"Yes, the lawsuit over the Indian trust fund system should end. Soon.
But thoughts in Congress that suggest an end through legislation are misguided. The court case must proceed at its own pace. Any role Congress has is in reforming the system itself.
It's time for the Interior Department and Native American plaintiffs to reach an agreement on the money.
That's first.
Second, Congress needs to step in - in consultation with the tribes - and do what the Interior Department can't: Reform the system.
But let's finish this. It's costing too much time, energy and money - and getting nowhere."
Get the Story:
Editorial: Reform Indian trust fund system soon
(The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 2/27)
Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell
v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian
Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Related Stories:
Lamberth takes action on Cobell trust lawsuit
(2/24)
Contempt proceedings
urged on records destruction (2/24)
Bush
official won't accept claims of trust mismanagement (02/17)
Norton urged by Judge Lamberth to testify on trust
(2/9)
Appeals court won't hold back
Lamberth on trust reform (12/13)
Appeals
court supports Lamberth's authority on IT (12/06)
Lamberth critical of Norton's 'bad faith' on trust
fund (10/25)
Lamberth finds evidence of
more record destruction (09/10)
Bush
administration challenges trust fund ruling (09/16)
Appeals court takes on Cobell trust fund case
(9/15)
Appeals court blocks release of
contempt reports (09/15)
Lamberth
exchanges harsh words with Cobell critic (08/02)
Bush administration calls for end to Cobell
case (04/09)
Cobell trust fund suit
mediators announced (4/6)
DOI's
Internet connection shut down for third time (03/16)
Lamberth defends special master against
attack (03/16)
Anderson praises
Cobell suit in NCAI speech (2/25)
Tribes still frustrated on trust reform
(11/20)
Bush officials blasted by
tribal leaders (11/19)
Cobell
plaintiffs disputing trust fund rider (11/17)
Daschle criticizes 'shameful' rider in DOI
budget bill (11/04)
Norton welcomes
time-out in Cobell trust fund case (11/4)
Court report blasts McCaleb for
destroying records (01/27)
Court: McCaleb 'fabricated' e-mail
story (1/24)
BIA aides
circumventing court (12/16)
Martin's role in incident surfaces
(12/16)
BIA aides e-mail use
prompts inquiry (12/17)
McCaleb admits to e-mail
'misunderstanding' (10/23)
Probe raises more questions than
answers (08/07)
DOI
investigation released (8/7)
No one to punish for destroyed
e-mails (4/10)
More
sanctions expected on trust fund (4/4)
Interior cited for destroyed e-mails
(7/30)
Editorial: Settle, and reform, Indian trust fund
Monday, February 28, 2005
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