Editorial by Amanda Daniell
WFLF Columnist/ Contributor
I saw a comment on Paul Watson's My Space from somebody who said "I hate Canadians. I always have and I always will. Fascists!" I must say I absolutely get his point. I kind of feel like that a lot of the time myself. I have always been a little frustrated with Canadian apathy. Hey, we are a quiet, polite and peaceful group of people. However, in the face of Brazen Wrongs there is nothing more frustrating than passivity.
I read somewhere that truly any government is a reflection of it's people. I have had a hard time seeing this in some instances, but we are supposedly a democratic Country. We have supposedly elected our officials. We supposedly agree with what our Government stands for. One thing our government does not like is activism; not in any form really, and when I think about, I believe a lot of Canadians have felt this way too. They forget how important our freedom of speech is, our right to express ourselves, the values we stand on and take for granted are eroded each time somebody dismisses our right to protest.
Protesters and Activists are not respected and they tend to be looked down upon in Canada. This latest signal from the government is a loud and clear sign of all of our fundamental Canadian values being eroded.
Captain Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Society recently stated this in his last editorial; "My country has freedom of speech until you speak, freedom of expression until you express yourself, and the freedom to hold property until the government takes it from you."
Paul is one to know. He has been so harassed by his government, MY government that he was virtually forced to leave this country and set up residency in the United States. I can't think of anything that stinks of Fascism more than this.
The most recent event, unbelievable as it sounds is that our Government is going to sell his Activist ship to the first buyer who comes along! This is a ship that was wrongly seized by the government last year and held in port for the last year. The Canadian Government seized this ship last year for documenting one of Canada's most tragic crimes, the slaughter of 275 000 baby seals. Our Canadian Government is attempting to charge Captain Watson's crew members for taking pictures of an event in International waters and is now selling a ship they do not even own.
Last I heard, these kind of things happen only in a dictatorship style country. No, I am not kidding. That is called Fascism.
Read Captain Paul Watson's Blog
Take the Harb Challenge
Salute to Senator Harb
From IFAW:
Please Support IFAW and Senator Harb to end this Seal Hunt once and for all. He is the first Senator to ever introduce legislation attempting to end this insanity and IFAW is right behind him every step of the way. He has personally asked for public help and for us to flood his office with emails and letters of support.
Letters Can Be Mailed Directly To:
Senator Mac Harb
The Senate of Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0A4
Email: harbm@sen.parl.gc.ca
The Canadian Prime Minister:
pm@pm.gc.ca
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090303/sc_afp/canadaeuenvironmentseals
Please Read Amanda's Post: Second Round of Letters!
Get the Complete List of Senator's Email Addresses HERE!
From IFAW:
Please Support IFAW and Senator Harb to end this Seal Hunt once and for all. He is the first Senator to ever introduce legislation attempting to end this insanity and IFAW is right behind him every step of the way. He has personally asked for public help and for us to flood his office with emails and letters of support.
Letters Can Be Mailed Directly To:
Senator Mac Harb
The Senate of Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0A4
Email: harbm@sen.parl.gc.ca
The Canadian Prime Minister:
pm@pm.gc.ca
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090303/sc_afp/canadaeuenvironmentseals
Please Read Amanda's Post: Second Round of Letters!
Get the Complete List of Senator's Email Addresses HERE!
Neanderthals on Hay Island, Nova Scotia
I love Neanderthals.
When I think of them in their true and proper civilization, I think of them being relatively in tune with their environment and living in harmony with their land. Their chance of getting stabbed to death by some prehistoric animal like say a Mastodon, was probably as likely as them taking down a Woolly Mammoth.
Balance and Fairness Existed.
So when I take up the great antics of Paul Watson, who often describes his home town East Coast Canadian fishermen as Neanderthals or criminals who go out and kill animals for fun, amusement and a few extra dollars, well I mean no disrespect to the true Neanderthals of long ago. I can no longer disservice animals such as “cows” and “pigs” by name calling evil humans names such as pigs and cows. They are generally so much kinder. And I do feel a slight twinge of disrespect to this long lineage Neanderthals of our past.
However, this name calling gets the message across. Today’s seal killing humans are living with the mind set of a Neanderthal. However they are living out their dream in the wrong time and they are doing so by applying the modern day ethic of killing every thing that interferes in the path of consumerism to their personal seal killing dream. About the only thing that does fit in with their dream is their lack of technology, the clubs and box cutters which are even less advanced than the spears a true Neanderthal would use.
