Monday, December 15, 2008

Nathaniel's first post on the seal hunt.

I'm guessing that you think I'm about to pull out some seal pup pictures and yell about how cuddlywuddly the seal pup is, and how it shouldn't be hunted because of it's cuteness. Yeah freaking right. I'm here to inform all of ye animal activists that the seal hunt is not a bad thing. But first, who am I?

Well, I'm your friendly neighborhood Nathaniel, of the genus Homo, and the species sapien. That's right, I'm a human like you. I'm all for the saving of the earth, but some people are a little too nit picky, and/or, doesn't look beyond the bundle of cuddly fur. Other than this, like it says in my profile, I wrestle bears and fight off rhinos with my laser gun. My mark on the enviro quiz was Wolf paw,which I'm proud of, because wolves are awesome, and that werewolves are better than vampires.

Back to the rantary. Well for one thing, the little fuzzball used in protests is actually illegal to hunt, so don't try and pull that crap. And another image used to try and stop the seal hunt is the hackapick. Which is much like a club. Now your thinking "GASP! They club those innocent things!" Yes, yes we do. But, in reality, when beaten with the club, they feel almost no pain, and die instantly, instead of having to shoot them, and wait for them to slowly bleed to death. So that aside, which seems more humane? And you know what? The choice that causes less pain is actually banned now. Yeah, so much for loving the animals. Also, those seal pups are vicious, not quite so cuddly, and once again, you can't hunt them anyways, but it wouldn't help protests if they had to use the blubbery grey blob.

Now on the front of why it must be continued. Well, you may not know it, but this is a vital source of revenue for my province, and home. Many many families make their living through the seal hunt, and if it was shut down, and made illegal, then all these people would need to start over, and it would cause a lot of pain for them, and would most likely scrap any future plans.

And if your still all for no seal hunt, consider this. The seal population is not bad at all. They are a thriving species despite the seal hunt. So we can't make them extinct at this rate by continuing the seal hunt, but if we don't hunt them, then they will over populate. And when they over populate the demand for their food is high, thus, they over hunt the fish, and the already damaged fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador will become even worse, possibly killing off almost every fish in the area. The province is also highly dependant on the fishery, so even more jobs will be lost, and hopes crushed, not just the fishermen, but all of the people working in the fish processing plants will lose their jobs and income, making the all of the people there move away, and it could kill the province entirely. Which is a terrible thing. But not only the people will suffer the entire eco-systeme suffers. Other species also dependant on the fish will die out as well.

In other words, to keep the world in balance, we need to continue the seal hunt. And though we're clubbing seals, we're saving the world at the same time.

The purpose of this post? To make people look beyond certain aspects of the world, not just in the green areas, but everywhere in life. Also, go save some endangered species, and leave the thriving ones alone. Seriously, whoever came up with the idea to go protest the seal hunt is an idiot.

KEEP ON ROCKING!

Nathaniel

20 comments:

Storm said...

HI NAT!!!! i am now (and probably forever. until i inevitably forget) going to call you nat. but yeah. i am neither all-for or all-against seal hunts. and yes, wolves are AWESOME! but yeah. i don't live in a seal-dependent area, but i concur on the importance of sealing to economy and also its impact on fisheries. but seal pups ARE cute. and they aren't vicious to ME! but yeah. you said something about clubbing being more humane, but what if the hunter misses his mark? he would probably cause the seal EXCRUCIATING pain, and that wouldn't be good. if you just use a good gun (rifle or shotgun for those less-marksmanly inclined) and a good scope (if you're too far away), its practically impossible to miss; and if you aim in the right place (head, back of neck, chest), they die pretty much instantly and there is less pain and less danger.
ok there was my long comment. word of advice: make shorter posts. not everyone is as bored as i am and will read the entire post. ok SEE YA!!

Nathaniel said...

I suppose your correct on some levels, but harvesting it is actually harder if you shoot it. You actually need to slit it after it's dead. The hackapick actually numbs them on impact, and even if they miss, it would take less than a second to hit the mark.

Cruz said...

*Natty is shot*

OKAY PEOPLES- WHO DID THAT?

LOL... seriously Nathaniel THIS is what you choose as your first post?... okay let's discuss it. First I do understand having economic depency on an animal based industry, I'm from Texas and we've got a lot cattle ranches, However, cows are needed for food, what exactly are the seals hunted for? Is it for sport? or is it something else? Excuse my ignorance if this answer is obvious, I've actually never heard of this seal hunt before. But if it is hunting for sport, I 'd have to say...

I'M AGAINST HUNTING! PERIOD!

I get what you're saying about the balance of the eco-system... do these seals have a natural predator that can be introduced to the environment? that could keep the eco-system in balance. again, excuse my lack of knowledge on this subject, but at least I'm willing to learn.

Second, this blog has never had a controversial post before (that I can remember) so I think it's good we discuss the harder, more complicated issues. It'd be interesting to see what people think. It's sorta like Obama's alternate energy plan, it's suppose to open all these new plants that provide renewable and clean energy and provide tons of new jobs, however it's also going to lay-off all those people who work for the old plants and hurt the economy for certain areas of the country that depend on that revenue. So some issues aren't black or white and the more people willing to discuss them, the sooner we'll find a solution. I'm willing to respect others views and discuss contraversial topics respectfully, and I know you are too, but I can't speak for anyone else here.

*^.^* Cruz

PS It was ME that shot you, but you didn't die it was just flesh-wound... ROFL!!!! you had to expect some sort of reaction with a post like this...lol

Cruz said...

Hey! New pic, I like it.

Nathaniel said...

