RFK Jr and Sea Shepherd take cause to Supreme Court against Japanese whalers

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Ida Torres in Features, National with 250 Comments
RFK Jr and Sea Shepherd take cause to Supreme Court against Japanese whalers

Environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., together with the conservation group Sea Shepherd, has asked the US Supreme Court to rescind an order that forces the group to stay away from Japan’s whalers. RFK Jr., the son and namesake of the slain political icon, has urged the United States to support the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The Sea Shepherd group and its fugitive founder Paul Watson have annually interfered with Japan’s controversial whale hunting in the Southern Ocean. A US court on December 17 issued an order for the activists to stay at least 500m away from the whaling vessels. The Southern Ocean has been designated as a whale sanctuary by The International Whaling Commission, but Japan has still continued hunting whales in the area through a loophole in a 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling that allows lethal research. RFK Jr. has called Japan’s government-supported Institute for Cetacean Research, the group that runs the whaling program, “a pirate organization masquerading as a scientific research group.”

RFK Jr. stressed the importance of supporting Sea Shepherd, stating that their environmental cause is “a mission that only they are capable of accomplishing and that is absolutely vital to the enforcement of international agreements on the high seas which otherwise go unenforced.” Japan, which has remained unapologetic that the whale meat ends up on dinner plates, accuses other Western nations that have cried foul of disrespecting its cultural traditions.

[ via The Australian ]
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  • Far East

    Whatever Sea Shpherd noble cause may be, they must respect the rule of law, and not revert to terrorist tactics to make their point. U.S. does not support terrorism, so hopefully they will maintain the lower court ruling.

    • http://twitter.com/sheepodoom SheepODoom

      And when Japan exterminates all life in the ocean then what?

      • Far East

        That’s a bit exagerated stamens wouldn’t you say ?

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

          Not really.

          • Far East

            LOL :-) I give you my “Like” for that !

    • http://www.facebook.com/dean.a.mcinerney Dean Anthony McInerney

      Lame…. You think the Japanese are “lawful”, the Japanese Govt abuses the law and gets away with it because of spineless international politics … Your way of thinking is lame… for eg. is law under totalitarianism, i.e. Third Reich, is this something that has anymeaning something to be followed. Your argument is thin weak and spineless. Terrorism is also a bullshit term used by tyrants who control the media…. Open your eyes.

      • Far East

        Thanks for name calling.
        Whatever the situation, I will not caution an act done one-sidedly outside of law. If you want to fight the whaling activity, do this legally. Who, otherwise, will be the judge of what is ok or not ok to do outside the law hm ?
        If this is going on, then blame the international community, or the consumer market,mbut there is no justification for resorting to unlawful action and do justice by yourself.

        • http://www.facebook.com/dean.a.mcinerney Dean Anthony McInerney

          I have not called you lame, however your thinking is still lame in my opinion. Put simply you are willfully ignoring every dimension to this story and focussing on an abstract principle… the “law”. Except this “law” you seem to lionise has already been undermined by corruption and the abuse of power. If the state is not lawful, which is definately the case here. ie researchers refuse to show any evidence of research findings etc.. Then the law doesnt exist. It is a tool for abuse. I will repeat the story so it sinks in… History shows that law is usually used as a pretext for criminal acts, Third Reich, Soviet Union, Uganda, Israel, Zimbabwe, Japan, United States have all committed crimes under the provisional protection of law. You need to make your choice whether you believe in justice, which is the objective, or law which is the tool. As it stands, money buys legistlation alot easier than democracy influences it.

          Plus… Greepeace are great but they are not enough. If it wasnt for Sea Shepard, this debate would be out of mind, out of sight… admit it.

          • Far East

            Not “lame calling”, but “name calling”
            Anyway, so in your view the use of forces justified and so are your actions in absence of satisfying legal decision ?
            Well, then expect other parties to take the same liberty in deciding what is ok and what is not ok. The battleground for sustainable solution is elsewhere. The rest is just for the show.

    • elun1118

      When Japan does not respect that rule of law, and its illegal whaling practices are not held accountable by that so-called law, good and dedicated people like Sea Shepherd are finally driven to take that law into their own hands if it means saving innocent, sentient whales from unnecessary, despicable slaughter. The fact that the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, et al do NOT uphold the law against Japan, while also standing idly by when Captain Watson is keelhauled over bogus charges $mell$ mighty fi$hy to me.

      • Far East

        Maybe you need to wake up and look around. Human beings are being killed every day, because various governments do not take actions. Maybe this is also important ? Maybe everyone should take the matters into their own hands and start shooting whoever they feel is responsible ?

        • elun1118

          So many causes, so little time. Sea Shepherd has chosen this one. An equivalency fallacy is not a valid argument. Maybe those who make the laws ought to enforce them for once so there would be no need for circuitous discussions like this—or, for good people to take care of nasty business themselves.

    • bungodancer

      Japan should respect the ‘NO’ whaling law and stop slaughtering under the guise of research.
      Truly mind boggling.

      • Far East

        Sure I agree they should stop killing whales. This just needs to be fought legally with the people responsible for letting this happen, that’s all. There is just no justification for unlawfull on-sided actions. It is a slippery slope.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

          Don’t worry Far east, Australia and New Zealand will take Japanese government funded research whaling to task in the Hague this year in the International court Of Justice. In the meantime, Sea Shepherd are doing a fine job stopping the illegal whaling activities in Antarctica.

          • Far East

            If they succeed, then it will be a good thing and the end for Sea Shepherd. In the meantime, they have the legal right to conduct their hunt. Not that I approve, but that’s the hard fact, whether you like it or not.

      • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

        What about Norway, Iceland, Russia, The Grenadines, … and the US?

    • Paully

      “the US does not support terrorism” oh dear where have you been?

  • Ryohei Uchida

    What we are seeing here is the end of Sea Shepherd. Clearly the injunction has taken a devastating effect upon the organisation and their desperation is evidenced by this appeal to have it set aside. A quick look at the ICR’s website shows a total lack of media releases regarding Sea Shepherd interference for 2013, showing that Sea Shepherd has been rendered utterly impotent and ineffective as an anti-whaling organisation. Indeed, it is apparent they aren’t even making a genuine attempt to find the whaling vessels this year, choosing instead to pursue a fueling vessel as the protected whaling fleet goes about its business.

    With Sea Shepherd’s high profile and lucrative anti-whaling cash cow gone, the organisation cannot continue to operate as it has. No more TV show, no more expensive boats and toys, no more luxury cruises around the world for Watson and his lackeys. However, that would seem the least of Watson’s worries as he ponders his fate at the hands of the multiple Interpol Red Notices issued for him.

    Sea Shepherd is finished. Its campaigns of violence are finished. Its hatred and lies will no doubt continue for a little while, but its voice will gradually fade into nothingness and irrelevance. Sea Shepherd has lost, the law and the whaling it sanctions have won.

    Perhaps Greenpeace’s time has come again?

    • Captain Paul Watson

      Perhaps you have no idea of what you are talking about. You are a paid P.R. whore for the ICR so stop pretending to be a typical member of the public. There is one ship blocking the tanker and three pursuing the whaling fleet. The proof of our success will be seen when the Japanese release their kill figures (or lack of) at the end of the season.

      • Ryohei Uchida

        Now now Paul, don’t let your hormones get the better of you.

        But it seems I touched a nerve.

        Paul, are the younger and perhaps more zealous crew members showing any signs as yet of disaffection and frustration at the ‘coincidental’ lack of success this season? Those poor volunteers probably believed in the whole “prepared to do anything for the whales” and “hoka hey” garbage you waffle on about and probably don’t understand or care about the injunction or the Red Notices. It must be irritating for them to find themselves floating around in the Southern Ocean pretending to be having an effect upon a whaling operation that they haven’t even encountered or seen. Would hate to see you with a mutiny on your hands.

        And what’s going to happen with Whale Wars? Surely episode after episode of what I just described won’t make for great television, particularly when the whalers are having their most successful season yet. Or is Whale Wars going to turn into a reality court room drama?

        Anyway, I don’t think the injunction should halt you in your tracks completely. Surely you could track down the fleet and then do some protesting by, say, holding up some signs? Sure, they probably wouldn’t be very visible from 500 yards away, but it’s better than doing nothing. I’m sure Greenpeace would still have some signs lying around. Perhaps you could ask for a loan?

        • http://www.facebook.com/grant.mccoy.56 Grant McCoy

          If the fleet had actually caught any whales, the puppet masters of the murder fleet would have made sure that footage of the kill was shown on tv to try and break the spirit of Neptune’s Navy. No footage, I am betting no whales.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            The same could be said about SSCS… Haven’t you noticed that so far, there’s hardly been any pictures, videos, etc. about any confrontation with the Japanese whalers?

        • Raxki

          Ryohei, shut up. You clearly have no idea of the situation, so shut the crap up and keep your self imagination to yourself.

