Update from Washington, the whaling state

[Guest guest]

FROM WASHINGTON CITIZEN'S COASTAL ALLIANCE

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Sekiu, WA 9:32am PDT

 

NO HUNT TODAY?

 

Rising winds, rough seas. 'nuff said? ODI vessels remain on patrol, however,

just in case the Makah whaling crew attempts to sneak out later today. Stay

tuned, and keep checking for news at http://www.stopwhalekill.org

*****

 

 

 

FROM OCEAN DEFENSE INTERNATIONAL

------------------------

May 12, 2000

 

WHALES 6, WHALERS 0

 

Ocean Defense International returned again from the sixth hunt today as grey

whale mothers and calves continue to migrate north unscathed. Since the

peak of the migration has passed, most of the whales in the area are

migrating mothers and calves, or resident whales. However, this doesn't

stop the whalers from desperately hurling a harpoon at any whale they can

get to. Without NOAA's aid in finding a migrating male whale, the canoe has

been frantically towed from area to area in hopes of killing any whale they

can spot.

 

Ocean Defense International had three vessels in the water (and joined by

Jeff and the Whaleman Foundation - http://www.whaleman.org as well as Mark

with www.safepassing.org). We spent our time in the water utilizing various

tactics to encourage the whales on their way and doing our best to keep the

whalers at bay. Unfortunately large swells make it hard to keep track of

the canoe's every action from the water, but we continue to do everything we

can to make a difference for the whales. On top of that, we are doing our

best to keep the media updated as to the activities of the hunt in order for

them to bring the issue to the world. We have been able to bring the hunt

to the attention of the people on an international level - and encourage

everyone to do the same.

 

Over the course of the upcoming week Ocean Defense International will add

two more vessels to our fleet - thus bringing more resistance to the waters.

However, we aren't going to be able to do this without your help! Our all

volunteer crew needs the support of everyone to keep our boats running!

Here's how you can help!

 

Sponsor an Ocean Defense International vessel:

 

Avocet (our flagship - one full day or patrols, working as our aquatic

'base') - $200.00

Various smaller vessels for one day(which in the past have included zodiacs

and jetskis) - $50.00

 

Of course any donation is fantastic - we simply ask for your support! As

always, donations can safely be called into ODI by using a credit card at:

 

(360) 963-2311

 

or mailed to us at:

 

Ocean Defense International

PO Box 123

Sekiu, WA 98381

*****

 

 

 

BULLSEYE!

---------

MAKAH WHALING MAKES A MOCKERY OF TRADITION

 

The Western Front Online

Dionna M. Dominguez

Commentary

 

If participating in offensive and gruesome ritual killings is not considered

a favorite family pastime, someone forgot to tell the gray whale hunting,

blood spilling, can't-live-in-the-now Makah Tribe.

 

The necessity of whaling is hotly debated among tribal members, its

supporters and those who oppose it. In an open letter to the public in 1998,

Keith Johnson, Makah Whaling Commission president, lamely attempted to cite

to the opposition issues, such as tribal religion, dietary nutrition and the

need to instill cultural pride and discipline in their youth, as legitimate

reasons for whaling. In a very telling comment, Johnson added, " We also want

to fulfill the legacy of our forefathers and restore a part of our culture,

which was taken from us. "

 

The plot thickens.

 

Cultural " traditions " of the Makah, such as stalking and killing gray

whales- using the power boats and high-powered rifles of their forefathers-

as a way to spiritually connect to their ancestors, are not reasonable

methods of teaching cultural pride, much less discipline.

 

It is a political act, plain and simple.

 

It is the Makah's defiant way of telling the world they are not governed by

our value system and will exercise their rights at random, just because they

can- no matter how ignorant the exercise.

 

It is as ridiculous an act as a white southerner taking his unruly son to

witness the hunting down, shackling and enslavement of a black person. Never

mind that it is just plain wrong and that it is the new millennium- it's

just a part of " Southern tradition " and should revisit the black community

at least one day each year. The Makah express the same ignorant mentality by

whaling. It is not necessary to preserve cultural identity.

 

After viewing the live telecast of the May 18, 1999 slaughter of a gray

whale off the coast, Washington Sen. Slade Gorton sent a news release

lambasting the Makah for its actions. " The Makah do have the right to hunt

whales under their treaty (negotiated with U.S. Territorial Governor Isaac

Stevens at Neah Bay in 1855) and through the International Whaling

Commission, " Gorton said. " Their choice to exercise this right, however, was

both extraordinarily foolish and an affront to the sensibilities of tens of

millions of their fellow Americans. "

 

The key word is " fellow. "

 

The choice to exercise this antiquated right, originally established for the

purpose of sustaining an American Indian nation, is neither a cultural nor

religious issue. It is an issue of defiance and rebellion by one angry

segment of a society against another- hardly an action of fellowship.

 

Many of the Makah openly express their deep-seeded resentment toward the

segment of society they blame for stealing their cultural identity- whites.

Whaling is merely a weapon used by the Makah in their perceived power

struggle with that segment.

 

" Whenever we had something you wanted or did something you didn't like, you

tried to impose your values on us, " Johnson said. " Too often white society

has demonstrated this kind of cultural arrogance. "

 

Cultural arrogance could not be more evident than in the Makah's refusal to

make reasonable decisions based on their current needs and options

available, rather than resurrecting unnecessary traditions of the past.

 

It is the gift the Tribe gives its youth in a day and age when young members

need to be able to acclimate to a diverse nation, not hide under a blanket

of separatist " traditions " that they may not even view as valuable.

 

Then again, the aspect of making tons of money from their right to the

commercial sale of whale meat will probably win more than a few converts,

although the Makah deny the intent to do so.

 

Sushi anyone?

 

http://westernfront.wwu.edu/2000/May/opinions3071.html

*****

 

 

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

------------

 

" People tend to give Al Gore the benefit of the doubt. They assume that

anybody so dull and awkward must at least be upright and honest. Big

mistake. "

 

David Frum

National Post

May 9, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

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