Vympel wrote:Rye wrote:
Out of interest, do you also not see the "logical reason" of preventing cruelty to cats and dogs in the Chinese dog and cat fur trade? I mean, it's not like they're people, right? So we can put them live on hooks and shit?
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
What has animal cruelty got to do with what I said? I would consider myself hypocritical to be some sort of animal cruelty advocate while I consume the quantities of meat that I do. You consume meat, don't you? Frankly, as long as the dog or cat is killed relatively quick, they can do what they like. I find the concept personally repulsive, but that's subjective and emotional based on my experience of pets (pet dog) rather than any reasoned foundation. I'm sure as hell not going to tell someone they can't use the animal product though.
Since whales are so big, the only real way to kill them is harpooning, which is about the same as putting a dog on a hook and waiting for it to die. It's not like they're going to herd it into a giant pen and then put a bolt through its brain, is it?
The fact they're smart and harpooning is obviously not a pleasant experience for them, and the whole region's not got a good record when it comes to cruelty, I couldn't with good conscience say "go impale some big smart mammals," since it's hardly like the japanese are starving.
Lord Zentei wrote:As for "inhumane slaughter" go check out a slaughterhouse. And "nigh-sapient"? Close means no cigar.
I've been to a slaughterhouse and I've seen harpooning, I am under no allusions which way I'd rather go. Bolt to the brain please. I'm sure there are whales smarter than several severely retarded people, but I doubt you'd react so glibly to the japanese asking for a lift on the ban against harpooning them.
Your doubts != proof. Moreover, this doubt of yours does not change the sustainability of whaling those species that are not endangered, now does it?
Japan still has illegal whaling under the guise of the already mentioned "scientific studies" where endangered whales are considered fair game, despite international outrage and law. They do this shit now, what do you think they'll do if they're given more leeway? Stay exactly the same, or just let the commercial whalers tackle the sustainable stocks while "scientific" ones go after the endangered ones? Japan has very little credibility when it comes to abiding whaling laws.
Tot toally reverse the moratorium, I presume that means any and all whales are fair game, and since multiple other species have been hunted to extinction, it's not a terribly slippery slope to say that the Japanese might hunt further species to extinction.