Gulf Oil Flow Stopped, But BS Still Flowing

(Artist credit:  Andy Serrano @ Deviant Art)

Obviously it is great news that the oil spill/leak in the Gulf of Mexico has been stopped. I have been reading various reports that seem to conflict with one another though as to where the oil has gone, how toxic the corexit dispersant has been/is, if the seafood is safe to eat, and why the number of animals/mammals killed seems so low given the millions of gallons that flowed into the gulf.


Is there a conspiracy behind everything?  Is BP and/or the government hiding certain information from the public?


Let's have a look, shall we?

BP has been back and forth on the issue of corexit or any other dispersant that was put into the gulf.  Information has been conflicting as to how safe/unsafe it is and whether or not the amount of dispersants used has had a detrimental effect on the wildlife and the people living and/or working down there.   Documents Indicate Heavy Use of Dispersants and Coast Guard Allows Toxic Chemical Use on Gulf Oil Spill

Where has the oil gone?  Some reports indicate natural bio degradation is at work.  Others credit the corexit dispersants for breaking down the oil. Further reports indicate oil has simply settled deeper into the water and is therefore less visible to the naked eye above water.  And still others credit various human beings around the planet sending out healing energies and prayers to the gulf to heal it.   Where Has the Oil Gone?   

How about the wildlife?

"Official reports indicate that the BP oil spill has resulted in the death of 4,100 birds, 670 turtles, 70 sea mammals and 1 snake, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service report.

The numbers are astonishingly low when compared to the official numbers after the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989 which killed 200,000 birds, 3,000 sea mammals and 20 whales while this oil disaster pales in comparison to the Macondo BP oil spill."

Some are questioning whether or not BP is hiding the actual numbers of wildlife killed:

Death Gyre in the Gulf

BP Processes Dead Animals Out of Sight

Or one article to cover most of the above:  What BP and the Govt. Don't Want You to Know

Did you know that oil disasters are pretty common and frequent?    We may be slow to learn, but it's not too late to change our ways and get off our oil dependency, wouldn't you agree?  We'd certainly clean the planet's land, water, and air if we kick the habit.  Imagine that.  

To overstate the obvious, this disaster, and all other oil related disasters around the globe, are far from being over and/or dealt with.  And further disasters will continue to impact us in big and small ways unless or until we change this.  As long as there is a demand from people for oil, the oil conglomerates will continue to quench our thirst.  And our air, seas, lands, wildlife and humanity will continue to suffer for it.  At this point, I personally see the negatives of oil far outweighing the positives.

By the way, if you are a fan of the Whale Wars or The Cove movie, you might be interested in knowing the Animal Planet will begin airing a new show called Blood Dolphins, starting August 27th following the season finale of the Whale Wars.

And on August 29th, Animal Planet will be showing The Cove movie on its network. 

You can find more information at the Save Japan Dolphins blog.

Last but not least, Michelle Rodriguez (who had roles in Avatar and Lost) has currently stated she will be on Sea Shepherd's next campaign. 

Barbarian Cowards

(Artist credit:  Jim Warren)

Hot on the heels of The Cove winning this year's Oscar for Best Documentary, is a new TV reality docu-drama called the Dolphin Warriors.  What's that?  Well you've heard of the Whale Wars.  The Animal Planet is working in concert with the people from The Cove and filming them for episodes that are projected to begin airing on TV this summer or fall.   Keep an eye out for this one!  Anything that gets more people aware and active on this issue has my full support.

Have you seen Pirate for the Sea?  It is a two hour documentary that focuses on Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson.  It gives a brief history of his time with Greenpeace, how he came to form the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and the things he does around the globe to raise awareness and to get directly involved in saving marine mammals.  A lot of people associate him with saving the whales, but he's also very involved in preventing shark finning and in his ongoing battle with the Canadian government over their annual harp seal cull.

If you have not yet seen this, I highly recommend it.  Be forewarned, however, that there are some pretty awful and graphic scenes showing various marine mammals being slaughtered.   There was a scene showing a barbarian coward seal killer just standing over a helpless harp seal and clubbing it to death.   I'm not a violent person and I abhor violence, but I wanted nothing more, in that very moment, than to reach through the television screen with my own club and bash this coward's head in.  

That's exactly what they are - barbarian cowards.  Words do not do justice in describing the rage I feel in witnessing such horrific acts against our marine friends.  It shows a complete lack of respect for our environment, nature, fellow living beings, and more broadly, our very planet.  It also obviously shows an utter lack of regard for oneself to engage in such an evil and cruel act.  

How would people feel if a harpoon was shot at them while they were minding their own business in the ocean?  Or feeling a knife cutting off your arms akin to the shark finning and then being thrown back overboard - alive.   Or a club being repeatedly bashed against your skull until your last dying breath?  Or being herded into a cove that soon turns blood red as all your dolphin friends, and ultimately you, get slaughtered and bleed out to a slow and painful death?

