BS: Sir Paul & the seals

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:34 PM

he's a seal nowhere man

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:23 PM

I'm impressed you're impressed, gnu. I also think you've come close to the truth with the 'eye to eye, cut the bullshit' statement. There are those in the shadows who would inflame the passions of either side in order to avoid tackling the fundamental problems around issues like this.

You may remember the problems we had in the 80s in BC with old growth forest. It became tree-huggers vs lumberjacks and got more and more bitter and divisive. While they fought it out McMillan-Bloedel et al quietly took the trees, took the money, took the jobs and buggered off.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 06:08 PM

Love ya, katdarlin, but I have to challenge one of your premisies. You said:

Better Nature than humankind which is supposed to be of such high consciousness

Why is it better that nature does it? Dead is dead. Nature often kills with much more cruelty and pain than does man. As to the consciousness of man, I would agree that much has been fouled up in the name of providing for mankind. And only mankind has the ability to affect whatever repairs need to be done. Much of what has been fouled has been done in order to provide habitat for humans. That is not to say that rampant sacrifice of resources to the detriment of our Mother is OK. It is to say that emotional comments without basis in fact are just as egregious from one side of the spectrum as the other.

Wo/Man is a predator. More importantly s/he is this way naturally. One need only look at ones teeth in a mirror to know that we are thus. Wo/Man has killed species for food and clothing for its entire history. This also is a naturally occurring condition. Further, every tribe, clan, group has taken animal hides, bones, and body parts for ornamentation. Whether they prayed to the Great Spirit in thanks for the gift, or they hooted into a cellphone to brag about the kill, this is a kill none the less.

The real question for me is whether there are alternatives, and should we force them on a people who have been doing this for generations. The first question is essy. Of course there are, but they require a committment of dollars (read that taxes), and many of those that cry for the seal pups are unwilling to pay. The second is much trickier. I do not believe that we should force anyone to give up their way of life, provided they are not endangering the species. These hunts are controlled very well, and apparently there is a market for the product. I can see no reason to force a people to live as something other than what they are, just because I am uncomfortable with the act of killing. I am also uncomfortable watching livestock being slaughtered, but I am not giving up eating meat anytime soon.

Death is death, Sir Paul. I wonder how many animals died from the pollutants created in the process of creating your synthetic parka? Wearing leather? You know the rest. I appreciate that you are committed, but I think your judgement is off a bit on this.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 05:57 PM

Gee... I just heard Paul talk on ATV. He made some good points. I was impressed. The lad seems to be getting up to speed. Thank goodness. Perhaps, if everyone were to get up to speed, we could see eye to eye without all the bullshit. And get down to the real problem, which is why I started this thread.

Save the Beatle.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 05:44 PM

Again, I must point out that I am not "in favour of killing seals". I have been against the killing of seals since 1983. I stayed at a boarding house in Makkovik, Labrador, while working on a survey crew on the construction of the airstirp in that rugged and beautiful spot.

We had seal for supper the first night after we arrived. We had seal for breakfast the next morning. We had seal for lunch, supper, breakfast, lunch, supper.... you get the idea. Finally, I asked Missus if there was else to eat. She offered caribou stew. I was elated. Until... well, let's just say there was no meat in it. But, I did not, and have not eaten seal since. If I ever eat seal again, I'll be as hungry as those who try to scratch a living out of sea, those whom Paul thinks are barbaric.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,Sonny Barger
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 05:43 PM

Look gnu, You got that story a bit twisted there. It was actually you I told to lay off the hogs. I also tipped the gas guy $400 U.S. Is Mick Jagger gonna be protesting this Seal pup hunt. If so, let your friends over in Newfoundland know, we will be showing up if he does.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Peace
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:15 PM

Koo koo ka choo?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:11 PM

Perhaps the affinity is due to the walrus?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Peace
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 03:05 PM

The Inuit don't think so.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 02:49 PM

seal luvs you yeh yeh yeh
seal came in thru the bathroom window

I'm glad Paul has come out of the closet on this one - instead of putting hidden meanings in his song lyrics. If you play Yesterday backwards, it sounds a bit like Eskimos Piss Off!

can't all be just coincidence

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Cluin
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 01:49 PM

I'll bet you're right, Pinky.

He's very clean, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 01:42 PM

For the 99.99% of folks on this forum who never heard of him, Danny Williams is the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. A politician, lawyer, and former president of OIS Fisher, an offshore oil and gas supply and services company vs Paul McCartney, former Beatle and spokesman for not smashing seal's heads in.

