Hilarious: Gale Norton responds to Native American 'endangered species' application

This is just too funny...

Two decades ago, Gale Norton (who is currently the Secretary of the Interior) had to reply to a request from the Native American Samish tribe that they be registered as an 'endangered species'. Though she sounds as official as possible, it's evident that she's having fun with her rejection notice. I'm putting it in this forum because she (sarcastically) mentions a variety of evolution v. creationism related issues. Note the commentary about a 'reptile' who caused habitat loss in the lower euphrates valley...

from Harpers:
www.harpers.org...
some parts...
"The petition raises the question of whether a group may be listed as an endangered “population” of a larger species. Such a “population” may be listed. 16 U.S.C. [section] 1532(16). However, to qualify, such population must be “of any vertebrate fish or wildlife.” The question is thus posed whether the Samish, or any portion of Homo sapiens, may be classified as “wildlife.” The petition correctly notes that our regulations define “wildlife” to include “any member of the animal kingdom.” 50 C.F.R. [section] 424.02(n). The Service's more general regulations indicate, however, that “wildlife” is properly confined to “any wild animal.” 50 C.F.R. [section] 10.12. Traditionally, wild animals are “those wild by nature, which, because of habit, mode of life, or natural instinct, are incapable of being completely domesticated, and require the exercise of art, force, or skill to keep them in subjection.” 3A C.J.S. Animals [section] 3 (1973). While certain classes of Homo sapiens may meet this test, and all may meet it during certain periods (roughly the ages of 2-3 and 16-21), it cannot be said that Homo sapiens as a whole are not “domesticated.”
Furthermore, if Homo sapiens, or a population thereof, were listed as endangered, the Fish and Wildlife Service would be allowed to authorize their taking for scientific purposes, 16 U.S.C. [section] 1539 (a) (1) (A), and to allow their killing incidental to otherwise lawful activity. 16 U.S.C. [section] 1539 (A) (1) (B). Alaskan natives would be entitled to kill them, sell the edible portions within their villages, and to convert them into “authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing.” 16 U.S.C. [section] 1539 (e). State laws on assault, homicide, and conversion of persons into authentic native articles of handicrafts and clothing would be void as in conflict with activities permitted under ESA. 16 U.S.C. [section] 1535 (f). It would likewise be illegal to transport members of listed populations in interstate commerce, or to allow them to enter or leave the United States. 16 U.S.C. [section] 1538 (a) (1). (4) "

That is the damn funniest thing I've read in awhile. Nice find !

I know a lot of people who are gonna get a kick out of it...

Zip

[edit on 7/1/2005 by Zipdot]

Holy crap that's funny....nice find

Was it meant as a joke?

They should have gone on a good ol' fashioned scalping run right before submitting that. It would have cleared up the whole "wild" issue.

*sigh*

And to think they were almost wiped out because our forefathers deemed them "savages"...now they can't even qualify as that and get a break.

With all that said - it's still a funny read.