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EU rejects appeal for total ban on Canadian seal products

CONSTANT BRAND

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 12:46 AM EDT 28/01/07

Says reports on inhumane hunting methods were ‘partly contradictory' ...Read the full article

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  1. Har Har from Canada writes: We should ban Belgian chocolate for being inhumane to fat people.
  2. P Scott from Canada writes: Profit over life. Beautiful.
  3. Tony . from Waterloo, Canada writes: Ahh, "survival of the cutest" at it's finest. If seals were butt-ugly no one in the world would give a damn about this.
  4. Pippa Smith from Canada writes: Indeed. Unless everyone who objects eats no meat, or only free range meat, and wears no leather, they are hypocrates -- domestic meat, and poultry, raising and killing methods are pretty disgusting. And I assume everyone knows what 'veal' actually is.
  5. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Some comments are really ignorant! Yes the seals are cute so what? Sharks, cod or cormorants are not, and I still care about their survival. By the way, I am a vegan, so no hypocricy here.
    The seal hunt is a disgusting enterprise . At least they should have the decency to call it a "slaughter" not a hunt. In a hunt the target has the chance of getting away, but have you seen a weeks-old seal trying to get away from a 6-foot grown man with a bat? PATHETIC.
    Every one who supports this carnage should be dropped off on the ice to witness it first hand. Maybe then, they will have the right to speak for it if they are still unmoved by such violence against defenseless creatures.
  6. Pat MaGroyne from Boston, United States writes: Man you guys can be such rubes. If you want to get the Euro's to do business with you, you have to MARKET to them.

    Example-"From the people that brought you Hamburger Helper and Tuna Helper- Introducing Seal Pup Helper!!One of life's simple pleasures is to relax after a busy day and enjoy a good meal with ones you love. Seal Pup Helper dinner mixes bring families to the dinner table for a hearty, wholesome meal. Simply add a dead seal pup to Seal Pup helper and in 5 minutes your little eskimos will be screaming to join in the hunt"..

    Just trying to help.
  7. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Gee Pat. Thanks for the input...NOT!
  8. R Swift from Forest, Canada writes: I'm glad te EU didn't cave in to the animal welfare lobby. Unless the EU is willing to take on the issue of Spanish bullfighting, they have no right to comment on practices in other countries.
  9. Scary Fundamentalist from Vancouver, Canada writes: We should cull all humans who aren't cute.
  10. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: All due respect to Marcela Donato, but species all over the world are being driven to extinction every day.... yet seals, all six MILLION of them, receive literally boatloads of attention every year. Why? Because they're cute... Actually, that's a bit deceptive. Seals don't receive attention because they're cute. They receive attention because animal rights groups can build HUGE fund-raising campaigns around them that might not be successful if they were based on... oh I don't know... some rare form of toad. So yeah, to some extent, seals get a lot of press not because they're endangered but because they're cute and blood on snow looks great for the cameras. I've already resolved this issue in my mind but it remains for you to decide: What is REALLY more important? A small fraction of a non-threatened species dying publicly, or an entire species wiped from the face of the earth silently while we wail over seals... CUTE seals, mind you.
  11. god bless canada from Canada writes: By the way, I am a vegan, so no hypocricy here. well i for one think vegan should stop killing inocent plant what have they ever done to you. most studies show plants have feeling and can feel pain .so why do you kill the poor little plants murderer
  12. hofner e2 from Canada writes: Marcela; Quit the hysteria and learn some facts. Baby seals are not hunted and all sealers are not 6 feet tall. (Survival of the fittest has dictated that shorter, stockier people predominate in cultures where fishing from open boats has been a big part of their heritage. Tall people have a higher centre of gravity and tend to fall overboard and drown. I kid you not. Tour the bays of NFLd. and measure the people! Better still get me some funding and I'll go measure them for you this summer :>) You're a vegan. Well great for you if that's your preference, but please enough of the holier than thou. Where does your food come from? How are the land and water resources which are used in it's production cared for? I have many years experience in this field myself. Is it truly more environmentally friendly and humane to destroy streams, rivers and ground water resources and the creatures than live in these eco-systems? Get informed on what rampant development is doing to the water table in the GTS and beyond. Plow up all the worlds natural grasslands and grow grains there if you want to see a nightmare. How far is your food transported from it's origin to your table and what are the environmental impacts of said transport? Just a few of the questions you may wish to contemplate over a veggie burger. And please do not commit the act of environmental hypocrisy by washing it down with bottled water (don't even get me started on that one). Oh and by the way, when the hack are you going to stop shipping your garbage to the US for disposal? What horrible neighbours! Hysteria is the antithesis of good environmental stewardship. I watched for years as drift netting and the like destroyed some of the world's richest fishing grounds while pseudo-enviromentalists could only get their heads around the easy media issues which are the 'cash crops' of their 'industry'. Blah to them all! Love and kisses Chris
  13. J.C. Davies from Canada writes: Maybe it's me, but the mass slaughter of seals by way of clubbing them to death seems out of place in the 21st century.
  14. Richard Daystrom from Canada writes: Pat, you're forgetting one more thing - I would think seal meat is full of omega 3s because of all the fish they eat. You know, the fish from the depleted Grand Banks. Unless of course seals have been ordering out all this time and really don't like fish. If all the seals in the Maritimes disappeared I wouldn't shed one tear and I would hope Bridget, Sir Paul and Heather went along with them.
  15. Randy Massek from Toronto, Canada writes: J.C., it's always a given that clubbing is inhumane, but shooting them is not. Why's that? Clubbing knocks the animal senseless on the first blow, while shooting doesn't necessarily work that quickly.
    Anyways, either method is more humane than how their natural predators kill them.
  16. J.C. Davies from Canada writes: "it's always a given that clubbing is inhumane, but shooting them is not. Why's that?". Probably because of the mental image most people have in their mind when they hear about seals being clubbed to death. It may be that clubbing is no more painful than shooting. Nonetheless, the average person is still going to take issue with "clubbing". This may not be fair to sealers or communities that rely on the hunt but it is reality.
  17. goofy fathead from Canada writes: stupid tree huggers. the pups have been prohibited since the 80s.
  18. glenn hoefer from Forks, United States writes: Marcela, you are a vegan, so what?, Your excrement stinks just the same. All those dead poor vegetables, so helpless they can't even run as the are sliced from their lives to fill your waiting mouth. All things we eat had life, I do not discriminate.
  19. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Chris, talk about holier than thou! I know exactly where my food comes from, thanks. I buy from local farmers and only organic. I do as much as I can to lessen my environmental footprint. I do not really get where your point comes from or where it's going but nothing will make me change my mind on the seal hunt. It sucks and it is a disgrace on Canada.
    The same politicians that determine the quotas for the seal hunt are the ones who have let the cod stock be fished to depletion and who have just opposed an international ban on bottom trawling. So do the math.
    You would get your message across better with a little less hysteria yourself.
  20. JOL REI from Ottawa, Canada writes: I think the argument that the seal hunt is vital to the survival of the Inuit is also a shade out of date in the 21st century. The rest of society has to "get a good start in life" and be on a career track by age 6, but there is this notion that Aboriginal peoples survival depends on staying on the land hunting, fishing, and trapping. Shouldn't they be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century with the rest of us? That said, I have no problem with hunting seals as long as it's done sustainably, but it's a bit useless if there's no market for the product.
  21. Dale Haynes from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada writes: Marcela,
    Seeing as you are from Toronto, I will have to forgive your ignorance. The anti-seal lot would never want to see the end of the hunt. It is too big of a cash cow. They prey on urbanites like you, with twenty year old fil footage and misleading facts. Sorry you have ben duped. The industry has cleaned itself up.

    In addition, a total ban on the seal hunt would also do serious damage to the economy here in Nunavut. Don't believe me? Read Hansard from the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, they have already procliamed that they are in support of the east coast hunt.

    No doubt we will have to rehash this issue again come springtime, when the anti-seal hunt brings out yet another ill informed celebrity like Paul Mccartney.
  22. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Seeing that you are from Nunavut, I'll also have to excuse your ignorance. 20-year old footage? Ha! If it makes you feel better...

    By the way, the majority of the sealers are not aboriginals, they are commercial fishermen who rip the pelts from the seals' backs and leave them to rot on the ice. You can see the list on the DFO website. I love to live in the city because I seriously believe that in the 21st century we don't need to fish and hunt to survive, there are a long list of productive things to do out there.

    Go to the the HSUS website and tell me if that is 20- year -old footage. I think you've been duped by the Government's lies.
  23. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: The days of the seal hunt are numbered. The EU rejected the ban but each country will pass their own. I leave you all with this since I have to go write the cheques going to the IFAW and HSUS.

    January 25, 2007

    (Brussels, Belgium – 25 January 2007) – In a landmark unanimous vote for conservation today, the Belgian Parliament has banned the import of all seal products.

    “We applaud the Belgian Government for taking this historic step and reducing the demand for seal products derived from a cruel and unnecessary commercial seal hunt,” said Lesley O’Donnell, IFAW EU Director.

    “We hope the Belgian example will encourage other European nations to adopt their own national bans, closing the door on the trade in seal products.”

    Across Europe there is a groundswell of opposition to Canada’s commercial seal hunt.

    The German Parliament voted unanimously on a motion urging the government to ban seal products, just one month after the EU Parliament passed a Written Declaration in support of an EU-wide trade ban.

    “There is a clear message being sent to the Government of Canada,” said Olivier Bonnet, IFAW Director, Canada.

    “It is time the Canadian Government stopped propping up an industry which has no future.

    “In light of this ban, and the Government’s own scientific data showing the current hunt is unsustainable, the commercial seal hunt must end.”
  24. John L. Murlowe from Colony of Vancouver Island, Canada writes: Imagine! Europeans, the master races of brutality, interference, and profiteering around the world, preaching to others.
  25. Dale Haynes from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada writes: USHS??? So now it is OK to have outside groups from the U.S. dictate what we can and can not do in Canada? Come on up to Nunavut and ask the people how they feel about the anti-sealing campaign. Keep drinking the cool-aid.
  26. A M from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada writes: Well... the EU has a brain only if the PM could convince the United States, animal right groups, and Hollywood to reject a ban in seal products and stop them from coming up to Atlantic Canada and protesting on a traditional hunt that been going on before the Europeans even came to the Americas.
  27. hofner e2 from Canada writes: Marcela; LMAO! I really don't care what you think you poor misguided creature. My point is that as we watch the degradation of our land, water and air people like you distract the focus with your financial support of emotional issues. Congrats on the organic choices. Unfortunately most people have no idea where their food comes from, and I would be very suprised to se a vegan menu that in our climate can year round can be supported by local purchasing. My guess is that you, like most people, have been so removed from your natural environment for so long that you can't tell the difference between ugly and obscene.
  28. Barbara Germain from Canada writes: Thank goodness for people like Marcela Donato. If you don't have compassion for animals you aren't capable of compassion towards humans. The world would be a better place if we were all vegans!
  29. harry carnie from NORTHERN,B.C.., Canada writes: The fact is ....THEY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.
  30. Dark Angel from The West, Canada writes: Hey is it that time of year already? One sure fire way to end up in celebrity divorce court is to protest the seal hunt in Canada. Step right up TomKat, Bradgelina lighten up the load.
  31. pauly pauly from Canada writes: Macella - it is a good thing you live in Toronto where you don't have to go out and fish, hunt and gather to sustain yourself. I guess your are right that it is easier to go and buy your food - You would not last long in Darwin's world - balance is always the answer and sometimes things need to be killed before balance is restored - If you are looking for an allie, lets go kill 5.5 million seals and I will be on your team....
  32. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: and who decides what to kill and how much, to achieve "balance"? Fishermen decided to cash on the abundance of cod or salmon, for example, and those stocks are far from balanced... By the way, if there was ever an imbalance, especially when it comes to cod, it was completely man-made. The seals are the perfect scapegoat.
    Let's face it, if the seals wouldn't amount to cash no one would care how many million are out there. These are all excuses to massacre animals and make a buck.
    So forgive me if I don't put my trust on man when it comes to balancing nature. I will put my faith in Nature, God or whatever you want to call it.

    Regarding giving money to the HSUS, I say that if Canadians don't have the balls to stop this obscenity, I will support whoever will.
  33. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: By the way, the Director for Canadian Wildlife issues at the HSUS and the main force behind the anti-sealing efforts is Rebecca Aldworth, a Canadian from NEWFOUNDLAND.
  34. Hugh MacDonald from Canada writes: Marcela Donato from Toronto, "Every one who supports this carnage should be dropped off on the ice to witness it first hand. Maybe then, they will have the right to speak for it if they are still unmoved by such violence against defenseless creatures. " WHOOO HOOO, where do I sign up? Actually, I'd like to start a chapter of PETA (people eating tasty animals), because like it or not, Marcela, I am an omnivore and always will be and if you don't like it, go cry in your tofu, and stop crying over spilt soy milk!
  35. bruce reid from Toronto, Canada writes: Marcela provides the best example of the empty barrel making the most noise. Seven posts so far. Why do you care about seals so much? I mean, come on - they're seals for cripes sake, not starving babies in Somalia. But then, starving babies aren't nearly as cute as wet-eyed ocean mammals. I guess everybody has to do their part, but it must be depressing when you realize that your part is so small and unimportant.
  36. Dale Haynes from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada writes: Rebecca Aldworth, a Canadian from NEWFOUNDLAND? Yeah and so is Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Where in Newfoundland is she from? I don't know, she is not saying. The media in Newfoundland have been looking for the answer to that question for a couple of years now. She is no more a Newfoundlander than you are. Why don't you ask her were she is from?
  37. Shawn Bull - The new and improved 2007 version from Canada writes: Pat MaGroyne: That was freakin' funny. Marcela, the seal hunts days are not numbered unless you plan to head north and wipe out the Inuit. I notice the vegans from their nice comfortable chair decrying the seal hunt. What would you suggest the Inuit eat or sell to survive?
  38. Dijer Dije from Ottawa, Canada writes: If the seal population continues to balloon faster than fish stocks can rebuild themselves (if they can) then how humane would the starving of six or seven digits worth of seals be? Hmm

    Any video that isn't 20 years old and shows white pups being killed is evidence of a crime. Since the anti-seal lobby uses such imagery to roll in the dough, their main fundraising strategy is based on exploiting criminal activity against helpless animals and shaping it to their own ends. They then take that money to lobby against legal hunters. Hmm

    It's hard to take many policies of the EU seriously. When a bear being spotted in Germany is international news, it makes policies for sustainability and reintroduction of species in Canada seem years ahead of the EU. Hmm

    Until the EU discusses not buying oil from countries that treat people worse than seals...
  39. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Thank God I'm not from Newfoundland!
    Those who oppose people who defend animals most likely do not care about animals or humans for that matter. Those who talk about the starving kids in Africa, most likely do nothing to help those children. The cause I choose and what I do with my money is no one's business but my own.

