[meteorite-list] Other meteorites

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi Jason - 
 
> > First off, I have no idea where or what the GR have as
> their sacred mountain, but I can assure you that their
> naming their casino "Sacred Mountain Casino" in no way
> dishonors their religion. It simply would not have been
> done. Period.
> 
> It may or may not dishonor it - depends on your religion, I
> suppose,

It does.

> and how you view gambling, but it's certainly taking part
> of the natural/mystical aspect of Native American culture and
> commercializing it for a profit.  

Not really. 

> > As far as any future legalities go, I suppose these
> may be an isssue lawyers in court might decide. I won't play
> lawyer with you here on the meteorite list. In real life,
> you have to remember that Sacred Mountain Casino generates a
> lot of money; real lawyers like money.

> "I mean, why Willamette?  Why not, say, Winona?
>  Casas Grandes? Hopewell?  Bonita Springs?  Navajo?  All of
> these had some importance to the native population, and all of these were >in turn taken away from their respective tribes."
> 
> > A very good question. Why not? These meteorites are
> >not only the cultural property of those of Native
> >Descent living in those areas now, but of all the citizens
> >who live in those areas today, and >their cultural rights
> >should be recognized as well.
 
> Because this just isn't making any sense!

Not to you, but others may have a different view.

> I agree - laws for such things should be in place to
> preserve the archaeology and history of such sites, 

They are now.

> but giving such
> things back to their respective owners...what you're essentially saying is that any meteorite that was known to Native Americans back before
> White folks came should belong to them because it has cultural
> significance.  

No, what I am saying is that stolen property will be returned.

>Now you're going to have to start returning every single relic and artifact in every museum across the world to its respective
> place of origin so that the descendants of the people who made it
> can have it back, because of it's cultural relevance.
> 
>  Every.  Single.  Artifact.

Not too bad an idea, and it is often being done now.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas