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cathy

Rant # (I've lost track)...

Friday, March 03, 2006


Let’s just start by saying this; some of you will not like what I have to say. Some of you will not understand it. As well, a more diehard environmental advocate you will not find than me. And so this may therefore come as a surprise to you….I am not against the regulated seal hunt. I would not go so far as to say that I am for it per se, but I most certainly am not against it. And given the fact that I hold a PhD in a related field, and teach marine management, I feel that I am informed. And I am sick and tired of the misinformed media attention that is given to it. And even more sick and tired of celebrities who chose to spend their time working for a cause that they are misinformed about. Yes, Sir Paul…I am talking about you. Mr. Misinformed. How about tackling issues that are global threats to entire ecosystems, like climate change and global warming, or over-fishing or the loss of marine reefs and on and on I could go….why not boycott the lobster fishery? Well, those creatures are not so cute and cuddly are they? No nice photo ops with a lobster in your face. Would you like to know why he is misinformed, or shall I just keep it to myself?

This entry was posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 at 7:34 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.

  1. Anonymous Anonymous said:
    8:11 PM  

    I really like that about you... Spunk!
    You go girl!

  1. Blogger Cathy said:
    8:32 PM  

    DayByDay;
    I just saw that he is going on Larry King tonight to spew his misinformation...now I am even more annoyed than ever.

  1. Blogger JM said:
    9:43 PM  

    If anyone would be informed about an issue like this, it would be you, an environmentalist.
    I back you up on this one, only because I have valued your opinions in the past.

  1. Blogger Neo said:
    10:25 PM  

    Cathy - No, you're right, these "famous people," do this stuff to get in the press. Most of them could give less of a shit about anything but their bottom line. Fight the man!

    Peace & Hugs,

    - Neo

  1. Blogger Cathy said:
    11:05 PM  

    Angel;
    I appreciate you saying this. I am livid; the McCartneys were so misinformed and ridiculous. Disgusting and arrogant.

    Neo;
    I think they are genuinely concerned about the seals but they are tackling this out of pure emotion and not being rational. Everything that the Premiere of Newfoundland said on television tonight was correct. As an Atlantic Canadian I was mortified and personally offended by both the McCartneys and Larry King. Once again, Canada is misunderstood. Sorry for the ranting, but I am pissed off. (can you tell?!)

  1. Blogger Cathy said:
    11:17 PM  

    My e-mail to Larry:

    Your program with the McCartneys was a complete farce and the McCartneys were completely one-sided and mis-informed, as I had been afraid they would be. I am sending you this e-mail only because I hold a PhD in environmental studies and teach ocean use and management at a University in Atlantic Canada. The seal hunt is humane, sustainable and a necessity for the people of the maritimes. Your show was offensive and biased and the McCartneys should stick to what they know; music! Who are they to tell the world about the seal hunt; they did not want to hear what the Premier of Newfoundland had to say at all and dismissed every comment he made, which in fact was based on actual fact. I was disgusted by your program tonight. I usually enjoy watching it but as a result the only boycott I will be observing is McCartney music and the Larry King show. Shame on you for putting on such a program, intended to be balanced with both sides, but the McCartneys are not scientists, nor marine managers, nor environmental researchers, nor Canadian; who are they to speak on behalf of this issue? They are being used, as Danny Williams stated. This was offensive to Atlantic Canadians. Offensive.

  1. Blogger Skye said:
    11:45 PM  

    I too value your opinions and know you are highly qualified to speak on this matter.

  1. Blogger Michelle said:
    12:59 AM  

    I am completely ignorant when it comes to seal hunting. I have a great dislike for the media and their half arsed myths about crime, so i'm not at all surprised that they have a finger in the pie with this. Speak out my friend and get the public educated :)

  1. Blogger x said:
    6:44 AM  

    i don't know much about seal hunting, lobster hunting or ant hunting, but i am against hunting in general. and i don't eat meat, so i would be against hunting non cute animals too, like snakes for example or crocodiles.
    I understand what you say is on a different level and i agree: misinformation and celebrities taking up causes. If Sir Paul was honest would say: stop hunting. period.
    His daughter Stella by the way, launched a collection of bags and nice shoes made of material that is not leather and can be recycled.

