Peter Bethune's trial starts Thursday 27 May

[Kickaha]

We will sit back, passive and weak, as our assets are stripped and sold, our rights eroded and our culture debased. And one day we will wonder where it all went, but by then it will be too late.

Omigod it's the fucking Lorax in disguise

[shrub]

Yes bad bad mr. buffooon. he shouldn't have broken the law should he. What an asshole.
We must all behave, do what we are told at all times no matter what we think, if the police say jump we say "how high".

Welcome to the future. Now bend over and assume the position please, you will soon learn to conform and obey, then you will be like all the other drones and will fit in just right. Don't worry about forming your own opinion, just listen to what the politicians and business leaders say because they know best.

[Tank]

. If a few (or a lot) people die for a good cause then so be it, there are quite a few of us to spare.

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.

[Tank]

It saddens me that Pete bethune gets the flack he does. Whether you agree with his motives or not, regardless of how much you hate the evil greenies, regardless of how much you think whaling is a good idea; surely you can respect and even admire a man who is willing to go to jail for what he believes in? Surely you can respect a man who is willing to take on a ship with a boat, who is willing to stand up to the Japanese government and tell them to lay off our oceans?

Or are you so caught up in political correctness and following the crowd that you have lost the ability to back the little guy making a stand?

Pete Bethune, you're a fucking hero mate. You have something that has become very, very rare: balls.

Where to start .....

Respecting someone who stands up for what they believe in .... yeah sure - up to a point.

There are millions of people in the world that believe to their very core in Islamic values. Many have this as their core values and find any variation to it deplorable.

Of course many of them are willing to die to fix this and effect change. They then strap bombs to their bodies and blow up people who are against the values and belief that they hold so dear. They honestly believe that they are doing a good thing - Gods will.

Do you respect them? Are they heros to you?

Or are your statements only 'correct' because this particular cause is something you believe in?

Its no Political correctness that stops people supporting 'the little guy' - many actually believe that what he was doing was wrong. There is noting bad about that.

[imdying]

Well I've written a letter to the Japanese consulate urging them to consider that most New Zealanders do not believe in the efforts of Pete Bethune, and that emprisoning him for 15 years is the best result for all. I recommend all of you guys do the same

/edt: oops, forgot the address:

Consular Office of Japan
PO Box 13-748
Christchurch

[Tank]

Well I've written a letter to the Japanese consulate urging them to consider that most New Zealanders do not believe in the efforts of Pete Bethune, and that emprisoning him for 15 years is the best result for all. I recommend all of you guys do the same

/edt: oops, forgot the address:

Consular Office of Japan
PO Box 13-748
Christchurch

Wow thats not being all PC and you are standing up for what you believe and are doing something thing about it. Im sure that all on here will appreciate your actions and will respect you for it - regardless of their views. ::Tui::

[shrub]

Where to start .....

Respecting someone who stands up for what they believe in .... yeah sure - up to a point.

There are millions of people in the world that believe to their very core in Islamic values. Many have this as their core values and find any variation to it deplorable.

Of course many of them are willing to die to fix this and effect change. They then strap bombs to their bodies and blow up people who are against the values and belief that they hold so dear. They honestly believe that they are doing a good thing - Gods will.

Do you respect them? Are they heros to you?

Or are your statements only 'correct' because this particular cause is something you believe in?

Its no Political correctness that stops people supporting 'the little guy' - many actually believe that what he was doing was wrong. There is noting bad about that.

What a ridiculous argument!

Pete Bethune's vessel was rammed by a Japanese whaling ship and went on board said ship to protest and make a citizens arrest (an ill-considered course of action in my opinion, but a brave action nonetheless). He did not blow himself up, had no intention of blowing himself up, was carrying no explosives and he is not a Muslim. Just because the right wing Japanese media call him a terrorist, does not make him so - in fact his actions fail any of the recognised definitions of terrorist actions. For God's sake man, he was unarmed apart from a knife (pretty standard for sailors to carry knives) and surrounded by hostile and armed Japanese sailors - if anyone was likely to be terrified it would be Bethune.

Supporting a Kiwi who stands up to the Japanese whaling fleet on his own to make a stand against their illegal fishing (they are not allowed to engage in commercial whaling) has absolutely nothing to do with my feelings towards suicide bombers. Now try again, only this time don't try and hide behind a strawman argument, I'm too smart to be fooled by a feeble stunt like that.

[Bald Eagle]

What a ridiculous argument!

Pete Bethune's vessel was rammed by a Japanese whaling ship

I though the who rammed who question was still being debated. Causing an accident and then using that as an excuse for political protest he deserves the consequences whatever they may be.

