Madness Reigns

(Artist credit:  Data2link @ Deviant Art)

As if killing whales and dolphins isn't enough, Japan has plans to begin seal hunting.  Never mind that Japan fishermen have hunted many species of fish to the point of extinction. Many species are already at or near 90% depletion.  Never mind that humans have options on what to eat, the animals do not.

Japan's method of killing seals?  Shoot 'em.   82% of seals who are shot do not die from that first bullet.  Humane?  Hell no!

Japan wails on and on about how they feel many people are racist against them.  I don't give a crap what nationality, ethnicity, color, etc you are. If you're seriously going to be a narcissistic greedy egoistical asshole and think YOU are entitled to deplete all the resources on this planet, then it's pretty damn simple- you SUCK!  What the hell are you going to do once you've hunted down every last animal or mammal?  How will you deal once there's NOTHING left?  I simply can not believe the idiocy, the lack of foresight, and the appalling lack of compassion and empathy people and countries like this have.  Sustainability and peacefully co-existing means squat to these folks. 

Link:  Japan to Start Seal Hunting


Ok now that I've gotten my little tantrum there out of my system ...

Some drama between Surfing Life and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

First, Surfing Life posted an article before last weekend:  Fuzzy Wuzzy Whales  which resulted in hundreds of varying comments.  Captain Paul Watson then wrote a lengthy response to Surfing Life, which is published here:  Sea Shepherd Responds

If you like to participate in discussions like this online, there are comments sections after both articles.   Personally, all I care about is that the SSCS gets results and have played a huge hand in messing with Japan's ability to kill whales.

I am currently reading this book:  The Dolphin in the Mirror    I highly recommend it :-)

Another book I believe I have mentioned previously is Dolphin Way.  I have not yet read it but have heard a lot of rave reviews on it.  Mark Caney also has a group discussion forum on Facebook that is very active about news and issues related to our cetacean friends.

Still on the subject of books, two others I have also mentioned before, have read and highly recommend:

Rekindling the Waters: The Truth About Swimming with Dolphins - Leah Lemieux

The Aquarians: 2012 - A New Era Begins - Eric Rankin


I'm sure by now you've heard of the famous PETA lawsuit against Sea World that has been dismissed by the Judge hearing the case.  I'm not surprised.  I don't think the world is ready (yet) to accept certain species as being equal to humans.   Personally, I think this lawsuit didn't have a chance in hell.  But the good thing is that it certainly got people talking and raised a lot of awareness about the plight of the orcas and dolphins being held captive in marine parks.


I believe changes need to be made in the laws.  And those of us that are against cetaceans being held captive still have a lot of work ahead of us in continuing to educate and help make more people aware of this.  Change is slow, but I do see it happening.  Hopefully we won't be too late.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

- Martin Luther King Jr

Mahalo,

Dolphin

The Aquarians

(Artist credit:  Daniel B. Holeman)

I'm making today's post about one thing and one thing only - a book recommendation.  I've mentioned this book just a short while ago and it's absolutely without a doubt well worth repeating.  Why?  Because I just finished reading it and was left feeling all sorts of inspiring emotions.  Like hope for the future, inspiration via the dolphins who have a message for all of humanity if we would just quiet our minds and listen, and confirmation that some of what I have been feeling the past few years just might be linked to this new spiritual awakening our planet is feeling.

I know it sounds trite to some people.  And I know a lot of people stand on a wide and varying spectrum regarding the date of December 21, 2012.  Some feel it'll be the end of the world.  Some could care less.  And then some feel we are not only experiencing a spiritual awakening in various forms, whether we realize it or not, but that our planet is approaching a crossroads of a choice.

The choice of two different paths:  To go down the usual path of continuing our self destruction or to choose harmony and love with not only each other, but with all living beings.   That famous saying: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result," rings ever more true today.  Will humanity choose to cease with the insanity and choose a different, more enlightening and hopeful path? 

Our friends in the seas have been around far far longer than mankind.  Personally, I believe they are here to teach us and to open our hearts and minds to, as saccharine as this may sound to some, LOVE.  As the book says "Love is the answer."  Love, compassion, and forgiveness are the energies this world needs to feel more of.  These vibrational energies we put out there can and do make a difference.

Change doesn't happen overnight and we each have our individual internal struggles that color our everyday moods and perspectives, but I would like to set aside that sometimes cynical voice in me and choose to be hopeful.  We also struggle amid the daily bombardment from the media about wars and famine, people out of work, natural disasters, etc.  It is absolutely a challenge for every one of us to focus on something - anything - that will inspire us, or give us hope, or to believe in humanity's innate goodness.  But when we DO choose to focus on something positive, on a kind word given or received, on a feeling of love shared between friends or family, or to be moved by a song or a story, then you gotta admit it feels good, doesn't it?

Another great quote in the book:  'We're warm-blooded, air-breathing animals similar to them [dolphins] in many ways, but different in that we live on land, walk, build things, and are preoccupied with conflict and violence'.

Whatever your spiritual leanings, whatever you believe about 2012 or the future, and whatever you believe about dolphins, unless you are completely closed off you won't be able to help but feel inspired and hopeful after reading it.

Run, don't walk, to Amazon or your favorite bookstore and buy this book.  You absolutely without a doubt will not regret it :-)  Just click on the book image at the beginning of this post or this link:  The Aquarians: 2012 - A New Era Begins

Let me leave you with another quote from this book that is beautiful:  "Peace to guide the planets and love to steer the stars."

Darth Vader and Alien Intelligence

(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!

P.S. I don't know what's going on with Blogger, but I've had all sorts of issues for hours with trying to get this entry to come out normal.  I apologize for any visual difficulties you may experience.  Hopefully it'll sort itself out soon.