Oooh, I'm in the mood for a rant. A really good rant. There are things that piss me off, and people attacking a way of life in my home province is one of them. Especially when some of them are as far removed from the actual activity as can possibly be. They just support these organizations, such as PETA, who really have no clue whatsoever, what they are talking about.
Myth # 1: We kill baby seals
Not true at all. What the sealers actually go after are the older harp seals, not the baby ones. No matter what PETA thinks, Newfoundlanders are not barbaric, and would not kill baby animals. Not even we would stoop that low.
Myth # 2: We club the seals to death, and let them suffer
This is just simply not true at all. In fact, when a seal is killed, it is shot, not clubbed. Instant death. We do not make the seals suffer, as most Americans who believe in PETA, are lead to believe.
What really bothers me is that these people do not get that this is a part of the economy here. There are people who rely on the seal hunt to feed their families, and put clothes on their backs. I don't believe in animal cruelty, not in the least, but how would you feel if someone you didn't even know told you that you couldn't do what you had to, what you needed to do, to take care of your family. Imagine being told that you were wrong for doing it, that you were cruel, barbaric, and what you did needed to stop. What if it was the only way you knew that you would get through the winter, with the money you made from this job? How would you feel, think about it.
I don't expect PETA or other organizations like them to stop campaigning against the seal hunt. In fact, it is foolish to expect such a thing. But for as long as there will be people like them misconstruing the facts, there will be many Newfoundlanders, and others that know the facts, that will be there to tell them different.
Even if won't shut them up.
Girl u really need to change the color of some of your post - some of them are close to impossible to read :S And I really want to read them :)
ReplyDeleteKrista, while I can get behind some arguments (such as not having the proper facts), economic necessity doesn't do it for me. I'm sorry. What if profiting from child porn was the only way you fed your own children? Would you conclude that it should continue?
ReplyDeleteIt's just not a strong enough point in of itself for me. A weak person might continue to do something that he/she knows is morally reprehensible because it is economically gainful. That's usually called a bribe. Bribes are illegal. Do you think they should be? Or not? Follow your argument to its logical end.
I'm not saying the rest of your points are not valid ones. Just that this particular one doesn't stand up, for me.
Oh, and Karina's right.
I hear what you're saying Sara, and you make a valid point. No, wouldn't agree with porn, but that I think, is something entirely different.
ReplyDeleteThe seal hunt has been a way of life for Newfoundlanders for centuries. It put food on tables, clothes on backs, and heated homes. No part of the seal was wasted. Even the oil from it can be made into capsules that have amazing health benefits.
Heck, if I had to, to survive. To make $ and feed my family, to heat my home, to survive, I would do it, no question. And I have a feeling I'm not alone :)
I am really not sure where I stand on this one.
ReplyDeleteI know for a fact that some people still club the seals to death and that they do club baby seals too - I mean come on you just have to look at the coats to know that is true. I am no saying all newfoundlanders to this or even that any do. I just know that it happens.
Normally I say if the animal had a good life and everything is used it is okay to kill it - but I just can't get over the fact that they kill babies for coats some places.
And I am with Sara on her argument to - in a way.. it makes it more understandable that some people do it, but it doesn't make it right.
And no matter how hungry I was I could not do it - but I just can't kill. I can't hit anything over the head (even if it is sick) nor can I shoot anything. I have nothing against people who shoot animals to eat them (grown ones that aren't mothers that is) but I just can't!!
Nice to see the color of the text changed :)