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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14132320

Despite continued international pressure and the acts of radical environmental groups Japan's whaling fleet will be shipping out again.

Frankly I wish Japan would just knock off the whaling. For one, if you've seen Star Trek IV you know why we want to keep whales around. Whales are cool and enjoy swimming with Vulcans. But mostly because the whole whaling thing in Japan is nothing but political theater to garner support for the LDP but looking as if they're "protecting traditional Japanese culture" from asshole Westerners who want to impose their values on Japan. Of course, the fact that only like seven villages in the whole of Japan ever did whaling and it was never more than a small scale thing has no bearing on the matter. "Anti-foreigners" is a song that never fails to pack the house in Japan so why would they stop just because good sense says so?

Not that a lack of sense is exclusive to the Japanese side of this.

Sea Shepherd activists have staged demonstrations outside the IWC meeting here - the organisation is barred from attending - and it is clear that it will send its fleet to the Southern Ocean again if Japan does return.

"Sea Shepherd will also return and will once again intercept and block their operations," the organisation's head Paul Watson wrote on his blog earlier this week.

"If they return, we will launch Operation Divine Wind, and our vessels the Bob Barker, the Steve Irwin, and the Brigitte Bardot will soon return to the remote and stormy seas of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary to do what we do best - defend the whales!"

Bwhahaha! That guy couldn't have sounded more absurd if he'd posted "Kneel before Zod, whalers of Japan!" And I can't help but imagine they people on the Bob Barker shouting "The price is wrong, bitch!" as they try and ram a whaling boat or throw acid on its nets.

Honestly, on both sides there's so much absurdity it's amazing anyone is able to take either side seriously.

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I don't know that physically trying to block whalers is "absurd". Frankly I think something NEEDS to be done about it, if a species of whale goes extinct, it is irreversible and could have unforseen effects on the ocean environment...

I agree.

Blocking and setting stuff on FIRE are rather different things.

If setting stuff on fire is what it takes, so be it.

Whaling ship < Whale

So if next time they start tossing TNT that's cool as well?

That depends on if that's what is really effective, but I'd be inclined to say no, since that would probably wipe out the whole crew.

Let me be clear: I don't think killing people for any cause is okay. But when it comes to damaging the ships in order to save the lives of the ENDANGERED whales, I'd file that under civil disobedience. Yes it's illegal - but I think it's still doing the right thing. If a species of whale is wiped out, it is an irreversible tragedy, not to mention it could have disastrous unforseen effects on the ecosystem it lives in.

So it's okay to endanger the crew with fire but not TNT? Well, it's not as if fires ever get out of control or can cause stuff to blow up or harm humans in any way, shape or form.

Say, setting the corporate office of the whaling company on fire would sure slow stuff down. Maybe the protesters should try that!

At least with fire it's not like ~INSTANT EXPLOSION~ and crew members can be taken aboard the other ship.

Yes, and there's no chance at ALL that someone could be hurt or killed. And the environment is always improved when large ships full of chemicals and such sink in them.

Okay, maybe fire ain't the best choice - you are right. I stand by my point, though, that drastic action needs to be taken.

And I'd appreciate it if you'd lay off the heavy sarcasm.

Given the amount of heavy sarcasm it took to get you to admit that setting stuff on fire is a bad idea, I think I'll keep the sarcasm in my toolbox. You don't throw away something that works.

(screened comment)

I'm warning you, do not call people names.

You're right, that was out of line. I apologize.

Do you mind telling me why I can no longer see dv8nations's response?

http://talk-politics.livejournal.com/890148.html

Why is it that her response to me was screened but not the initial thing I said to her that was (admittedly) out of line?

Actually your thing was screened (1st comment in this exchange which got screened), along with the following responses from *him* (because it's him, not her), which were in response to "it" and included it as well, therefore were integral part of the unnecessary drama too, and drama *will* continue to be screened (as explained in the above link).

Also, these issues are best to be referred/discussed/elaborated here: http://community.livejournal.com/talk_politics/237010.html (as explained in the community rules/profile, and shown on the community sidebar (bottom link).

I hope this brings some clarity.

Okay, that makes sense. I guess I can still see my own comments even when they're screened?

I only want to say that I don't think it was drama. An inappropriate comment, yes, but I don't think it had gone that far. In fact the rudeness started beforehand.

I'm not trying to argue with you, just give you a little feedback. I'm not upset at all and I appreciate all that you do. :)

Sure - only you, the OP and the mods can see them. No problem about that.

I know, usually drama doesn't happen when it's cut at its roots. An inappropriate comment could be met with a shitstorm in retaliation and preventing that is the actual purpose of this whole screening thing. We just don't want people to yell insults at each other here, that's all. :-)