Letters

Last week’s article outlining the delays associated with the Shinnecock Nation gas station is disturbing [“Shinnecock Say Town Reviving Abandoned Deal to Derail Tribal Land Purchase,” 27east.com, April 6]. How much more can we do to these people?

This is their land. Long before any of us got here. They have lost the land, had it stolen from them or manipulated from them for centuries. The government took their land and then named it the Shinnecock Canal, almost to torment them.

The U.S. government has stated that the Shinnecock Nation is a free and independent nation, almost like another state or country. We should treat them as dignitaries, not adversaries. These are our neighbors.

For decades, they have watched millionaires and billionaires come to the East End and build ridiculous monstrosities and McMansions — and yet they are constantly tortured to build on their own land?

The liberal political slant of most people who live out here now is about acceptance, and yet we continue to torment these poor people at every opportunity?

Stop torturing these people. When is enough, enough?

Let them build their gas station. Let them build their convention center and casino. Will a lot of people come? Yes, but there are a bunch of people who come already. Why can’t they enjoy making some money, too?

They should put a toll across Route 27 at their welcome signs/monuments that say, “Welcome to Indian Country,” and charge every car 10 cents, especially during the summer.

Let our proud Shinnecock brothers and sisters and neighbors make some money from the land they own. Stop tormenting them. Haven’t they been tortured enough?

Kevin McCrudden

Sag Harbor