Indian reservations and terrorism

[punkgrrrlie10]

Because of the jurisdictional gaps on Indian reservations they are the easiest ways for terrorists to make their way through the country. There are already large problems with meth labs and sex abuse on the reservations b/c Indian reservations don't have the resources to enforce their laws alot of the time, the states can't assert jurisdiction and when they can - won't, and the feds can and are only there so often. It was given small mention while the Patriot Act was in the works but wasn't acted on. The one's to worry about most of course are the one's on the borders of Canada and Mexico. Just makes me wonder if we are as safe without considering all possibilities.

[kellychaos]

Being a separate entity, wouldn't the borders with reservations (that are on the, say, U.S.-Canadian) border be as equally patrolled as would a normal U.S.-Canadian border? Although in southeast Michigan, I'm fairly close to the Canadian border, the boundary is made by waterways and is patrolled by the coast guard (marine) and/or border guard (on land).

[mesobe]

I dont think terrorists will be using native reserves to move thru the country. the last time I checked Native reserves made up no more than 1% of the landmass in Canada. Now Ive heard about organized crime using can-us border crossings via a reserves before to smuggle cigs and booze, but global terrorism is a stretch.

I agree that reserves have their share of problems. my home town is between 3 of them. They have a special RCMP squad to deal strictly with the natives. But you cant relate meth labs, domestic disputes and public drunkeness with terrorism...and its not about the natives unable to govern themselves. I know plenty of natives who dont live on reserves that are just as out-of-control (and to be fair, I know plenty who are awsome people to be around too).

[AChimp]

Last time I checked, reserves are pretty closed communities. The Natives would notice a bunch of Arabs hanging around pretty quickly.

As for being patrolled, no they're not. There's a few reserves where you can come and go across the border as you please. Water? Just hop in your boat.

[punkgrrrlie10]

Originally Posted by mesobe

I dont think terrorists will be using native reserves to move thru the country. the last time I checked Native reserves made up no more than 1% of the landmass in Canada. Now Ive heard about organized crime using can-us border crossings via a reserves before to smuggle cigs and booze, but global terrorism is a stretch.

I agree that reserves have their share of problems. my home town is between 3 of them. They have a special RCMP squad to deal strictly with the natives. But you cant relate meth labs, domestic disputes and public drunkeness with terrorism...and its not about the natives unable to govern themselves. I know plenty of natives who dont live on reserves that are just as out-of-control (and to be fair, I know plenty who are awsome people to be around too).

I think you misunderstand what I was talking about when I say govern themselves. I'm talking about the ability to enforce judgments against those who are out of control on the reservation without having the resources to do so. Most don't have prisons, they have to contract through the feds so what usually ends up happening is a "don't do it again" and we all know how well that works with criminals. And non-Indians go onto reservations and commit crimes and the tribe has no jurisdiction over them, they have to call in the feds and the state sure as hell doesn't get involved. I don't know. Perhaps the gov't's would be more responsive to reports of Arabs hanging around rather than the non-indians that come onto the reservation and rape the women.

[AChimp]

I don't know why anyone who isn't a Native would want to enter a reserve. Of course, all our Indians are bums up here. :/

[thebiggameover]

in arizona, we dont have any res's that are on the border with mexcio (i think). and here, if you are white and get commit a crime on the res, you are FUCKED. that last thing anybody wants is to be pulled over on the res. they can search your car for no reason and not get in truble for it. acatualy a few years ago, they kicked all the white people that lived on the res out, unless they were doing a public service...

[mesobe]

and I dont think natives on a reserve are going to allow arabs to live on their land. It would be an odd thing to do and its far from being sneaky.

plus you still have to get into the country then they have to somehow move and live on a reserve.... doesnt make much sense.

[punkgrrrlie10]

trafficking through, not necessarily living.

[AChimp]

Yeah, but the Natives fell for that one already 500 years ago. They're not dumb enough to do it again.

[mesobe]

plus... in my very personal opinion, I dont think the indians care for terrorists. I think they hate them more than the most of us.

They wouldnt want nothing of it.

[The_Rorschach]

California is setting precident in this field right now. Pretty soon, the courts of this great Golden State of mine are going to have jurisdiction over those Injun folk.

Apparantly there was an uprising, tenatively I am calling it Wounded Casino, where the charter members who decide which Indian's qualify as tribesmen were usurped by some upstarts more compelled by matters of finance than tradition, and so the US was asked to step in and mediate. If it is decided that the courts can intercede in this instance, as it looks they very well may have to, it will change the rules of the game completely - Even for terrorists.

[kellychaos]

Arab Casinos!