Peter Bethune's trial starts Thursday 27 May

[Max Preload]

I see. So wanting to stop the needless slaughter of an endangered and iconic species is self serving is it? And in your worldview the fraudulent claim to be engaging in scientific research as a front for a commercial activity that would other wise not be permitted isn't self serving?

It's self-serving in that it makes no difference but you feel better for having done it. Just like other people do washing a car. There's no need to worry - whales are not in dedline. Nosh up, Toshi!

You have a very interesting perspective; or maybe you realise your position doesn't stand critical assessment so have created an alternative reality. Either way I find you amusing.

It's your position that doesn't stand up to assessment - it's entirely emotive with no basis in facts.

[shrub]

It's self-serving in that it makes no difference but you feel better for having done it. Just like other people do washing a car. There's no need to worry - whales are not in dedline. Nosh up, Toshi! It's your position that doesn't stand up to assessment - it's entirely emotive with no basis in facts.

So your paranoid fear of the red under your bed has no bearing on your position? And you believe there is no point in taking a position on anything unless you can directly impact the outcome? Let me guess, the Japanese government are immensely grateful for your support, without which they would be unable to continue with their vital scientific research into the best way to prepare whale sushi?

And "no basis in facts" simply means when you disagree with something, even though you're in the minority?

Love your work man, really i do.

[shrub]

and a thoroughly decent guy. It was interesting hearing his side of the story and actually talking to him about what motivated him to do what he did, from taking the Adi Gill to the southern whale sanctuary to his attempt to serve the captain of the Shonan Maru with documents.

He's not some loony eco-terrorist, just a very ordinary guy who got pissed off with the Japanese sailing 1/3 of the way around the world into waters that we're supposed to police so they can engage in a commercial operation that is falsely painted as scientific research, and he got off his arse and did something about it. He's got balls - probably one of the reasons he's so unpopular with the right whingers - having balls is an anathema to them.

Also listening to his side of the story it matched what I suspected from watching the videos and explained a lot. They had just enough fuel to get out of Antarctic waters to refuel (they're not allowed to refuel in Antarctic waters), so pulled out of the chase and were letting the Bob Barker take over before planning to head north. The Shonan Maru was a couple of kms astern and changed course to their port meaning the Adi Gill was on the starboard, and had the right of way. Shortly before it was due to pass the SM switched on the LRAD which meant none of the crew of the AG could communicate, turned on the water cannons and changed course to head directly at the AG. The engineer couldn't see out of his window because of the wall of water so he gave some power to try and move out of the way just before the SM hit them - if he had hit reverse they would have made it, but he was blind and deaf due to the SM.

Maybe he was bullshitting, but he struck me as being a straight shooter and he loved that boat with a passion and just as I wouldn't intentionally trash a bike I loved to make a point, I doubt he'd have done that. Also the AG was an incredibly effective weapon in the SSCS arsenal, so who had the most cause to want to sink it?

[Naki Rat]

Another point to ponder is that Japan is now in a position, in terms of not being able to sustain its own food supplies locally, that China is rapidly moving towards. The difference is that Japan doesn't have the finances to buy their way out of the problem and so trespasses and steals in order to feed itself. China's financial might is sufficient for them to be able to buy their increasing food, mineral, fuel, etc resources at source which presents a whole different set of conflicts.

Like it or not, there are way too many humans on this planet and the situation is getting worse more and more rapidly. We will see major wars for resources within our lifetimes. Pete's stand against the plundering of an endangered species was but a minor initial skirmish.

[Max Preload]

So your paranoid fear of the red under your bed has no bearing on your position? And you believe there is no point in taking a position on anything unless you can directly impact the outcome? Let me guess, the Japanese government are immensely grateful for your support, without which they would be unable to continue with their vital scientific research into the best way to prepare whale sushi?

Where do you get the content for your posts from? Oh, that's right - you simply pull it out of your arse. You've been shown that they're required to utilise the whales taken for research under the Convention, yet still insist they're doing it solely for commercial reasons. Despite having many hundreds of tonnes of meat already stored. Not much of a commercial operation when you can't sell enough, eh.

And "no basis in facts" simply means when you disagree with something, even though you're in the minority?

'No basis in fact' means there are no facts to support your position. Your conclusions are not valid in terms of the information available. They are purely emotive.

Love your work man, really i do.

Oh, this isn't work. It's fun.

[shrub]

Where do you get the content for your posts from? Oh, that's right - you simply pull it out of your arse. You've been shown that they're required to utilise the whales taken for research under the Convention, yet still insist they're doing it solely for commercial reasons. Despite having many hundreds of tonnes of meat already stored. Not much of a commercial operation when you can't sell enough, eh.


'No basis in fact' means there are no facts to support your position. Your conclusions are not valid in terms of the information available. They are purely emotive.


Oh, this isn't work. It's fun.

Yes, quite.

[Winston001]

The difference is that Japan doesn't have the finances to buy their way out of the problem and so trespasses and steals in order to feed itself. China's financial might is sufficient for them to be able to buy their increasing food.....

Like it or not, there are way too many humans on this planet and the situation is getting worse more and more rapidly. We will see major wars for resources within our lifetimes.

The governments of Japan, Norway, Canada, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Indonesia, Russia and the United States all support whaling by their people. The reasons vary and there are restrictions but at it's core, the rationale is to respect cultural history. Just as we allow Maori to kill wood pigeons.

It has zero to do with food supply. Japan is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet with China far below.

You've been shown that they're required to utilise the whales taken for research under the Convention, yet still insist they're doing it solely for commercial reasons. Despite having many hundreds of tonnes of meat already stored. Not much of a commercial operation when you can't sell enough, eh.

In fact the Japanese have been known to dump whale meat because there is so little demand for it. Japanese whaling is an ideology: "We used to do it so we will carry on. We won't let other nations tell us what to do".

Just like New Zealand has refused nuclear powered ships and denied nuclear technology, irrational as that really is. Mindless ideology has a lot to answer for.

[Woodman]

Fuck you Japan....

[JimO]

whats sea shepherd going to do now??

[oldrider]

Bethune made a choice, took a stance, now he simply has to take reponsibility and be accountable for his actions not everybody see's it the way he does!

Personally I think he was wrong and did his cause a lot of unessessary damage through his illegal (seafaring) behaviour but his choice!

A bit like the anti smoking campaign I didn't agree the way they did that but I am pleased with the outcome!

Bethune didn't really make any positive contribution to the outcome but he is now pleased with himself and feels obviously justified! ? ... ... ...

As for the "trial" ... a bit dodgy but I am still quietly pleased with the outcome!

[puddytat]

Full credit to Bethune, Watson, Sea Shepard, Greenpeace , WWF, to the world wide public damnation of Whaling ,& to Australia to start the court proceedings we were to scared to.
Fuck you Japan & I hope you have the Honour to respect the decision.
Please continue with trading with us & cleaning up your shit.

[imdying]

Fuck that he's a terrorist and should have been tortured and killed by the Japanese.

[rustyrobot]

whats sea shepherd going to do now??

Focus on shark-finning hopefully.

[Katman]

Focus on shark-finning hopefully.

That and WA's retarded shark cull.

[Indiana_Jones]

So is NZ and Aus going to harrass Norway and Iceland now?

-Indy