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Dutch animal activist Erwin Vermeulen was attempting to photograph the Japanese hauling away a dolphin during the annual season-long capture and mass slaughter of dolphins in Japan, when the Japanese authorities came up with a way to stop him: he was arrested, and has been indicted for assault. He's supposed to have 'pushed' someone.
Story by Sea Shepherd here.
And for those who don't know the background: every year the Japanese have a long-lasting action in Taiji, capturing and stabbing some twenty thousand dolphins, whales and tortoises - and selling off a few dolphins to sea aquariums and zoos. This practice became known when Sea Shepherd published the film The Cove a few years ago. (Warning: disturbing content.)
It was the transfer of one of the dolphins that were being sold off that Mr. Vermeulen was trying to photograph, so not even the worst of what goes on in Japan, really.
Charging him with assault for having pushed someone is clearly a ludicrous charge, no more than a scandalous attempt to scare off anyone who wants to make the horrors of what happens to these wonderful animals further known to the world. He could go to prison for no less than two years if found guilty - ridiculous!
Let's hope that he gets good legal counsel who can get him off.
You must not forget Iceland who kill thousands of Wales and also Canada that bash baby Seals on the head. Then there is that other (forget who) lot who drive Dolphins into shallow bays. Then of course there are the Veal rearers, or the Chefs who plunge Crabs into boiling water, it is endless.
However, in saying that -- as a person who attends Spanish Bullfights every year in Madrid, I dont think I'm in a postion to criticise.
In the case of Japan - there is not alot an individual can do other than to stop buying your Sony Vio and Sony Mobiles.
Obviously this is indeed not the only case of animal cruelty on a large scale, nor should we forget about animal cruelty on a small scale.
It's just one example of things that I find sickening, things that should stop.
(And the fact that someone trying to take photos of it was arrested on trumped-up charges, was reason enough to post it on EPZ, I felt.)
Anything involving the words "Sea Shepherd" isn't worth reading. Those ****ing hooligans.
The whole group are just blatantly ignorant to the countries customs and traditions. - The "work" they do hasn't stopped anything; the natural integration of western ideals IS starting to be embraced in Japan and you will now find most new generation Japanese condoning the action in Taiji and whale hunting on the whole.
You just have to look at the real work Japanese local government officials do; relocating people who are out of work because of the decrease in demand for said products or attracting them into other industries by providing subsidies and refits for ships for doing so. - Thats real progress that never gets "reported".
Well, you're entitled to your opinion, Swwils. (And I'd probably respect it, too, if you didn't resort to name-calling and using foul language.)
Those improvements you mention are appreciated, of course. But they don't mean that the undefendable massacre is stopped. It still goes on, every single year again. Animal cruelty on a very large scale.
And, to get back to why I posted this, do you agree with the Japanese arresting people who want to photograph what goes on, using ludicrous charges? I strongly object to that method myself.
Quote:
And, to get back to why I posted this, do you agree with the Japanese arresting people who want to photograph what goes on, using ludicrous charges? I strongly object to that method myself.
To be fair, this tactic is employed by most organized gangs (police) in most countries regardless whether the target is a photographer or keen amateur, happens in the uk most frequently, mostly on the basis that your a............
In the uk, specially this time of year, Hunt Masters and Stewards often show violence to those opposing their bloodlust, or make unwarranted calls to the police on bullshit charges of assault. Camera's are often stolen or damaged/destroyed, i know because i witnessed it myself several times in the 90s until i had the life scared out of me by several well dressed thugs pushing 12 bores in my face.
Sea Shepherd has had a negative effect on the cultural acceptance of animal cruelty in Japan. Many Japanese now feel that the hunts should continue as an act of defiance against Sea Shepherd's acts.
1. You ask the Japanese to steer away from a tradition and culture of animal cruelty (which they do-so in the Japanese way and even go as far as to impose government sanctions)
2. You then expect Japanese to also turn a blind eye to what they see as forceful change - (which it is when Sea Shepherd gun-ho into things). In Japanese culture the act of defiance is highly honorable... This changes the playing field from an actually quite unpopular tradition into defiance to protect honor... A much stronger tradition.
So you have the modern Japanese who oppose the hunts, and turn a blind eye to Sea Shepherd - disregarding honor.
The modern Japanese who oppose the hunts but will not turn a blind eye to blatant force. - A core cultural pillar.
And the 'older generation' who do not oppose the hunts.
You see how it makes no progress? Respect and understanding was all that was needed.
It is easy for you to pass comment, but it is the Japanese authorities that have to maintain balance between all these groups. Ontop of the strain of a widespread natural disaster.
We Brits have a lot in common with that other island people, the Japanese.
We're both convinced that our culture is right and no amount of evidence will convince us otherwise.
Quote: We Brits have a lot in common with that other island people, the Japanese.
We're both convinced that our culture is right and no amount of evidence will convince us otherwise.
Not quite, there's just one difference: we are right and they're wrong
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