11/28/07 Tribal Hunting and Fishing Rights

The Seattle School board attempted to turn this Thanksgiving into a somber holiday out of respect for Indian history. We weren't buying and apparently neither was the Makah Tribe of Seattle who refused to respect native tradition in their latest whale hunting escapade. If Indians are to receive special hunting and fishing rights based on ancient tribal rituals than they should be employing "traditional" methods to harvest game. And, for that matter name me another country that continues to grant "special privileges" to the descendants of wars lost hundreds of years ago. The latest whale hunt by the Makah Tribe was a travesty that should not go unpunished! Using an underpowered rifle, a power boat and most repulsively, a shot gun, a gray whale endured 10 hours of inhumane suffering that ultimately ended when the US Coast Guard finally stopped the fiasco and the whale died sinking to the bottom of the sea. Yes, we've been well schooled on that first Thanksgiving, but today our holiday means something quite different. a warm gathering of family and friends&and football. Traditions change. Thus the time could be ripe to revisit special hunting and fishing privileges for a select of fellow Americans.