I think the Pretenders said it best, "And it's good, good, good. Like Brigitte Bardot." Love her cause she doens't give a f*ck about PCness, just the animals.
This will come across as angry but I am merely expressing frustration: you have no idea what kind of lives the seal hunters live and how you are undermining their ability to provide for their families. If you have a job that can you can offer with decent enough pay to allow them to support themselves and their families; then by all means protest against them; judge them and force the industry that puts food on their tables out of business. Most of the *evil* seal hunters have no other employment options as they live in a province that has no dominent industry, no major corporations to employ them and no means (money, education, etc.) to allow them to go elsewhere. It might behoove the critics to visit and speak with the seal hunters and their families before judgment is placed and they are robbed of an income. I don't care for the slaughter of seals any more than the next person but I cannot condem the hunters for trying to earn an income. As for Canadian Natives and the government of Canada's relationship and treatment in terms of land, hunting, and fishing, well, that is a whole other kettle of fish. I'm sorry if I am preachy but no one ever discusses the hunters and what kind of lives they lead. The media and outsiders insist on making them out to be monsters and that is just not the case. Please look at all sides of the arguement before passing judgement. They are good people who I would be happy to include at my dinner table despite the fact that I hate what they do for a living. If these men don't have the hunt then its the unemployment/ welfare line for them. There are no magical jobs that will appear in place of the hunt. Here is a little info about as biased as I could find: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sealhunt/
@DutchessOfDork: Thank you. I'm from the east coast (Nova Scotia) and I understand the circumstances that many NFLDers face. An entire protion of my home province (Cape Breton) was forced into hard times after the main source of employment and income was iradicated (minning). Much of the eastern provinces have similiar widespread employement issues that affect some if not the entire province. I just want people to understand whats at stake and that the hunters aren't cruel people they just do what has to be done. I feel sorry for those seals but... well just look at Detroit and what they face because their main industry dried up and the employment conditions aren't getting better. If I handed them a club and set them out on a boat they'd learn pretty quick even if they didn't want to.
@ZemarSea urchin: There used to be really good info and links on wikipedia. Someone really spent the time to present both sides of the issue and added some excellent links. Someone who really loves seals pretty much vandalized the article and got it locked out. Pretty lame. More than an issue of livelihoods, though, the ecological impact of stopping the hunt would be horrible: The seal population would explode, their food would vanish, since we've fished most of it up, and then the expanded seal population would starve to death, leaving no fish and no seals.
@ZemarSea Urchin: Well I'm from Nova Scotia and I'm conflicted about the seal hunt, not just on issues of animal cruelty, but on the actual effectiveness of the seal hunt at helping fish populations survive (the evidence is hardly conclusive), and also about the actual economic justification for it. Not that sealing doesn't help fishermen, because it does, but the economic benefit doesn't come from the sale of seal pelts (remember last year when fishermen acknowledged that profits from the hunt would barely cover the cost of diesel?), but because the government approves of the hunt as a sort of make-work project, and financially reimburses fishermen who participate.
I would rather see our government speak out about overfishing by giant trawlers and irresponsible fisheries management on an international level, or research and fund sustainable fish farming initiatives, than have them make the seal hunt a condition of receiving employment insurance payments.
@Bluenose sailor: I'm very much in agreement. I think efforts to curtail the european fishing fleets that operate 24/7 and 365 days a year just outside of canadian territorial waters would be much more effective at restoring the fish populations than hunting seals would. Too bad it's completely legal despite being a morally bankrupt and 100% unsustainable practice, you know?
I do get annoyed when people try to portray the hunt as a massive commercial undertaking, wantonly killing those adorable critters for their fur and for love of carnage. I mean, how often do you see seal products for sale? Commercial, my eye.
You do not seem to be talking out your butt at all.
I know what you mean my family is from the East Coast and some still live on Cape Breton. My cousins are lobster fisherman and even they have troubles (especially right now) with the frequent trap stealing and what have you.
Ugh, this whole seal-hunt shit pisses me off so much.
There are thousands of animals in the world that are also being slaughtered that aren't adorable (but, essentially, more important, as they are going extinct). Yet because it's Canada (a seemingly wealthy country) and cute baby seals, it's a huge deal. People who are speaking out about this are uninformed. The seals are overpopulated, and have no major threat. Newfoundland has only recently become a "have province" and have had a history of poverty. This is a major source of income to a lot of the people who live there.
I think the government is looking out for it's people (and it's fishing industry) when they kill these seals.
@Lumbercath: i posted something similar in a reply to someone's comment a little earlier. I had opposed it on the basis of 'oh but they're so cute' but was quickly schooled in the realities of it by my BF. He also explained to me why the use of the club is necessary, since it's never a good idea to shoot at a peice of ice you're standing on. I don't love the idea of hunting anything, but I also realize that it is a necessity and a means of income and way of life for some peope.
