Posted on 03/14/2012 8:05:37 AM PDT by opentalk
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the unusual step of issuing a permit allowing an American Indian tribe in Wyoming to kill two bald eagles for religious purposes.
The agency's decision comes after the Northern Arapaho Tribe filed a federal lawsuit last year contending the refusal to issue such permits violates tribal members' religious freedom. Although thousands of American Indians apply for eagle feathers and carcasses from a federal repository, permits allowing the killing of bald eagles are exceedingly rare, according to both tribal and legal experts on the matter.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Exactly!
This IS a part of their religion. We went to a Native American festival a couple years ago. They had cute fake eagle feathers for sale. With them came a card explaining that one cannot buy a feather. And if a member of the tribes gives you one, you are held in high regard and should be quite proud.
Freedom of religion. All religions, including Christians deserve that right.
If anyone else does this it is a crime.
Do you know how to find a groundhogs hole, the answer makes more sense than your statement. If it is a tradition do it in the old traditional way. Works for the amish.
That post gave me a headache. I had to deal with that expensive mess.
It was a PIA for the Sheriff’s department from start to finish.
Now, I don’t have a lib cell in my body, but on this, I am on the side of the Whales. I am as carnivorous as anyone, but I hold that killing Whales when it isn’t needed to survive, is ridiculous.
On both sides of the issue, there were stinking liberal activists everywhere. But, this is Washington state, liberals are not in short supply here.
Now, I do agree that *if* the reservation is considered tribal land, and you are a member of that tribe (citizen of your nation) - you may do things I cannot, because I am not a citizen of your nation. For example, as a resident of Utah, I may be able to get an Elk license whereas a non-state resident cannot. That is fair, and I think we can both agree on that. However, should you opt to move to Utah, you can enjoy the same privileges I have; whereas the reverse is not true.
Where I draw the line is taxpayer finance. If you do not pay taxes on that land (being your tribe's nation and not US soil); I think I shouldn't have to have my money taken out of my earnings, and given to support that land (roads, school, utilities, police, fire, medical, etc).
On your lands, you can hunt, fish, mine, generate electrical power through whatever means (including coal, nuke, hydro) and be self-sustaining. In doing so, you will motivate others to learn, work and invest - but do so on YOUR dime, not mine. As-is; the American Indian culture is not one that promotes education, hard physical labor, and earning to provide for your family. On reservations in South Dakota (where I was raised) and Washington state (where my children live), we see the worst that reservation life has to offer. This is not something your ancestors knew; this is what has been allowed to happen to your tribe, due to dependence upon the US Gov't. Drug use, violent crime, alcoholism, single-parent families, crime, illiteracy, dropping out of school - it's bad and getting worse. And, IMHO, it all stems from a common source - reliance/dependence upon someone else.
I don’t think it’s a racial thing, I think it’s a traditional religious thing.
By a coincidence, I just reread some of Tony Hillerman’s Navajo mystery stories, including “The First Eagle,” which involves a Hopi religious ceremony that requires trapping an eagle. (Wait under in a shelter covered with brush, stick a rabbit out with a rope tied around it, wait until the eagle drops on the rabbit, then pull in the rope and throw a blanket over the eagle.)
They’ve been doing this for a long time, and it’s a basic part of their traditions. A lot more eagles are killed nowadays by “green” windmills.
As for making an exception to the laws for Indians, this is probably on a reservation, where U.S. laws still apply, but where they also converge with Indian laws and customs.
Rather than killing two birds with one stone, Obama’s wind power is killing birds by the thousands with no stones.
Exactly... about 10,000 birds per year in the US alone, last I heard. Why do we never hear anything about this from PETA or the Humane Society?
I happen to be Sioux and a proud owner of an eagle feather that was awarded to me for my military service. The people I know who use eagle feathers in religious and cultural ceremonies get them from the federal repository in Colorado which has a huge inventory primarily because of road kill.
There’s no valid reason for any tribe to be killing eagles for any religious ceremony and I’m surprised and outraged that they were given permission.
Oh, and stow the racist nonsense, my fellow freepers.
Agreed!!!
Ms. Manneh and members maintained that eating primate parts conforms with their religious beliefs. Doing so imbues them with the cunning and agile animal’s spiritual power while also helping them “get closer to God.”
Closing the curtain on a four-year saga that raised issues of freedom of religion and freedom of speech, a West Brighton woman was sentenced today to three years’ probation for smuggling illegal monkey parts. Manneh’s lawyers argued that she and other African immigrants on Staten Island needed the meat for religious reasons.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406331/posts
Ritualistic animal sacrifice is now permissible under the law in America?
Those witches and voodoo priests that like to skin puppies are going to want their turn.
Good point. Very sick when you consider this is our government.
As Rush pointed out, it also serves to divide Americans into different classifications, some of whom the Law applies to, and others who are exempt.
Rush didn’t say it, but “some animals are more equal than others” on the animal farm, comrade.
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