If you're against the harp seal hunt, you should check out this site:  Harp Seals

Much like Japan defends it's barbaric killing of whales and attributes it to "culture," Canada does the same thing in defense of their cowardly bashing of seal pups.  Only public pressure from around the world and a severe economic loss will wake up the Canadian government.  

Just because there's a possibility there won't be a seal cull this year, doesn't mean the battle is won.  Please remain vigilante on this issue by directly contacting the Canadian PM.   If you are not aware of what this is all about or why the big deal over this, please check out About the Canadian Seal Hunt and read up.

Will Japan ever get their stubborn harpoons out of their asses and finally listen to reason?  Will they ever realize that killing whales for research is not only a bogus lie on their part, but is completely unnecessary in order to conduct said research?  New Zealand is taking a stand that killing whales for research is NOT needed and will be arguing their case at the IWC this June.  Go New Zealand!

Talk has died down quite a bit from the Sea World Orlando incident a couple weeks ago.  I guess a lot of people really just don't care.  If they did, they'd have started boycotting Sea World immediately and the parks would be either completely shut down by now or in danger of bankruptcy.  This is an interesting article:  How Can Sea World Manage Tragedy, Criticism While Maintaining Business Brand?

Excerpt:

SeaWorld executives, he said, “have no interest in creating an environment where animals are not happy and not safe. ... Yes, they are in swimming pools. There’s no question. They’re also in an environment where they are taken care of.”

Color me stupid, but that sounds like an oxymoron.  Putting a 12,000 pound Orca in a swimming pool and say "they are taken care of."   

Another excerpt:

University of Florida professor Robert W. Emerson said he sees no easy way for SeaWorld to alter dramatically its business model in the short term. It would be like McDonald’s or Wendy’s abandoning hamburgers and scrapping their menus because of health concerns about beef.

“It’s difficult to do that without conceding what they’ve done up until now has been wrong,” said Emerson, a legal-studies expert. “If that’s your product, it’s a little hard to go too far away from it without saying there is something wrong with your product.”

Wow.  Comparing live marine mammals being held captive in the tiniest minature replication of the ocean that is possible, to hamburger.  I must be dense.  I don't get it. 

Here are a couple of suggestions on changing their so-called business model.  

(1)  Release the orcas and dolphins to sanctuaries.  It may not be the vast ocean but it's certainly better than swimming pools.  If the mammals were once wild, they could possibly be re-introduced back into the wild over time.  If they were never wild (hence, Sea World might actually cease supporting the slaughtering and capturing of dolphins around the globe and being sold to the likes of Sea World for their greedy purposes) then take care of them in the sanctuaries.  Who foots the bill?  Sea World and their subsidaries.   They created this mess, they should pay for it.

(2)  Educate people about our marine mammals and marine environments via hologram performances, big screen productions (like IMAX Theatres,) eco-friendly whale/dolphin watching tours, sales of DVD's, books, and other related materials that promote education and awareness, etc etc.

Anyone have any other suggestions or ideas?  I'd love to hear 'em.

Another excerpt from the above article:

“One more incident like this and the brand really would be in trouble,” Connor said. “You don’t want to cross your fingers and hope it doesn’t happen again. You can’t afford to do that.”

Well golly gee whiz.  Wasn't one incident enough for people to wake the hell up and stop buying tickets to Sea World?  Guess not.   The executives at Sea World are still raking in the bucks and the public continues to help them get richer - at a far greater expense to these mammals and ultimately our planet, than they'll ever fathom. :: shaking my head sadly :: 

"We share the Earth not only with our fellow human beings, but with all other creatures." ~ Dalai Lama ~

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Tis The Season to Kill More Whales

Artist credit; Christian Lassen

Is anyone as sick as I am of seeing, reading, and hearing all about Tiger Woods and his dalliances?  This is trash, not news.  :: ugh ::

Is anyone as sick as I am of hearing about "Climategate" in Cophenhagen?  Gosh, I wonder how many folks out there avoided using a private jet and how many did NOT contribute further to the very issue they proclaim to want to resolve?  Yes, the hypocrisy of our world's leaders, scientists, etc is absolutely overwhelmingly heartwarming .. wouldn't you say? :: ugh ::

Obama getting the Nobel Peace prize is, IMO, a travesty.  If there is a species on this planet that deserves this more, it would be the whales, dolphins, manatees, etc of our seas.  Their actions speak far more clearly and for more loudly than anyone anywhere ...  'nuf said.

I have bronchitis so forgive my ugh'ness mood as I target my hacking wrath towards certain media outlets, politicians, and so-called scientists as they ratchet up the brainwashing and try in vain to instill more fear and taxes into our hearts instead of the holiday spirit :-P  

Seems to me the solution to our world's problems is pretty simple and is summed up quite nicely in this Jimi Hendrix quote:  "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."