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000233261135 Tassie’s Kleinsohn

          you have no idea what you are talking about if the Japanese have killed no whales so far this season then it is a success for the Sea Shepherds, as an Australian i do not want the Japanese whaling in our southern ocean

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Let me remind you that less than a handful of countries actually recognize the AU claim on those Southern territories

        • http://www.facebook.com/lewis.smithingham Lewis Smithingham

          i love how this Ryohei dude doesnt even deny that he’s a paid PR whore. I hope sea shepard courageously defies the law and stops your ships completely. It is disgusting that defending whales against criminals is considered terrorism. but then again, Partisans were considered terrorists as well.

          • ddpalmer

            I love how this Lewis Smithington dud doesn’t even deny that he’s a serial killing pedophile who beats his dog and his wife.

        • Marla Stormwolf Patty

          SSCS is succeeding Ryochei Uchida. If they werent, you wouldnt be here lying about them. And perhaps getting paid to do so.

        • http://twitter.com/kraenk12 Hans Wurst

          There is no lack of success in the first place. Why do you justify illegal actions, why does your government support illegal actions even funded by OUR money from the tsunami relief fund?! Do you really want the rest of the wolrd to hate you so much?!

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            In what way are Japan’s actions “illegal”?

          • Emily

            You tell us Jamie?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            First of all: who’s Jamie?

            Secondly, you’re avoiding the question, since you know you can’t answer it. :)

          • ddpalmer

            Please indicate what about Japanese whaling is illegal.
            And unless you are a Japanese tax payer none of YOUR money went to fund whaling. Do you really want the rest of the world to call you a liar?

        • ThatOneGuy

          Dude, you don’t have a clue what you are talking about, do you? The Japanese whalers have already just about abandoned one ship that is almost out of fuel, since the Sea Shepherds are watching their refueling ship.

          • ddpalmer

            Yeah, right. that would be why Sea Shepherd just reported that at least one whale has already been killed.
            Will they change the name of the campaign to “Greater Than Zero Tolerance”?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Well, if the goal for this season was: “Not a single whale killed”. Then I guess you could say: We have a loser!

        • Jude

          You are merely displaying the kind of Japanese smugness that relishes the arrogance of its own voice. There are citizens in your own country who are appalled at what you do and support SSCS. Name calling and taunts will not change the fact that this planet’s oceans are in serious trouble due to those who wilfully deplete its cetecean numbers – many of which are endangered species. Consider that when the next tsunami hits your country with devastating effect. The ocean bites back and she is bigger than you or any government. Just how many wake-up calls do you think you are going to get?

        • Emily

          Are you Propaganda Buster’s new boy toy?

      • http://www.facebook.com/drberg1 David R. Berg

        The Japanese whalers may very well misrepresent the kill numbers this year in an attempt to maintain their government funding.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          … as have SSCS been doing for years to keep their pockets being filled. The SSCS have a very naive and simplistic way of determinig their success: they take the quota put forward by the Japanese, and at the end of the season they count how many whales were actually caught. The difference is – per definition – the amount of whales saved by SSCS… as if there are no other external factors influencing the catch numbers.

          • Emily

            Nice try Jamie..

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Jamie?

      • Emily

        GO SEA SHEPHERDS!

    • JoeShmo

      LOL, can you make More obvious that you are a paid PR troll working for murderers!!! LoL! How can you sleep at night knowing you are paid in blood money by ruthless murderers?!?!?x

    • http://twitter.com/sheepodoom SheepODoom

      Fear not there is a group waiting in the wings… They however will not be as “Nice” as the sea Shepherd group. It would be unfortunate if your whaling fleet happen to enter their weapon test area.

    • http://GreenGlobalTravel.com/ Green Global Travel

      Sea Shepherd is finished? Seriously?! Clearly you haven’t kept up with the declining numbers of kills Japan’s illegal whale hunt has had in recent years, due to the intervention of Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd. No matter how many millions of dollars Japan throws at this antiquated industry, the only people who seem to want it are the fishermen, who are looking to save face after years of humiliating defeats. The world is watching the way Japan continues to treat wildlife in the Southern Ocean and Taiji, and what we see reflects poorly on the nation. Good luck, Captain Paul!

    • bungodancer

      Ryohei, why don’t you please do yourself a favour and go breathe and gulp the waters in Taiji cove……..perhaps you will then gain a clue.
      Your ignorance and lack of connection to the natural world is beyond tragic.

      • bungodancer

        Ryohei……..furthermore…what are you spewing but mis everything…Sea Shepherd has camapigns of violence? and hatred and lies? WOW……if you can think of such colourful ugliness, perhaps you can throw yourself into the “good and right’ side and share positive speak and stories for all creation on our only ‘ONE’ earth. Share your obvious unlimited abilities of story telling, with true and encouraging, hope filled stories for the survival and betterment of the whole family of earthlings! Thank you if you do……….sorry for you if you don’t.

    • Lisa Arrow

      Ryohei, it’s almost comical how you skew reality to serve your whale-murdering interests. Sea Shepherd will not be defeated. Do you know why? Because Sea shepherd is not just an organization; it’s a movement of caring individuals around the world who aim to protect the oceans from plunderers like you. Public opinion is on Sea Shepherd’s side and the fact remains the majority of the world is against your pirate whaling operations…plain and simple. How much is ICR paying you to try to persuade the public that killing whales is okay? And how do you sleep at night knowing you are taking money from your own people who have been displaced by the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster — children and families who STILL have no place to live? Those poor people are relying on their government to help them in their time of need and instead the government has taken some $30 million dollars that should have been available to help them and is putting it into trying to stop Sea Shepherd. SHAME ON YOU. You have blood on your hands and bloodlust in your heart. Your business is based in death — death of beautiful sentient whales, death of our oceans, and eventual death and disease that will befall your people from eating toxic whale flesh. I hope you can live with yourself. But since you have no conscience, I’m sure you can.

    • Tess

      Hey Ryohei,
      It’s obvious you’re a paid shill and that makes you a zeikin dorobou (public tax money thief). Go crawl back into your hole, you morally corrupt nutjob.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cody.lavergne.1 Cody La Vergne

    What we’re seeing here is the end of Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean thanks to Sea Shepherd. The U.S. should not only legally support them but also provide financial assistance to their cause. The terrorist activities of these Japanese whalers are unacceptable. I support and congratulate their efforts against these illegal actions and are so proud of them for every whale they have saved.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000233261135 Tassie’s Kleinsohn

      well said

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

        Sea Shepherd have spent many years down in Antarctica taking on
        the whalers who are pretending to to research whilst they kill whales for the dinner plate. It is good to see SSCS being so successful and this year is looking to be one of the best ever. Whaling has no place in the 21st century. The Japanese whalers need to pack up and go home.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          “SSCS have spent many years down in the Antarctic”. But keep in mind that the Japanese whaling program ALSO includes yearly campaigns in the Arctic area. SSCS never had any campaign prohibiting the Japanese to hunt whales in the Arctic. Worse: SSCS never even MENTIONNED that the Japanese were also hunting in the Northern Pacific.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            Oh really> can you tell us where exactly?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood
          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Well, it’s not that hard to find. Look for “Japanese whaling” and “Northern Pacific”. You might even end up on this site again…

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            Northern Pacific does not mean Arctic.

    • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

      Given the circumstances, I think it is more likely that SSCS will lose their charitable status in the US – something that already happened in Australia in 2012, btw – rather than that the US government would support an organization that was referenced once in an FBI report on “environmental terrorism”

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

        SSCS has never been a charity in Austrlia, yet remains one of SSCS’s biggest supporters. Not only money but crews, supplies…and you just know that with ships registered in Australia, the government is well behind SSCS.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Good point. SSCS was DENIED charitable status by senator Barnaby Joyce: “no group engaging in illegal activity or destroying public property deserved taxpayer-funded concessions”

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            There is nothing illegal about SSCS. It is the Japanese whalers who have an Australian high court decision against them. It is the Japanese whalers who are banned from Australian waters. It is the Japanese whalers who get told to get out of Australia. SSCS enjoys a great deal of support in Australia, and have several Australian political office bearers on their board.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            “illegal activity” … destroying other peoples’ property is still illegal. And I now that Australia doesn’t like the Japanese whalers to come in “their” waters, but they can only enforce that in their own territorial waters. The EEZ is not part of this, nor can AU prevent any vessel to pass through this area.

          • ddpalmer

            They consistently violate the UNCLOS. That would be illegal. They are currently harboring a fugitive. That would be illegal.