It should be interesting. I doubt it will change the opinion of those of us who have come down one side or the other on this topic. Plus ca change ...

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Cluin
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 01:38 PM

I hear Sir Paul and wife are next planning to show up at a few Morris Dances in their own country to protest the indignities practiced during that debased ritual.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 01:22 PM

Oooohhh, Danny b'y, the lads, the lads, are calling youuuuuu. From floe to floe, to rip Paul a new arsehooooole...

... on Larry King Live, CNN, tonight at 22:00h AST. Sir Paul versus Danny Williams. I don't think Paul knows what he's in for.

I recall about twenty years ago, I stopped at a gas station near Flat Bay. While the rather small fellah that owned the station was gassing up two motorcycles, his two wee lads of about six or seven, began trying to get up on one of shiny, monster Hogs, un-noticed by their father. A huge, burly Hell's Angel came out of the station and let out a roar.

The wee lads vanished in a cloud of dust. Before the owner could say a word, the biker let go a torrent of "pissed off", interjected with the odd profanity. At the end, he turned kitty corner, pointed to his colours and asked something like, "Don't you know who we are?"

The Newf asked, "No. Who might ye be?"

Astonished, the biker said, "That's the colors of the Hell's Angels and about three hundred of us just got off the ferry."

The Newf paused, and asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Biker, with disdain, "Who the fuck are you?"

Newf, slowly, and seriously, "Well, I, sir, am a Newfoundlander. There's about six hundred thousand of us on this Island. How the fuck are ye gettin off it?"

The biker look stunned for about two seconds, and took to laughing. He gave the owner a hundred dollar tip, U.S.

The bikers left and the owner started pumping my gas. He gave me a nod and a wink and said, "Tree 'undred of 'em, eh b'y. I 'ope dey all stops 'ere."

Apparently, that biker had a bit more sense than Saint Paul.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,Dazbo
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 11:15 AM

I saw that photo this morning. My first thought:

That'd make a nice hat for a cold day like today.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 11:15 AM

This may help a bit... probably not... from CP...

McCartney cooed and spoke softly as he came almost nose to nose with bawling pups on the frozen expanse.

Nearby, worried mother seals peered anxiously from areas of open water, clearly frightened by the men and women who so desperately want to be their saviours.

At one point, a prone Heather McCartney began to pet one of the furry pups, which turned and snapped, narrowly missing her hand. Federal regulations prohibit people from touching marine mammals.

"These are such beautiful animals and in about three weeks from now this whole place will be a sea of red and these pups we are seeing today will be dead just for their fur," a genuinely upset Paul McCartney told reporters on the ice.

"It's something that shouldn't be happening in this day and age."

Jean-Claude Lapierre of the sealers association on Iles de la Madeleine said the hunt will go ahead as planned, despite McCartney and hunt protesters.

"These people don't understand what the hunt means to us," Lapierre said at the local airport where he greeted McCartney but didn't get an opportunity to debate the issue.

"It's an important part of our lives."

The most recent figures suggest the industry, which started in the 1700s, was worth between $15 million and $20 million annually and employed up to 10,000 people, most of them in Newfoundland. Supporters argue that income from the harvest is vital to remote communities with few other economic opportunities.

The McCartneys, longtime animal rights activists, noted the Canadian government had approved a three-year management plan in 2003 that set the total quota for harp seals at 975,000 - a move that prompted renewed outrage among conservation groups.

Phil Jenkins, a spokesman for the federal Fisheries Department, said he took the opportunity to make Ottawa's case directly to McCartney when he spoke with him during a flight into Charlottetown on Wednesday night.

"Sir Paul McCartney said that he had heard that the seal population was declining and there was a conservation issue," Jenkins said.

"In fact, the seal population is at 5.8 million animals and that's about triple what is was in the 1970s."

Jenkins said he was concerned by the McCartneys' decision to pose with the youngest harp seals, known as whitecoats, because hunters have been banned from killing them since 1987.

Under federal rules, harp seals must not be killed until they lose their white fur. That can happen in as little as 12 days, but most of the seals taken are about 25 days old, the Fisheries Department says.

Thursday's protest was organized by the Humane Society of the United States and the British-based group, Respect for Animals.

"This is the biggest thing that has ever happened in the seal campaign," said Rebecca Aldworth, spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States.

"Paul and Heather McCartney are two of the most visible people in the world and they are two of the strongest animal protection people in the world. Them taking a stand for seals today will help us to bring a final end to the commercial seal hunt."

