Re: Northern New York radio observations

["'A. Joseph Ross'" <lawyer@world.std.com>]

On Tue, 24 Nov 1998 MikeHemeon@aol.com wrote:

> According to the Code of Federal Regulations, Native American tribes are
> "sovereign nations". If this is true why do they have to apply for FCC
> licenses at all. Why can't they issue their own? Not to mention applying for
> satellite slots in the sky. If you think casonos make big money, get a piece
> of the sky.
> Something I have always wanted to know

Good question.  And why do they need approval of the state in order to
have a casino?  I think they are sovereign the way states are sovereign,
but I don't know the details.  I do know that they have their own tribal
courts, and if you suffer a personal injury on a tribal casino, you bring
your suit in the tribal court, and you are subject to laws that may be
different from state laws.  I knew a lawyer a few years ago who had such a
case and had to study and take a bar exam to be admitted to practice in
the tribal court.

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 A. Joseph Ross, J.D.                                         617.367.0468
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