  • Marla Stormwolf Patty

    SSCS has never acted as a terrorist org. Ever. I defy anyone to show evidence to the contrary. They have never harmed one life. The word terrorist is now being used in this regard against any concerned person on this planet. 15 year old children are being labelled terrorists if they speak out against animal abuses they see in pet stores, if this costs the pet store owners any loss of money to their stores when the abuses have come to light. Those kids exposing animal abuse are not terrorists anymore than SSCS is a terrorist group for trying to stop illegal poaching and whaling. SSCS is not ending at all. Thats just nonsense for others to proclaim their own ignorance in stating that. If they were near “the end”, then they would not be succeeding. And they are succeeding. They are also succeeding in bringing back a wave of humanity to the people under control of the morally bankrupt Governments who are trying to stop them. This is a sanctuary for whales. The Japanese Government has continuously ignored this fact. They first stated they were murdering these animals for “scientific reasons”, in the years they murdered these animals, they have provided no scientific research.Ever. Instead, the whale meat ends up on diner plates. Now they are stating its ‘cultural”. umm. no. Its not. It is in fact, illegal. There are many people in Japan who are trying to stop this as well. Including stopping the dolphin slaughter in the Cove. I personally have great respect for the Japanese people who are standing up against this. I have lived in Japan as a youngster for a short time, and the people are strong and caring, and I have no doubt that more and more of the people will continue to speak up against the slaughter of the marine life and also many activists there are in support of SSCS. Its a shameful thing to watch the USA go along with this sham of murdering whales. But then what can we expect with a President announcing a National day of Hunting?
    The oceans die, we die, as Captain Paul Watson has often stated factually.
    And with the help of well respected Environmental lawyer and author of best selling books on factual data of the environment and how we are destroying them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, at SSCS side, I hope this raises the plight of the whales to a new level of awareness and also I hope this raises awareness to the world of those who are trying to stop the money grubbing machines who are hell bent on destroying this planet and jail concerned citisens under the guise of the miss-used, over-used word “terrorist” which is a catch-all word now for those in power to remain in power and silence the people of this planet who want their planet back. Intact.
    Bravo Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Long may you sail!

    • EKBlue

      I agree that if the oceans die, we’re in a world of hurt. That said where is Terrorist Paul Watson’s sensibility when it comes to fisheries that use long line and trolling fishing techniques? Those efforts have done more harm to ocean life than the hunting of whales.

      BTW “Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, often violent, especially as a means of coercion”. I don’t know what you call it but a prop fowler, throwing noxious chemicals and disrupting research would be considered acts of terrorism, hence Paul Watson is a terrorist.

      Lastly, Whale meat is actually good, yummy delicious :)

      • Marla Stormwolf Patty

        EKBlue, dont you ever get tired of hijacking threads and spreading dis-information and just ….well, plain stupidity? Granted, word has it that the money is spreading dis-information is pretty good so that may be themotivation for you. You are always on every article and spreading inconsistencies. but, the upside is, when folks read your rants, it just makes others understand why SSCS is so needed.

        • EKBlue

          Bwahahaha you’re delusional, I’m an American living in the US :)

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            So why would an American living in the US side with the Japanese illegal whalers? It makes no sense. Either you enjoy trolling or you have a connection to the whalers in some shape or form.

          • ddpalmer

            What a massive display of illogical thinking.

          • sidewinder

            Clearly from you DD.

          • ddpalmer

            Oh. What a cutting retort.

          • RingoGaSukiDesu

            I’m an Australian living in Australia and I don’t have a problem with the Japanese whalers because they ARE NOT doing anything illegal. Your thinking is illogical. Just because something is not Japanese does not mean they can not support the Japanese.

          • http://twitter.com/RSPW_DEP David Powell

            Yes, and similar to my way of thinking. I don’t like whaling, but I believe Sea Shepherd is using completely the wrong tactics, both in terms of effectiveness and in terms of risking lives. If they really want to pressure Japan, take the footage and photos and picket headquarters of Japanese companies all over the world. Go to the “Green car” buyers and try to get them to buy cars that aren’t Japanese. There is no attempt to do this, only activists doing some very dangerous sailing in the Antarctic, including work in fiberglass hull boats that have no business being there. Most Japanese don’t eat whale meat anymore, the industry is unprofitable, and it will soon pass. However if you make it an issue of national pride the Japanese will keep doing it just because people are trying to stop them from doing it. Take that issue away and whaling will fade away quickly.

          • Bahl Sanchin

            He’s a paid shill for the whale slaughterers.

          • ddpalmer

            Proof?

    • Geeplusdee

      I don’t think the word terrorist is misused. If the shepherd were all that great they would have had greater government backup. Reality is, as good as their intentions are, they got a few too much loose screws in the way they manage their ‘protection of whales’. I would donate for the whale cause, but I would never donate to rogue environmental pirates like the shepherd. Their organization has complete disregard for the livelihoods of those fishers.

  • Dr. James R Blake

    the jap whalers make me laugh, fuck off. In the future, cultures like yours will be dishonored and ashamed by your behavior.

    • Far East

      Well, please keep in mind that this is a minority of the Japanese. I am a foreigner in Japan, speak Japanese fluently and can tell you all the people I know are against killing whales. Still, no one supports act of aggression. It radicalize people opinion.

      • http://twitter.com/kraenk12 Hans Wurst

        Then why doesn’t the japanese society kill it for good and stop outlawing their whole country?! I don’t get it.

        • Ito

          I think one reason is that the Japanese are generally kept in the dark and brainwashed by the government controlled mass media.

          • EKBlue

            No, that would be China

        • Far East

          Same thing applies to Australian and the killing of Kangaroo I guess. Most Australians would be against it, and one may wonder why they continue to do so.

        • EKBlue

          Stop killing Bears, Elk, Moose, Deer, Capons, Turkey’s, Chickens, Snake, Buffalo, Cows, the list goes on and on and on. What makes one right and the other wrong?

          HEY I KNOW, we should all be vegetarians, but wait, someone will start speaking up and saying we’re hurting the vegetables feelings and it’s inhumane to slice open a head of lettuce.

          Again where does it end? People will always have differing view points, live and let live.

          • Emily

            So you’re angry because Sea Shepherd can’t save EVERY species and has chosen whales?

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            He doesn’t care about other species. He just wants to protect his little whaling empire and will say anything as a result. No matter how dilly wang.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            It’s not even about saving species… If you consider that the vast majority of the intended catch by Japan are minke whales. So, basically: SSCS spends 2 million dollars on a single campaign that is aiming at “saving” a species that is marked “least concern” by the IUCN.

            Every penny that is going to SSCS could have been used to save a species that is REALLY endangered.

          • Emily

            You (obviously) don’t donate, so why do you care?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            I do donate. But not to SSCS :)

          • EKBlue

            Not really, just saying bugger off and leave us alone. We have our views, you have your views, doesn’t give you the right to attack ships during the hunt.

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            The Japanese whalers don’t listen to logic or to words. They have no respect for other countries culture, beliefs or laws. If they did then they would stay at home and not invade Australian waters and kill whales that do NOT belong to them in whale sanctuaries.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            … for a moment I thought you were talking about those cultural imperialist who invade Taji and call themselves Cove Guardians… the same applies to them.

          • ddpalmer

            Actually the UN, you know the people who wrote the WCfN you wrongly claim gives SSCS some authority, say creatures in international waters belong to whoever catches them.

          • RingoGaSukiDesu

            I advise you to do some research before you speak. The only nations which recognise these waters as Australian territory are the UK, France, Norway, New Zealand and Australia itself. They are not a part of recognised Australian territory. Therefore they are for all intents and purposes international waters and Japan is doing nothing illegal.

      • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

        “While Sea Shepherd’s action might be designed to work towards a decisive change in Japan’s whaling policy, and have called attention to the matter on an international level, their actions have had the opposite effect on public opinion inside Japan. And, ironically, they have been used by the pro-whaling forces to help strengthen domestic support for whaling instead.” (J. Morikawa)

        • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

          prove it.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Read: “Whaling in Japan: Power, Politics, and Diplomacy” (2009) by Jun Morikawa. (ISBN-10: 0231701187, ISBN-13: 978-0231701181). 45$ on Amazon.com

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            Is that it?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Have you read it?

  • bungodancer

    Ryohei, what is wrong with you? What do you find right or jovial about this?

    Does a keyboard make you feel strong or knowledgable? Do you think Taiji is right and ok too?

    Clearly you have a thoughtful mind, Please use it to help not hinder….there is only one Mother Earth, all is connected.

  • Hoosier Fan

    @ Far East:
    You imply that the Sea Shepherd Organization terrorists, however they have never destroyed a Japanese ship, nor have they tried to murder a Japanese sailor. The same cannot be said for the Japanese Whaling Fleet. A few seasons ago, a Japanese Whaling ship ran over a smaller Sea Shepherd vessel who was out of fuel and a drift, waiting for support from another Sea Shepherd vessel. With men and women on board the motionless vessel, a Japanese ship ran over the Ady Gil sinking the smaller vessel. After the collision, the Japanese Whaling Vessel only offered assistance after the crew had been rescued by another Sea Shepherd vessel. Failing to immediately offer assistance to a distress call, which the Japanese failed to do, is also illegal. This act is far more a terrorist tactic than anything the Sea Shepherd organization has done in my opinion.

    • Far East

      I refer to dangerous and illegal aggression, and acts like throwing acids to Japanese sailors. If you want to fight, then lobby the people who can make this illegal. No one has the right to do justice itself, and certainly aggressing people is unlawful.

      • DWicks

        Wrong! Sea Shepherd acts under the World Charter for Nature of the United Nations that allows NGOs to help enforce environmental laws when authorities fail to effectively do so.

        Just like you are able to perform a citizens arrest when you feel someone is breaking a law, Sea Shepherd is allowed to intervene when law enforcement fails to act.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Can you show the paragraph of the World Charter for Nature of the United Nations under which SSCS acts?

          To help you, here’s the link: http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/37/a37r007.htm

        • EKBlue

          Citizens arrest ONLY works when the other person complies. Do you not know anything????