She said the proposed licence buyback program should include compensation for lost income.

"Given that the federal government subsidized the return of the commercial seal hunt (between 1996 and 2001) we think this would be a good investment to see its end," Aldworth said.

Earlier, the McCartneys released a statement describing the hunt as brutal, and they cited a 2001 independent veterinarian report that concluded close to half of the seals killed were likely still conscious when skinned.

The Fisheries Department says it has an independent report that suggests otherwise.

"Sometimes a seal may appear to be moving after it has been killed; however seals have a swimming reflex that is active - even after death," the department says on its website.

"This reflex gives the false impression that the animal is still alive when it is clearly dead."

The department has also insisted Canadians support Ottawa's policies, citing a February 2005 Ipsos-Reid poll that concluded 60 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of a "responsible hunt."

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 11:01 AM

On the front page of the Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Times & Transcript newspaper today is a pic of those twits two feet from a seal pup and the poor pup is obviously scared shitless, with it's mouth agape, either bawling for Mum or hoping to get a bite in self-defense. I would love to see one of those assholes get a nasty bite for being so cruel to that poor little defenseless pup.

Where was Paul a few weeks ago when the pups were dying on the beaches because of the lack of ice for birthing? I'll bet there wasn't any ice around his little punt.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 10:35 AM

Better Nature than humankind which is supposed to be of such high consciousness. All humankind has done is fucked up Nature to the point there are major problems in all areas. And, then, in a lot of cases, humankind keeps fucking it up in order to undue what's already been done.

Re' the helicopters etc. Publicity helps any cause such as this. Also, it was probably the safest for humans and the enviroment, to transport a bunch of people to the site then otherwise. A possibility posited on my part, not knowing for sure.

I am all for putting money into finding other industries for workers and people remaining where they have been for so long.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Peace
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 10:29 AM

There is a war in Iraq at present that has killed over 25,000 people. Maybe some of the really top celebrities could concentrate some effort there.

Indeed McCartney has walked the walk as someone above said. That doesn't mean his path has necessarily been the one others would choose. The destruction of the seal industry was part and parcel of the destruction of the whole fur industry. Many trappers who depended on the 'harvesting' of furs to sell and then feed their families lost their livelihood. Not all could find other work. Trappers indeed in the last 50 years have taken care to leave the populations of the animals they depended on in good shape. The same cannot be said of oil companies. The same cannot be said of the draggers to which Gnu referred. Or the whale slaughters that STILL occur. Harp seals are not an endangered species; many whales are getting close to that point--the point at which they will no longer be able to sustain their breeding population. They then will sink into history. If people are going to 'protest' in this manner, then do the protest where it counts. Harp seals ain't it, IMO.

I too am off this thread with my ol' buddy, Rapaire. (Well, he's older 'n me, anyway.)

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:45 AM

And I have seen film of killer whales playing ,what I would describe as volleyball, with live seal pups (as the ball) before dining.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:39 AM

How about a Guest Cull?
Giok ☺

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:38 AM

Them little seals are shure cute, but they don't stay that way. With the white fur and dark eyes and smiling faces they tug at the heart. However they grow quickly and in about 3 weeks to a month even their mother no longer loves them. They are weaned and abandoned to fend for themselves with a very high mortality rate. A seal does not itself kill in a humain manner, and in a school of fish will bite off the tailfin of as many as it can so they can not swim away. It can then dine at it's leisure. With fish stocks low and seal populations high most young will face slow starvation. Mankind may appear cruel but Mother Nature is as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:37 AM

The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were released back into the wild amid cheers and applause from onlookers. A minute later they were both eaten by a killer whale.

Sir Paul et al are not only stupid, they are very rich stupid people.
The Newfoundlanders would prefer work of a better paid and regular nature, but need to hunt seals to help make a living. Instead of protesting why not start putting money into meaningful employment for Newfoundland?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:26 AM

Well said Rapaire.

The attitude would certainly be much different in regards to this seal hunt ... if the baby seals were not cute, chubby and white, but were scarggly creatures, with yellow teeth that resembled some subterranean rat .. you certainly would not have seen macca out there on an ice flow yesterday.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:05 AM

Fuck you and your "Southern Moral Imperialism" crap Rapaire.

These seals are slaughtered for fashion fur. It's that simple.

I wouldn't care if it was 40,000 sealers. They are no more moral highground than the steelworkers who have been put out of their jobs, or the loggers put out of theirs, or the automakers put out of theirs...

