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Indians Not A Fan of Governor Paterson These Days

2010_08_indihutn.jpg
Photograph of a Cattaraugus Indian Reservation protest of the proposed New York state cigarette tax to non-Native American consumers in Irving, N.Y. by Don Heupel/AP

Indians in New York, upset with Governor Paterson's attempt to tax cigarettes on Indian reservation, held protests and rallies yesterday. The Post reports that they are on...the "warpath: "Dozens of Native Americans -- including one brandishing a sign showing Paterson, a handgun and the words "I'm Hunting Indians. You See Any?" -- rallied on the side of the Thruway yesterday to protest the governor's plan to tax cigarettes on Indian reservations."

One speaker said, "Watch for what we're ready to do. Watch for the other side of the sword, that's all I'm saying. Nobody's going to get hurt unless you try to keep us [Indians] from enforcing our laws." But Paterson, who proposed the tax because NY State desperately needs money, claims, “We are not going on Indian nation land. What we are doing is forcing the wholesalers to pay the tax upfront. Now either they have to get that money from anyone who would buy their cigarettes or we would have what we’ve been having for decades, an unfair competitive advantage.” Of course, the wholesalers who pay the tax expect to be reimbursed by the Indian tribes.

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Comments [rss]

  • cleanupnynow

    Indians are not alone in being a fan of David Paterson. Most New Yorkers would like Paterson to simply RESIGN.

    It is a huge mistake for David Paterson to get involved with Indian matters. David Paterson has no ability whatsoever to improve a situation - he only makes matters worse.

    Paterson simply ha no ability to govern. Well then again, David Paterson never had any ability to govern. "The Democratic Conference: Organizational and Operational Structure Report" is an eyewitness account of Paterson's DYSFUNCTIONAL governing nature while Senate Minority Leader.

    http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_demreportfinal.html

    Paterson's office was criticized for PATRONAGE, LACK OF LEADERSHIP, INDECISIVENESS and INFIGHTING. Those interviewed in the report indicated that its chief of staff the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey had no management skills, was neglectful in his duties – often boozing it up with staff and coming to the office with a hangover - and should be relieved of his position.

    Amazingly, for running such a DYSFUNCTIONAL CHAOTIC office, the disorganized Michael Jones-Bey was picked by Paterson to mismanage the MWBE program at Empire State Development Corporation.

    That is the Paterson way - being rewarded for your incompetence.

  • Guest_of_a_Guest



    I'm happy to see the Native Americans are taking the high road...by making fun of a blind man.

  • sowhtifithppnsitwll

    I didn't think that was the intention.

    Is that what you got out of it?

  • Guest

    hahahahahahaha

    +1

  • boogpowell

    Why do the Indians hate Patterson? They arent rivals with the Yankees (and we know Patterson enjoys Yankees games). It would make more sense if the Red Sox hated Patterson.

  • ozik

    Those Native Americans need to work on their Photoshop skills.

  • Potty Boy

    Wait....why are you calling them "Indians"? Is that term making a comeback?

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