Pechanga, or Redding and Picayune. McCain has been in a leadership role for 20 years, helping to strengthen sovereignty and benefits for Indian Nations.
Here is a comprehensive look at Senator Obama from Hot Air.
As Nov. 4 approaches, I find myself reading blogs and op-ed pieces from various tribal corners, mostly supporting the Democratic ticket in the race for the White House. I was surprised to note that there are few public statements being expressed by tribal leaders and representatives about Sen. John McCain and his public record of support for sovereign tribal nations.
Campaign promises being voiced by Mr. Barack Obama to Indian country are noteworthy. But we should remember that no group of Americans has been promised more and delivered less than the First Americans. Instead of more promises, let’s give attention to real accomplishments involving issues of significant importance, which have benefited Indian tribes because of Sen. McCain’s deeds.
Few issues are as fundamentally important and sacred to Indian tribes as their cultural resources and their histories. Sen. McCain’s leadership resulted in the enactment of federal legislation that serves today as the foundation for the protection of these important resources. The Native American Graves Protection Act was passed by the Congress in 1990. Aware that congressional efforts to protect tribal cultural resources – including sacred sites and graves – had failed in 1986 due to opposition from museums and other groups, he introduced NAGPRA during the first session of the 101st Congress. OP: That's one more than Sen. Obama did his whole Senate career on ANYTHING.
In partnership with then-committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, who had introduced a bill of his own on the subject, McCain convinced the world-renowned Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz., to convene and lead a national dialogue on issues related to the protection of American Indian cultural resources. The national dialogue was tasked with producing a set of recommendations, which could serve as a basis for legislation to protect these important resources. The national dialogue, which involved museums, archaeologists, anthropologists and Indian tribes and organizations took nearly two years but was successful in producing recommendations for the Indian Affairs Committee. Once the recommendations were delivered to Sen. McCain, they were incorporated into legislation that became NAGPRA. OP: Reaching across the aisle, working with the loyal opposition, getting things accomplished FOR Indian Country.
Read the OP ED HERE
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