Buy a clue, and join the REAL world.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: RichM
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 09:03 AM

Maybe the Mudcat needs a new category for this kind of discussion, which isn't going to change anyone's view.

Call it *VENT* or *RANT*

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:59 AM

I wasn't gonna post here again, but Jesus Christ!

What a pompous, unfeeling, uncaring attitude!

And I'm sorry, but it's only 40 families? Time to relocate them, then.

THIS is what is meant by Southern Moral Imperialism! MY morality is so far superior to yours that I can yank you from the your home and homeland, and I don't give a shit if you and yours HAVE lived there for perhaps thousands of years! I don't give a shit if I destroy your culture by doing so! We've done it to the Shoshone, the Blood, the Assinibone, the Inuit, the Aleut, the Sioux and that's not to mention those in Africa and Polynesia because OUR morals and culture are so superior to yours and besides, we have superior firepower.

Now I'm really outa this thread before I become angry.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:46 AM

40? Ah, 4000 sealers.

... "what the hell have you done for the planet and humanity lately?" First step is to get the facts straight.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:35 AM

And not only that 'GUEST' but they do it under their own names, show's they have the courage of their convictions.
While I disagree with their campaign I admire their willingness to stand up and be counted, and not to lurk behind a frontman like that well known Mr Guest.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:30 AM

Seal populations compteting with the fisheries are an issue in a lot of places in the world, but they don't resort to dire "livelihoods" like this barbarity.

And I'm sorry, but it's only 40 families? Time to relocate them, then.

BTW, what have gnu, et al who are so quick to criticize Sir Paul for being a celebrity spokesmodel: what the hell have you done for the planet and humanity lately? Perhaps it's time to put your money where your mouth is...certainly plenty of Sir Paul's net worth has been.

Paul and Linda McCartney (as well as his new wife Heather) and their children aren't just vegetarians, but life-long animal rights activists. Not Johnny come latelys. They've always walked the talk.

How many of the Mudcat celebrity snipers can say that about themselves and their families?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnomad
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 08:21 AM

Perhaps we could recycle all our dead people as food (human/animal, your choice).

This would save energy used for cremations, and while I know the statesiders have lots of room, we west pond-siders are rapidly running out of space for graves.

The animal lovers could show how much they mean it by setting an example.

The extreme animal lovers could volunteer to be eaten alive by big predators.

We could sell tickets, TV rights, build a big arena.

Bigger prices for celebrity extinction by carnivore.

Now we're cooking, anyone know SirP's agent's number?


Matron? Not the nasty jacket again? The needle as well? Just when I was on a roll and about to make a mint.


But just to be serious a moment, I have no problem with "celebs" or anyone else expressing their views. They should, however, be properly researched views if they expect anyone to take notice.
They should also consider the environmental cost of how they express those views, unnecessary transatlantic flights & press choppers does not strike me as particularly responsible behaviour.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 07:14 AM

Perhaps we could cull a few human beings, that would cut the demand for fish a bit?
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 07:06 AM

Peace... The big boats are destroying the fish and, hence, the stocks, with their big nets. It's not just that they catch "everything" and dump the cull or turn the junk fish into cat food and fertilizer. The same thing happens even when they catch into a school of the species they are after. The shear mass of fish in these big nets means that, depending on the species, up to 20% of a net can be so badly crushed that it can't be sent to market. In smaller species, this 20% can't even be used in fish sticks. Few large boats can pay for themselves by putting the cull in a hold for fertilizer, so it gets dumped.

Now, let's talk about draggers....

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Cluin
Date: 03 Mar 06 - 12:23 AM

Yeah, except they trot out a different celebrity spokesperson for this same cause every few years... Brigit Bardot, Mick Jagger, Martin Sheen, that McGyver dude. They come out, get a few pictures snaped, make their speech and shuffle on. Maybe it'll be Brittany Spears in 2010.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:56 PM

BigPinkLad...excellent points.

More power to McCartney and others who do try to make a difference, whether you agree with them or not.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:23 PM

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.... but he WAS layin' on the ice."

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Cluin
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:21 PM

I wonder what Macca's hide would fetch on E-bay?

(since they're selling just about everything else there now).

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 10:18 PM

That happens to most musos who sign normal recording contracts!

