Brett Robson wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 13:40:46 +0900, Declan Murphy  ...
> 
>>Brett Robson wrote:
>>
>>>On Thu, 20 Nov 2003 10:26:16 +0900, Declan Murphy  ...
>>>
>>>>Emotions aside, those particular nets are used for catching pilot whales
>>>>(ゴウドウ鯨), a species that is not endangered, 
>>>
>>>Ask the pilot whales what they think about that.
>>
>>About not being endangered?
> 
> Irish aren't endangered so let's hunt them. They don't taste very nice but they
> are very oily.

Kind of like whale meat then.

Anyway to get back to the point, are you advocating that no further
investigation or action be taken against the (alledged) vandals who
(alledgedly) cut the nets?

Haluk's point was that people were working hard trying to make a living
and had their tools of trade vandalised. Obakesan pointed out that if
they were doing something wrong (hunting an endangered species, taking
more of an allowed species than their quota etc) then perhaps some
vandalism should be expected (though not necessarily tolerated). All
I've pointed out is that those particular nets are for pilot whales (for
whichh there is no IWC ban at all), that are not listed as endangered
(by any credible source, many respected environmentalists included), are
protected from overharvesting by quota etc, and are in Japan's EEZ (as
opposed to whales being "sampled" by "research" vessels in Antarctic
waters - something I do oppose). If the vandals wanted to make a point,
there are other (legal/demonstrative/educational) avenues open to them.
Cutting nets and any other willful destruction of property isn't likely
to help their cause over the long term.

If it can be proven (witnesses whatever) that the two under arrest did
vandalise, what should happen to them? My view is that if it were
proven, then rather than prosecute them (they'd milk the publicity),
they will simply be deported.




-- 
"Beyond the Euphrates began for us the land of mirage and danger, the
sands where one helplessly sank, and the roads which ended in nothing.
The slightest reversal would have resulted in a jolt to our prestige
giving rise to all kinds of catastrophe; the problem was not only to
conquer but to conquer again and again, perpetually; our forces would be
drained off in the attempt." - Emperor Hadrian AD 117-138