New Zealand demands Japanese explanation over crippled whaler - AFP

[Eugene]

New Zealand demands Japanese explanation over crippled whaler

Thu Feb 22, 6:44 PM ET

WELLINGTON (AFP) - New Zealand demanded an explanation from Japan why a crippled
whaling ship remained in Antarctic waters posing a potential environmental threat.

Eight days after fire erupted below decks on the Nisshin Maru, claiming one life, the
ship had not been moved although the crew said the main engine was working again.

-snip-

New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter said the government urgently wanted it
out of the area to avoid the potential for an environmental disaster.

-snip-

The Japanese response was "non-committal", he said.

Carter said New Zealand's maritime authority had sent a series of technical questions
to the Japanese embassy about the sea-worthiness of the Nisshin Maru, the whaling
mothership.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070222/wl_asia_afp/nzealandjapanwhaling_070222234410

[Tyo]

1. The Japanese are so hacked over this whole whaling fiasco that I think they are beyond caring

I believe they figured that if they could work up the nerve to give us the finger and send their fleet out despite our disapproval we might make a little noise but would acquiesce. They were right to an extent, but I don't think that they anticipated Greenpeace being as aggressive as it has been and I think that they are honestly mystified and pissed that no government has attempted to rein the Greenpeacers in. And then it doesn't help that a lot of Japanese are convinced that our anti-whaling bias stems from racism.

[Nihil]

2. Just goes to show ...

> ... it doesn't help that a lot of Japanese are convinced that our anti-whaling bias stems
> from racism

... that "a lot of Japanese" are stupid.

Maybe if that "lot of Japanese" thought about the act of slaughtering a sentient creature
for dog-food (because no-one else will eat it!) then maybe that "lot of Japanese" would
get a clue and realise that they are being played for fools by their political "leaders".

[Tyo]

3. Not quite that simple

The Japanese have been whaling for at least the last 500 years and they have always eaten what they caught. In a country where most animal protein has traditionally come from the ocean, whale meat has been on the menu for centuries.

I'm not fan of Japanese whaling or Norwegian whaling, or Icelandic whaling and would like to see a permanent world-wide ban. But knee-jerk reactions like yours play right into their hands. Cows are sentient beings, so are horses, so are pigs. The Japanese would argue that many of the same people who are so vehemently anti-whaling have not trouble at all killing and eating various sentient creatures of the four-legged variety. Spare me all the arguments in response to that. I already know and have used them.

But it sounds like you're more into name-calling anyway. Calling the Japanese or any people from a whaling culture stupid is perhaps not the best way to turn them around and just could maybe be where the racism thing gets its start.

[Nihil]

4. Not far off though.

> The Japanese have been whaling for at least the last 500 years and they have always
> eaten what they caught.

If that was still the case now then there would be far less of an argument against
the Japanese (or Norwegians or Icelandics) killing whales. The simple fact is that
the Japanese do NOT eat what they catch and, in fact, despite government attempts to
force school-children to eat whale, they are forced to use the "research data" as
dog-food. Now tell me again how noble and traditional you are?

> Cows are sentient beings, so are horses, so are pigs.

To differing extents, yes. Every multicellular creature can be called "sentient"
if your criteria is loose enough. I will accept that pigs are in the same category.
Cows? Academic debate but not a personal conviction. Horses? These fall in the same
category as dogs: friendly enough but not a general food animal so no-one thinks
about them as such.

> The Japanese would argue that many of the same people who are so vehemently
> anti-whaling have not trouble at all killing and eating various sentient creatures
> of the four-legged variety.

Strangely enough, many of the "vehement anti-whalers" are vegetarian/vegan so your
argument is as dead in the water as the Japanese factory ship (as I write).

> Spare me all the arguments in response to that. I already know and have used them.

Goody goody gumdrops.

> But it sounds like you're more into name-calling anyway. Calling the Japanese or
> any people from a whaling culture stupid is perhaps not the best way to turn them
> around and just could maybe be where the racism thing gets its start.

I call any people who support factory whaling "stupid".
Anyone who wishes to follow a "culture" of whaling is welcome to do so in rowing
boats and using hand-thrown harpoons. Anything beyond that is not "culture" but
is simply "industry for profit" and deserves the contempt they receieve.

You stated that "I don't think that they anticipated Greenpeace being as aggressive
as it has been". The fact is that Greenpeace has not been aggressive.
You might consider Sea Shepherd to have been aggressive but that's a different
organisation. Oops.

You also stated that "I think that they are honestly mystified and pissed that no
government has attempted to rein the Greenpeacers in". This is due to the fact that
Sea Shepherd (not Greenpeace) have not acted outside the law. Strange that ... no
government has attempted to rein the Sea Shepherd people in even though they are
acting legally ... Hmmmm .. maybe this should give *YOU* a clue as to what the
correct, moral, acceptable behaviour is.

[Tyo]

5. Whatever

It's clearly a waste of time to talk to you. The only people you are able to communicate with are those who share your depth of outrage, anger and your contempt for all but your fellow fanatics. Good night and good luck.

[Nihil]

6. Fine. Happy Christmas.

It's always nice to see a loser give up the fight.
Especially when they've run out of logical/rational arguments.
Bye.
:hi: