A bit of disclosure here: Louisiana has a reputation for being a corrupt state. You know it, and I know it. However, I want to be very clear that all accounts say the small group victimized in this story are completely innocent and had no idea what they were getting themselves into. Actually, the scandal erupted when the group mentioned here and other groups cried out for help when they realized what had happened. Please read on . . .
Sleek buildings line K Street in Washington, D.C. High-powered lobbyists for special interest groups who hope to influence Congress usually have an office (or fill most of a building) on K Street. It's a street with a snarky reputation, usually part of what citizens mean when they want to 'clean up Washington' -- even if they don't realize K Street in particular vibrates far and wide.
Sleek buildings line K Street in Washington, D.C. High-powered lobbyists for special interest groups who hope to influence Congress usually have an office (or fill most of a building) on K Street. It's a street with a snarky reputation, usually part of what citizens mean when they want to 'clean up Washington' -- even if they don't realize K Street in particular vibrates far and wide.
Some years ago, a law suit challenging K Street's influence made its way to the Supreme Court, but the Supremes ruled that the Constitution protects lobbyists and special interest groups because of the 'right to petition Congress' inherent in the Constitution. Cleaning up K Street makes for great campaign rhetoric; however, only two brooms exist: the Supreme Court modifies its ruling or states pass a Constitutional amendment that does so.
Now, I wasn't thinking of K Street when I searched for a Louisiana K. I passed on Kenner, now a suburb of New Orleans, because I wanted to get out of the city, see more of Louisiana. I'd been to Kinder a few times, so settled on a small town in southwest Louisiana, a half-hour flight from Lake Charles, a bustling city that anchors the area. Yes, the small town of Kinder has an airport. Here's how it all links together:
In 1911, Kinder's 1,088 population incorporated into a town in Allen Parish, Louisiana.
In 2012, Kinder's population hovers around 2,148 people. In many ways, Kinder typifies many small towns found in Louisiana. Life is gentler, usually family-oriented, with everybody knowing everybody. Also typical of small towns is income: $31,799 a year for a family (3-4 people); $28,015 income for males; and $19,015 income for females.
Yes, food and housing are cheaper. Yes, Louisiana's lakes and rivers and fertile soil provide access to much of what Nature offers. But, clothes, vehicles, televisions, computers, and so on have price similarities nationwide. And college is, well, pricey. Life in Kinder isn't in the fast lane, but life can be in a challenging lane.
The Coushatta of Louisiana Native Americans have a reservation near Kinder. Most of its 650 members live on the reservation, 400 of whom speak Kosati, their native language. It's also the primary name of the tribe, with Coushatta a popular derivative. The name of the gambling casino on their reservation is the Coushatta Casino Resort. The history of this casino is what gives Kinder a twist.
In the 1990s, the Coushatta hired Jack Abramoff to lobby Congress for the casino's permit. What the Coushatta didn't know is Abramoff entered into a 'pay to play' scheme that rocked Congress like no other scandal has since Watergate.
Texas Congressman Tom DeLay is in prison, after losing an attempt to have his verdict overturned. Not too long ago Jack Abramoff got out of prison and presently promotes his book, Capitol Punishment. Neil Volz, a former congressional aide linked to Abramoff, also got out of prison recently and promotes his e-pub, Into the Sun.
Jack Abramoff, Ralph E. Reed, Jr., Grover Norquist, and Michael Scanion fleeced $85 million from the Coushatta and other Native American tribes who wanted to bring casinos to their reservations.
Reed, Norquist, and Scanion didn't go to prison, rode out the storm, and are bigger political powerhouses than they were before. Norquist is the power behind the Republican Party's pledge not to raise taxes.
The Coushatta eventually got their casino. And they built an airport. Business is good. The Coushatta have managed casino revenues so that members enjoy an improved standard of living.
You met cousins of the Coushatta under "C", the Caddo Indians, as they are in the same family, the Southeastern Mound Building Cultures. In the 1800s, the Coushatta merged with the Creek Confederacy, then split from the Confederacy and moved to South Louisiana. Like the Coushatta in Alabama (the Chief's photo is above) and Texas, they cultivated crops and lived in villages. Their houses had plaster and river cane walls and thatched roofs. Their tribal name, Kosati, means "white cane people," from the cane used to build their houses.
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| Chief Clayton Sytestine, Coushatta Indians. (Wikipedia) |
In 1911, Kinder's 1,088 population incorporated into a town in Allen Parish, Louisiana.
In 2012, Kinder's population hovers around 2,148 people. In many ways, Kinder typifies many small towns found in Louisiana. Life is gentler, usually family-oriented, with everybody knowing everybody. Also typical of small towns is income: $31,799 a year for a family (3-4 people); $28,015 income for males; and $19,015 income for females.
