The United States government made many treaties with Native American tribes in its several centuries of genocidal ambition and kept its word not once.
But I digress.
This is October of 2011. So much has changed since the old days; where to begin?
The nation now has many states, counties, cities, reservations and casinos. For the most part, casinos are owned by Indians, which is what Native Americans used to be called.
Because the tribes have grown very rich, long since having traded arrow and bow for chip and die, they have status and prestige, in practice, beyond that of county supervisors, mayors and members of Congress.
Governors are in a different category. For they enjoy some face time with tribal leaders and even strive to work out "deals" that will be mutually beneficial to state and res. Both sides employ a long-lost art in American public life: civility.
The new California governor, Jerry Brown, is negotiating a new gambling arrangement with the Rincon tribe and it looks like a treaty, er, deal, will be made. That is important face time.
As a preliminary step, San Diego County and the Rincon Band in Valley Center ---- where the huge Valley Center Casino sprawls ---- have reached an agreement, approved Tuesday. The Rincon band has long wanted to expand its casino operations in Valley Center.
It's not been able to. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted Rincon to work with the state.
Brown is more amenable. He understands the Rincon view that it makes more sense for the band to deal with local governments.
Large figures are in the air. "Millions" is one, although it's not precise. It represents gains the county stands to make for roads, public safety and other projects as the expansion proceeds. This is how things work now between the descendants of the invaders and the people who were already here.
As for other cultural changes the United States has experienced after not quite getting rid of all Indians, the list is long:
(1) It has fought at least 10 wars, with two in full swing right now.
(2) It abolished drinking, then changed its mind; drugs such as alcohol are hard to stamp out.
(3) It watched as an old foe, Japan, tried to buy America as an alternative to war. Now China is having a go. Wait until India (no relation) wakes up.
There is more. These are typically perilous times. Yet Americans climb the mountains again and again with barely competent guides. They have no clear idea where they're going but they assume they'll find, on the other side, one more paradise that will have to do.
John Van Doorn is a freelance editor and writer. Contact him at jc.vandoorn@gmail.com.