For our user agree- ment, click here . I appreciate the Makah Indian Nation's desire to kill a whale based on cultural heritage and tradition. I believe, though, that no one has the right to kill, although we are all given the right to make the choice to kill or not. As I watched the news coverage, I did not see honor and respect in the actions of those in the presence of this dead whale. I fail to see how standing on top of the whale and doing flips off its back leaves the whale with any dignity or demonstrates the least bit of respect.
Tradition is valuable indeed, but times change and traditions grow with the changes.
This is not a human tradition issue, or an issue because of cultural differences. This is a whale issue - the right of the whale to live in peace, not the right of humans to fulfill personal traditions. Makah Indians claim that this kill will unite their people and revive their energy.