After bill fails, Akaka vows to try again (Native Hawaiian bill)

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060609/NEWS01/606090359

WASHINGTON — While the long-stalled Native Hawaiian bill suffered a blow yesterday, with the Senate rejecting an effort to bring it to the floor, supporters vowed to keep up the battle. "I'm going to continue to work on this," said Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, chief sponsor of the bill. "If we don't bring it up again this year, I'll be here next year and offer the bill again." In a written statement he said, "We must continue to move forward for Native Hawaiians, the people of Hawai'i and everyone in this country who believe that ours is a nation which treats all of its people with an equitable hand." Haunani Apoliona, chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said supporters were "not going to roll over and give up."



http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/misc?url=/misc/zoom.pbs&e=M1&Date=20060609&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=606090359&Ref=AR

a Justice Department letter released late Wednesday that said the Bush administration "strongly opposes" the Native Hawaiian bill. The letter said that given the substantial differences between Native Hawaiians and federally recognized Indian tribes, it would be "inappropriate" and raise "difficult constitutional issues" to give Native Hawaiians tribal recognition.

Abercrombie said the letter was a legislative blow in that supporters, including Republican Gov. Lingle, had long sought a White House position on the issue but it showed up only on the eve of the Senate vote, leaving little time to respond. "It's as much a kick in the teeth of the governor as it is to those of us who were trying to pass the legislation in the Congress," he said.

[ThomCat]

1. Why the hell SHOULDN'T they be recognized?

They were their own, culturally homogeneous, sovereign nation before we invaded and took over. The only difference is that we didn't have a legal tradition recognizing them as a sovereign entity before we took over.

Native Hawaiians have every right to consider themselves Native Americans.

[lonehalf]

3. Just like Puerto Rico

Let them vote on it.

They can be a State or a Commonworth or a new Country.

PR always votes to be a Commonworth.

[MaineDem]

5. I think they did vote to be a state

Back in '59 or '60, no?.

[Solon]

10. No, you misunderstand...

This bill was to give Native Hawaiians the same rights as other Native American Nations within the country. Right now they are the ONLY indigenous group in the country that do NOT have the same rights or priveleges, including self governance, etc. that other Native Nations do.

[The Sushi Bandit]

12. Right.. That is the point of it all!

right now hawaiians are not even cosidered a minority by this administration

[tn-guy]

13. not so

"Right now they are the ONLY indigenous group ..."

Sorry, not so. You are forgetting that when Texas joined the Union there was then and now no special recognition of native Texans.

[agio]

2. Akaka must just feel great

after rolling over to the Republicans on so many important votes, including ANWAR and bankruptcy "reform," just to get the shaft by the same Republicans on his own favorite bill.

[SammyBlue]

6. Never trust Vipers and Asps like modern Republicans.

It's like sitting in a room with a rabid pitbull and hoping it won't attack.

[The Sushi Bandit]

7. Agreed!

I watched his votes and I knew it was so he could get support for his bill and at the last min. they fucked him.

[xchrom]

4. must not let indigenous people get a leg up.

they might take some wealth that rightfully belongs to them.

[Up2Late]

8. Well, it looks like they were only 2 vote shy, that is, if Schumer and...

...Rockefeller had voted, where the hell were they? And Frist is gone after December (retiring), so who else is retiring or bound to lose on the No side?

[The Sushi Bandit]

9. They should have locked three republicans in the bathroom

before the vote!

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Santorum

[HereSince1628]

11. Hahahahahah, the Bush administration worried about constitutional issues

R i g h t!

[The Sushi Bandit]

14. Sunday night kick

read and learn