If you read what is being said, this is a "rogue" group of Makah's not the Makah nation as a whole. I think it is the way this hunt took place and where, the insided strait whales are often resident fish and are always to be protected. Could a whale or two be taken in the ocean once a year per whatever agreement is in place and with some semblance of traditional methods? Sure and I really wouldnt have an issue with it. The Makah's though have a history of this type of crap, see the 25,000+++++winter kings they pummelled two winters ago because the stupid feds gave them a "season" and not a quota. It appears they were turned over to "tribal" justice so some of you might be right, they might just get off with a slap on the wrist once the furor dies down...off to start drinking bloody marys and hitting the Seahawk game with a little hottie...cheers!