Your thoughts on - "Tribe suing beer companies for alcohol problems"

[Paul G]

An American Indian tribe sued some of the world’s largest beer makers Thursday, claiming they knowingly contributed to devastating alcohol-related problems on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Read more here:

http://www.powwows.com/2012/02/tribe-suing-beer-companies-for-alcohol-problems/

What are you thoughts on the issue?

[Cinkala]

I don't like the look of this...

This could possibly cause more problems for Pine Ridge... What if they lose? Let's face it, white people haven't been very fair to Natives in the past and it isn't any better today... I'm just playing devils advocate here but what if the judge (who I assume will be white) has an incredibly anti-NDN stance?

But at the same time... I am all for Pine Ridge to stand up for themselves. If there has been a wrong done against them (and I blieve there has) then I think something should be done...

[soopashinaab]

In my humble opinion...

This is why our society is so screwed up in the first place, because of bogus law suits like this. Where does it stop? Why not sue McDonalds or Burger King for making us fat, or filing a law suit against any other company that might tick us off for "making" us buy their product? Alcohol is a big problem in NDN country, but it's up to us to deal with it. We need to stand up and say no, I did.

[Cinkala]

In my humble opinion...

This is why our society is so screwed up in the first place, because of bogus law suits like this. Where does it stop? Why not sue McDonalds or Burger King for making us fat, or filing a law suit against any other company that might tick us off for "making" us buy their product? Alcohol is a big problem in NDN country, but it's up to us to deal with it. We need to stand up and say no, I did.

Didn't think about that... good point.

[yaahl]

I think in my humble opinion that if smokers can sue tobacco companies for smoking related diseases then why not those folks affected by booze companies that are supplying the chain of alcohol sales near a reserve.

I also think that because the alcohol sales are primarily within an area that was once a buffer zone to prevent sales then those companies that are selling their product to those stores should be warned off...and if it takes a lawsuit, then so be it. I don't think in this particular case it is a bogus claim. The rez made itself dry, there once was a buffer zone between the rez and the state to prevent alcohol sales and transportation.

I think that the tax revenue from such sales never really finds its way to goods and services on the rez...at least in an urban centre if a drunk want to clean up, the services are partially funded by state tax revenues...smokes/booze etc. Don't see that even being close to being provided for by alcohol tax revenues in this case.

[AmigoKumeyaay]

My friends here...don't want to step on toes...but in many cases the addiction is overwhelming, this situation is way beyond each individual alcoholic DECIDING to clean themselves up.

Many cities have passed laws that LIMIT the number of liquor licenses / sales permits in poor neighborhoods, and it is making a difference.

These greedy corporations would pimp their own mothers to turn a buck, screw 'em!

[RDNKJ]

Question -

When did the buffer zone stop being a buffer zone, and how/why did that happen?

[yaahl]

Question -

When did the buffer zone stop being a buffer zone, and how/why did that happen?

http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_0680d744-9230-11df-b072-001cc4c03286.html

[RDNKJ]

Thanks, [MENTION=90586]yaahl[/MENTION]!

[LISA IRONMAKER]

In my humble opinion...

This is why our society is so screwed up in the first place, because of bogus law suits like this. Where does it stop? Why not sue McDonalds or Burger King for making us fat, or filing a law suit against any other company that might tick us off for "making" us buy their product? Alcohol is a big problem in NDN country, but it's up to us to deal with it. We need to stand up and say no, I did.

well said soopashinaab.

[Zeke]

If I have sex with an unattractive woman, I should now blame Johnny Walker?

I am always the bad guy here but reality is that the reason there is an alcohol issue on Pine Ridge can be found there (i.e., people abusing alcohol).

Simplistic? Maybe. But folks in the ghetto who commit murder are still held accountable for it whether they had an effective choice or not.

Bottom line? If the environment is the issue, leave the environment. If behavior is the issue, address it via personal accountability.

Either way, it's time to cease blaming the Great White Father for our problems.

Buffer zones? Taxation? Limited purchase?

All you're doing is growing a black market industry and/or drunk driving arrests because folks have to go farther to get booze.

The problem isn't the distributor(s) of Natural Light or MD 20/20, it's the consumer.

[Cinkala]

If I have sex with an unattractive woman, I should now blame Johnny Walker?

I am always the bad guy here but reality is that the reason there is an alcohol issue on Pine Ridge can be found there (i.e., people abusing alcohol).

Simplistic? Maybe. But folks in the ghetto who commit murder are still held accountable for it whether they had an effective choice or not.

Bottom line? If the environment is the issue, leave the environment. If behavior is the issue, address it via personal accountability.

Either way, it's time to cease blaming the Great White Father for our problems.

Buffer zones? Taxation? Limited purchase?

All you're doing is growing a black market industry and/or drunk driving arrests because folks have to go farther to get booze.

The problem isn't the distributor(s) of Natural Light or MD 20/20, it's the consumer.

This actually raises a point I've been thinking about for a while. How can we change the enviornment (the rez) for the better?

[yaahl]

If I have sex with an unattractive woman, I should now blame Johnny Walker?

I am always the bad guy here but reality is that the reason there is an alcohol issue on Pine Ridge can be found there (i.e., people abusing alcohol).

Simplistic? Maybe. But folks in the ghetto who commit murder are still held accountable for it whether they had an effective choice or not.

Bottom line? If the environment is the issue, leave the environment. If behavior is the issue, address it via personal accountability.

Either way, it's time to cease blaming the Great White Father for our problems.

Buffer zones? Taxation? Limited purchase?

All you're doing is growing a black market industry and/or drunk driving arrests because folks have to go farther to get booze.

The problem isn't the distributor(s) of Natural Light or MD 20/20, it's the consumer.

You know Zeke, ordinarily I would agree with you on the stance that each person is ultimately responsible for what they do to themselves via vices... however, having lived in a dry community where it is not only dry but an isolated community (fly in only)as well - those that continue to attempt to get booze sales into the community know full well that they are contributing to a disease and against the wishes of the community.

It's bottom feeding at its worse and no different from the dope dealer, the child molester or the elder abuser.. they are feeding on the vulnerable.

I don't think it's a cut a dry answer to say that if the consumer stops so will the sales and life becomes wonderful on the rez... if it were that easy then the isolated, no drugs and alcohol communities would have no reason to maintain their no booze policies... most of their citizens are drug and alcohol free - but even that isn't going to stop bottom feeders trying to make a buck...

[Zeke]

This actually raises a point I've been thinking about for a while. How can we change the enviornment (the rez) for the better?

Step One is to not romanticize it in ANY way.

For example, Sherman Alexie should write books about folks on the reservation getting their car(s) fixed, not driving around in reverse as if it were normal.

I do find it interesting that, in his youth, he made a conscious decision to leave the reservation but now, in his writing, he romanticizes it for the masses?

1. I don't know the guy.
2. I'm not judging.
3. I just don't think it helps.

I don't think it's a cut a dry answer to say that if the consumer stops so will the sales and life becomes wonderful on the rez... if it were that easy then the isolated, no drugs and alcohol communities would have no reason to maintain their no booze policies..

If the consumer stops, who buys?

Personally, I believe the reason such policies are maintained is because it truly is that simple, folks are just ingenious enough to get around it.

Whether that is the fault of supply or demand is the question...

[AmigoKumeyaay]

Who is going to raise the babies affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Not Anheiser-Busch...not Great White Father...



Need I mention all the criminal violent acts being committed while people are intoxicated?

Generational abuse, and suicides all tied-in to the White Clay alcohol...

The huge toxicity of this situation demands massive action. These Lakota are being herded into a mass-extinction.