Why thank you, and the predator of the harp seal is the orca whale, more commonly known as the killer whale. It's already there, and the harp seals still thrive. So us humans are the other natural predator. If you want to deny it, then go ahead, but humans, by nature, are predators. And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, being part of the Animalia kingdom, we are required to depend on other organisms for our food. Yes, this includes the Plantae kingdom.

The harp seal provides natural oil, and food to the people. Where it's hunted, prices are way high, so if you can get your hands on some seal, it could cut prices on food a lot, and makes life easier. I'm sure it's got a bunch of other uses, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

Also, your natural predator thing amuses me. We should release the natural predator for humans to the world. That's right, I think we should release t-rexs on the world.

Also, I most likely wouldn't kill one if I met one, but I know it needs to be done. And the point of the post was that there are a lot more important things to be protested about, so leave a situation that doesn't need bothering with alone.

Anonymous said...

well....what can i say. i never really believed that hunting was a good thing.... Cruz raises some great questions that not everyone here would have a clue about. i am also with storm on the shorter post thing. i mean... i appreciate the awesome stuff in it but i wouldn't have read it if i wasn't so bored. but please explain why you hunt the seals sport or do you use the meat like steak or venison(deer) and cook it or do you just club them on the head and leave them there. or do you use it all for some other thing.

Sorry long posts require longer comments
Later dude
-Sonar

Aria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Um...Hi

I haven't posted in a while but yeah. Anyway. I wanted to state that you, Nat (I can call you Nat right?), are a good writer.

I guess shorter posts are better, but if you have something to say than just say it. (Am I the only one who read this out of pure intrest and not boredom?)

I never thought of seal hunting like that before. Quite honestly, it sort of sounds like what most people do when hunting deer. The deer over populate the area and people shoot them. (Yes, guys, sometimes for fun) But the deer in the area are potentially dangerous to us (you know...leaping in front of a car?) I mean...I don't expect a random seal to random leap out in front of a car here but I don't think hunting is really all that bad (I couldn't do it myself) if it is controlled. (Hunting Seasons for example)

After reading your post, I saw the whole situation from a different light and while I may not ENTIRELY agree with you on some points, I must admnit you bring up some seriously amazing good points.

I believe that this blog could use some contraversey every once in a while. (As long as we don't get over the top insulting)

I have to go eat, but that was a very enlightening post.

Echo

(Ps sorry if any of that was confusing, I'm a little rushed for time)

Spirit said...

Hi!

ummmm First...I don't like hunting, but I understand what you are saying, so if it is necessary then ok...but NOT if its for fun...then the hunters are evil murderers who take the lives of living things for no apparent reason....like that evil human I know....this I strongly believe is wrong...
Plus, on another note... SEAL BABIES ARE SO CUTE!...And they've never hurt me when I played with them...

Spirit said...

Oh and Saphire is insulted that you say that werewolves are better than vampires...She's kinda part vampire....soooo...yeah...she believes that they are equal and neither hold superiority over the other

Nathaniel said...

Thank you Echo for your intrest. I also agree that if one has an opinion, then it should be voiced to the lenght required.

Also, Sonar, all points brought up by Cruz were adressed in my comment.

And I think that all topics should have as many angles shown as possible.

Spirit said...

Radar: I feel that our comments have been ignored Saph...

Saphire: I agree Ray.

Radar: I feel unloved

Saphire: It is ok, you are loved by other people.

Radar: But not even a hi...

Saphire: Not all people say hi...Remember Bubbles?

Radar: Oh yeah...didn't he insult us?

Saphire: Yes...and then Lilac fell for him...

Radar:...Good point...alright...

Nathaniel said...

Once again, let me point out that the survival of the Animalia Kingdom is to depend on other organisms for food. It's natural to hunt, even if it's for one nice meal or something like that. That's the harsh truth, that isn't so harsh once you come to understand it.

Plus, I doubt you've braved the frozen north and played with wild baby harp seals. They are vicious. Zoo tamed animals are wusses, because that's how they were raised, not to need to hunt their own fish.

There is one thing that will never change. For a human, no no, for an animal to live, a hell of a lot of life ends. You don't want to accept it, then ask your self why your still alive.

And sorry, you put up your comments while I was writing mine.

Cruz said...

If it's hunting for food, then I can understand... thanks for clarifying (and your and Sonar's comments were almost at the same time which is why it looks like he asked questions after you answered) but I'm with Radar, about the hunting for fun isn't right... and I never denied humans are natural predators.

I'm not informed enough about the whole clubbing vs guns thing to take a stance... so nothing to add there

and what's up with you and talks about dinosaurs? lol... I read the Japan post on the other blog... NO!!! don't release the t-rexs!!! and YAY! I amused you! lol

HEY! I read your post out of interest not boredom, but of course I like your writing so I would have read it no matter how long it was Thx for answering my questions

*^.^* Cruz

PS Seeing your pic, now i wonder what a manga pic of me looks like

Nathaniel said...

Oy Cruz, I didn't say that you did. That was adressed to everybody. If you do, then your most likely delusional, or too much of an idealist for your own good.

Because dinosoars are awesome. Geez.

Thanks Cruz for your intrest.

Then do one up. More people should use this as a display.

Cruz said...

lol yeah dinosaurs ARE awesome, idk what I was thinking asking such a question lol

Spirit said...

YAY! Cruz agrees with me! I am happy that someone is paying attention to my opinions!

Spirit said...

I have so played with wild baby seals and Storm was with me!

Timothy Reid said...

Well thats interesting, you have a very different point of veiw. However you make forcefull points and I say its people like you, who thinks about the bigger picture and sees pact the "cutie" fur and fuzzy that actually are able to change the real evils of this world.

Heather Peterson said...

Ok I see what Nathaniel is getting at...Kinda.....I understand that seals have a bad side,and that they can over populate....I think they should put a limit on how many hunted per year.Maybe that could help a bit.