The Sea Shepherd Needs Help

[Shane for Wax]

www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jul/25/sea-shepherd-sell-irwin-dispute

The Sea Shepherd, a society that protects marine wildlife from overfishing and everything else [such as whales being over-hunted by Japanese fishermen], has had their flagship the Steve Irwin captured and basically held for ransom.

In a statement last week, Watson said that if the group fails to post the bond, "the Steve Irwin will be held indefinitely and possibly sold. This would not only be a financial hardship but more importantly, it could prevent us from reaching the Faroe Islands to protect pilot whales and threaten our ability to defend whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary from the Japanese whaling fleet this December."

"Fish and Fish are claiming damages for the bluefin tuna we rescued from their nets in June 2010, fish that we believe were illegally caught after the season has closed, without an inspector onboard, or any paperwork documenting the legality of their catch".

[starseeker]

Are these the same people who tried to ram a Japanese whaling boat a year or so ago?

[Shane for Wax]

Jul 26, 2011 10:49:55 GMT -5 starseeker said:

Are these the same people who tried to ram a Japanese whaling boat a year or so ago?

I don't know. Probably. They have a show called Whale Wars that documents their fights.

[malicious_bloke]

Good.

However just your cause might be, pathetically ineffective activism like this does nothing apart from give the protagonists an overinflated sense of self-importance.

Illegal whaling is an issue to be sorted out by grownups, not a bunch of chinless wonders in a boat.

[Distind]

This band of idiots being forced back onto land is somehow bad?

[Shane for Wax]

Jul 26, 2011 11:02:51 GMT -5 Distind said:

This band of idiots being forced back onto land is somehow bad?

When the amount they have to pay is inflated on top of everything else (the lack of any investigation into the various organizations when it's brought to the attention of the proper authorities) then yeah.

If there was an investigation made then okay.

But, I'm clearly in the minority opinion that it is unjust to have to pay nearly 1 million pounds which they can't afford. That's okay.

[lighthorseman]

Fuck those guys! I dontated them money, and the bad-arse sticker they promised me in exchange, NEVER CAME!

Nor did they take my obvious suggestion to sell Daryl Hannah porn as a fundraiser!

Nor did this lying, treacherous sack of shit even bother to reply when I suggested the Australian Navy should be utilised to support Sea Shepherd operations. That's kind of irrelevent to the OP, but it pissed me off too.

[Distind]

Jul 26, 2011 11:06:07 GMT -5 Shane for Wax said:

Jul 26, 2011 11:02:51 GMT -5 Distind said:

This band of idiots being forced back onto land is somehow bad?

When the amount they have to pay is inflated on top of everything else (the lack of any investigation into the various organizations when it's brought to the attention of the proper authorities) then yeah.

If there was an investigation made then okay.

But, I'm clearly in the minority opinion that it is unjust to have to pay nearly 1 million pounds which they can't afford. That's okay.

When you flaunt the law gleefully, and damage private property long enough you will be nailed. They can inflate this kind of thing to punish repeat offenders, these guys made a show showcasing their actions...

[Amaranth]

I'm torn. Sea Shephard are terrorists, pure and simple. They are also fucktards. A terrorist you agree with is still a terrorist, same with fucktards.

But it sounds like they're getting shafted here. An injustice is still an injustice, even if it happens to a bunch of asshat terrorists.

I can get why people aren't exactly crying a flood over it though,.

[lighthorseman]

Jul 26, 2011 11:11:42 GMT -5 Amaranth said:

I'm torn. Sea Shephard are terrorists, pure and simple. They are also fucktards. A terrorist you agree with is still a terrorist, same with fucktards.

But it sounds like they're getting shafted here. An injustice is still an injustice, even if it happens to a bunch of asshat terrorists.

I can get why people aren't exactly crying a flood over it though,.

No, when you agree with them, terrorists are "freedom fighters".

[dasfuchs]

Their boat was impounded pending an investigation. No different than if you were arrested and jailed pending trial.

These guys are honestly pirates at the least, terrorists at worst.
Their illegal activities are well documented, but go unpunished for whatever reason.

[Shane for Wax]

Jul 26, 2011 11:11:42 GMT -5 Amaranth said:

I'm torn. Sea Shephard are terrorists, pure and simple. They are also fucktards. A terrorist you agree with is still a terrorist, same with fucktards.

But it sounds like they're getting shafted here. An injustice is still an injustice, even if it happens to a bunch of asshat terrorists.

I can get why people aren't exactly crying a flood over it though,.

Yeah, I understand that their actions are extreme. I understand that. But I also get that they're a small organization and I have seen more outcries than I can count when small organizations are given inflated bail and everything else.

What I think? I that the bond should lower and that investigations should be made into both sides. Figure out which laws both have broken. I think it's only fair for an investigation to come about against Fish and Fish.

[dasfuchs]

Jul 26, 2011 11:08:53 GMT -5 lighthorseman said:

Fuck those guys! I dontated them money, and the bad-arse sticker they promised me in exchange, NEVER CAME!

Nor did they take my obvious suggestion to sell Daryl Hannah porn as a fundraiser!

Nor did this lying, treacherous sack of shit even bother to reply when I suggested the Australian Navy should be utilised to support Sea Shepherd operations. That's kind of irrelevent to the OP, but it pissed me off too.

Well, see, Watson knows that the Aussies and the Kiwi navy can't get involved because one, this isn't happening in their territory/jurisdiction, and two, it's not illegal. The Japanese are whaling under the rules of the IWC, which Watson used to claim he was acting in defense of till the IWC booted the SS and declared them a menace.

If you sent in a hundred bucks, they'll send you a paper stating you're a second class radar operator.

What I think? I that the bond should lower and that investigations should be made into both sides. Figure out which laws both have broken. I think it's only fair for an investigation to come about against Fish and Fish.

I have a feeling that's why Watson won't get his ship back and he knows it. He's already stated he planned to bring the "illegal" activities (I'll believe they're illegal when I see it given his constant lying) as their defense, which won't effect the issue since the case will be over whether they damaged property or not.

[booley]

Jul 26, 2011 11:02:34 GMT -5 malicious_bloke said:

Good.

However just your cause might be, pathetically ineffective activism like this does nothing apart from give the protagonists an overinflated sense of self-importance.

Illegal whaling is an issue to be sorted out by grownups, not a bunch of chinless wonders in a boat.

Ahh so it's ok to give special treatment and abuse the law if it happens to someone you dont' like?

[Amaranth]

Jul 26, 2011 11:13:19 GMT -5 lighthorseman said:

No, when you agree with them, terrorists are "freedom fighters".

Or just "soldiers."