Yes, food and housing are cheaper. Yes, Louisiana's lakes and rivers and fertile soil provide access to much of what Nature offers. But, clothes, vehicles, televisions, computers, and so on have price similarities nationwide. And college is, well, pricey. Life in Kinder isn't in the fast lane, but life can be in a challenging lane.
The Coushatta of Louisiana Native Americans have a reservation near Kinder. Most of its 650 members live on the reservation, 400 of whom speak Kosati, their native language. It's also the primary name of the tribe, with Coushatta a popular derivative. The name of the gambling casino on their reservation is the Coushatta Casino Resort. The history of this casino is what gives Kinder a twist.
In the 1990s, the Coushatta hired Jack Abramoff to lobby Congress for the casino's permit. What the Coushatta didn't know is Abramoff entered into a 'pay to play' scheme that rocked Congress like no other scandal has since Watergate.
Texas Congressman Tom DeLay is in prison, after losing an attempt to have his verdict overturned. Not too long ago Jack Abramoff got out of prison and presently promotes his book, Capitol Punishment. Neil Volz, a former congressional aide linked to Abramoff, also got out of prison recently and promotes his e-pub, Into the Sun.
Jack Abramoff, Ralph E. Reed, Jr., Grover Norquist, and Michael Scanion fleeced $85 million from the Coushatta and other Native American tribes who wanted to bring casinos to their reservations.
Reed, Norquist, and Scanion didn't go to prison, rode out the storm, and are bigger political powerhouses than they were before. Norquist is the power behind the Republican Party's pledge not to raise taxes.
The Coushatta eventually got their casino. And they built an airport. Business is good. The Coushatta have managed casino revenues so that members enjoy an improved standard of living.
You met cousins of the Coushatta under "C", the Caddo Indians, as they are in the same family, the Southeastern Mound Building Cultures. In the 1800s, the Coushatta merged with the Creek Confederacy, then split from the Confederacy and moved to South Louisiana. Like the Coushatta in Alabama (the Chief's photo is above) and Texas, they cultivated crops and lived in villages. Their houses had plaster and river cane walls and thatched roofs. Their tribal name, Kosati, means "white cane people," from the cane used to build their houses.
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| Lake near campground on Coushatta Reservation (Wikipedia) |
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| Grand Coushatta Hotel on Reservation (Source: Hotel) |
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| Golf Course on Reservation (Source: Hotel) |
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| Section of Casino (Source: Hotel) |
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| Abramoff was the most powerful lobbyist in the history of the U.S. His book's available on Amazon. *just saying* |
18 comments:
Interesting post full of great facts. It is sad to see the wage differences between male and females to be so different.
Wow... Super interesting. I had no idea. Recently we found out that the French branch of our family stopped for a generation in New Orleans, on the immigration path from France to Mexico, and although I've always loved Louisiana culture, now I have an extra reason to be interested :) Thanks for sharing!
Yikes. I think I'll visit Louisiana for the people in small towns and the food, but I'll stay far away from K St.
Kittie,
Yes, I think the entire America has heard about how corrupt LA is but truth be told, these happenings can occur anywhere and often do; just not with the reputation. Kinder sounds like a quaint town...I love reaidng up on your home state!
thanks for the story. I knew those guys were rats, but you made it personal, i had never heard of that Indian tribe.
Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors
Very interesting. Couple of parallels between your state and mine. AZ has an Abramoff connection as well...his name is John McCain. We also have lots of casinos on the Indian reservations. I'm really loving your LA posts. I've never been to LA and I really want to go now.
WOw, a lot of drama in that state. I've never paid much attention to politics, especially American, because of this type of activity. Thanks for the enlightening post.
It's amazing what the rich and powerful think they can get away with, and often do.
Play off the Page
I'm always amazed to find out how the rich and powerful abuse their privilege to become even more rich and powerful. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
By the way, it was so interesting to hear that you visited Slovenia last year. I don't know anyone else who's been there! Isn't it a gorgeous country?
Found you as the actual K topic of another K challenger! I'm in the challenge too. What's tomorrow, L? I actually was getting my letters mixed up... a little dizzy?
I don't gamble but had lunch with a friend (yeah, he gambles) there last week.
I did have a small bit about Edwin Edwards in my post that was erased (I will try to piece it back). So, Louisiana corruption makes great posts, if anything!
Politics isn't my forte so I didn't know about K street nor Abramoff. Interesting! --This A to Z thing is awesome! Learning so much.
I knew a lot less about this than I thought I did - great informative post Kittie
It's maddening when people like that get away with it.
A fascinating post, as usual.
Hope you’re enjoying the challenge so far!
--Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Similar to the Seminoles in FLA. Interesting stuff!
I knew there was corruption, but now I have more detail. Thanks!
Oh my, this was interesting and so maddening to read. I remember the Tom DeLay scandal and knew a bit about Abramoff but really didn't know the details of this. How disgusting.
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