This time it's back to the old fish story. The seals are eating "our" fish so we need to kill them...the seals that is. And this time, they have already started by rounding up their fisher buddies, collecting clubs, bats, scissors, and perhaps even brooms and heading out onto Hay Island, Nova Scotia.
Keep in mind the following information from the Petition to End this Grey Seal Hunt:
"Last year, the Nova Scotia’s government claimed that seals must be killed to protect fish stocks in waters surrounding Hay Island. However, DFO's own scientists say there is no direct evidence that seals negatively impact cod stocks, and they simply do not know if reducing seal populations will aid in cod recovery. Seals eat a variety of fish, most of which are not commercially fished in Canada. Cod accounts for only 2% of their diet. In fact, seals eat predators of cod, which is beneficial to cod, not detrimental."
I am sure if I read any commentaries from Captain Watson I would read something about this being more of an excuse to go out and release some primitive need for killing babies, walking out with their clubs and their knuckles dragging and their smokes hanging out of their swearing mouths.
Keep in mind these are babies being killed. They are only several weeks old and completely helpless. Keep in mind also, their is no reason for this whatsoever. This is complete insanity. And how about timing? The EU is in the process of deciding on a ban of seal pelts from Canada. One of the major decisions impacting this is whether this is considered humane or not. Can you imagine the European Parliament ruling this humane?
I would say there is very little reason to write the Canadian Government as they don't listen to reason, sanity or even pleas. However you could cc them a copy of the letter you may want to write to the European Parliament, reminding them that the Canadian Government is incapable of making humane decisions for animals, especially seals. Canada has one of the worst animal laws of all developing nations. They have shown this to the world through their Great Canadian Seal Hunt.
If you would like:
Please write a Letter here to the following European Union Representatives
Glenys Willmott,
Heide Ruehle,
Christel Schaldemose,
Christopher Heaton-Harris,
Diana Wallis,
I found these most recent email address’s from CATCA who has spoken with sympathetic ministers in Eastern Europe, especially Poland. Here are a few (you can Blind Carbon Copy) email address to some of the main decision makers in the European Union Seal Ban.
There are many more addresses, here http://www.catcahelpanimals.org/2009sealcampaign.html
I have a copy of my letter below if you would like to copy, edit or use it as a template in any way.
For more Information:
Anti Sealing Coalition:
http://www.antisealingcoalition.ca/GreySeals/email_campaign_hay_island_2009.php
Sea Shepherd Editorial:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-060226-1.html
Danish Member of the European Parliament Gitte Seeberg brought back footage of the seal hunt to EU and is active in trying to help bring about the ban; Video Footage here: http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_news/eu_representative_condemns_hunt.html
When I think of them in their true and proper civilization, I think of them being relatively in tune with their environment and living in harmony with their land. Their chance of getting stabbed to death by some prehistoric animal like say a Mastodon, was probably as likely as them taking down a Woolly Mammoth.
Balance and Fairness Existed.
So when I take up the great antics of Paul Watson, who often describes his home town East Coast Canadian fishermen as Neanderthals or criminals who go out and kill animals for fun, amusement and a few extra dollars, well I mean no disrespect to the true Neanderthals of long ago. I can no longer disservice animals such as “cows” and “pigs” by name calling evil humans names such as pigs and cows. They are generally so much kinder. And I do feel a slight twinge of disrespect to this long lineage Neanderthals of our past.
However, this name calling gets the message across. Today’s seal killing humans are living with the mind set of a Neanderthal. However they are living out their dream in the wrong time and they are doing so by applying the modern day ethic of killing every thing that interferes in the path of consumerism to their personal seal killing dream. About the only thing that does fit in with their dream is their lack of technology, the clubs and box cutters which are even less advanced than the spears a true Neanderthal would use.
This time it's back to the old fish story. The seals are eating "our" fish so we need to kill them...the seals that is. And this time, they have already started by rounding up their fisher buddies, collecting clubs, bats, scissors, and perhaps even brooms and heading out onto Hay Island, Nova Scotia.
Keep in mind the following information from the Petition to End this Grey Seal Hunt:
"Last year, the Nova Scotia’s government claimed that seals must be killed to protect fish stocks in waters surrounding Hay Island. However, DFO's own scientists say there is no direct evidence that seals negatively impact cod stocks, and they simply do not know if reducing seal populations will aid in cod recovery. Seals eat a variety of fish, most of which are not commercially fished in Canada. Cod accounts for only 2% of their diet. In fact, seals eat predators of cod, which is beneficial to cod, not detrimental."