          Tell you what, go to South Central Los Angeles and try and perform your citizens arrest and see if that works for you.

          Sea Shepherd is not allowed to intervene in a violent manner, which their acts of aggression have shown.

        • ddpalmer

          LOL.

          The UN WCfN gives them no authority to do anything. And Paul Watson knows this because he tried to use that defense in court. He lost and was convicted of a felony.

          Also the UN WCfN was passed by the General Assembly and NOT the Security Council. Only Security Council resolutions are enforceable.

          And sorry but their is no international equivalent of a citizens arrest and citizens arrest doesn’t even exist in many countries.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

        Whalers are a danger unto themselves. How many countless hours have SSCS and Paul Watson spent in freezing conditions far from land searching fruitlessly ( yet tirelessly) for yet another Japanese whaler that has decided that he cannot take it anymore ? That what he is doing is wrong and illegal? That his life is full of shame? That he has to murder large, sentient beings for a few yen that was meant to help those who lost everything in a tsunami? That it would be better the throw oneself overboard instead of living the lie that is Japanese commercial whaling?

        The answer is probably somewhere around 72.4 hours of search time. It would be longer but the Japanese whalers tend to give up after a short time, and abandon the search. Just as they abandon their ships in the Southern ocean that run out of fuel. Sad really.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          … reminds me of a boat that was abandoned in 2010… after it was “deliberately rammed”, “cut in half” and “sank”…

      • http://twitter.com/kraenk12 Hans Wurst

        The only ones breaking any laws are the Japanese who are illegally whaling…even better….they LIE about it being only for research, which is disgusting and inhuman.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Can you provide us with evidence of which laws Japanese whalers are breaking? Also keep in mind that one of the conditions for Japan to be allowed by the IWC is that none of the whale meat should be wasted, and NEEDED to be sold. You can even find this info on the official Whale Wars site, under the FAQ section.

        • Far East

          That’s precisely the core of the problem, ie they are not breaking any law. If anything, people against whaling should put pressure to banish this activity legally, but not revert to drastic and forceful actions which are, for that matter, illegal.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bridget-Curran/550642965 Bridget Curran

        Acid? It was rancid butter.

        • Far East

          I read different stories from reputable newspapers at the time.

          • ThatOneGuy

            I’m not sure of the specifics, but I know it is harmless to humans, only smells terrible.

      • Lisa Arrow

        That so-called “acid” you speak of is completely non-toxic rotten butter that smells like vomit. All it does it impart an awful smell/taste to whale meat and makes it uncomfortable to remain within close proximity to the smell. It is less harmful than being hit with a rotten egg. Please get your facts straight and stop propagating lies. Meanwhile, the whaling fleet has thrown heavy metal objects at Sea Shepherd crew, doused them with powerful water cannons, poked a crew member in the eye with a bamboo pole, rammed and destroyed a Sea Shepherd vessel without consequence to name just a few highly aggressive actions. Not to mention their MOST VIOLENT ACT which is that they are whaling in violation of the law with grenade-tipped harpoons and high-powered rifles in a WHALE SANCTUARY. Who exactly are the violent ones?

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Can you tell us what kind of recipient is used for the butirric acid, and what harm could be done in case – let’s say – a whale would swallow the broken recipient?

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            Bio-degradable. And as long as the Japanese whalers put any broken pieces in the garbage can , then there is no risk to whales.

            Now what happens if the whalers catch more whales as a result of no BA?

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Bio-degradable glass. Really? If you search for biodegradation, you’ll find that the time for glass to biodegrade is… “Undetermined (forever)”.

            Moreover, you’re assuming that all the bottles end up ON the Japanese ships. I’m sure the Japanese will collect them. But it’s a little naive to think that none of the bottles end up broken into the ocean, is it?

            But, to take away the risk completely, they shouldn’t throw them in the first place. This was clearly stated by one of the judges of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal.

    • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

      As you “probably” know, MV Brigitte Bardot recently ignored a distress call herself. Hence, in your logic “a terrorist tactic”…

      • Guest

        Prove it

    • EKBlue

      I LOL’d when the small boat sank :) Why should they offer assistance to a nuisance pest like the Sea Shepherd crew?

      Let me come over and whack you with a stick continuously, at some point you’ll get irritated enough that you’ll eventually fight back. That is what they are doing, fighting back against the Terrorist Paul Watson

  • http://twitter.com/KathyChadwell Kathy Chadwell

    I proudly support Captain Watson and the Sea Shepherd. GodBless them and GodSpeed to them and Robert Kennedy JR.

  • Dwicks

    Well done RFK JR! Sea Shepherd has been doing some amazing things here in Vancouver and worldwide! Long live SEA SHEPHERD!

    • Ryohei Uchida

      Type “RFK JR” into Google.

      It turns out he was convicted of possessing heroin in 1983. And then in 2001 he was jailed for trespass.

      What is it with Sea Shepherd and attracting these kind of characters?

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

        What is your point Ryohei? Are you suggesting that all Japanese whalers who trespass in Australia and break Australian law should be arrested?

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          So far, no Japanese whalers have trespassed anything in Australia. Hence, when they are in pursuit of any of the SSCS ships, they always make sure to halt where territorial waters begin.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            The Australian government does not allow whaling ships into its territorial waters nor its EEZ. The have been told this directly by the Australian government. Yet for some strange reason they do not seem able to stay out. The whalers have an Australian high court judgement against them, deeming their activities to be illegal. Next time the whalers come into Australia’s EEZ, the Australian government should send the navy down to make a few nice artificial reefs for all the fishes courtesy of Japan.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            I suspect that you do not understand what “Exclusive Economical Zone” (EEZ) means: it grants a nation the exclusive right to exploit the natural resources in that zone, yet it does not give the nation the right to deny other ships passage through that zone. So, in case the Japanese whaling vessel had actually entered the territorial waters, AU could have acted. As long as the Japanese whaling vessels stay outside AU territorial waters, it’s just words.

            Also keep in mind that Japan (along with the majority of the other countries worldwide) does not recognize the AU claim on the “Australian” Antarctic waters. So, from an AU perspective, you’re right, but from a worldwide perspective (except 4 other nations), Japan is doing nothing illegal.

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            I think the Australian government has a fair idea about its EEZ and territorial waters. Which is why when the Japanese whalers try to sneak in, they are told to get out, in no uncertain terms by the Australian government. If they do not listen, then they will be made to listen.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Fact remains that AU CANNOT deny passage through its EEZ. Burke knows it, otherwise he should have sent the navy to escort the Japanese out of the EEZ.

      • DWicks

        1983? That’s the best you can come up with? lol

  • http://www.facebook.com/mary.truelove.35 Mary Truelove

    I fully support Sea Shepherd and Robert F. Kennedy Jr I wish them the best of luck, I stand with them in stopping the Japan’s whaling hunting.

  • RP

    The Japanese whalers claim they are preserving the ancient Japanese tradition to this day by hunting whales. If they were truly trying to preserve this Japanese tradition by using paddle boats with hand thrown spears and rope.. Not running down whales with a ship, killing them using a harpoon canon armed with an explosive tip that is 100% lethal.

    Japanese whalers claim no one has the right to tell them what they can and cannot do, but know they are running down whales to their death in southern whale sanctuary that does not belong to Japan.

    Who is really violating international law here?

    As for the US court issued restraining order, The United States has no authority or binding legal abilities in this whale sanctuary. The operation is Australian based and the Australians do not want or welcome Japanese whaling terrorist-poachers in their home waters.

    One of the Japanese whaling ships appears to be dangerously low on fuel and is begging a South Korean tanker for fuel. The Japanese whalers cannot forward to port in Australia for fuel as they are not welcome. The rest of the Japanese whaling fleet appears to have abandoned their own crippled ship, what does this say about the individuals who make up this Japanese whaling fleet.

    It would not be surprising if the Japanese whalers go home with no whales losing millions upon millions of Japanese tax payer yen and continue to get funding from the corrupt Japanese government officials who are adamant not to loose FACE in the eyes of the world.

    This has become a battle of Japanese face, pride and belief that they can do what ever they want outside of their home oceans on the backs of Japanese tax payers.

    Maybe it is time to put the Japanese whaling crew into the ocean and allow a crew of whales to run them down with a ship and harpoon each of them using a harpoon canon with an explosive tipped harpoon. After each Japanese whaler has died a slow painful death, each Japanese whaler is hauled up the processing ship’s ramp, filleted bare and sent below ship for processing.

    The barbaric ans sheer arrogance of all involved with Japanese whaling says an awful lot about who these individuals are and their sense of compassion and humanity.

  • LeslieLoLa

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is loved and admired in the US. And his endorsement and support of Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd speaks volumes.
    Leave the whales alone! Get out of the Southern Ocean Whale “Sanctuary” with your FAKE Research!

    • Ryohei Uchida

      Actually, RFK Jnr was convicted of possessing heron in 1983 and then jailed for trespass in 2001. Look it up.

      But you’re right, his endorsement and support of Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd does speak volumes.