@Lumbercath: agree! And while I'm no fan of PETA nor their lame "Sea Kittens" campaign...we really need to focus on the depletion of our oceans (FISH!!!) and why Fish Conservation should take precedent because of its un-sustainability.
@slightlyhardup: Also, the hakapik (or club, if you must) is the more humane method of killing a seal. Figures I've seen have the average seal death by gunshot as taking 40 - 60 seconds. A spike in the brain is almost always instant. It's also a hell of a lot safer for the hunters.
Again, I am not defending the hunt. However, I know that there are a lot of Canadians who would. Seals are a significant source of income for thousands of families in remote coastal communities in Eastern Canada, at a time of year when employment opportunities are extremely limited.
Also the article goes on to say that Canadian seal products are already banned in the US....Obama doesn't need to spend his political capital getting them banned by the European Union too! Aren't there some European presidents she should be writing to?
It is illegal to hunt baby seals in Canada, additionally the people hunting the seals are Newfoundland who rely on it for their income. Secondly, it is also illegal to hit it in the head with a stick and a nail, and due to ice caps melting it's hard to do it in the first place.
The McCartneys versus Premier of Newfoundland, Danny Williams. IT's a long interview but heres a part.
@par3: Okay, you know what? You are all over this thread, stomping on legitimate comments. I get that you feel the need to defend her, both for her protest and her racism, but you are demonstrating a clear lack of understanding about the seal hunt in Canada, and the Canadians living on the East Coast in particular. If you honestly expect us to back the fuck off because we are North American and we "cant' understand" then it is time for you to take your OWN advice, right about NOW. Thanks.
@AuntieBee: calm down... 'OKAY'? everyone is entitled to their own opinion. sorry, i refuse to believe that slaughtering animals with a club is really a 'way out' of debt or making a living. i'm not defending barot...frankly i could give 2 flying f*cks about her. i'm defending the damn seals...so you DON'T GET IT. i have no idea what my comment has to do with you being 'north americans' so maybe you're just reading a little TOO far into my comment... jump on someone else...thanks.
@NellMood: i'm giving an overly-simplistic comment to an overly simplistic concept. how is unemployment an excuse for brutally slaughtering endangered animals with a club? the over simplifying goes both ways.
In 1997 she was fined for saying in the newspaper Le Figaro that France was becoming over-run by "sheep-slaughtering Muslims."
Because, that's all the Muslims like to do, slaughter sheep. And the French, they never slaughter anything.
She wrote: "my country, France, my homeland, my land is again invaded by an overpopulation of foreigners, especially Muslims."
And the French never invaded anyone or colonized any group of foreigners. Ever.
On June 10, 2004, a French court ruled that she "presents Muslims as barbaric and cruel invaders, responsible for terrorist acts and eager to dominate the French to the extent of wanting to exterminate them."
Those barbaric terrorists!!
"I do not hold religious Muslims in high esteem."
I think that's self-explanatory, no?
"I am fed up with being under the thumb of this population which is destroying us, destroying our country and imposing its acts."
Damn, I wonder if the folks in Haiti felt similarly?
"Ms Bardot also praised French far right politician Jean-Marie le Pen for his views, condemned modern gays who "moan about what those ghastly heteros put them through", and said that even French prostitutes were not the same in modern France.
"Our lovely, kind street-walkers have been replaced by girls from the east, Nigerians, travellers, transsexuals, drag-queens, bearers of Aids and other friendly gifts," she writes.
"Having a risk-free go is becoming a real exploit."
@Penny Plastic: The brush you just felt against your face? That was totally me giving you a big internet kiss on the cheek!
@par3: I think everyone you've commented at understands your point, unforch you don't seem to get theirs. Rationalizing at best, or ignoring at worst, this woman's racism and total disregard for people different than herself is unacceptable. Don't come to the morality table with dirty hands- you'll get sent away.
@STICKSnSCONES: i understand everything that's being said about her, i appreciate the facts. i'm sorry to say that her message is a realistic portrayal of the majority of mindsets in europe- i just want to say that an older french woman's concept and understanding of diversity is not that of an americans. i think it's pointless to judge someone's NON-understanding of concepts and stupidity.
the other stuff about the seals i won't disagree with.
@Katxyz: btw i live in eastern europe. i don't even take offense to this. she's a moron- no doubt but i don't understand what people expect from her. also, what does this have to do with seals?
obviously she is out of line but what's to be said for all the "muslin hatin'" bigots of america and anti-muslim notions are are in our daily news? this has nothing to do with the slaughtering of seals or the point of this post. many american politicians/public figures have said worse.
