Whale Wars, Vigilantism (and Vegetarianism?)
I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about organizations like Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd, prompted by the Animal Planet television series "Whale Wars". You'll find their respective pages on Facebook easily enough. "Fan" them and view the conversations yourself, and see if you come to the same conclusions as I do: activism to protect our planet is an important endeavor to pursue, whaling is murder, vigilantism is unnecessary, and Paul Watson and Peter Brown should not be piloting ships.
It's hard to argue against environmental activism. We have but one planet and billions of people. The actions of a small portion of our population can destroy it for the rest of us. I don't want to spend much time on this, as I think the impact of irresponsible action quite obvious.
The next statement is as much of a surprise to me as to those who know me. I used to be an avid hunter, and I'm an unabashed, opportunistic meat-eater. One thing I am not is merciless. After watching this year's Whale Wars clip on the whale kill by the Japanese "research" fleet, I've no qualms classifying their actions as inhumane murder. The whale was harpooned with an explosive harpoon gun, then moored to the ship. It struggled for over 25 minutes while whalers took pot shots at it from the gunwale (interesting name that). 25 minutes. It's enough to change a meat-eater into a plant-eater... Almost.
One of my biggest issues with the Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace is their ship-boarding tactics. They have no legal authority to do so. I'm all for running interference, playing defense, using the ship to obstruct operations. Even the buteric acid and powder bombs are effective, relatively harmless ways to actively discourage whaling. Unauthorized boarding of ships at sea is simply an act of piracy, regardless of intent. Not yet sold on the idea that this vigilantism is necessary, but if this series raises awareness to international, political levels, perhaps we'll see more legally appropriate "sea shepherds."
Finally, as much as I respect the efforts of Paul Watson, he has made some very poor nautical decisions piloting the Steve Irwin, such as turning port into a vessel crossing his path. His first mate, Peter Brown, has shown that his title wasn't earned through his nautical experience, rather this friendship with Paul. What first mate traveling through the Antarctic Ocean doesn't know how to read an ice chart? What first mate doesn't know what "turn to heading two-seventy", who turns down a launch checklist from an experienced US Navy officer and volunteer. The man is a patent idiot.
Don't worry, though. I haven't yet sold myself on the idea of becoming a pescatarian or pollotarian, though I'll never become a vegan. How can I give up a three-egg, cheese omelet or pizza for that matter? I will be withholding any financial support of Greenpeace or the Sea Shepherd, a change in attitude from my first viewing of Whale Wars earlier this year. Perhaps I'll quit watching the show, or viewing video clips on Animal Planet... Yeah, probably not.
Anyway, off to bed. G'night.
Chad
| Permalink: | http://wookimus.net/~chewie/oldplans/20090625004932.txt |
|---|