obliteration-by-conservation:

“We live on the most incredible planet, and yet we abuse it, and we abuse it mercilessly”- Paul Watson

Good news to spread a little bit of cheer.

As some of you may know, I’m an onshore volunteer for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which means I try to do as much as possible from my current position here as a poor college student.

So, one of my tools at hand is petitioning. Some would say that online petitioning is a futile effort at best. If you’re one of those people, I’d like to present you with a few results.

1. A cruel experiment confining kangaroos for up to 9 months in a small cage was called off. (Read more.)

2. Costco, one of the largest seafood retailers in the U.S. will stop selling “red-listed” species of fish. (Read more.)

3. Shark finning is now banned in Guam. (Read more.)

So, I’m not sure how effective the petitions are, but if people like Pete Bethune attest to their key-role in conservation, I’m all for them.

Tumblr Challenge: Day I

Write some basic things about yourself.

This is pretty bland and is a piss-poor excuse for the first day’s writing, but I’ll put this aside.

My name is Travis. I had my first degree in Computer Electronics Engineering before I was old enough to drink and I’ll hopefully be receiving my Bachelor’s in that field sometime around May.

Interestingly enough, I earned my CompTIA A+ Computer Technician certification on my 21st birthday.

I’m an activist for the environment and it’s inhabitants that aren’t us; I believe the other animals of our world deserve to be here far more than we do.

I’m also looking to fulfill a life-goal after college, which is to obtain a commercial pilot’s license and to pursue a career flying small aircraft to very beautiful places. I don’t care what I’d be specifically doing, so long as I enjoy it.

I really enjoy writing, if you couldn’t already tell. I could definitely use more reading, though. However, I think that’s true for most people, and yet… I’ve still read more books in five years than a large portion of society will have read in fifty. Now you understand why I say that.

But yeah, I’m not sure what else to put for today’s topic. If there’s anything you’d like to know, you’re more than welcome to ask.

sharkchunks asked: Well said on all points. I have to recognize as well that you have followed the subject with far closer interest than I have and in the future, I'll probably just defer to your knowledge of what they have and haven't done, especially as we agree about the level of illegal actions they used to take, and that the level has indeed become more palatable, even to me. Colon juice is far kinder than the stereotypical eco-fury of the 80s.

What I would do about the situation, or rather what I am doing: Propagandizing for stricter enforcement of the current laws, with an eye toward changing the laws to encourage economies not dependent on hunting (Seals, whales, anything) and eventually, a drastic improvement of animal welfare laws. This sounds like a miniscule and impotent approach to Japan at first but consider the state of the global mishmash of hunting cultures- They are dying, fast. We need only guide the bodies to collapse in the right place. Commercials, films like the Cove and other such projects are in the end more likely to affect real change. Unlike the image of ramming a Japanese Whaling boat, it doesn't look like much but Sea Shepherd's gung ho activities actually hurt in the long run. Though they can stop a season, they can't change the laws. On the contrary they make people like me look like lunatic terrorists for bringing up the subject. So my principal gripe is a standard self centered Satanic one- They make my job harder.

And of course I have to agree with your comments on the worker's perspecitve- They chose their jobs, they have to deal with the job hazards. Like colon juice. If I ever start a 2nd tumblr I'm calling it ColonJuice.

Thank you.

You see, I’m a part of the organization as an onshore volunteer. The work I do here, when, where and how I can, is exactly what you described. If I have the ability to petition my local governor against laws that would affect animal welfare in a negative way, I do so. If I discover ways I can vote to help and promote wildlife/environmental conservation wherever I can, I will do so. Even if propagandizing my homeland’s public area is possible, I’ll take on the job.

The only difference I’m seeing between us is the image of Paul’s actions to the public. I believe, at least here in the U.S., Sea Shepherd (or, those Whale Wars dudes) have a highly positive image to the public, especially when the captain and associates go on TV talk shows like Jay Leno. For other places like South Africa, Central America, and obviously Japan where SSCS is looked upon with vehement opposition, I can understand why promoting their activity would be a more risky affair.

Hah, I’ll look forward to the content on that blog.

With respect,
Invictvs

sharkchunks asked: First, I'd like to thank you very much for responding in such detail, I didn't mind the wait at all, given the quality of what you had to say. You really put things in perspective. Though I still disagree, I can see very clearly now where you're coming from. There's no shortage of Satanists who see something to admire in Rapsutin or Vlad Tepes, though both were very unsatanic characters. Your affinity for the Sea Shepherd and ALF certainly make sense in that context.

