Dumb is the word. I read where the counties lost their appeal and the Cayugas can resume selling untaxed cigarettes because they're a “qualified reservation” and the state law that sought to impose taxation was “not in effect.”

The “dumb” part of this whole fiasco was the counties taking it upon themselves, without the OK from state and federal government, to raid Indian-owned businesses.

Now they expect the state to pick up the tab. Can't get any dumber than that, can you?

I watched the land-to-trust hearings on TV. As one local politico after another carped and complained about “unfair competition” from the sale of untaxed cigarettes.

Hello? These same politicians fall all over Wal-Mart which has done more to eliminate locally-owned businesses through “unfair competition” than any other retail outlet. And the money it makes doesn't even stay in this country - it goes to China!

There was also some moaning and groaning about the potential for the unregulated Cayuga Nation polluting Cayuga Lake, already polluted by toxic leachate from Seneca Meadows.

You can't eat the fish, if you can find any. Yet these same elected officials look the other way because Seneca Meadows puts big bucks in their coffers.

Maybe these guys will give Cayuga Lake back to the Indians when it's completely dead.

Lucille Povero

Seneca Falls