I am sure if I read any commentaries from Captain Watson I would read something about this being more of an excuse to go out and release some primitive need for killing babies, walking out with their clubs and their knuckles dragging and their smokes hanging out of their swearing mouths.
Keep in mind these are babies being killed. They are only several weeks old and completely helpless. Keep in mind also, their is no reason for this whatsoever. This is complete insanity. And how about timing? The EU is in the process of deciding on a ban of seal pelts from Canada. One of the major decisions impacting this is whether this is considered humane or not. Can you imagine the European Parliament ruling this humane?
I would say there is very little reason to write the Canadian Government as they don't listen to reason, sanity or even pleas. However you could cc them a copy of the letter you may want to write to the European Parliament, reminding them that the Canadian Government is incapable of making humane decisions for animals, especially seals. Canada has one of the worst animal laws of all developing nations. They have shown this to the world through their Great Canadian Seal Hunt.
If you would like:
Please write a Letter here to the following European Union Representatives
Glenys Willmott
Heide Ruehle
Christel Schaldemose
Christopher Heaton-Harris
Diana Wallis
I found these most recent email address’s from CATCA who has spoken with sympathetic ministers in Eastern Europe, especially Poland. Here are a few (you can Blind Carbon Copy) email address to some of the main decision makers in the European Union Seal Ban.
There are many more addresses, here http://www.catcahelpanimals.org/2009sealcampaign.html
I have a copy of my letter below if you would like to copy, edit or use it as a template in any way.
For more Information:
Anti Sealing Coalition:
http://www.antisealingcoalition.ca/GreySeals/email_campaign_hay_island_2009.php
Sea Shepherd Editorial:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/news-060226-1.html
Danish Member of the European Parliament Gitte Seeberg brought back footage of the seal hunt to EU and is active in trying to help bring about the ban; Video Footage here: http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/marine_mammals_news/eu_representative_condemns_hunt.html
New Year 09
Lush Supports Sea Shepherd 
An artist hangs herself from Shark hooks
New Year 09
In Canada if you are not directly involved in animal activism or habitat protection there is a good chance you won’t even know the seal hunt exists. In fact, there is a good chance you won’t know a lot of things exist. Canada is truly filtered from the main world for a variety of reasons. For one thing, good journalism is expensive business, not to mention the costs to political and corporate greed. Why would a government bring up something as obnoxious and cruel as a seal hunt and allow their political stance to be bloodied? Why would the media bring something to public attention when their credentials may be tarnished? After all the media is here to make money, not simply to share facts. And the Government is here to be re-elected, not to dive into the promises they made to get elected in the first place. Hence, many “ugly” topics such as the seal hunt are covered up as the media remains quiet and the public remains deafeningly guilty in their silence.
In this detached hush, who is there to protect the seals, whales, dolphins, sharks and cucumber’s of the sea? One thing Sea Shepherd never steers away from is political turmoil and they always navigate into is troubled, steamy and brewing waters. Sea Shepherd is the most avant guard, powerful force in the protection of marine habitat. In addition, they listen, watch and observe what is going on in the political arena. They are not only the worlds greatest force for animals, they are our best source of journalism. Watch the news and you’ll hear about main stream topics that happily affect the general population; tune into Captain Watson’s media updates and you’ll get to understand the essentials; the bones of politics and public relations, not to mention the quirky insights he has from years of experience.
Thank you to a wonderful year of Sea Shepherd's finest harvest: saving the lives of hundreds of marine animals all over the globe. And now they continue to focus on the gentle giants of the oceans....
“Sea Shepherd has tackled overwhelming odds with insufficient resources, won many victories, and saved the lives of thousands of whales. In the 2006–2007 Operation Leviathan campaign they were over 500 whales short of their illegal quota. The Steve Irwin covered a total of 20,090 nautical miles (37,205 kilometers) and made 3 return trips from Melbourne, Australia to the coast of Antarctica in 3½ months. In total, the ship was at sea for 83 days between December 5, 2007 and March 15, 2008. http://www.seashepherd.org/migaloo/
In December, they have already had the Japanese Whaling fleet on the run for over 1000 nautical miles, launched stink bombs at them and are now refueling to end the Japanese Whaling industry once and for all. http://www.seashepherd.org/operation-musashi/campaign-updates.html#editorial
Sea Shepherd is a Godsend, to all of us.