  1. Blogger Stephanie said:
    7:11 AM  

    Hi. As an Atlantic Canadian I hate it when everyone over here (UK) thinks that we are a bunch of brutish cavemen who get a kick out of beating animals over the head. But the thing is, I don't entirely understand why the hunt is necessary now. Can you explain? I'd value your thoughts far more than those of my neighbour MrMcCartney. If the answer is too long for the blog comments then feel free to email me.

  1. Blogger Cathy said:
    8:27 AM  

    SkyeBlue;
    Than you, and I value your opinion.

    Michelle;
    Some media has gotten it quite right and has presented a well-balanced argument. The American media are way off.

    Gurgo;
    I don't know in this case; certainly he has enough money and doesn't need to do this for financial reasons. I got the feeling from watching the one hour interview that it is his wife who is passionate about the seals in particular and he is standing behind her.

    Chloe;
    I appreciate people who don't agree with any hunting, period. That makes sense and an argument can be made for that; but to select this particular one and give information that is incorrect about it is wrong.

    They mentioned Stella in the program last night and showed the non-leather boots they were wearing, etc. The fact is that the majority of the products from seals are not used for the fashion industry (fur) but for the seal oil (Omega 3 )which is used in heart medications, menstrual medications and other products as well as the meat.

    Stephanie;
    McCartney's wife called "us" barbaric, and archaic. Yeah, sure, we're going to listen objectively to what they have to say after that... My next post will provide the myths and realities of the hunt, for those like yourself who are interested.

  1. Blogger missbhavens said:
    9:37 AM  

    Oh, please do explain it all! I know NOTHING about what you're tlaking about. I haven't watch tv in ages and I have no idea what all the ruckus is about.

    The cuteness factor IS high on seals, hence the potentially inappropriate emotional response...I remember in 6th grade there were big seal issues and a classmate tried to jump start a "Save The Olympia Oyster" campaign at it didn't fly because, well, you don't really want to hug an oyster.

    Please give details!

    And I promise I'll try to refrain from blabbering about Stellas unbelieveably boring clothing line that gets way too much attention because she's a McCartney.

  1. Blogger Foxy said:
    12:18 PM  

    i would, i would! *raising hand*

  1. Blogger Stephanie said:
    12:27 PM  

    Me too! I want to know. I really know nothing about it, but would like to.

  1. Blogger Devil Mood said:
    5:28 PM  

    Yes, I'd like you to tell us why you're not against it. Maybe then I won't feel so bad about people killing seals, although if it was up to me animals wouldn't be killed by human beings at all.
    Is it necessary in terms of their survival as a species (because there's not enough food or something)? Is it necessary for them to kill them so young? For once I'm open to the other side of the story and I'm not being a fundamentalist :)

  1. Blogger NL-ExPatriate said:
    9:50 PM  

    There are some
    6000000 harp seals
    2000000 Hood seals
    1000000 other species of seals which number in the range of 20 to 30 of the East coast of Canada alone.

    If anything should be banned it is the caplin harvest for their roe alone while the dead female caplin are thrown back dead. That and the foreign over fishing by countries like Mr McCartneys Britain of our coast and our continental shelf in accordance with article 76 of the UN law of the Sea.
    http://www.lawofthesea.net/convention.htm

    Balanced Nature Not Balanced ARA's check books

    Myths
    http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/myth_e.htm

    Canadian veteranarian study
    http://canadianveterinarians.net/Documents/Resources/Files/130_Seal%20Hunt%20Report.pdf

    Seal killing 8 foot sturgeon
    http://www.katu.com/stories/76832.html

    Video of dead fish on bay from seals
    http://www.exn.ca/Stories/1999/03/09/56.asp

    Real reason
    http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/131

    Meet your meat
    http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=meet_your_meat&Player=wm&speed=_med

    Endangered fish
    http://nl-outsidethebox.blogspot.com/2005/09/cod-wash-i-cant-see-difference-can-you.html

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