06/21/06 No Special Privileges

I know that I will "ruffle" some feathers but I have a problem with Native American` receiving special rights. I think it is a travesty to allow the killing of whales, eagles, wild steelhead or salmon (that other Americans have made sacrifices to preserve), under the guise of native religion. The Northern Arapho Tribe is now requesting special privileges from the federal government to kill bald eagles for use in religious ceremonies. One of their members faces a year in jail and extensive fines for shooting our national bird, a bird currently listed on the threatened species list, a bird that that even required a change in agricultural practices when DDT was banned to save it. It is also a bird that has cost "non-native" Americans prison time and steep fines for killing. This tribal member claims he religiously purified himself prior to shooting the eagle. If he was that enamored with his "native" heritage why did he use a 20th century weapon developed by the white man to shoot the bird? Especially in the case of animals, offering selected groups religious privileges opens a terrible Pandora 's Box . Religion shouldn't trump preservation. If we allow exceptions what will stop a satanic cult from demanding permits to mutilate wild horses and free range cattle to satisfy their religious rituals? .