[shrub]

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.

Actually, the Japs are breaking the law. The IWC has banned commercial whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which is where all this happened. The Japanese hide behind alleged "scientific" whaling, which is permitted, however there is nothing scientific about the number of whales they catch and the fact that they all go straight to the restaurants of Japan. They are thumbing their noses at the world and must be delighted that people like you swallow their PR, hook, line and sinker.

Their actions are wrong, and Pete Bethune and his colleagues have the courage to stand up against them.

[Tank]

I'm too smart to be fooled by a feeble stunt like that.

People who keep telling you how smart they are - generally arnt. As it is you dont even see the point of the post.

What a ridiculous argument!

Pete Bethune's vessel was rammed by a Japanese whaling ship and went on board said ship to protest and make a citizens arrest (an ill-considered course of action in my opinion, but a brave action nonetheless). He did not blow himself up, had no intention of blowing himself up, was carrying no explosives and he is not a Muslim. Just because the right wing Japanese media call him a terrorist, does not make him so - in fact his actions fail any of the recognised definitions of terrorist actions. For God's sake man, he was unarmed apart from a knife (pretty standard for sailors to carry knives) and surrounded by hostile and armed Japanese sailors - if anyone was likely to be terrified it would be Bethune.

Supporting a Kiwi who stands up to the Japanese whaling fleet on his own to make a stand against their illegal fishing (they are not allowed to engage in commercial whaling) has absolutely nothing to do with my feelings towards suicide bombers. Now try again, only this time don't try and hide behind a strawman argument, I'm too smart to be fooled by a feeble stunt like that.

Your comments in the original post I quoted were that people should respect people that are willing so much to fight for what they believe in. I was not calling PB a Muslium - but was pointing out that 'other people' that believe so stongly on 'other issues' you done affort the same respect for believing in their actions - yet you expect others to have that respect simply because it is something you agree with.

As for PB not being a terrorist - meh - that depends on your point of view. He is a member of the SS - that has been linked to eco terrorism by several countries.

[shrub]

I though the who rammed who question was still being debated. Causing an accident and then using that as an excuse for political protest he deserves the consequences whatever they may be.

Yes, it is still being debated. Funny that the Japanese have refused to participate in the hearing and won't release any footage, yet the Sea Shepherd Society have cooperated completely. Do you think that maybe they have something to hide? Maybe they're not as honourable as you want them to be?

[imdying]

I love how you guys just make shit up to suit yourselves...

Pete Bethune's vessel was rammed by a Japanese whaling ship

No, they recklessly put their vessel in front of a much larger one and were run over; their own fault.

went on board said ship to protest and make a citizens arrest

No, he went onboard a foreign vessel in the high seas with a deadly weapon, to do what if he wasn't apprehended by the crew, we do not know.

the right wing Japanese media call him a terrorist

They're correct, see the pictures from OAB ten or so posts ago... pirate ship, rammed vessels, terrorist..

he was unarmed apart from a knife

Oh, apart from that deadly weapon... well, that makes it ok then!

Supporting a Kiwi who stands up to the Japanese whaling fleet on his own to make a stand against their illegal fishing (they are not allowed to engage in commercial whaling)

Supporting a terrorist who is engaging in hosilities against a vessel engaged in peaceful scientific research just makes you a cunt.

[Tank]

Actually, the Japs are breaking the law. The IWC has banned commercial whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which is where all this happened. The Japanese hide behind alleged "scientific" whaling, which is permitted, however there is nothing scientific about the number of whales they catch and the fact that they all go straight to the restaurants of Japan. They are thumbing their noses at the world and must be delighted that people like you swallow their PR, hook, line and sinker.

Their actions are wrong, and Pete Bethune and his colleagues have the courage to stand up against them.

Actually - remember the innocent until proven guilty thing? The japs have not been charged or found guilty. Yet - you seem to know better. Just as well they are at least willing to give PB a trial before summary judgement from the uninformed masses huh.

[Tank]

Yes, it is still being debated. Funny that the Japanese have refused to participate in the hearing and won't release any footage, yet the Sea Shepherd Society have cooperated completely. Do you think that maybe they have something to hide? Maybe they're not as honourable as you want them to be?

How many boats have the SS admitted ramming and sinking? And you 100% think that 'just this one time' they are 100% innocent - what planet are you on?

[imdying]

As for PB not being a terrorist - meh - that depends on your point of view. He is a member of the SS - that has been linked to eco terrorism by several countries.

No, there is no debate, he is a confirmed terrorist, the SIS have files detailing his escapades, spanning 3 decades.