    It's so funny how omnivores take offense when someone says he/she is a vegan. if you want to eat meat and have the beef rot in your colon, be my guest, Hugh. It doesn't bother me, my conscience is clear (though I doubt you have one).
    Regarding the Inuit, that's more BS. No one is against hunting by aboriginals.
    The whole anti-sealing movement is about commercial hunting. If you ask me, I do not have a lot of respect for all aboriginals since many sell their licenses to kill polar bears for $20,000 a piece.
    Keep the insults coming! And yes, the days of the COMMERCIAL seal hunt are numbered.
    By the way, the video footage viewed by the entire world is not of white coats since that would be illegal. It is of beaters or even adult seals being sadistically beaten, stomped on and left to drown in their own blood.
    God! the ignorance... No wonder we are still fishing and hunting for survival in this country (which we like to called "civilized!" HA!).
    Bruce, I see you took the time to count my e-mails...WOW! It's 8 now...
  40. Terry H from Moncton, Canada writes: And if Canada stops the seal hunt totally like the morons at peta want, what happens? The seal herds will balloon from the huge 6 million there now, to over 20 million plus..... where will our fish stocks go? i will tell you where, into the gullets of the seals, who, contrary to the propoganda of groups like peta, do indeed eat a lot of fish. About 10% of their body weight a day. that's about 10 to 40 pounds of fish a day depending on the seal's weight. Take an average of 25 pounds a day times 6 million at present count, and that's a whole lotta fishies dissappearing every single day, (about 150 million pounds daily) with nothing being put back by the seals, except the bones maybe. That's at the current 6 million seals, what if it goes to 10 million, 20 million?? What little fish there are will be gone. Polar bear populations are dwindling also, because of global warming. They are almost an endangered species and they feed on seals, if there is pack ice. This ice is becoming much less every year, so much so that now we are seeing news about polar bears drowning because there is no ice for them to walk or hunt on. They swim for days looking for ice, till they drown. So the seal population will rise even faster. So I say to the EU, butt out, or we will start telling YOU how to raise your food and hunt and kill your animals for food. And to the twit Jimmy Buffet for banning Canadian seafood in his silly eateries I say, pffffffffft, who cares. Maybe we should ban your music.
  41. ross sako from lloydminster, Canada writes: We are all omnivores. Humans are predators whether they are from T.O. or from Newfoundland. Call yourself a vegan or whatever but that is a choice. Our bodies are evolved to eat vegtable and animal matter. BTW, isn't a seal just as dead whether it is killed by a native or a commercial sealer?
  42. Rick Drysdale. from Sidney BC, Canada writes: Pippa Smith from Canada writes: Indeed. Unless everyone who objects eats no meat, or only free range meat, and wears no leather, they are hypocrates --
    I agree with this but you forgot to add that the animals they eat must commit suicide.
    There should be tours of slaughter houses for the people who object to the hunt.
    Terry H the thing about polar bears is wrong .The populations in some areas is down, they are moving further north. I really doubt that they are drowning too ,where did you hear that?
  43. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: Marcela, in all honesty, if you want to know why more people don't support environmental causes more often I'm afraid you only have to look in the mirror. I tried to think of a polite way to put that, but there really isn't one. On this forum, you have spoken abusively and condescendingly towards anyone who provided even a rational discussion point that opposed you. You've insulted a culture that is, frankly, a great deal kinder and more respectful than you are... and you've mocked people for doing things that they are quite literally DESIGNED to do! Look, I can appreciate your cause. I think you're a bit over the top about it, but I can appreciate it. What YOU have to appreciate is that the ONLY reason baby seals get so much attention from environmental groups is because they are a great fundraising campaign. I'm sorry but it's true. Pictures of furry little bleeding corpses are GOLD! If these were cockroaches being insensitively stepped on, I guarantee we wouldn't be having this conversation. Image is everything here. Whether these good people believe in your cause or not, nobody likes being talked down to and nobody likes being manipulated, and that is EXACTLY what these groups are trying to do. Heck, it is EXACTLY what you yourself are doing RIGHT NOW! When I read some of the political posts on this site, I honestly wonder why people bother because frankly nobody is going to be convinced to change their mind by someone who insults them. Marcela, I'd give you the same advice. If you just want to pick a fight, feel free. Everyone else here does. But if you really and truly BELIEVE in your cause, then do something about it besides insulting people you know absolutely nothing about. Cheers!
  44. S D from Kingston, Canada writes: I don't understand what the difference is between killing a seal and a killing a cow, pig or chicken? As long as a hunt is done as humanely as possible and won't endanger the species then I think many people do not have a problem with it. Now the animal right folks will say clubbing is barbaric - does that mean if we shoot the seals the hunt will be ok? Don't think so. And if they want to debate the conservation aspect then fine, yet they still just come back to it being "barbaric" and "wrong" and not purely about the number of seals.

    As others have said, this is about money on both ends - both the animal rights groups and obviously the sealers. At least the sealers will admit it they're in it for the money.

    Where's the EU ban on bacon? Or hamburgers? When will people stand up for the pigs? Stand outside a Loblaws and through blood on everyone who buys sausages?

    Explain to me the difference between a dead seal and all the other dead animals that are killed for humans and why killing a seal is so bad that people who do or support it are barbarians and those who just had chicken for dinner are not???
  45. Scot Affleck from Prince George, Canada writes: I support my local Mickey-D's and I also notice those cute seals are not vegan!! Get to work on that , will ya Marcela?
  46. D G from Canada writes: Gee #4 Pippa Smith. Unless you are willing to eat your pets, I guess you are the hypocrite.