I'll put that in my pipe and smoke it any time :-D

Random stolen quote for the day that still makes me smile  .. Seen on a sign: "Unattended children will be given a shot of espresso and a puppy."  (Thanks for sharing this Sheila!)

Ecorazzi has a cool slideshow about the Whale Wars: 8 Weapons Used in the Fight Down Under

Now this is just the heartwarming holiday message we all like to hear:  "We'll continue to kill!"

So the crybabies from Japan are getting frustrated because Sea Shepherd is costing them millions .. so they're sending out a couple of spy tattling ships to monitor Sea Shepherd's whereabouts.  In addition, Japan is threatening to include humpbacks in their cull quotas as "pawns in the diplomatic process that's underway."  Wow.  How diplomatically mature!  Whalers, Conservationists Set for Fresh Confrontation

Captain Paul Watson tells the whalers, "Bring it on!"

Australia's PM Kevin Rudd says he's serious about seeking legal action against Japan unless a diplomatic agreement can be reached on the whaling issue.   Sorry, no offense Mr. Rudd, but we've heard you spout this before.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Another related article here:  Australia seriously considering whaling challenge

Interesting read --> Paul Watson responds to Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. Related article:  Japanese Foreign Minister Confesses to Whale Poaching

Beautiful video here:  Aaron Pyne Visionary Art

If you get the History channel, check out this documentary coming up Sunday night, Dec. 13th: "The People Speak"   I've set my DVR for it :-)

Have a wonderful, warm, happy weekend!

Mahalo,

Dolphin

Whales, Sonar, and Wolves, Oh My

(Artist credit: Christian Lassen)

Is the whale ban in danger of being lifted? The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society is concerned that yes, this is very possible. They note that there are other countries outside of Japan and Norway, that appear to condone or support whaling.

While they have expressed support of the Whale Wars series being currently shown on the Animal Planet and the fact that it will bring further heightened awareness globally on this unnecessary killing, they also would like people to be aware that this is a GLOBAL problem.

You can find out more about WDCS's Global Marine Protected Areas Campaign and make your voices heard by signing the Global MPA Petition by visiting our website at Whales.org. If you’d like to do more to protect whales, you can adopt one at Whale Adoption.

Some good news regarding the Navy Sonar testing and it's impact on marine life. Please check it out at the Huffington Post.

I still don't think they're doing enough, but gotta start somewhere.

No offense to the people who fell in love with Sarah Palin and were supporting her bid to become our next Vice President, but I am personally glad we dodged a bullet with her.

Her track record as Alaska's governor, especially on the conservation front is, to put it mildly, atrocious.

Beluga Whales are now on the Endangered Species list and under protection. However, Palin was opposed to it. (Oh, that's just shocking.)

It really isn't shocking considering it's been alleged that she's shot at wolves from helicopters and supports this practice.

Speaking of wolves, what goes up must come down. Isn't it interesting that the Bush Administration supports adding beluga whales to the Endangered Species list, but is opposed to adding wolves?

Please consider signing the petition to help prevent these "11th hour attacks" on the wolf population in the Northern Rockies states. Take Action here.

Back to the Whale Wars. Here's another shocker. Japanese whalers are apparently not happy with this series and how it portrays them, so the public relations has kicked into high gear. Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research claims the Whale Wars is "deceiving" the people who watch it.

Excuse me while I take a moment to laugh hysterically.

You can read Captain Paul Watson's take on this here. Watson's Response.

I'll have more later!

Thanks for stopping by and for your continued interest and support :-)

Mahalo,

Dolphin

I'm back - I think

(Artist credit: Kim & Kay Vaudin)

I apologize for being incognito here for a much longer length of time than I had originally planned. I had the best of intentions to resume this blog by Mid September. Alas, life got in the way and other things needed to be taken care of.

I'm ready and raring to go though. Are you?

We are coming up soon on this next season of Japan whale hunting. The Sea Shepherd Society will, once again, be out there in full force.

Meanwhile, I strongly encourage any of you that gets the Animal Planet network on your television, to set your DVR's to record the Whale Wars beginning this Friday, November 7th.

You can find the information on this serial documentary by going here -> Animal Planet's Whale Wars


Dolphin hunting in Taiji, Japan has continued, despite alarming reports of mercury and other toxins in these mammals being sold for consumption to an unaware public.

You can read various reports and updates on this issue at Blue Voice.

Meanwhile, if you need some inspiration and a powerful incentive to renew your passion in helping to protect our marine mammals, then for your consideration I lead you to the Whale Dreamers.

This movie is now available on DVD. It can also be rented from Netflix (search for it as one word - whaledreamers) or bought from Amazon. (direct link to movie at Amazon here -> Whale Dreamers)


Check it out!

This will do for now. Thanks for everyone's notes, comments, and emails during my absence, wondering when I would be returning. It's very much appreciated! And thank you for continuing to be part of my journey here in helping to continue to raise awareness on our dolphin and whale friends.

Mahalo,

Dolphin