Geniuses of the Sea

(Image source:  Google Images) 

There's been a great deal of talk lately about giving cetaceans rights equivalent or close to the same rights us humans have.  There's been a lot more reports, scientific  research, books, etc. pointing out via a variety of evidence that cetaceans are not only self aware, but next to humans are the smartest beings on this planet. (I'd argue they are, in many ways, even smarter than us.)

Currently I am reading The Dolphin in the Mirror by Diane Reiss.  It's truly remarkable and if you have not yet read it, please do so.  She lays out a lot of evidence about the cognitive abilities, intelligence, and self awareness of these mammals and calls them Geniuses of the Sea.  It boggles my mind that so many people are either apathetic or unaware of just how insanely brilliant these cetaceans are and yet are being systematically slaughtered.

Last week there was a scientists meeting in Vancouver to discuss this very issue. They want support for a Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans.   One excerpt:

That would mean the end of whaling, and of dolphin and whale exhibits in aquariums and zoos. The creatures would also no longer be used in entertainment. 

You can read this article here:  Should Dolphins and Whales Have Human Rights?

Here's another great article:  A Bill of Rights for Dolphins

I shared this link quite some time ago and it's worth sharing again:  Cetacean Rights  Please sign their declaration and help spread the word.   Remember, no action is too small to be a voice for our friends in the seas.  They need our help now more than ever.

Did you know that Amazon Japan sells whale meat online?  Are you as outraged as I am?  If so, go take a looky here:   Amazon Sells Whale Meat

Check the video on that page, sign the petition, spread the word.  We have no excuses in failing to make Amazon aware of our disgust. 

Time for a blog spotlight.  Holise Cleveland III is the creator of Cyber Whale Warrior and is absolutely worth your time and energy to follow.  Please check out his site, subscribe, or look for him on Facebook as well.  He is a truly dedicated activist for whales and dolphins and has a terrific team on his site regularly posting updates.

On the Sea Shepherd front, remember Japan filed a lawsuit against the SSCS in an attempt to restrain or curtail SSCS's efforts against them in the Southern Ocean.  Well, the whalers lost.  See here:  Japanese Whalers Suffer Setback in their War Against Sea Shepherd

Here's something interesting.  Pro Sea World activists launch censorship petition against David Kirby's book, "Death at Sea World."

Some days I wonder if we'll ever win this battle against those that are killing and enslaving dolphins and whales the world over.  Some days it seems hopeless.  Other times I am proud to bear witness to so many activists on Facebook, via a variety of blogs and websites, videos and movies, reports in the news, etc. and I remain optimistic.  Every single one of us has a role here no matter what size it is.  Never ever give up the fight and never ever let your voices be silenced.  We are collectively the voices for our whale and dolphin friends and we are collectively a force to be reckoned with.

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."  ~ Robert Kennedy ~

"If only I could so live and so serve the world that after me there should never again be birds in cages."  ~ Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen) author, 1885-1962 ~

I'm Angry

(Artist credit:  Jim Warren)

Okay, so that break didn't last too long.  I can't shut up.

I have a rant I need to get out of my system. 

(1) I'm angry that BP still hasn't gotten a handle on this damn oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

(2)  I'm angry that BP, the Federal government, and various other so-called politicians and regulators and other people in positions of authority and/or power appear to be mostly standing around not knowing whether to scratch their watches or wind their butts.  

(3)  I'm angry that various wildlife, on the land and in the water, are getting sick, getting slicked, and getting killed.

(4)  I'm angry that it took President Obama over three weeks to act like he was doing something about this mess.  Even now, he's still not taking a strong enough stand on this.  I'd put him in the "scratching my watch, winding my butt" group of nincompoops on this matter.

(5)  I'm also angry at Obama for breaking his promise to not turn his back on issue of ending commercial whaling.   

(6)  I'm angry that Sea World is not yet out of business.  And I'm angry at the people who continue to buy their tickets, merchandise, etc. and don't seem to give a damn.  What part of captivity is cruel do folks not understand?

(7) I'm angry that despite the obvious environmental catastrophe in the Gulf, that certain people are still clamoring for more oil drilling.  I'll be bitchy for a second and put them in the category of folks who actually want Sarah Palin to be our next President of the United States. 

(8)  I'm angry that according to this poll (CNN Oil Spill Poll)  16% of the respondents state they do not feel they, or anyone they know, are now or will ever be directly impacted by the Deep Horizon Oil disaster.  What?!  I knew narcissism was alive and well, but this one takes the cake.

(9)  I'm angry that when the EPA demanded BP to stop using toxic dispersants, BP basically flipped 'em the middle finger and said "It's not as toxic as you think."    Right, 'cuz ya know, you KNEW you had a problem with the Deep Horizon rig BEFORE it blew up and caused this big hellish mess.  So therefore, we should kiss your ass and believe whatever you say?  Okay, I'm convinced :-P

(10)  I'm angry that if just three sperm whales die in the Gulf as a result of all this, we could be seeing the end of them.  They are already on the endangered species list.