    Life is precious but it seems certain humans fell they have the right to kill whatever they please.
  47. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: "Another opinion from Toronto, Canada", It is easy and hypocritical to ask people to be nicer while calling them "condescending", "abusive", etc. Maybe you are the one who should be looking in the mirror since you are being preachy and condescending yourself. At least I am not afraid to use my real name.

    I am very intense on this issue and I won't apologize for it. But so is everyone else on this forum. They have called me every name in the book, only because I speak out for animals , decide not to eat meat or dislike the seal hunt. If someone speaks out for anything other than humans, they are instantly called " stupid tree huggers" and everyone assumes they don't care about any other causes. Well, these assumptions are wrong. I'm used to it though, everyone reacts this way. I just feel you are in no position to give me advice and like you said, no one is going to change their minds on the seal hunt.

    I'll leave by using your own words; "But if you really and truly BELIEVE in your cause, then do something about it besides insulting people you know absolutely nothing about. Cheers!" You know nothing about me, and I really truly believe in my cause. That is why spending any more time on this forum is a waste if time. Good luck.
  48. D G from Canada writes: Terry H, remember your history books when Cabot sailed over the Grand Banks and the fish slowed down his boat there were so many of them? Guess what, there were seals back then too, and still lots of fish! Now what has changed? Oh yeah humans! Mother Nature has a nice way of balancing the environment so if there are too many fish, their predators and/or disease increases. When there are too many predators, they starve to death and level out the field again. It is humans and humans alone who have the ability to upset the balance, which they have done. Humans have killed their fish and most of the seal's fish as well. Now it's time for the humans to back off and let Mother Nature try to recover from the damage down by the humans.
  49. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: Honestly Marcela, I'm just trying to be nice. I sent you a polite message earlier and you ignored it. Instead you elected to trade insults with people who were deliberately provoking you. That was your choice. I hardly see how it's my fault you reacted the way you did. Incidentally, I appreciate the cheap shot about my ID. In fact I was curious so I googled your name. Seems you've been writing hate mail to just about every major publication in the country. I don't doubt your passion for your cause but I certainly would suggest you have anger management issues. I have no problems with vegans, Marcela. In fact, I'm related to a vegan and two vegetarians. The thing is they don't bug me about my lifestyle and I don't bug them about theirs. You, on the other hand, seem to throw a righteous fit that anyone would dare to NOT live as you choose to do. Honestly, I'm sorry you feel that way. You must be a very angry little person and you have my sympathy. For the record though, and since you seem determined not to discuss it, I will continue to assert that the only reason the seal hunt gets as much attention as it does is because it is a tremendously lucrative fundraising venture for the majority of environmental and animal rights groups. Funny that you've taken shots at everything else I've said but you won't discuss that. Cheers...
  50. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: For D G: "it's time for the humans to back off and let Mother Nature try to recover from the damage down by the humans"

    Well said.

    Despite my disagreement with Marcela, I firmly believe that human beings could, and should, do a better job of resource management and preservation of wildlife and wilderness habitats.

    Things like "it's mean" and "it's cruel" and "they're cute" and "they're endangered"... all that leaves me cold. But allowing the enviornment to return to a natural state? THAT is something I would love to see.

    I'd happily pay to see huge swaths of land allowed to simply grow wild and return to its natural state.... and I don't mean hundred acres or thousand acres... I mean MILLION acres... but that's just a pretty dream right now... since environmentalists are busy saving seals.
  51. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: Since you had time to google my name, you might want to google environmental groups and see that they are not just busy saving seals but they are involved in many worthwhile causes, like trying to stop the illegal trading of ivory, stopping Kimberley Clark from clear cutting BC's forests to make toilet paper, etc.

    Yes, I have written many letters to the editor on the issues that are important to me, how is that hate mail?
    Get a grip, Pal. Maybe you are the one that needs some therapy or at least a pill or too.Why do you feel so threatened by people who disagree with you?

