Justice Dept. wants Akaka (Hawaiian recognition) bill altered

I'm shocked, I tell you! Shocked! :sarcasm:

Many of you will recall that this bill was the ostensible reason for our two Dem senators rolling over for the repukes on ANWR, at the behest of Ted Stevens (R-Prince of Darkness). In return for their oily support of drilling ANWR, Akaka and Inouye were assured that the repukes would finally bring the Akaka Bill up for a floor vote.

Surprise! The repukes had their fingers crossed behind their backs. It'll go to a floor vote, all right, but it'll be amended into a form that basically says "There shall be Hawaiian recognition" without any teeth left in it.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050714/NEWS23/507140335

The Department of Justice yesterday raised "serious policy concerns" about the Akaka bill.

Among other issues, the department wants to shorten or eliminate the time allowed for monetary claims by Hawaiians; add language that explicitly prohibits gambling; and allow non-Hawaiians to sit on the panel that would chart the course of a sovereign Hawaiian entity.

The department issued a two-page letter stating those concerns about the Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill to U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, just days before a crucial Senate vote is expected.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050714/NEWS23/507140337

WASHINGTON — When the bill to give federal recognition to Native Hawaiians comes up for Senate debate next week, Sen. Jon Kyl will be armed with amendments to modify it.

Kyl, R-Ariz., the bill's leading opponent, said that one of his proposals would stop the process for federal recognition unless it's approved in a referendum of all Hawai'i residents....

The disagreement between Akaka and Kyl provide a snapshot of the arguments that are likely to be made on the Senate floor when debate opens next week on the proposal that has been around for five years....

Kyl declined to provide details on other amendments he intends to offer.

"Declined to provide details". Indeed.

I realize there's an element of schadenfreude here, seeing Akaka get burned by the treacherous repukes, but the losers here are not only the Hawaiian people, but all residents of Hawai'i, who would benefit from having a functioning entity representing the host culture.

...Letting them know that had the bothered to stop using their ass cheeks as helmets, they might have seen that Bushco was using their stupid asses as pawns...

Frankly, they voted for ANWR, so as far as I'm concerned, they get what they deserve... Sellout Bastards