God Bless, Universe Bless, Earth Bless Sea Shepherd. We all love them and we ALL need them. May they have the best Year EVER.
Happy New Year Sea Shepherd Supporters.
Let's rise like ice, to the top.
This world needs something to believe in something....it needs to believe in anything.
Resource: Sea Shepherd
An artist hangs herself from Shark hooks
New Year 09
In this detached hush, who is there to protect the seals, whales, dolphins, sharks and cucumber’s of the sea? One thing Sea Shepherd never steers away from is political turmoil and they always navigate into is troubled, steamy and brewing waters. Sea Shepherd is the most avant guard, powerful force in the protection of marine habitat. In addition, they listen, watch and observe what is going on in the political arena. They are not only the worlds greatest force for animals, they are our best source of journalism. Watch the news and you’ll hear about main stream topics that happily affect the general population; tune into Captain Watson’s media updates and you’ll get to understand the essentials; the bones of politics and public relations, not to mention the quirky insights he has from years of experience.
Thank you to a wonderful year of Sea Shepherd's finest harvest: saving the lives of hundreds of marine animals all over the globe. And now they continue to focus on the gentle giants of the oceans....
“Sea Shepherd has tackled overwhelming odds with insufficient resources, won many victories, and saved the lives of thousands of whales. In the 2006–2007 Operation Leviathan campaign they were over 500 whales short of their illegal quota. The Steve Irwin covered a total of 20,090 nautical miles (37,205 kilometers) and made 3 return trips from Melbourne, Australia to the coast of Antarctica in 3½ months. In total, the ship was at sea for 83 days between December 5, 2007 and March 15, 2008. http://www.seashepherd.org/migaloo/
In December, they have already had the Japanese Whaling fleet on the run for over 1000 nautical miles, launched stink bombs at them and are now refueling to end the Japanese Whaling industry once and for all. http://www.seashepherd.org/operation-musashi/campaign-updates.html#editorial
Sea Shepherd is a Godsend, to all of us.
God Bless, Universe Bless, Earth Bless Sea Shepherd. We all love them and we ALL need them. May they have the best Year EVER.
Happy New Year Sea Shepherd Supporters.
Let's rise like ice, to the top.
This world needs something to believe in something....it needs to believe in anything.
Resource: Sea Shepherd
Whale Wars
About the two coolest things you can do right now to be not only involved in, but ahead of the environmental movement is to become Vegan and to support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Both are grass roots society’s that have deep roots in the protection of our earth’s fragile ecosystem.Every second word I hear now a days is about being green. Yet the hardest, but most effective choice in actually being green is to halt the use and abuse of all animal products. This is one of the cornerstones of environmental teachings and has now become a United Nations guideline for the optimal choice in living green. Somebody driving their gas guzzling Hummer around all day still doesn’t come close to the C02 emissions that a meat eating human being does.
In the same way that eating meat is just not hip or cool, Greenpeace is also sliding in popularity among the modern activists. Greenpeace has done a lot of great things and continues to do so, but their multi million dollar industry doesn’t get close to the activities and accomplishments that Sea Shepherd does. Paul Watson immediately turns their small and limited funding into direct action against illegal fishing operations. But Greenpeace has their hands tied with their multi million dollar beneficiary’s. Greenpeace, cofounded by Captain Watson himself, became too much about publicity and politics for Paul, so he started fresh by becoming a Shepherd of the Sea, so named by The Georgia Straight in the 1970’s.Paul Watson, Shepherd of the Sea, advocates for the animals of the planet and specializes in the unregulated, unchartered areas that are ocean bound. Captain Watson is also a Vegan. So are his crew and so are all of his working ships while out on the frigid Antarctic waters. Captain Watson supports Veganism because he loves life. He loves this planet and lives his truth as he risks his life repeatedly while protecting the whales, dolphins, seals and all the other unknown species that still have some remaining habitat left. If you want to get a glimpse into the life and work of this legendary, yet still largely unknown man tune into Animal Planet on November 7th IN the US and November 9th in Canada. . This 7 part series called Whale Wars shows the real life adventures that he and his crew endure and live through in dealing with the mofia and corporate style fishing industry. This is no movie. This is real the thing: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/
Amanda Daniell
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