    Since you want to discuss the money raising issue. Yeah, seals pose as great props for fundraising but if anyone is going to do anything about this or any other issue, they need money. The IFAW, for example, goes out on the ice every year to document the slaughter and then travels the world to show the images. Greenpeace is currently intercepting Japanese whalers with their ship Esperanza ans sea Shepherd is also on an anti-whaling mission. I do not expect you to support these groups, but if they are going to do the things they do (lobby, protest, buy or rent ships, helicopters, save animals, treat them, rehabilitate them, etc) they need money. It's that simple. And if they use seals or Pandas because they are cute to raise money for their work, good for them. That's what I think about that. I know you are going to disagree and send some insults my way, so I'm outta here. Not interested.
    Maybe that's why you are not showing your real name, so we can't track down all the hate mail you write?? We had a sample of that right here.
  52. Another Opinion from Toronto, Canada writes: LOL... wow. If you think what I wrote was hate mail, then you really have had it easy. Would you like me to share one of your flowerful statements? I found this one on a site called Friends of Animals: "you must be from Newfoundland, where else in Canada do they breed such ignorant, heartless excuses for human beings?" I'm guessing you're not a friend of Newfoundlanders, eh? Now THAT is hate mail, Marcela. I never said environmental groups don't do anything else. I'm simply pointing out that the reason this PARTICULAR issue gets so much press is because it is a lucrative issue. Ironically, environmental groups make MUCH more money from the seal hunt than the hunters do. I find that rather funny, and more than a little sad. Believe it or not Marcela, and I'm sure that you don't, but I don't disagree with a lot of your views. I've been an outdoor lover all my life and have given speeches on the practice of No Trace Camping. I simply don't like your approach to the subject. You are right about one thing: I don't give to Greenpeace. Let me tell you why. About ten years ago, when I had first moved to Toronto, I was down on my luck and living rather poorly in a boarding house. One day a fundraiser for Greenpeace came to the door looking for support. Having almost literally NOTHING, I offered some positive words but no money. She then proceeded to spend a good five minutes ranting at me for not donating until I simply slammed the door in her face. Since then I practice my own form of environmentalism, and you know I stumble sometimes but I'm getting better at it every day... and I don't have to try to belittle others to do it... although in your case I must admit it is a perk.
  53. Marcela Donato from Toronto, Canada writes: If you are going to show my post from a year ago, you should also post what exactly I was reacting to, which was an equally hateful rant from someone from Newfoundland on the seal hunt issue.

    I am flattered you spent all this time researching me, by the way.

    Like I said, I won't apologize for opposing the seal hunt, the sealers or those aboriginals who sell their licenses to hunt polar bears to trophy hunters from the US so that they can display their polar bear rugs at home (Mind you, I am against the crooked aboriginals not all of them! Thought I should clarify before you call the hate mail police).

    I agree with you on something, I do not like Greenpeace's tactics either.
    And you are right about the NGOs making more money than the sealers, that is why these groups have been proposing buy back licence programs for the sealers for years but they won't hear of it.

    I guess we'll have to agree to disagree and if you enjoy belittling me , go ahead. Wish you used that energy to fight bigger evils than someone defending animals with some strong words. Good luck to you. I'm off now and for real this time.
  54. Dale Haynes from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada writes: Another Opinion from Toronto is right. You have a history of spewing all kinds of hateful and irrational opinions towards people from Newfoundland all over the internet. I like this one "Why is it that Newfoundlanders with some brains have to leave Newfoundland? " Are you Implying that those that remain on the island don't have any? "Ive seen sealers take their sons on the ice and teach them how to bash a seal pups head in, with pride (and yes, a 15-day old seal is still a baby!) . Have these sealers ever heard of a college education? " Once again I guess the college educated must show us the way to live. I have been family and friends in Nunavut and Newfoundland who rely on the seal fishery to feed their families either directly through the hunt or through secondary processing of seal products. (Seal oil is an excellent means of helping to lower cholesterol). Look, on this G&M site I see lots of people from all over Canada calling you out on your whole approach to the issue and your outrageous statements. People are getting to the truth about this issue and making their own judgements on what the anti-sealing crowd is all about, playing on emotions and fattening your wallets. Your ilk are being exposed for what you are, fanatics who insist on pushing your will on others.
  55. Bob Rollheiser from Canada writes: Despite venomous outbursts worthy of a federal election, the overall tone of this debate shows potential for, if not agreement, at least a reasonable definition of the conflict. Ladies and Gentlemen, thank-you and goodnight.

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