@bansaiiiiii: what about the homophobia in catholic countries? vatican republic? so we can call them homophobes and bigots even though it's set in their religious beliefs. when we hear about muslim mannerisms that terrify non-muslims we can't comment bc it's bc of their religion or beliefs? when do we decide to defend when to condemn?
02/21/09
02/21/09
Um...she's a racist. Margaret Cho is "not PC". Bardot is a bigot.
Guess of all people, I shouldn't be surprised that there are bigot lovers on Jez!
02/20/09
Maybe they can make a deal- like, we will save the seals if you perhaps kill yourself immediately.
02/20/09
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02/20/09
Most of us on the thread were trying to say that, but you put it better than I could.
02/20/09
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Thank you. I'm from the east coast (Nova Scotia) and I understand the circumstances that many NFLDers face. An entire protion of my home province (Cape Breton) was forced into hard times after the main source of employment and income was iradicated (minning). Much of the eastern provinces have similiar widespread employement issues that affect some if not the entire province. I just want people to understand whats at stake and that the hunters aren't cruel people they just do what has to be done. I feel sorry for those seals but... well just look at Detroit and what they face because their main industry dried up and the employment conditions aren't getting better. If I handed them a club and set them out on a boat they'd learn pretty quick even if they didn't want to.
02/20/09
Carry on, seal hunters.
02/20/09
I would rather see our government speak out about overfishing by giant trawlers and irresponsible fisheries management on an international level, or research and fund sustainable fish farming initiatives, than have them make the seal hunt a condition of receiving employment insurance payments.
But I could just be talking out of my butt.
02/20/09
I do get annoyed when people try to portray the hunt as a massive commercial undertaking, wantonly killing those adorable critters for their fur and for love of carnage. I mean, how often do you see seal products for sale? Commercial, my eye.
You do not seem to be talking out your butt at all.
02/20/09
I know what you mean my family is from the East Coast and some still live on Cape Breton. My cousins are lobster fisherman and even they have troubles (especially right now) with the frequent trap stealing and what have you.
02/20/09
There are thousands of animals in the world that are also being slaughtered that aren't adorable (but, essentially, more important, as they are going extinct). Yet because it's Canada (a seemingly wealthy country) and cute baby seals, it's a huge deal. People who are speaking out about this are uninformed. The seals are overpopulated, and have no major threat. Newfoundland has only recently become a "have province" and have had a history of poverty. This is a major source of income to a lot of the people who live there.
I think the government is looking out for it's people (and it's fishing industry) when they kill these seals.
02/20/09
I don't love the idea of hunting anything, but I also realize that it is a necessity and a means of income and way of life for some peope.
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These links may help.
[www.cbc.ca]
[www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca]
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The McCartneys versus Premier of Newfoundland, Danny Williams. IT's a long interview but heres a part.
02/20/09
02/20/09
02/20/09
Newfoundland has the highest unemployment rate of all Canada.
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In 1997 she was fined for saying in the newspaper Le Figaro that France was becoming over-run by "sheep-slaughtering Muslims."
Because, that's all the Muslims like to do, slaughter sheep. And the French, they never slaughter anything.
She wrote: "my country, France, my homeland, my land is again invaded by an overpopulation of foreigners, especially Muslims."
And the French never invaded anyone or colonized any group of foreigners. Ever.
On June 10, 2004, a French court ruled that she "presents Muslims as barbaric and cruel invaders, responsible for terrorist acts and eager to dominate the French to the extent of wanting to exterminate them."
Those barbaric terrorists!!
"I do not hold religious Muslims in high esteem."
I think that's self-explanatory, no?
"I am fed up with being under the thumb of this population which is destroying us, destroying our country and imposing its acts."
Damn, I wonder if the folks in Haiti felt similarly?
02/20/09
02/20/09
"Ms Bardot also praised French far right politician Jean-Marie le Pen for his views, condemned modern gays who "moan about what those ghastly heteros put them through", and said that even French prostitutes were not the same in modern France.
"Our lovely, kind street-walkers have been replaced by girls from the east, Nigerians, travellers, transsexuals, drag-queens, bearers of Aids and other friendly gifts," she writes.
"Having a risk-free go is becoming a real exploit."
02/20/09
@par3: I think everyone you've commented at understands your point, unforch you don't seem to get theirs. Rationalizing at best, or ignoring at worst, this woman's racism and total disregard for people different than herself is unacceptable. Don't come to the morality table with dirty hands- you'll get sent away.
02/20/09
02/20/09
02/20/09
02/22/09
the other stuff about the seals i won't disagree with.
02/22/09
02/22/09
obviously she is out of line but what's to be said for all the "muslin hatin'" bigots of america and anti-muslim notions are are in our daily news? this has nothing to do with the slaughtering of seals or the point of this post. many american politicians/public figures have said worse.
02/22/09
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