(11)  I'm angry that we need sites like these:  Gulf Oil Spill Tracker and Live Cam of the OIl Spill

(12)  I'm angry that we need sites and petitions like Cetacean Rights when it should be a given that these mammals have the right to co-exist with us in harmony and without fear for their lives.  And I'm angry that not every single human being on this planet has signed it.

(13)  I'm angry that countries like Japan take no heed to warnings like "Pride cometh before the fall" with their arrogance, ignorance, and greed in continuing to murder whales and dolphins without remorse or conscious.

Some important links well worth your time:

Message From the Dolphins & Whales From the Gulf of Mexico

Time to Say Goodbye

In Defense of Cetaceans

(Artist credit: Christian Lassen)

So what's up in this world lately?  Bear with me for a few while I do a rare mini-political rant today.

(1) The Catholic Church and the ongoing saga of child abuse.  Two words come to mind:  Ugh and ugh.  Personally, I'm no believer in organized religion and from my experience, have found most to be hypocritical organizations.  But I digress.   Pope Benedict is supposed to be a man of God and the go-to guy for moral authority :: cough cough ::   But as usual, these high holy men protect one another, hide their secrets, and preach to the world about what not to do.

Yes, this is a religion I am convinced the whole world should be following.... religiously.

Do I sound judgmental and self-righteous?  Ah well ... I guess I just have a thing for wealthy organizations that pretend to be the word of the almighty God, preach to people about gay rights, abortion, marriage, morality, etc etc, and take in millions and billions of dollars while raping children. Yes, I am aware I'm painting a very broad stroke here and not being too kind.  Most Catholics are not like this ... but I'm left to wonder if there's a link between organized religion and personal and sexual oppression/repression.

Religions, to me, are cults.  I believe in spirituality.  I do not believe in religion.

(2)  Health Reform.  Where does it say in our Constitution that the government has a say in our health care choices, let alone putting the IRS in charge to ensure our compliance?  I'll refrain from getting into a lengthy rant about this topic, but to all those who are arguing from a Republican vs Democrat standpoint - these parties are two sides of the same coin.  Hasn't anyone figured that out yet?

Perhaps my viewpoint is overblown .. but I see further tyranny in action and most people just accepting it.  The government is just getting bigger and bigger and more and more intrusive.  Will the day ever arrive when people will finally wake up and say "Enough!"

"When the government fears the people, there is liberty.  When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."

'Nuf said.

Want to be an armchair activist and proud of it?  If you are someone who cares about the fate of our planet's cetaceans (and I assume you are or you wouldn't be reading my blog :: grin :: ) go to this page and follow the suggestions on making your voice heard to the IWC in defense of the whales, dolphins, etal.  Email Action for Full IWC Ban on Whaling

Don't believe our ocean's inhabitants are endangered?  These 13 most endangered creatures start off the list convincingly:  Endangered Sea Creatures

More on the captivity debate:

Whales and Dolphins Do Not Belong in Tanks

Set the Killers Free

Pens and Pools: Prisons for Cetaceans

Some people argue that those who are speaking up against the captivity of whales, dolphins, etc. are hypocrites because not as much attention is given to say, cows, pigs, horses, etc.

If you wonder why there's so much attention given to the rights of cetaceans, I recommend this book by Thomas I. White: In Defense of Dolphins, The New Moral Frontier

I'm sick of certain countries like Japan and Denmark defending the killing of whales and/or dolphins by way of claiming it's their tradition or custom. 

Denmark's killing of dolphins doesn't get as much press attention as say the whale culling or dolphin slaughter in Japan or the harp seal killings in Canada.  But it's definitely worthy of our attention and attention absolutely must be paid.

Please see this article.  Please also be forewarned that it includes videos that are very graphic and quite upsetting:  Denmark's Cruel Slaughter of Dolphins

Canada has decided to give the green light for another season of seal murdering.  They have set an approved quota of 388,200 harp, grey, and hooded seals to meet their demise via the evil and cowardly method of clubbing.  Want to help give these seals a voice and let Canada know how you feel?  Please go here:  Seriously, Canada?

I have to say I'm confused by New Zealand.  On one hand, they support and endorse non-lethal whale research.  On the other hand, they are considering supporting a deal which would see the ban on commercial whaling overturned in return for Japan reducing its so-called "scientific" whaling.

I do not believe there should be a compromise in the murdering of sentient beings.  But maybe that's just me.

“Earth does not belong to man, Man belongs to the Earth.  This we know.  All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.  Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth.  Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.” ~ Chief Seattle ~