Don, Michael et al--

I am enjoying this whale discussion...it's so civilized
it's making me uneasy.. :) :)

It's really interesting that everyone can get worked up
against this little band of aborginal desperados up there
in the NW corner, who, until fairly recently (within 100 plus
years) were whaling regularly..

the economics of it are simple...NW natives have few resources.
It always seems sad to me to see the fireworks displays, tax
free cigarettes/booze and now casinos.. they are having
a difficult time making life work for them. The Makah
can use a few bucks in the tribal coffers.

I think we would be better served whacking the Norskis and
the Japanese...talk about cultural re-deucation. Maureen
is correct.. or at least extrapolating from what she said
about cultural reorientation, the Japanese need to get over
their *need* for whale meat..there's no reason for them to
persist with that one..it ranks right up there with rhino
horn dagger hilts and bear bladder libido tonic. So, why
don't we leave the Makah alone and go after the real bad
guys?

The government supported a lot of farmers who were paid not
to plant crops..the government also subsidizes tobacco
farmers...so why don't they just beat the Japanese to
the punch and pay the Makah for not taking the whales.
the Makah could then go out in their boats and salute
the whales on their way by...they can institute a whole
new ritual..we're not talking a lot of
money here... 5 whales x =/- 1.5 k per whale..(estimated
from a talk I had with a Makah tribal member) is less
than a million bucks...cheap cheap cheap...good insurance
great press and a mil in the tribal coffers that didn't come
from alcohol, gambling or fireworks.

Tom



Tom Foote footet at elwha.evergreen.edu
Lab II
The Evergreen State College (360) 866-6000 x6118
Olympia, WA 98505