Hi-ho, me hearties, hi-ho, and a buccaneering we'll go

[Barrett808]

Hi-ho, me hearties, hi-ho, and a buccaneering we'll go
Paul Watson
January 22, 2008
Sydney Morning Herald

The Southern Ocean now rivals the 17th-century Caribbean, given all the reported acts of piracy during the past two weeks. The Japanese whalers are accusing Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace crew members of being pirates. Sea Shepherd and Greenpeace are accusing the whalers of being pirates. The whalers and Greenpeace are accusing Sea Shepherd of being pirates. The Japanese Government is throwing the word piracy about as freely as the governor of Jamaica once did.

We decided years ago that if people were going to be landlubber silly and call us pirates we would adopt our own Jolly Roger. My ship, the Steve Irwin, does fly a modern version of the "pretty red" or "jolie rouge", the original name of the banner that evolved into the Jolly Roger, the black and white skull and crossbones flag. As soon as we hoisted that black flag, children around the world began to write to us in support. Our Jolly Roger hats and shirts have become our most popular merchandise.

Why? Because there is a romance to piracy that is separate from the reality of piracy. Some pirates were great and noble heroes and some were dastardly villains. It's all a matter of perspective. If you love whales we be heroes; if you eat whales then we be pirates.

There are pirates of profit like the Japanese, pirates of opportunity like the politicians, and pirates of compassion like Sea Shepherd. It is a little difficult to cast Sea Shepherd's volunteers trying to save the lives of whales as ruthless pirates. On the other hand, the Japanese whalers are illegally stealing and killing whales from a sanctuary for whales and from the territory that is supposed to be under Australian control.

Which brings us to the motivation of those pirates in Canberra. What is in it for them that they consistently refuse to protect Australian territory from illegal foreign exploitation? The answer is the same for Australian politicians today as it was for British politicians in 1650: there's money to be made, under the table, trade agreements to consider.

(more)

http://www.smh.com.au/news/whale-watch/hiho-me-hearties-hiho-and-a-buccaneering-well-go/2008/01/21/1200764168306.html

[tomreedtoon]

1. Too early! Talk Like A Pirate Day is in September!

http://www.tomsmithonline.com/lyrics/tlapd.htm

[Mythsaje]

2. They're carrying Letters of Marque from citizens around the world!

It's not piracy--it's privateering.

:evilgrin:

[AnnieBW]

3. Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!

I'll raise a bottle of rum to the Good Ship Steve Irwin!

[Barrett808]

4. Greenpeace: Whaling receives criticism in Japan

Greenpeace: Whaling receives criticism in Japan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=130455&mesg_id=130455