      • LeslieLoLa

        You can dig up a persons past and try to discredit them all you want. But everyone, including you has made mistakes. At least if you judge RFK Jr. and Paul Watson on their accomplishments and positive acts as well…you will see they are two great men overall! I admire and respect them both for standing up for what is right. Tresspass?? hmmm Isn’t it the whalers who are tresspassing in a WHALE SANCTUARY?

        • DWicks

          Well said, Leslie!

        • EKBlue

          What positive acts has Paul Watson done? He’s a terrorist.

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            Calling Paul Watson a terrorist is straight out of the ICR handbook for trolls. Can you not come up with something a little more imaginative? The only terrorists down in the Southern ocean are the Japanese whalers, who go down south with their bloody harpoons and ninja turtles who keep trying to shoot Paul Watson. .

          • EKBlue

            Ok how about an overweight man who preaches his religion of anti-whaling and has minions who will follow him to the depths of hell. Is that better?

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            Did you just look up the ICR handbook for that comment? I am sure it can be found on page 62!

          • Bahl Sanchin

            The whale butchers are the real terrorists.

      • http://www.facebook.com/tommy.woodward.94 Tommy Woodward

        Is it illegal to possess herons in the US?

      • MarieLanza

        Wow you can look information up. He changed, he turned his life around and became a descent human being. See there is still hope for you. SUPPORT Paul Watson

        • EKBlue

          Never in a million years would I support a terrorist…..

          • Emily

            Then I guess it’s good no one cares if you support him or not

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            But you do…its called the ICR>

      • IWC DUH

        Ryohei ……but how many whales has Kennedy killed…..

      • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

        He just got arrested recently too for protesting against the fossil fuel industry in America. Someone who is prepared to stand up and tell people that the pathway they are choosing is the wrong way forward.

    • http://twitter.com/RSPW_DEP David Powell

      RFK Jr. is Hugo Chavez’ puppet.

      • Bahl Sanchin

        You’re looking mighty stupid in that tinfoil hat

  • Constanci

    I would like my government to put their full support behind Captain Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd. They are the only group that actually is out there protecting whales from illegal brutal slaughter. We need them, our oceans need them and I am just sad that there are not more Sea Shepherds out there.

    • Ryohei Uchida

      But they’re not protecting whales. They haven’t seen the Nisshin Maru all season. It’s been harvesting whales completely unimpeded. So why would you support Sea Shepherd? They’re just going to blow the cash on lawyer fees.

      • Lisa Arrow

        What BS! What exactly are you doing? Taking money from your own people and lining your pockets! Stealing $30 million from your people in need and throwing it at lawyers to stop Sea Shepherd! The whaling fleet is on the run. Sea Shepherd has cut the ships off from one another to the point where they can’t even refuel. You are going down!

      • http://twitter.com/kraenk12 Hans Wurst

        Great thing is they occupied most of the illegal whaling ships supported illegally by your country so only a fraction of the whales intended could be killed. I call that a big success!

        Btw if we had known your government will spend OUR money from the Tsunami Relife Fund to support whaling NOONE of us would have given any money. I won’t anymore…not one cent, even if Japan disappears.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Can you provide us with any evidence that what the Japanese are doing IS illegal?

          • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

            Seeing as the Government of Japan is taking the money, its probably quite legal to steal money from your own people to spend on your whaling empire. They seem to be under the impression that their commercial whaling is legal too? Strange days indeed.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            First of all, it’s up to the Japanese government to decide what they want to do with their tax payer’s money. It’s not that uncommon for governments to subsidize certain economical branches or scientific research. For example, it would be quite harsh if Europeans would start to dictate the US what to do with tax revenues. No American would accept that either.

            Secondly, the Japanese whaling fleet is acting under a special permit that allows them to catch a limited number of whales, issued by the IWC. As long as the IWC recognizes that Japan is doing scientific research (you can find a HUGE list of scientific papers, both peer-reviewed and not, on the ICR website), what they are doing is not illegal.

          • SK

            No, Japan issues itself the special permits, not the IWC. And taking advantage of a loophole and then calling that act “not illegal” is rather laughable.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            The IWC allows its member countries to issue special permits for research (Article 8). True. But why would this be illegal?

            Keep in mind that SSCS itself tried to evade US law by moving the current whaling campaign to Australia. Paul Watson stepped down as president (at least “officially”), all to circumvent the injunction. And then you are criticizing Japan for using a “loophole”??

          • Emily

            “RESEARCH”….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Yes. That is something that will be made clear by the Court in The Hague in 2013. For now, there is enough evidence to support that what they are doing, is research.

            Just take the time to go to the ICR website. You’ll find 2 lists with plenty of scientific research result papers, both intended for the IWC and other scientific meetings, and articles that have appeared in peer-reviewed journals. It’s easy to double-check. So, do it!

          • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

            I guess that is why the IWC has asked Japan several times to cease their fake research.

          • ddpalmer

            I guess that is why the IWC and Australia and the US has asked Sea Shepherd several times to cease their illegal actions.

          • SK

            No, the IWCR (whaling treaty) and its loopholed Article 8 allows member countries to issue themselves the kill permits, not the IWC.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            Yes. That’s what I said. Look up :)

          • SK

            No, first you said the IWC issues the permits which is flatly untrue, and now you’re saying the IWC and ICRW are one and the same, which is also untrue. Look up:)

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            I was wrong at first. You corrected me. I have absolutely no problem admitting that I was wrong.

            Furthermore, I never said IWC and ICRW are the same. But just to be sure: “The International Whaling Commission (IWC) is an international body set up by the terms of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW)”.

      • Guest

        Ha ha you have resulted to talking crap now Ryohei. Some may see this as sad and pathetic, I just find it funny. ICR whaling this season has been a total disaster for Japan.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689720739 Ima Adey

        The ICR whaling campaign has been a total disaster for the Japanese illegal whalers.

        • ddpalmer

          I didn’t know the Japanese had any illegal whalers. the only ones I know of is the fleet centered on the Nisshin Maru.

      • http://twitter.com/KathyChadwell Kathy Chadwell

        And just what have you done for the whales ryohei? Oh that is right you are on here bashing people like Constanci who actually IS AN ACTIVIST and does a lot of good in the world.

  • http://www.facebook.com/pete.braun Pete Braun

    Maybe if the Japanese didn’t cite such actions as “cultural traditions”, maybe there wouldn’t be such intense backlash against them. This isn’t the Dark Ages, Japan. Get out of it!

    • RingoGaSukiDesu

      Maybe if the Americans didn’t introduce whaling to Japan after WWII then we wouldn’t have this mess now.

      • Think

        This is true. The Americans did not set up the Japanese whaling fleet after WWII to provide meat for Japanese …

        The Americans set up the Japanese whaling fleet to provide whale oil for American industrial and military use.

        The entire “protein myth” is just that … a myth to cover up what the Americans intentions really were and to make it look good. The Americans dumped some old ships and got “cheap Asian workers” to do their dirty and dangerous work for them at the same time the Americans and CIA were setting up the right wing conservative party, the LDP which has kept this whaling game going since.

  • ICW DUH

    The whalers have crippled the IWC for decades…….
    ……….ONE ANSWER to the problem is for all ANTI WHALING countries to STOP all exports to Japan
    ….and STOP all Imports from Japan..
    …..break all treaties & cripple their economy in 30 days…
    …( let the courts hash it out & while it is tied up in the courts continue the BOYCOTT )…
    …………It is the ONLY thing that will work..

    • Far East

      Lucky that others do not have the same harsh stance toward Audtralia and the killing of Kangaroo…..

    • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

      I don’t know if you’re aware of the fact that the US is a whaling country too?

      • Tom G

        Yes, it’s called Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling and the quotas are carefully set by the IWC. On the other hand Japan exploits the Article VIII scientific whaling loophole and sets its own quotas despite the many official objections by the IWC. That a wealthy and technologically advanced nation like Japan is killing endangered Fin and Sei whales for no other reason than greed in this 21st century is unthinkable.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Strange that an organization like the IWC would object to Japan’s whaling program, if you consider that most of the research results comming from JARPAN and JARPANII are intended for that very same IWC… An extenive list can be found on the ICR website, under the section: ResearchPublication List;

  • IWC DUH

    wait until you read his book “Crimes Against Nature”…

  • Lu Fkk
  • katoom

    The Three Phases of Truth.

    1. Ridicule
    2. Violent Opposition
    3. Acceptance

    Ryohei and the Japanese Government will get their in the end. Thankfully the SSCS are there to stop them in the mean time.
    However, what really puzzles me with this is the position of the Japanese people. It has been stated time and time again that the majority of Japanese do not support the whalers or the governments position. So why the hell don’t they do something about it ?

    Whaling is not culture no more than slavery is/was. You can defend anything through your culture, – the Nazi’s extermination of the jews, the jews enslavement of the Palestine. It’s all based on culture and historic rights. It’s all BS !

    Japanese people get off your ass and force change. It’s your country, it’s your government. Your government should be acting in your interests. If it is not, change it !

