"You know what would make a great video? New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issuing a formal apology to the Native American community for his racially insensitive remarks.

It’s been a strange month for Bloomberg, who began it with a supremely sensitive speech about the proposed Islamic center near Ground Zero, in which he defended religious liberty and pluralism. Then, 10 days later, he marred those sentiments with a boorish comment about Native Americans.

“We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors,” he said in his fine Aug. 3 speech about the Islamic center. “That’s life, and it’s part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance.”

Contrast that to his comment to radio host John Gambling on Aug. 13, as he discussed collecting taxes on cigarettes sold on Indian land.

“I’ve said this to David Paterson, I said, you know, ‘Get yourself a cowboy hat and a shotgun. If there’s ever a great video, it’s you standing in the middle of the New York State Thruway saying, you know, read my lips — the law of the land is this, and we’re going to enforce the law.’”"

Get the Story:
Editorial: Apology Needed: Mayor Bloomberg must make amends for boorish 'cowboy' remark (The Syracuse Post-Standard 8/25)

Relevant Documents:
ATF Letter on Tribal Consultation (May 19, 2010)

Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act:
H.R.1676 | S.1147

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