Take a stand against any additional killing of whales

Under the guise of renewing an ancient tradition, one young gray whale was killed in 1999 with four .577-caliber bullets, three purchased stainless-steel harpoons, modern motorized boats, an armed Coast Guard escort, government-funded helicopters, a small army of federal officers — abundant tax dollars at their disposal. Ancient tradition? Supported with my money?

Such whaling is neither a tradition nor a subsistence hunt, which is why many of the tribe’s elders objected to renewed whaling. Some were harassed for doing so. I read in the paper that Alberta Johnson lost her job when she spoke out against whaling, her house and car were vandalized and her dog was killed. Hardly an expression of traditional native ways, which honor and respect elders.

Importantly, traditional native ethics (almost universally) only permit killing when necessary. Washington natives no longer need to kill whales to survive. (Obviously, since this has not been possible for about 100 years.)

Natives were among those employed on whaling boats in the 19th and 20th centuries; some became wealthy helping to hunt Pacific whales nearly to extinction — natives also carry some of the responsibility for the disappearance of Pacific whales and the resultant international ban on whaling.

Nor is there any reason to renew this hunt based on the 1855 “Treaty of Neah Bay,” which grants fishing, whaling and seal hunting “in common with all citizens of the United States.” It is no longer permissible for any citizen to hunt whales: The treaty does not grant exclusive whaling rights to native peoples.

In any event, not all traditions are worth keeping — we would never permit the renewal of human sacrifice or head hunting, for example, and if granted, native hunting will be difficult to withdraw.

Whales are social and intelligent. When hunted and killed, they suffer not only physically, but also emotionally. The gray whale is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Both the International Whaling Commission and CITES oppose any renewed whaling (because it is not a subsistence hunt and whales are declining and still at risk).

The United States ought to set an example by honoring international law. Our nation has long objected to the unauthorized whaling of Japan, Norway and Iceland. We weaken our voice in the international community when we disregard international laws.

We lose hundreds of gray whales to human activity each year (boat strikes, nets and hunting). Pacific whale numbers have declined since 2016; since 2019 a disconcerting number of gray whales have washed ashore showing nutritional distress, i.e. they are starving.

Climate change and the general collapse of fisheries (overfishing) has put whales at greater risk. Immigrants have done much wrong to natives, but permitting a whale hunt will not undo wrongs done, but only create more wrongs. It is irresponsible to permit any additional killing of whales, and from the whale’s point of view, cruel.

Until May 5, comments to the proposal to permit a renewed whale killing can be submitted through regulations.gov, by mail as described in the federal register notice, or via email to MakahPermit.WCR@noaa.gov.

Lisa Kemmerer

Ocean Shores

Trump is a dictator

Webster’s dictionary defines a dictator as a person having absolute authority and supreme governmental powers.

A short time back, one had to flee his country (Syria?), family and all, to stay with another dictator, Putin.

In my opinion, Donald Trump falls into this category with love from religious persons across this country.

Donald drove the nail in the coffin for Christian (?) people in this country who want to force their beliefs on the rest of us.

Now some states want to put the teaching of the Bible in schools. Is this why Sir Donald wants to do away with the Department of Education?

Didn’t the peanut farmer teach us anything? A very religious person who kept it out of politics. He taught Sunday School after he left the White House. Separation of church and state is in our Constitution.

If Donald Trump is a religious person, I sure as hell would like to know what church that is. Tell lies, cheat, run everybody else down and tell what a bad job they do or have done. He does not have anything good to say about anybody except those that think he can do no wrong.

Boy, am I going to catch hell for this. Bring it on.

Logical common sense, not many people have that anymore.

Think about history or doesn’t that matter any more?

Lonnie Yucha

Aberdeen

Republican politicians dissing the voters

Anybody besides me happen to notice that our esteemed Republican representatives don’t think it is of any great use of their time to meet with their constituents?

Buried at the bottom of page 4 in the March 8, 2025 The Daily World is a notice that after badgering and politicking their way into office they feel no need to meet their constituents face to face in a regular town hall format but will do it via ZOOM, which by the way their big brothers in Washington, D.C. were suggested to do so as to not have to put up with angry people that don’t like the way they are boot licking Trump.

Seems that would be their reason why our esteemed Republican reps are doing it to us. All they have done is try to shove down our throats ideas like changing the way parents interact with their own kids and also tried to pass a law that said we don’t need to be told about their monetary repercussions of any bill put up to a vote by the people. And their newest one is they don’t like the way Washington state takes care of its voter rolls.

Hell, all Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen has to do is let go an unprotected sneeze and his name and picture are on the front page.

Oh, I got $10 that says not all that wish to be registered for this outstanding event on ZOOM will be allowed to participate.

Ray Messenger

Hoquiam