Seal hunting time once again. Probably my least favorite time of year as every single day I have to read about and hear about more misguided, ignorant, anti-sealing protestors in the news. Unless you have a legitimate reason to protest, such as being a vegetarian, I don’t want to hear it. And even then, if you’re going to protest killing seals, I would expect you to protest the mass production, heinous conditions, and brutal slaughter of Cows, pigs, chickens and every other animal that humans eat. It seems quite ridiculous to me that we differentiate between species like this. We’re humans and we eat meat. In order to do so we kill animals. This is fact, and universally accepted.
I think my biggest problem is that every day there’s a new propaganda campaign, launched by people who have absolutely NO IDEA what the facts are about seals and the annual cull. It really gets to me that some concerned “STAR” can sit there and spout off at the mouth about the crime of killing a cute baby seal. You would think at some point, educating yourself about the facts instead of mindlessly protesting would be a pretty good idea. I’m from NL, and I’ve seen and participated in hunting seals. It’s not a mindless slaughter. It’s just as humane as slaughtering any farm animal. It’s also completely sustainable, and for the people who participate in the hunt a necessary source of income, without which many atlantic canadian families could not live. On top of that it’s completely legal.
I could say lots of things regarding the hunt. I could say that baby seals are not the seals targeted. I could tell you that seal populations which are still on the rise, are destroying cod stocks, and I could say that the method is more humane then that used on a chicken or pig for instance, which is hung upside down, and allowed to bleed to death once it’s throat is cut. And Veal…don’t even get me started. The fact is that anybody who doesn’t already know these things probably won’t believe me. I would encourage anyone to educate themselves about this topic…and anything else for that matter BEFORE forming an opinion. Otherwise you’ll just end up looking ignorant…. the same kind of ignorance I read about nearly every day now. And for you die-hard protestors, look for me the next time you protest around Halifax. I’ll be the guy walking through the crowd wearing my I CLUB BABY SEALS shirt. Come talk to me I beg you. After we speak, you can go out and console yourself with a bacon cheeseburger. It’s past time for people to start thinking for themselves, and also past time for those who support the annual cull to find their voices
This article appears in Mar 13-19, 2008.
Sorry, what i meant to say was:”but people ARENT (ARE NOT) bringing up the cows and the pigs all the time, they are talking about the seals, so we are bringing up our opionions about it. “thnx.
It seems that my first post didnt post, it said it would “need to be reviewed” first, but my second post went up immediatly??? weird..
I have to agree with you, the way animals are killed for food is violent and at most times cruel. In fact the way that seals are culled seems a tad more humain than how chickens or cows are slaughtered for us to eat. The only people that can really soap box the annual seal hunt are vegans, all the meat eaters out there that want to get on the anti-sealhunt bandwagon have no leg to stand on regarding the matter. The only reason people care is because of the media marketing of how cute a seal pup looks on camera.On an end note rember “You cann’t spell Slaughter without Laughter.”
unfortunately it looks like my original post didnt get posted.
what I was saying is that I grew up in newfoundland for 20 years, and during that time I lived in and around the fishing communities. I understand the seal hunt, and I am still totally against it.It pisses me off that everytime someone says they are against it, we are told we are ignorant to the situation and we “dont understand”Well I fully understand. The Fisherman are killing the seals because the seals are eating all the fish and it is hurting their industry. Some of them have no other jobs and no other means of income besides being a fisherman. This, is no fault of the seals. The seals are living a natural way of life, and they are being brutally beaten because they are getting to the fish first. They did nothing to provoke it, they arent terrorizing your children, they arent hurting your properties. Nothing, they are living, NATURALLY.No one in this world would die if they never ate fish again, not like all the fish in the world will be gone if we dont keep killing the seals. These people who “need” these jobs, are the people that dont have the letter H in the alphabet, these are people that dont want to leave their safe little communities, to go get an education, and make the world a better place. Instead, its much easier for them to kill the seals, and plentify the fish.I think it is absolutley disturbing, and totally barbaric. Its unreal. And I am 1000% against it. And I always will be. I think its Sick.
and my response about the cows and the pigs, I am totally against that as well, and most of us are. But when that topic comes up in conversation, we voice our opinions about that as well. The reason we are talking about the seal hunt, and now the cows and pigs being slaughtered, is because that is not the topic. Do you understand?????
p.s. you make me sick, literally.
the word “empathy” comes to mind. Maybe you people should give it a shot.