    • Jack

      People often ask me why we (the citizens of the U.S.) don’t stop our government from invading other countries and murdering tens of thousands of innocent men women and children.
      My answer is that we’ve lost control of our government.
      Our voting process is now so broken or rigged that we can get virtually no politicians into office who represent us.
      Citizens who speak out too loudly against the invasions (or support the revelation of hidden truths about them) are being targeted and harassed by the FBI.
      So, maybe that’s the case in Japan as well.
      Maybe the people have lost control of their government.

  • Barbara A Steward

    Thank God, this terrible slaughter needs all the supporters it can muster. I am very surprised more governments haven’t stepped up to the mark before now. We are destroying this once beautiful planet, causing pain , mayhem and distress. The bravery of the Sea Shepherd should be acknowledged in every publication worldwide, not trumping up ridiculous historical charges (that were proven to be rubbish years ago) against a hero of the planet, Captain Paul Watson and his wonderful crews.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bridget-Curran/550642965 Bridget Curran

    So tired of those who plunder our oceans using ‘culture’ as an excuse. Japan cannot have it both ways, claiming the whaling is scientific research and then selling the whale flesh. Countries must get tough with Japan and stop penalizing Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd has the courage and integrity to do what these countries cannot bring themselves to do: to protect our oceans and challenge Japan’s illegal activities.

  • Mirna

    If it truely is “research” than they are not allowed to sell or eat the meat! NO profit – then we’ll see a drop in “research”.

  • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

    Debunking Japan’s Cultural Argument-EATING MEAT is NOT A JAPANESE CUSTOM!
    Another trick that this small whaling front corporation does, is try to trick people into falsely believing somehow eating whale and meat is some part of “japanese culture” or tradition-THIS IS FALSE! The real story is it is exactly the OPPOSITE! Japan is Buddhist! Japanese people are Buddhist and Shinto. A good Japanese buddhist RESPECTS all life. Buddhism teaches honor, and respect. So Japanese people are actually very RESPECTFUL of all living things, the Japanese culture and tradition is NOT to disrespect life, torture and kill animals or otherwise! Whalers want everyone to believe that Japanese “culture” is to kill and eat meat, in reality Japanese do NOT traditionally eat meat! In fact, Buddhists are often vegetarian! Japanese hold Shinto culture to be honored, and in Shinto, spirits reside in all things, rivers, oceans, and animals. And these are respected, not garbaged and hacked up! In fact, the actual tradition in Japan is NOT eating meat. and this is the Japanese tradition for 1,200 years!

    That’s right! THE EATING OF MEAT WAS BANNED IN JAPANESE TRADITION AND CULTURE FOR 1,200 YEARS!

    In fact, eating meat was frowned upon! It was considered shameful! And in fact, the emperor, who is regarded as a god by Japanese people, BANNED THE EATING OF MEAT! Over a thousand years ago, and the Japanese people did NOT eat meat as a culture OR a tradition for over a millenia! Japanese culture and tradition is in fact NOT eating meat. And eating meat is a violation of Japanese culture, considered shameful, looked upon as bad, it is in violation of the teachings of Buddhism, and eating meat was only practised by those who violated and offended Japanese customs and tradition. Japan traditionally ate fish, but remember a whale is NOT a fish, it is a mammal. This is what whalers want YOU and others to believe, that a whale is a fish, that eating meat is Japanese custom, it’s exactly the opposite! And all good Japanese people should be mindful of this trick by whalers on you as well. GOOD Japanese people respect living things, and follow the long-standing traditions of good and kind Japanese people dating back a thousand years, and obey the wishes of the emperor who Banned eating meat.

    So, who introduced eating meat to Japan? WESTERNERS did it! After Japan’s loss in world war 2, it was Westerners, foreigners who came in to Japan, occupied Japan, and forced the Japanese people into eating meat! So any Japanese people reading this, and any others who *thought* you were sticking up for Japan or Japanese culture, the whalers Duped you. Japanese whalers, by claiming that eating whale meat is part of Japanese “tradition” or “culture” actually OFFEND Japanese culture! Anyone supporting whalers, touting whaling and thinking you are fighting FOR Japanese culture have been actually participating in soiling and befouling the great culture of Japan! And instead, what whalers have done, is touted a practise introduced into Japan by FOREIGNERS!

    • Ryohei Uchida

      Good work, Stephen, I can see you’ve really put your brain to work here.

      Unfortunately, everything you wrote was entirely irrelevant (well, the small part of it which I bothered to read anyway).

      Because there is no need for any cultural justification of Japanese whaling. Indeed, there’s no need for any justification whatsoever.

      Just as the North American chicken, cattle or pig farmer is not required to justify his trade, so too needn’t the Japanese whaler justify his. Provided the harvests are sustainable, then it’s good to go. And Japan’s whaling program is entirely sustainable, so there’s no problem with it at all.

      • ThatOneGuy

        Pig farming wasn’t outlawed by both the IWC and the country that controls the waters where it is happening…

        • ddpalmer

          No country owns the water where it is happening and the IWC doesn’t outlaw whaling.

          Try again.

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

        Sustainable ? Laughable. Read how one of Japan’s top supporters of the industry openly admits that Japan’s whaling program is in deep trouble. From ABC News :P ATRICK RAMAGE: Japan has funnelled taxpayer subsidies to prop up a dying industry. This industry is literally dying in the water and Japanese taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill.

        MARK WILLACY: Patrick Ramage is the whale program director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

        Tomorrow he’ll release a report into just how the Japanese whaling industry is propped up financially.

        PATRICK RAMAGE: The most important finding of this new report is really three things. First, that whaling is an economic loser in the 21st century. Second, that the Japanese people have lost their appetite for whale meat. And third that whale watching rather than whale killing is the economically beneficial whale industry for the 21st century.

        MARK WILLACY: Even the strongest supporters of whaling here in Japan are pessimistic about the future of the hunt, especially with the government forced to pump in more subsidies into the fleet to keep it afloat.

        Masayuki Komatsu is a former Japanese delegate to the International Whaling Commission and one of the architects of the country’s so-called scientific research program. He warns that the injection of this new subsidy is a sign that program is in big trouble.

        MASAYUKI KOMATSU: And it’s not sustainable, right. How long can you, you know, can you get such money from the government? Everybody likes money, particularly other people’s money.

        MARK WILLACY: And if the whaling program is to stay afloat it will be on a sea of other people’s money – namely that of the Japanese taxpayer.

        • Ryohei Uchida

          Sustainable from a conservation perspective, Stephen.

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            New York Times excerpt on Whaling subsidies report :According to figures from the Institute of Cetacean Research, the nonprofit organization set up to run the whaling program, income from whale meat has failed to cover the costs of whaling for the past five years. So subsidies have been increased, and some disaster aid has been diverted to the industry, prompting a public outcry.

            The dire financial picture prompted the government to announce a plan last year to cut costs by reducing the annual catch and to sell more whale meat directly to schools for lunches. But experts doubt that those measures will make the whaling industry self-sufficient again.

            “The Japanese government has desperately defended whaling for years, but the question has increasingly become: for what?” said Yusuke Sakata, a professor of environmental economics at Kinki University in Osaka. “Supporting whaling culture is one thing, but maintaining whaling at this scale makes no sense.” Ryohei how is this sustainable from a “conservation ” perspective ?

          • Ryohei Uchida

            Sustainability in the conservation sense means that the activity in question does not damage the long term stability of the stock that is being harvested. As in, the harvest will not make the species endangered or extinct.

            Why are you suddenly so concerned with how the Japanese government spends its money anyway? I’m assuming you’re not a Japanese taxpayer.

            Are you just leaping on any old ‘argument’ to support your anti-whaling fantasies?

            Maybe take a step back and ask yourself why you feel so strongly about whaling and whether that is based on anything rational or logical. Let me know how you go.

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            Japan is already harvesting whale species that are endangered,ex: Fin Whales,which it announced an increase by 50 in takes this season alone.Frankly,I really don’t care what the Japanese Government does with it’s money,but I would say the people of Japan do care. And apparently,japanese people who once supported the whaling industry,come forward today to say it is unsustainable and a waste of funding. So tell me,what is your passion on the issue ?

          • Ryohei Uchida

            I have no passion on the issue. In fact, I see whales as being no different from cows, sheep or pigs. That’s why I do not object to their slaughter, provided the harvest is sustainable.

            But what is your passion on the issue? Why have you singled out whales to the point that you’re willing to spiel out lengthy diatribes on about Japanese fiscal policy (something you admit to not caring about), and what does and does not constitute Japanese culture?

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            I dont single out whales,I do not eat meat of any kind,the only reason I have pointed out that the fiscal policy is a failure,is because that it is. If you have something to add on the culture of Japanese whaling,I’m all ears.I object to the slaughter of whales as I do any other sentient,that is my passion.

          • Ryohei Uchida

            I have already addressed the culture issue on whaling and explained why it is irrelevant.

            But how is the fiscal policy a failure?

            Also, did you know that the common town pigeon is ‘sentinent’? And those are culled by the millions. Do you work yourself into hysteria over those too, or are they not cute enough?

