Peter Bethune's trial starts Thursday 27 May

[shrub]

Id have more respect if he admitted all of them as opposed to just the 'smaller ones' hoping for a smaller sentence on the bigger one. Still its a start. Hope he gets a few years for the small ones as well.

As I keep trying to explain to you, life is not a binary. "I think Peter Bethune deserves respect for the courage he has shown in standing up to an international bully" does not mean "I unconditionaly support every action of the Sea Shepherd Society and peter Bethune". Stop trying to hide behind illogical arguments. And I said "probably" because I tend to be a little conservative in my positions. I meant "almost certainly" or even "definitely", but I don't have conclusive evidence that they are doing anything so I said probably.

As for admitting his accusations, he admitted the ones he agreed he is guilty of - what do you expect him to do? Admit to being behind 9/11?

[Mully]

The Japanese have refused to provide film footage and it's generally believed that their footage would show intention on their part..

I've seen footage shot from on-board the whaling ship.

On Te News, I think. Positive I've seen it. They were shooting water cannons at the Ady Gil (sp?) as they carried on past.

it's probably on YouTube. I'll have a look tonight for you.

[shrub]

I've seen footage shot from on-board the whaling ship.

On Te News, I think. Positive I've seen it. They were shooting water cannons at the Ady Gil (sp?) as they carried on past.

it's probably on YouTube. I'll have a look tonight for you.

The You Tube stuff is out there, but the Japanese won't release other footage or their GPS data which would either confirm or counter the argument that they turned at the stationary Ady Gill. My argument is, if they're innocent why won't they provide the evidence? Surely such a noble and honourable group, who were after all victims of the evil SS sailors, haven't got anything to hide? Or maybe they're not as willing to take responsibity as Pete Bethune?

[Max Preload]

I've seen footage shot from on-board the whaling ship.

On Te News, I think. Positive I've seen it. They were shooting water cannons at the Ady Gil (sp?) as they carried on past.

it's probably on YouTube. I'll have a look tonight for you.

Warms the cockles of your heart, doesn't it!

[Tank]

Warms the cockles ofyour heart, doesn't it!

One assumes that they have insurance? Or I wonder if that wasnt paid due to contributory fault?

[Bald Eagle]

Warms the cockles ofyour heart, doesn't it!

looks like he had ample opportunity not to put his boat in harms way. A simple right turn Clyde would a fixed it

[Tank]

yeah because the SS would never ram a boat at sea would they:

[Bald Eagle]

yeah because the SS would never ram a boat at sea would they:

Clearly they are recidivist reckless sailors

[Tank]

From the herald this morning : my highlighting:

New Zealand anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune will give evidence in Tokyo today to defend an assault charge that he injured a Japanese whaler with acid during a skirmish in the Southern Ocean.

Bethune told the Japanese court last week that he had hurled acid at a Japanese whaling ship but had no intent to injure.

The third day of Bethune's trial in Tokyo opens at 1pm today, where Bethune has been charged with five criminal charges including assault and trespassing, incurred after high-profile clashes with Japanese whalers in the Southern Ocean.

Bethune and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society disrupted Japanese whaling this summer, halving its expected haul.

Bethune was arrested after boarding a Japanese ship that collided with his trimaran, the Ady Gil.

Court proceedings so far

Japanese reports have focused on Bethune using a launcher to hurl a glass bottle full of butyric acid at the Japanese ship, causing injury to a crewman.


On the first day of trial, on Thursday, the court heard that the man had suffered light chemical burns needing a week to heal.

A video of the incident was shown, taken from the Japanese ship's mast with a running commentary from a crewman.

During the video, Bethune leaned forward and clenched his fists on his knees, looking a little restless, said the Sankei Shimbun.

"A rubber boat is approaching. We are responding by releasing water [through water cannons]. They're throwing something at the ship. I don't know what it is. They're turning the boat and throwing something. They're approaching from the right," a crewman said in the video.

"He's [Bethune is] preparing something like a launcher. The launcher has fired. The Ady Gil is moving away," he said.

According to the Sankei Shimbun's transcript, voices could then be heard saying "are you alright?" and "something's fallen down".

"Something's blown up. A crewman seems to have been covered with acid. We've had something filled with acid thrown on board. It seems to have hit a crewman. I will go downstairs and confirm. Ending transmission," the crewman said.

The prosecutor then told the court that Bethune was heard cheering and seen celebrating after the shot.

Bethune told the court through an interpreter that he had had no intention of hurting anyone. He admitted he had thrown the acid bottle on to the ship, but said there were many circumstances surrouding the incident that would be revealed later.

He contested the assault charge but admitted four other charges including trespassing and carrying a knife.

In the second day of the trial, on Friday, the injured man testified, saying he had felt a burning pain in his right eye and thought he would go blind.

In response to questions from the prosector, he said: "The accused [Bethune] is not at all apologetic. I want to see harsh punishment so he can apologise."



Yeah - I see him using the trial as a soap box. Upshot - video evidence of the crime - poor attitude to the victim or the law. I hope his lawyer isnt on a no-win no fee basis.

[Brian d marge]

If he don't say sorry or appear to be humble , hes screwed ...
it was on the lunchtime news for the first time it looked a small afair with only one judge
Stephen

[Maha]

Warms the cockles of your heart, doesn't it!

Interesting clip, different angle, you can clearly see at around 18 seconds that the Ady Gil thrusts forwards in a vein attempt to stop the Jap boat.

[Woodman]

The irony is that you are happy for people to die for a good cause. Of course you only see 'good causes' as ones you agree with.

Im sure that the Japs see protecting their people going around their normal and perfectly legal business unmolested against people breaking the law as a very good cause also. So prosecuting the buffoon - and indeed locking him away for a long time is all ok with you.

Of course i only support causes i agree with, that is my right. To support all causes is way too pc.

Not wanting to sound like one of them leftwing huggy tosser greenies that I cannot stand, but you are focusing on people here and Buffoon is trying to protect the whales. There are other species to consider here, humans don't own the place.

[Max Preload]

Interesting clip, different angle, you can clearly see at around 18 seconds that the Ady Gil thrusts forwards in a vein attempt to stop the Jap boat.

Yeah, no wake to considerable wake. Right across the bow of the Shonan Maru No.2. So is that 4:1 to Sea Shepherd now? The Japanese must try harder!

[Swoop]

Warms the cockles of your heart, doesn't it!

That is an interesting bit of footage. The first 15 seconds shows that the jap has the helm over to starboard and is turning into the Ady Gill. The wake from AG is next to nothing and appears almost stationary. The firehoses show the distance getting closer.

The footage from the distant vessel (Sea Shepard?) seemed to verify this.

[onearmedbandit]

If what the Japanese are doing (whaling) is illegal, as is claimed, then why is there no action taken by the represented governments or international body? Honest question, not taking the mickey. And I'm looking for serious answers.