A 1200 year tradition of killing. How long will we continue to look on and then look the other way?

You might think a comment like that came from the days when Rome sent Christians to their deaths in the arena.

A tradition that has occurred for over 1200 years?

In a recent press release posted by JiJi Press, the Japanese Whaling fleet returned back from the Southern Atlantic Ocean with a total of 267 dead whales. Of those caught and killed, 172 whales were pregnant.

When you think of it, it is at best an outrage. Japan’s press release was that it was a “successful catch,” when in truth, whale meat is being stockpiled for people who eat it only as a luxury. The fact is, less than 2% of the Japan’s population eat whale meat.

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Around the world, I am sure the whale community is aware that they now have friends in Switzerland!

In an amazing and yet sane move by the Swiss government, officials have now banned the keeping of Dolphins in zoo aquariums in Switzerland.

Although a great family movie, the Big Miracle misses the big picture.

Although for some it is very old news, I saw the film “Big Miracle”, based on a true life story about three endangered Pacific Grey Whales trapped in Alaska and the rescue efforts to save them. The unfortunate thing is that the real message was watered down and overlooked!

As is usual with scriptwriters, the story was “much to do with Hollywood” and altered from the real story. The movie, although moving and portraying the mindsets of the people and cultures affected by the “whales plight”, did touch but touch upon the realities of current Inupiat life and the lust for power by oil barons.

The only ones not really represented or understood were the ones the story was really all about – whales! Read the rest of this entry »

The onslaught of endangered whales continues, while Japan ignores the real truth

It is time once again for Paul Watson and his group of merry men (and women) to brave the Antarctic seas in an attempt to disrupt and delay the extinction of a race.

I am talking about whales.

The Japanese to date have fabricated the need for whale meat, when giant frozen stores lie untouched in Japan. Why? Because less than two per cent of the Japanese population eat whale meat. Some don’t even know it is still being sold.

So why are whales being hunted by the Japanese and being killed? Read the rest of this entry »

In a recent blog from the New York Times, a “cushioned warning” has been recorded about whales,

made by President Obama against Iceland.

The warning is tantamount to saying how much the budget was cut, when in reality nothing was really “cut”.

This is a portion of the blog regarding whaling is what I want to focus on:

In a move hailed by conservation activists, President Barack Obama initiated potential diplomatic sanctions against Iceland this week for its commercial whaling activity. The sanctions include six measures ranging from possibly limiting cabinet-level visits to Iceland to limiting cooperation with Iceland in the Arctic region. Read the rest of this entry »

A friend of you and I asks your help.

Many of you who have read my ongoing blogs, know how I feel about the taking of life from sentient animals, especially whales.

My main concern has been endangered whales, but I do include dolphins, simply because I have had many wonderful opportunities to know and be with dolphins.

What I have come to realize is not the death of these animals I want to focus on – as far as Taiji is concerned – but it is only the rebirth of man’s awareness regarding his responsibility to his own environ.

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Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda get captive Killer Whales to perform for the "Today" Show.

Sometimes I get links to something downright bizarre stuff about whales

But this link was, for me, a bit shocking. Kathie Lee Gifford and her TV comrades performing whale commands to a family of Killer Whales held in a very small tank.

Four Killer Whales. And the ‘cheerleaders’ Gifford and Hoda, demonstrating a “learned behavior” – whales jumping out of the water or whales doing twirls…

Kinda made me sick.

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I just read an article that promotes and uses marine animals for military purposes.

Marine animals are being used to protect our shores by the U.S. Military. Why aren't we protecting them? (Photo courtesy ABC NEWS)

One person argued that this is the height of nature and science and a proper use of both for man’s benefit.

Another said that these creatures are taken care of, while being employed for  military operations carried out by the United States.

It seems to me, that both these comments are self-serving to the U.S. Government PR machine.

Why would I say that?

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Recently Japan News reported that the residents of Taiji will not hunt whales this year.

If you recall, Taiji was the coastal village filmed in “The Cove” documentary about the massacre of dolphins. The fact is, the village fisherman also hunt minke whales.

The rhetoric is that “local fishermen claim that the Oscar-winning 2009 U.S. documentary, which critically depicted the dolphin hunt in Taiji and was shot partly using hidden cameras, is anti-Japanese and contains factual errors.”

Earlier this year, Japanese officials were caught accepting bribes (whalemeat) under the table. Two Japanese whistleblowers who publicly exposed the corruption, were immediately imprisoned and labeled traitors to the Japanese people.

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