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            I wouldn’t constitute “hysteria” from caring about sentients. As a matter of fact,I do object to the culling of any living species,especially when such culling is done for profit,and the argument is always blaming the species for being a nuisance of some form. The fiscal policy is a failure because the Government continues to subsidize the whaling program through tax subsidies,and through funding that was initially directed to support humanitarian aid. In other words ,funding a program that is a financial burden on the citizens of Japan,with stockpiles of meat that does not sell.As for research,well,we already are aware of the stomach contents of whales,my question to you is,what is the benefit of this so called research program ? Since the ICR and the IWC have absolutely no idea on populace counts, endangered or otherwise.And if the taking of whales is considered a food source,why do stockpiles sit rotting in warehouses ? Why does the ICR require funding from tax levies ? Because it is unprofitable.

          • ddpalmer

            Japan did not “announced an increase by 50 in takes this season alone.”. Their quota for Fin Whales has been 50 since the first day of JARPA I and it still is 50 today. So why are you lying? Are you just parrotting someone else or do you know you are lying?
            Also they have taken 17 Fin whales over the last 25 years and thus the taking of Fin whales is sustainable, assuming you have learned the meaning of the word in this sense yet.

  • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

    Whaling is a dead industry,it has collapsed to a point so low,it has to be funded with funds that are designated for humanitarian purposes,and levies tax burdens on hard working Japanese citizens. We are beginning to see how desperate the ICR has become,and that the whaling industry,financially insolvent and totally dependent on “welfare” hand outs,will soon become a distant memory.

  • Leah

    The United States needs more like-minded politicians as RFK Jr., who is fighting for our wildlife (polar bears and whales) welfare/protection. Our government’s short-sightednesss is wreaking havoc on this country and the rest of the World. The necessity for wildlife protection and environmental conservation would be a call for job creation. But, it appears that they only care about lining their pockets with lobbyist persuasions for “Big Oil” and other anti-environment / wildlife issues!! Paul Watson is a hero for taking on other countries who think they own the World. I will gladly give my money to the SS and any other organization that is fighting for animal welfare / protection.

    • Ryohei Uchida

      You’d gladly give your money to Sea Shepherd?

      You do realise they dumped $2,000,000 of donated funds into the coffers of the Japanese government a couple of months ago in exchange for their new ship. And of course, the Japanese government coffers are the very same coffers that fund the Institute of Cetacean Research. So in reality, you could say that all that donated money ended up with the ICR.

      Do you really want your money funnelled to Japan’s whaling program through Sea Shepherd? Might want to rethink that donation huh?

      • Emily

        You might want to do your homework. The Japanese government did not own that ship at the time of the sale. And YES, I gladly donate every month

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Whether they knew or not.. who cares? But they DID get 2 million from Sea Shepherd.

          • Emily

            The Japanese government didn’t get a nickle from Sea Shepherd. Do your homework and stop spreading lies

          • Ryohei Uchida

            It wasn’t just a nickle, but $2,000,000 dollars of Sea Shepherd’s cash as donated by people just like you.

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            The Government got Zero,Nada, The vessel was purchased from a private individual,who purchased it from the Japan Meteorogical Agency in 2010.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            On many occasions SSCS bragged about their achievement: “Throughout the sale, the Japanese government was unaware that it was doing business with Sea Shepherd.” …

            What “lies” are you talking about? So far, you haven’t been able to contradict anything I’ve posted. So, I suggest that YOU do your homework, and stop believing lies.

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

        Japan’s whaling program doesn’t receive funding from SSCS,it receives it from the hard work and sweat of the Japanese citizens,whose Government forces them to shoulder the burden of supporting the bankrupt, corrupt, and I might add,tyrannical organization,the ICR.

  • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

    The ICR is bankrupt and relies on humanitarian aid and tax dollars to stay afloat,this industry will finally “get” the funeral it deserves when the Government gets weary of throwing good money after bad.Whaling is doomed to fail,sing it a lullaby already !

    • Ryohei Uchida

      Thankfully Sea Shepherd recently dumped $2,000,000 of its donated money straight into the bank accounts of the Japanese government in exchange for their new ship. And of course, the Japanese government bank accounts are the very same bank accounts that fund the Institute of Cetacean Research. So in reality, you could say that all that money donated to Sea Shepherd ended up with the ICR. It’s nice to see Sea Shepherd doing their bit to keep the cetacean research program alive.

      I’ve always said it though, that Sea Shepherd is the greatest beneficiary of Japan’s Antarctic whaling program. It makes them rich and famous. And that’s what they’re really in it for.They’d hate to see it come to an end I’m sure.

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

        The greatest benefactor of the Japanese Whaling program are those in Government that eventually leave Government to join that industry and fill their personal coffers.~Professor Jun Morikawa, author of “Whaling in Japan: Power, Politics, and Diplomacy”, explains that whale meat became a substitute source of protein during post WWII food shortages. The government included whale meat in compulsory school lunches to ensure children did not suffer from malnutrition. However, as soon as Japanese families could afford other meats they stopped buying whale. Demand has declined consistently since the 1970s. Whale was removed from the lunch menu in schools until recent years.

        Morikawa also explains that Japan’s whaling continues today for the benefit of corrupt bureaucrats who ensure tax funding in the fisheries budget for whaling only to leave public office and take high paid jobs in the commercial whaling industry. This type of corruption is so common in the Japanese government there is a word for it: “amakudari”.

        • Ryohei Uchida

          Please don’t cut and paste things. Try to think about things for yourself.

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            It’s also called research ,lol ! You might try doing a little before speaking of things you know nothing about,such as the 2 million going to Japanese government bank accounts.

          • Ryohei Uchida

            Stephen, a broker is someone who facilitates a trade for others. They didn’t own the vessel, they merely acted as a go between between the buyer and the seller. The buyer being Sea Shepherd, the seller being a Japanese government agency. So the $2 million went straight into the pockets of the Japanese government, which are the same pockets which fund the ICR. So Sea Shepherd is indirectly funding the ICR. Do you fund Sea Shepherd, Stephen? Because if you do, one of those penthrite grenade harpoons being used this season might have been donated by you.

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            Wrong again , the vessel was purchased in 2010 by an investor from the meteorogical agency,the purchase was facilitated through a broker,so not one dime went into the Japanese treasury,at least not at the expense of SSCS.

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

        Actually,the Japanese Government received nothing from Sea Shepherd from the sale of ship now called “Sam Simon”. The ship was purchased by Sea Shepherd by a private broker in Germany,who had purchased the vessel from the Japan Meteorogical.~The vessel itself was built in 1993 by IHI shipyard in Tokyo and was formerly used as a research ship by the Japanese Government. The Sam Simon features an ice-strengthened hull and was operated by the Maizuru Meteorogical Observatory, a department of the Japan Meteorological Agency, up until 2010. Sorry to burst the bubble.

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          No bubble burst. So, no worries… :)

          The Japan Meterogical was placed under the ” Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport” in 2001. And – as you say it yourself: “The ship was purchased by Sea Shepherd…” Whether an intermediary person in Germany was involved or not, is not even relevant… Fact remains that the money stream starts at SSCS (Sam Simon, if you wish) and ends at Japanese Ministry

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            Money stream came from an independent buyer,not SSCS,it was sold by a private owner not affiliated with government to SSCS and done so through a broker.It is indeed relevant Jamie.

          • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

            “Independent buyer”… “private owner”… All sounds a bit vague to be convincing, doesn’t it? So, you’ll have to be a bit more specific for it to become relevant.

            But remember – again – that SSCS has always stated that “Throughout the sale, the Japanese government was unaware that it was doing business with Sea Shepherd”.

            So, if what you are saying is correct, then Sea Shepherd’s strategy to publicly ridicule the Japanese was based on a LIE!

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            A lie…oh you mean like the lies of the ICR and anti sscs trolls stating that Japan’s role in this is scientific research,not commercial whaling ops? LOL.

  • WFCoaker

    “a loophole in a 1986 moratorium on commercial whaling that allows lethal research.”

    No, it’s not a loophole. It is completely by the book. A loophole is when you twist the rules to get around them. This is completely by the rules. Just because you don’t like the rules is no reason to lie about them.

    “RFK Jr. stressed the importance of supporting Sea Shepherd”

    RFK, Jr. should be ashamed of himself. Sea Shepherd began nearly forty years ago, and it’s first targets were innocent fishermen living in small, isolated rural communities in Northern Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Magdalene Islands in Canada. Many of these communities didn’t even have electricity when the attacks began, let alone television. Watson, and others, manipulated media their victims had little access to, using lies, slander, and faked evidence to create a false and offensive image of those fishermen that could then be exploited for profit. They exploited people who could not defend themselves, and made a tidy career out of it. They have turned the same tactics to the exploitation of others. The Faroese and Japanese are the latest victims. What the Japanese are doing in the Southern Ocean is above board, like it or not, and, as it stands, it is sustainable. There are other countries for whom the same cannot be said, yet Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd ignore them. And RFK, Jr. supports this? Shame on him. All he’s doing is defending the right of a self aggrandizing narcissist to make television shows in which he harasses innocent people and pretends to be a hero, all the while ignoring the real problems that are killing the environment. Please don’t pretend to me that he’s a liberal. Liberals don’t exploit people like that.

    • SK

      You must be delusional. Article VIII of the whaling treaty beginning with its first sentence has got to be one of the most exploitable loopholes ever in any treaty.

  • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

    Rhyohei,your comments are quite amusing,since you claim the whalers have no reason to justify their actions,then why do they go to such lenghts to express the argument of culture.If the industry is sustainable,it is only because the burden of it is placed on the backs of the Japanese people. BTW that was a well spent 2 million,it will cost the whaling fleet,and has already,a great deal more than that.

  • Judith OneCrow

    Being ignorant, and not recognizing that there is no reason ‘profitable, or research wise,’ for killing these whales is only proving Japan to be less intelligent than the world has always pictured them to be. When the money given them from supporters around the world, for the natural disasters, was filtered down into the whaling industry instead… ‘that’s what is speaking
    volumes in all of this.’ It’s become a personal vendetta against the only organization in the world brave enough to do something to save the oceans. Terrorist?… I think politically motivated ‘hatred, and legal actions,’ towards a man full of compation, bravery, and action to stand up for what is right… is the ‘terrorist acts that have taken place here. Not by Captain Watson, but by the people who allow these bogus charges to continue!

  • http://www.facebook.com/nettamobetta Nannetta Cook

    Referring to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society as terrorist is nothing but the ICR’s opinion. The more the ICR (and those that support the ICR) cry terrorist the more and more people are paying less attention to it. Like the school yard bully the ICR’s screechers have the most to hide & why they deflect their wrong doings in blaming SSCS for the ICR’s underwear being to high in their hiney.

  • http://www.facebook.com/koraljka.polacek Koraljka Polaček

    I’m glad there is SSCS and Paul Watson who are actually doing something good for me and my children. Because we can’t live just on words and empty promises, while everything around us is more destroyed every day. I don’t want dead planet for my grandsons. The governments are all about money, everywhere, they are just taking from the Nature. And I hope that will change soon. Thank you Robert, this is a step for better future.

  • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

    That’s good. I’m not against protest. I’m not anti-change. But the change should come from within. Not because some outsider imperialist group wants to press their ideology onto people. Because THAT has the opposite effect.

  • Nick Gordon

    Re Stormwolf Patty
    Just scrolled down the page, and thank goodness yours is the one rational voice in all this banal “noise” So few of the comments seem to express any concern for the whales here, nor as you rightly mention, the dolphins at Taiji. For far too long the Japanese have operated under the umbrella of so called “scientific research” Do they not have to provide evidence for the basis of this “research” or provide results to substantiate it?
    Leading world governments are, in my view, complicit in this, because they pay no more than lip service to the groundswell of objection to the murder of our precious marine life, which is vital to the health and ecology of the oceans. They ought to be bringing pressure to bear on the Japanese government in order to bring a halt to this pointless slaughter. Of course though, where the dolphins are concerned, there is too much money exchanging hands in the export of dolphins for use in aquaria and sea-life centres around the world. Until the demand for dolphins is halted, we have little hope. The dolphins have even less.

  • Jack

    Awesome! Thank you RFK Jr.!

  • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

    And released on a $ 100.00 Bond. Well worth the C-note,in my view. Anyone that fights for environmental issues in this country has nerves of steel. I don’t think RFK JR. whose net worth is over 40 million USD is gonna sweat that C-note,or the fine for that matter. Putting one’s self at risk for preservation of the environment is a badge of honor,not something to be ashamed of,Hideyoshi.

    • ddpalmer

      And then the Supreme Court turn down his case.

      • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

        It matters not,the 9th circuit court of appeals and the supreme court has no jurisdiction over Australian flagships.The injunction isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.

        • ddpalmer

          Then why is the SSCS wasting their donors money on trying to get it removed?
          Maybe they know the truth? That the 9th Circuit Court and the Supreme Court do have jurisdiction? Maybe because the US branch of the SSCS claims the vessels belong to it and are their assets every year when they file with the IRS? And the assets of a US chartered organization are subject to US jurisdiction no matter where it is or where it is flagged?

        • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

          Sure, that’s why SSCS tried to have it turned by addressing the Supreme Court. They denied it, of course…

          • http://www.facebook.com/stephen.hambrick1 Stephen Hambrick

            The US Courts cannot enforce the injunction as it stands,perhaps the ICR should have filed another injunction with the Australian government. I’m sure that would go over well.LOL.

  • http://www.facebook.com/adey.may Adey May

    I think that by stopping the whalers and sending them broke in Antarctica is the same thing as sending them broke in the North Pacific.

    • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

      That is if you st

  • ddpalmer

    And the Supreme court has turned them down.

  • Think

    Jun Morikawa is correct, Sea Shepherd’s actions have actually driven up public and political support for dolphin and whale hunting in Japan, and he wrote his book criticizing the industry before SSCS Scott West’s racist attacks and mismanagement of the campaign in Taiji.

    English speaking animal rights and environmental activists, especially those dependent on SSCS and other cult-like groups for their information, have no idea what a negative impression, not just of Sea Shepherd but animal rights and environmentalism in general, has been created by Scott West and others in Japan.

    I am completely against whaling but am sick of Sea Shepherds’ sloppy, dishonest, cheap and low level manipulation of its adherents, and its engendering of racist sentiments. It’s counter-productive to the cause.

    It works by making the adherents angry and upset and losing their rational mind at which they are likely to donate more. In order to keep the money flowing in, the organization need to keep performing a succession of stunts or releasing dishonest but inflammatory PR.

    The entire Taiji campaign is aimed at not stopped the drive hunt but exploiting it for donations which are them used to fund the Antarctic campaign. It has done far more damage within Japan than good.

    Sea Shepherd adherents should be aware of one thing. The Ministry of Fisheries (MAFF) is not playing to keep Antarctic whaling. It is playing to gain coastal whaling which Sea Shepherd, in its current mode, will be able to do absolutely nothing about (its ships cannot enter Japanese waters).

    The conflict in Antarctic is artificial. It is going to end but when MAFF gets, or thinks it can get, the IWC to permit legal coastal whaling or whaling in the North Pacific where SSCS are strangely absent.

    At that point, SSCS are going to claim a great victory whereas, in fact, they only prolonged the hunt and burned millions of dollars. The Japanese whaling industry is going to continue taking as many whales but where Sea Shepherd cannot interfere with them.

    In the long term, all that will have happened in that millions of dollars within the environmental/animal rights movement will have been wasted on stunts basically intended to financial prolonging SSCS existence, or perhaps Paul Watson’s ego.

    At that point, with direct action within Japanese waters being impossible, the movement will have to fall back on doing what it should have started with; educating, reducing public demand, closing down the industry legally within Japan and, if necessary collaborating with all parties to ensure alternative income streams for the effected communities.

    Ultimately the movement will still have to, the only difference is that due to damage the Sea Shepherd racists in Taiji have caused, the job will be more difficult than it would have been, cost more, and require more effort to undo the damage Scott West and others have caused to public opinion.

    • Sick of bullshit

      Funnily enough, I think Sea Shepherd will become a better organization when Paul Watson is gone.

      I’m just sick of all the bullshit and PR spin he pumps out knowing that his cult adherents are too dumb and hysterical to check on any of it, and that they will just repeat it as if it is true.

      He disrespects them, and the environmental movement as much as the whalers.

      So many of the claims and statements Sea Shepherd makes are absolute garbage, pure propaganda and not very good propaganda at that.

      It makes me sick and I feel like an idiot for supporting them when they do that.

      • http://www.facebook.com/gillian.easterwood Gillian Easterwood

        Sea Shepherd has never been about “conservationism”. They mainly focus on species that are not even close to becoming extinct. Every penny going to SSCS could have been used to help a REALLY endangered species.

        • Think

          SoB, largely I agree with you and I have no idea why he does it or why he does not allow someone within the organization, whose motivations he trusts, to check and moderate what he says I have no idea … except that he see it working at least to bring in donations.

          I think the whole organization would look much cooler and tighter if he did.

          What interests me is how quickly a failure like this one is forgotten about and brushed under the carpet.

          Gillian, for whatever reason you have not disclosed so far you have your own extreme prejudices.

          For example, the fin whales and humpbacks the Japanese whalers would be killing if they could are endangered. Stopping killing any whales anywhere is a good enough reason to do what they are doing.

          To pose quite extraordinary living beings like whales, whose importance to the marine eco-sphere we are not completely aware of, as merely inanimate “resources” to be “harvested” as if they were potatoes, for the sake of financial return, is despicable and immoral and may turn out to be very, very dumb.

          For whatever reason, the Japanese government has chose to challenge, ignore and pervert the democratic processes of the IWC in order to continue commercial whaling under a deception … one does not eat one’s scientific samples.

          There is no excuse good enough to continue whaling. There should be no more discussion of ding so until whale populations recover to a pre-19th Century level and balance out again to a natural order.

          Kyodo Senpaku is just a money making outfit. They can make their money in other ways.

          • antinip1488hh99

            fuckwit, hope you end up dismembered and decapitated, with your intestines stuffed in your mouth.

          • Think

            On whose behalf, Mr Internet troll with a small penis?

  • sidewinder

    I suggest you get your facts right and your brain engaged before hitting the keyboard.

    • ddpalmer

      And just what facts are wrong?