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 09:47 PM

Great story gnu! I love Mary already!
On the news they had Sir Paul and his wife flopping around on the ice with a young seal. Lucky that he didn't get bitten on the arse.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 09:46 PM

I watched a good cod cutter who worked for FPI. She and her husband gave me a guided tour inside a cod fish; showed me the way the fish were cut up for packaging; and they showed me the worms in the flesh of the fish. We have interfered in the natural order of things, and we continue to do so. Whales are 'harvested' by boats that give the whales NO chance; fish netted to near extinction. When the killing of seals was banned, it open another door for other types of animals to get sick, die off. Now, we have seals comin' out the yinyang. And Hollywood types who show up in leather shoes after eating bacon and eggs for breakfast really piss me off. It's not about morals. It's about publicity. It's sure as hell not about concern for animals, human or otherwise.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 09:38 PM

I was at a lovely supper in the Codroy Valley of Newfondland about ten years ago. A dozen dinner guests, including the elderly lady from next door, Mary. She was in her early nineties, dressed in Sunday best, and ever so gracious for being invited out. Delicious meal, tasty wines, after dinner drinks, great conversation.

Lew and George were discussing the decline in salmon. I described my theory that the spawning grounds in New Brunswick had been destroyed by the forest industry clear cutting too close to the waters, such that the ground water retention was absent, resulting in runoff silting up the gravel beds, depriving the salmon eggs of shelter from birds and fish and also depriving them of oxygen.

In the fleeting moment of silent reflection and thought that followed, Mary, who hard hardly spoken a word, added, "Yis, b'y. And them fucking seals eats what's left."

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 09:20 PM

Let's talk about the results of the Danish government's investigation into that godawful TV show about harp seals. And if you want to see the results of Southern Moral Imperialism, go visit the Arctic peoples -- talk with the Elders, then talk with the cops.

I'm outa this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: Peace
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:10 PM

It was idiots who ended the seal hunt that helped cause the closure of the cod fisheries. Lots more seals around and therefore lots more seal shit. The cod eat it. Worms like no tomorrow. (They had some help from the factory ships--the Norwegians, Russians, Americans, etc.) Let's then talk about unemployment . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: The Badger
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 08:07 PM

The thought of a harpooned Sir Paul has a certain appeal. Mind you, it would have to be a hefty harpoon to get through his ego!

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:50 PM

I don't think his intention is to tell anyone what to do, gnu. I think he's asking. Using a celebrity spokesdude is a fairly standard communication tactic.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:36 PM

Hmm... I can see where this is going. Nowhere. So, I think I'll just say it one last time.

I am against people who don't know or who don't understand what's going on telling those who do that they don't. That includes "top blokes".

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: gnu
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:25 PM

Well, well, well... just watched the evening news. Watched a grown man and woman laying three feet behind a baby seal while a camera crew lay in front of it, blocking it's escape. I heard it cry. Cruel way to treat a poor helpless animal.

And, after listening to the ATV reporter who talked to his nibbs, it is evident Paul knows little about the seals or the seal hunt. Trying to conserve a population that has tripled in the past thirty years to well over six million? Ecotourism will put food on the tables of the sealers? Strange that a man worth $2B isn't better informed.

That's right... $2B. I hope he tipped the chopper pilot well.

I wonder if he will accept the Newfoundland Premier's invitation to discuss the hunt?

I wonder if Sir Paul and those filmed today will be charged for breaking the law? It appears he is ignorant of the laws of Canada regarding the harassment of wild animals.

Lass... Paul doesn't eat salmon? That's good because there are hardly any left. Perhaps we could get them to pet a salmon for the camera? Nor did I see any bear-baiting or foot-binding on the news today. Don't know anything about it. And, it appears you don't know anything about the seal hunt. I hope you sent Paul a few bucks... with only $2B in his pocket, I'm sure he could use it.

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: John O'L
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:12 PM

So, just hyperthetically, what do you reckon you'd get for a beatle-pup pelt?

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 06:04 PM

What strange examples to use, you are comparing a commercial activity with a folk custom and a so called sport.
In the same way as you imply that animals are consuming grain that should go to farmers, you can justify the culling of seals because they eat the fish that would otherwise feed human beings.
It's a circular argument, and is like the cannibal who said that if God hadn't meant him to eat people, he shouldn't have made them of meat!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Sir Paul & the seals
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 02 Mar 06 - 05:59 PM

Perfectly reasonable IMHO. He's asking for the Canadian government to consider providing an alternative that would mean no hardship for those who depend on sealing. McCartney gives year after year to charities. He's a musician -- like you -- and he has provided incalculable happiness to billions of people for decades. Top bloke.

The seal hunt, like the Calgary Stampde, is a national disgrace.