To reply to a couple specifics:

I am referring to butyric acid, from all I've read and seen on TV this substance is concentrated to a point rivaling tear gas. It's hardly a neurotoxin but it is a tactic meant to render crew people incapable of working- An antipersonnel tactic and not a form of sabotage or property destruction. Even if they used stink bombs from a mall prank shop, I find this to be a disgusting and disturbing thing to do. You don't see Batman spraying colon juice on the villains.

Most of my references are from their own website, supplemented by Greenpeace and Wiki's cited articles. You can see the most concise listings of their illegal actions on polemic sites like High North and ICR, but things like his jail time for assaulting a cop and sinking boats are very common knowledge and the stuff they boast of most highly. I can try to track down the webpages and episodes and newscasts, but---

It becomes a moot point with ALF. You admit they commit crimes and it is Satanic fundamental to obey the law of the land (and presumably the sea). In the USA, it is legal to keep animals in cages and not to break and enter. Were it up to me, people who abused an animal in the slightest would be subject to the harshest penalties. I'd give the death sentence to a man who mutilated a cow to fit his milking machine. But Satanism is about pragmatism, not idealism. We work toward ideals but not at the cost of ourselves, or of the law, even if we know justice better than the lawmakers.

You recognize that you yourself wouldn't do it, that you would choose your battles. My original question was merely why you so strongly admired those who didn't. I too live vicariously through heroes and villains who act as I never would so I can accept that answer. If Whale Wars were an HBO fictional drama, I think it would be one of my favorite shows. But seeing a would be martyr ramming boats in the real world, be it a protest, a vigilante act or as you say, anti-poaching enforcement (And I disagree on that one for their methods and targets), it just loses the fantastic, artful appeal in favor of harsh reality.

I can't seek a vicarious thrill or just enjoy the just motive like you can here It's not Free Willy to me. It's an engineer retching on the deck of his boat and learning to curse the cause of 'environmentalism'. A cause I feel deserves the best warriors- Better ones than Paul Watson and any criminal who would turn environmentalism into a bloody crusade.

Again on the butyric acid point, yes, it is a sort of anti-personnel tactic. However, its entire purpose is to be used against the workstations themselves, rather than the workers. It’s a deterrent for the whalers to continue their illegal activity. Above all, it should be noted most that the best and most effective tactic in the entire Sea Shepherd arsenal is completely nonviolent—tailing the factory vessel, the Nisshin Maru. Of course you don’t see ‘Batman spraying colon juice on the villains’… but you do see him regularly damaging the property of criminals to prevent their illegal activity.

I’ve watched a documentary on Paul Watson describing in detail many of his quarrels with the law in the past. It’s interesting to notice that he used to do a lot more crazy things back in the day as compared to now… however, I’ll look further into what you’ve said. I know it’s definitely like SSCS to brag about past endeavors and getaways with angry governments.

On the ALF again, I agree. With Satanism, Illegal activity is highly discouraged, however, it can’t be overlooked that it also says that if you feel you must break the law, you do so at your own risk. I wouldn’t necessarily call it un-Satanic to break the law, but certainly damn-well close to it. Because beyond that, it’s all you… and in this case, it’s all your decision of whether or not you go down as a martyr, or stand up for what you believe in and do the Satanic thing, which is to take full responsibility for your actions.

“But Satanism is about pragmatism, not idealism. We work toward ideals but not at the cost of ourselves, or of the law, even if we know justice better than the lawmakers.”

I fully understand and agree with this. This is why I can’t ever see myself doing anything with the ALF… but I do admire it completely. To put it in the best terms possible, I’m not about to go to jail for my beliefs… but I’ll certainly encourage others to do so if they will it.

You said you disagree on how they’re enforcing the laws in the southern ocean. May I ask what you’d propose as an alternative means to putting the killing to an end? I’m of the opinion that if you really want to hit someone hard, you hit them in the wallet—which is exactly what SSCS’s mission is to do.

You also mentioned how you view it from the perspective of the whalers/workers themselves. I understand your position here, I honestly do. Being one who always makes an effort to see all sides of an issue, I’ve often thought about this as well. But I eventually come to the conclusion of how I don’t really care what they think. They, themselves elected to take part in a slaughter, whether it be for financial reasons or not. I would personally look for other opportunities to arise in the paper before I went out on a wildlife killing spree… even if I were living in poverty somewhere in the mountains. Some would call that self-sacrifice (un-Satanic,) but I wouldn’t. I can take physical scars far more easily than mental ones—to me, it’s just another case of picking my battles.

And as was once said, “There’s no such thing as negative publicity”; the perspective of the whalers only makes the Sea Shepherd cause more virile and potent… so I’m on board.

Thanks again for the great discussion.
Invictvs

sharkchunks asked: Something I don't understand about your views- Satanism is inherently against illegal activity. Why then do you support the Sea Shepherd, the captain of which has been arrested over and over, using limpet mines to sink manned boats, has shot at police with rifles, used chemical weapons on humans, claimed property destruction isn't a crime, and invoked God as an excuse for his illegal acts?

I understand their motive is just, and very Satanic. Do not kill animals unless threatened or for food. But I find nothing Satanic abouIt idolizing a criminal who attacks human beings who've done him no harm, in playing martyr and begging to be arrested over Reykjavik, or in making a just cause into a rally for terrorist vigilantism.

Japan has relented for the month. But consider the long term implications of making animal welfare a terrorist cause. They're no better than the ALF or other ecoterrorists. This childish violence may feel good in the short term, but in the long term it will get people killed, and gain legal protection and sympathy for the whaling industries.

Just cause or not, if Muslims did the shit Sea Shepherd did would you not be calling for their heads? Respectfully,

-Shark Chunks

Hey again, Shark Chunks.

First, I’d like to apologize for the amount of time it took for me to get to this. My will to write has been hindered a bunch lately and blah… I’m not enjoying it very much. I’ve been wading through too much of an intellectual muck.

Next, I’d like to address some of these issues you speak of. The issue with limpet mines is something I’m aware of, but from what I understood, those ships were not manned. They were docked in their harbor around midnight when he disabled them. When you mean ‘used chemical weapons on humans’, are you referring to SSCS’s tactic of using butyric acid against the various whaling fleets? If so, you should know that it isn’t a toxic substance. In fact, it’s a common food/perfume additive that’s produced in the colon and found in things like vomit and things like, as they state themselves, butter. The Sea Shepherds have never injured another human being (at least, there’s yet to be any proof them doing so.)

For the other things you claim he’s done, I have no clue where you got them from. I’ve never once heard him state that property destruction isn’t a crime or invoke “god” as a scapegoat (though, for his admirable actions, I would support it because it’s a way to escape persecution though manipulation; very Satanic.) However, I’m quite sure he would be behind bars today if he ever shot at any policemen. Could you cite any valid references for these claims?

As for Paul playing the martyr (like in the few cases where he begged to be arrested due to how he had done nothing wrong,) I have no problem with this either. Paul is Paul and I am me. We’re two different people with the same goals, just different M.O.’s. I don’t plan on ever being a martyr for any cause unless there’s way more in it for me than doing so otherwise. Also, I definitely wouldn’t call it ‘terrorist vigilantism’ in any sense. It’s still a just cause to me. Although I’m sure you don’t apply, there are far too many people who think SSCS is a protest organization when it’s not. It’s an anti-poaching organization whose means of operation are through direct action.

The word “eco-terrorist” has a different meaning to me than most. For everyone that uses the term regularly, they mean it in a way that portrays environmental activists as criminals, even when they work within the confines of the law. To me, “eco-terrorist” means the opposite; a terrorist to the ecosystem. Of course, ‘terror’ isn’t the word I’d use to describe what “services” like fisheries, poachers, oil-companies, and whalers do… but it’s quite close to the term I would use, which is rape. These people rape the world of its resources outside of the boundaries of what nature can handle—and they do so without also handling themselves by any other means that aren’t where the next dollar will come.

You also made (negative) mention of the ALF. Personally, I admire the ALF as well. I think they bring much needed attention to the horrid ethics practiced by animal farmers. While, yes, their activity is very illegal in the eyes of the law, I support them on the basis that what the farmers are effectively doing to animals is akin to torture, which I find vastly more illegal than breaking an entering. However, as I stated above, I won’t be a martyr for any cause—including the ALF. At the end of the day, what they do is illegal. I don’t feel like going to jail for rescuing one or two pigs when I could be doing something outside of the penitentiary that could potentially save the lives of thousands of other animals from illegal slaughter. Like I said before, I know how to choose my battles.

Also, I don’t think Muslims (or even the radical ones) are in any way comparable to Sea Shepherd, nor do I think I need to explain why.

I guess my main point is that regardless of the un-Satanic behavior Paul Watson exhibits, I highly support his cause. It’s not like he’s running for High Priesthood for the Church of Satan, so I’m completely fine with him. Personally, I think he could be more honest and not fake being shot at while wearing a pre-prepared kevlar vest on TV, but hey… whatever works and helps out the cause.

Thanks for asking again, Shark Chunks. I knew this question was coming sooner or later.

Invictvs