Some people would die, n.b.! Most likely the children of the seal hunters….if you grew up in Nfld. why is it that you don’t understand just how poor some of these “safe little communities” are and that EVERYONE living in them needs fish to survive!They can’t afford to leave and seeker higher education and even if they could who are you to say they would make the world a better place? Does expensive education make you a better person?
I can not comment on this argument other than to say – NB some of the arguments for getting rid of these seals is that they are depleting the fish population and that this needs to be controlled, are you saying that this is a mythe? I really do not know everything there is to know about this practice to be able to form an opinion one way or the other.
No i am not saying it is a myth AT ALL. What I said was, the seals, are eating the fish. It is natural. They cannot survive unless they eat the fish, they dont have vegetables, they dont have cereal, they dont have eggs, they dont have a subway around the corner to go to. Do you understand?Us as human beings, we have luckily evolved, and developed other means of food and ways to survive, then beating helpless creatures to death, because they are getting to the fish before we are. I dont see how this doesnt disturb you people. What if I had no education, and the only way I could survive, was beating up people and stealing their wallets?? Because I NEEDED their money to survive???? because I couldnt afford to go get an education, or other means of survival?? I dont, because I am a developed being, and I can think and comprehend that this will hurt another living being, so i find other means of income. Do you guys get it yet??? Thats why I left newfoundland in the first place. People only think of what they are taught, and never strive to learn more then whats outside the box. LIKE EMPATHY. thanks.
I cant even describe how SICK this makes me feel. IT makes me so angry to believe that you people can be so barbaric!!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT. Soemtimes I have faith in the world, then i listen to you ignorant, arrogant people talk, and I want to throw up. And If I ever seen you on the street wearing a “I CLUB BABY SEALS” shirt, I would fucking beat the back of your head til it caved in. and I would be wearing a shirt that says “I CLUB FUCKING IDIOTS”
I think it’s hilarious that you think there’s a Subway around every corner in every community!!!! Are you serious? Vegetables,cereal and eggs cost money…DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? Seal hunting/fishing is these people’s primary form of income and as to your comment about us being barbaric, I personnally have a hard time killing a spider! I don’t necessarily support the clubbing of baby seals…but you’re statements are just so ridiculous n.b.! I would be truely surprised if you came from anywhere other than a rich, life handed to you on a platter, family. By the way lots of people with no education can get jobs and make a decent living without having to resort to beating/stealing people’s wallets! Where did you get your education anyway?
this is the end of this for me, i cant even read this anymore. you disgust me
N.B. are you Vegan? Or at least a vegetarian? If not fuck off. Speaking of empathy, where is yours for people that have relied to hunting for thier livelyhood. I haven’t heard any rage from you on cattle farmers, so what about them, do you feel that that all famers that raise animals for food should 180 thier career path to growing carrots.It’s whiney self-serving douchebags like you that decrease any empathy I have if you are a meat eater.
I don’t know if you will read this NB- but if you do – just try to remember- when you yell all that is heard is noice. Passion is great, but anger conveys arogance and intolerance. When you speak softly without anger people strain to hear what is being said. I am trying to practise this myself – and do find it difficult at times too. However, if you want people to LISTEN to your point of view these things will help…I still do not know exactly how I feel. Some say that this “clubing of these animals” is suppose to be the most humane way to controlling the population. I find it disgusting to witness, and feel really sad when it is on TV. However, I do understand that “Man” was put on this earth to hunt, kill, and eat. There are families out there that rely on the fishing industry as a way of life. I would have to research this practise and possiblities for change before I could form a strong opinion one way or the other. NB your yelling only convinces me that you are an angry person, not to look into this deeper.
All beings tremble before violenceAll fear deathAll love lifeSee yourself in othersThen whom can you hurtWhat harm can you do?Buddha
Actually…a good number of those people are vegetarians or vegans…who also protest for other animals! Who have concern for all cruelty towards animals! But then…you didn’t go ask them that did you? Which means they could say the same of you, not getting all the facts before having your say!
They favor seals over cattle because their cuter. Give me a break. Go protest somewhere else with the PETA bunch.
PETA is eveywhere!
Including here.
The times they are a changing…imagine…we are even having this discussion.
OMG LAREINEELIZABETH IS FROM PETA?! GET OUT!!!!
The difference between the seal hunt and a slaughterhouse? Four walls and a roof. Both kill with a blow to the head.
Now let’s give the seal hunt the credit it’s due. It broke up Paul’s marriage to the one legged gold digger.
Go Jann Arden, we love you.
Let’s have a Heather Mills hunt instead.