(Artist credit: Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan)
Does this sound familiar?
During the slaughter, the sea turns a deep red from injured and dying whales. Pilot whales share a sophisticated communication system and are often heard calling out for one another. Despite all indications that they experience severe physical and psychological suffering, Faroese authorities have made this astounding statement: "... the Faroese whale drive has over the years successfully adapted to modern standards of resource management and animal welfare."
Ric O'Barry is calling the Faroe Island
hunts the "Taiji of
the North Atlantic."
It should be required reading, IMO, that
countries such as Japan and Denmark as well as any individuals out
there who hunt or otherwise abuse, torture, or harm dolphins in any way,
to read In Defense
of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier.
There is much research out there dating
back many decades, that proves mammals belonging in the whale and
dolphin families, are highly intelligent, sentient beings. Some
researchers categorize them as "alien intelligence" or "non-human
persons." It is rather unfortunate that the majority of humans are so
anthropocentric and seemingly unwilling to expand their minds to
consider there are, indeed, other living beings on this planet that are
intelligent, of having moral standing, having their own social mores and
community ties, etc.
We should all take a moment to consider
that maybe, just maybe, we are not the center of the universe and that
it is highly likely other species know and understand our world and/or
universe in ways we could not even begin to comprehend.
You know that famous Gandhi saying: "Be
the change you want to see in the world?"
Turns out one man who, sometimes labeled
as the Darth Vader of dolphins, and who had hunted them for over a
decade, changed his attitude after two things happened: (1) the Sea
World incident last month and (2) The Cove film. He is planning to
release the remaining 17 bottlenose dolphins back into the wild. He has
said:
...who previously believed some animals must be captive educational ambassadors for their species, is beginning to doubt the value of shows, where animals are forced to perform tricks.
“Are we really educating and providing the best representation of wild animals in an aquarium?” he asked.The artificial, sterile environment in which most marine mammals are kept bears little resemblance to their habitat. Killer whales are likely to become frustrated, increasing the chance they will lash out."
Read more here: Darth
Vader of Dolphins
"The
Cove" debate continues on and this is an interesting read from
the Japanese perspective, including a response from someone involved
with The Cove production.
I think you'll find it worth your while to read.
Another one: Cove Mind-Set Harms Japan
Obama has so far, for me, been a very
disappointing President. The following must be some of what he meant by
"Change you can believe in."
(1) He is currently supporting
overturning the IWC moratorium on whaling.
I guess he reserves the right to change
his mind and be a flip-flopper.
During the presidential race, then-Senator Obama gave this response to a Greenpeace questionnaire dated March 16, 2008: “As president, I will ensure that the U.S. provides leadership in enforcing international wildlife protection agreements, including strengthening the international moratorium on commercial whaling. Allowing Japan to continue commercial whaling is unacceptable.” (Source: Mark Crispin Miller)
And last year he said he would firmly
oppose whaling. Link: Obama
Toughens U.S. Line Against Whaling
(2) Offshore Drilling in the USA
One of many articles discussing this
issue: Risk
of Offshore Drilling is Clear; Payoff Isn't
Instead of enabling continued oil
dependency, why aren't we instead pursuing stronger efforts in
alternative resources, solar energy, etc.?
It'll probably take years before any
drilling commences. In the meantime, environmental impact reports must
be filed and you can be sure a number of environmental groups will
attempt to block the drilling from happening.
I'd hate to see offshore drilling given
the green light. I get it that we need to get away from foreign
dependency on oil. But it seems to me that we do have the technology
and the resources to explore alternatives. So instead of pushing for
more oil, energy should be centered on alternatives. And striking a
balance between the two just does not seem feasible to me especially
considering the various negative factors that, to me, far outweigh the
benefits.
What if there are oil spills? What
effect will all that drilling and building out there do to the marine
life? Would it impact the areas' tourism economy? Real estate? Etc
etc etc.
Check out the this great blog, via the Surfrider Organization, on
this issue: Oil on the
Beach
Thank you Mr. President, you have
definitely been the change I can NOT believe in.
I've said this before and I feel it's
worth repeating. If we take care of the Earth, the Earth will take care
of us. Destroying it little by little is tantamount to committing
an agonizingly slow suicide. If one listens carefully enough, one can
hear the soft sobs of Mother Earth crying. It truly makes me sad how
badly so many treat our home. But then humans have killed and abused
one another for thousands and thousands of years. It shouldn't surprise
me that we are this way, but unfortunately it does.
I've never been a fan of Sarah Palin's.
Her record on nature, wildlife, and the environment is among the worst
of any politician I've ever learned about. It is rather unfortunate (to
put it mildly) that the Discovery
Channel is giving her a show of her own called "Sarah Palin's Alaska."
She's gone on record as disagreeing the
polar bear population is endangered. She's been an opponent of the
Endangered Species Act. She's hunted wolves and offered bounties to
people to kill wolves. I could go on.
And yet she's being paid millions of
bucks to host her own nature show? :: shaking my head in amazement ::
Just when I thought the world couldn't get any more stupid or insane.
I'm honored to share that I have
received as a gift from the author Eric Rankin, his book: The
Aquarians: 2012 - A New Era Begins
I've only just started reading it but so
far, I'm quite enthralled with it and highly recommend it. I strongly
encourage you to check it out. If you'd like to learn more about the
author and the book, you can not only check him out on Facebook but also
at his website: The Aquarian
Age :-)
I appreciate you being here and for
being interested in my rants!
Mahalo!
