The only politician I know of with enough guts to take on the Indian issue was Slade Gorton and the Seattle liberals got him replaced with that lady who wears tennis shoes.

The answer to Grandpa's question "why do they still fish?" is in the quote at the bottom of Mike B's post. I really enjoy some of the intelligent posts that i see on this board at times.
nuff said.
merry xmas!
Neal

H2O..sometimes you sound intelligent and sometimes I wonder....To question why native Americans cannot seem to ssimilate into society and flourish is far from hate or racism. Milke ellaborated on the point that others have, indeed , flourished on their own with out a special leg up. Some peoples have not. Whether they would have flourished in the absence of special privelages and hand outs is not known. The Puyallup tribe is building a new $200 million dollar casino and doling out $2,000 per month to every man woman and child in their tribe. Will those people flourish? Who knows. My question was simply this: Why do they fish? meaning fish with nets. That's all. To question the status quo is not hate. To object to the treaties and reservation system is not racism.

I think you are confusing disagreeing with your point of view as racist and hateful. Maybe it is actually just correct?

Surecatch hit it on the nose, they enjoy it. Fishing is a spiritual experience for some of them and some of us sporties as well. Did the Makahs get that whale because the needed it? Heck no. Because it was culturaly satisfiing. Just like chistmas is to some of us.
Fishing for a living is hard work. On some rez's its the only work. I might be biased having a Native American wife but we have got plenty of fishing oppurnities as sportsman in this state. An a few tribal salmon trollers have given me info in the past on where to drag my drownrigger balls and it always equals success.
Merry Christmas to all and good fishing to all

One of the self centered, self serving and hateful ego's in this discussion seems to think that all Indians are obligated to keep a tight orbit around his b#*T hole. Having the audacity to speak on behalf of other minorities regarding what it feels like to be a non white and raising a family in America. When in fact, he seems to view minorities and Indians as those other people or not human. Not even aware, that he is reserving the right to Judge or grade their performance from a Racist, Elitist point of view, in the imaginary world, he creates for himself. Hypocritic and wrong.

Why wasn't this thread titled "The Bush administration's environmental policies and there impact on Fish and the Eco-system" or some other title? I think I know why and it's hypocritical, racist and wrong. So keep it up, Great White Monday Morning Quarterback, of Indian Chief's, Washington Redskins and Fishing BB's. You and only you have the wisdom and purity to lead the Indian the right way, and that's gotta be your way. By doing so and under your leadership, you agree to remove them (Indians) from your Axis of Evil agenda and stop dropping hate bombs on our brother's and sister's, the Native American. I will deliver your message and see if they'll go for it.

Oh, by the way it would be good to bring an Indian friend with you, when we draw up that contract. It could help in moving the process along. If you don't have a real Indian friend, try one of the other minority's represented as suiting your standards or check the Yellow pages.

Peace on Earth and good will to all men.

My apologies to all for causing such dissention.

I came to this board to learn about fishing for steelhead, salmon and other great critters of these waters we are so blessed to live around.

Discussions such as this were not expected, nor desired, and while it is clear we are all passionate about our thoughts on the matter, in the future I'll just keep my comments to myself.

Won't make a damn bit of difference in the situation, anyway, and it just ain't worth the stress.

Mike B

Just a question. If say China came over here and kicked our butts. Killed our children and parents. Moved into our houses. Made us live in the swamps. Introduced an entirely new culture and way of life.
How long would it take us to forgive, forget, and adapt to the new culture?
50 yrs? 100 yrs? Would we ever?
How would it feel to be told to get over it and just be like us?
This is really a completely different issue from why do they still fish. Why do any of us fish?
Merry xmas, happy new year, and may many a fish bless your rods!

Atta boy Grandpa !! it took you three posts in a row with no replys to get the same old B.S rolling but you finally got er done. Surprized you don't have some link to this issue to democrates etc.

You do a great job pointing out the obvious, got any solutions ???

Frankly as little as I like seeing 1% of the users taking 50% or more of the (shell)/fish from both public waters and even private lands ... I don't think this thread has mcuh purpose other than bashing, so off to la-la land it goes