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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJudge: Whales Are 'Non-Persons,' So Seaworld's 'Enslavement' OK
Published on Thursday, February 9, 2012 by Common Dreams
Judge: Whales Are 'Non-Persons,' So Seaworld's 'Enslavement' OK
- Common Dreams staff
A US district judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) against SeaWorld yesterday, saying that the suit -- which aimed to free five orca whales held by the amusement park company -- had no standing because the 13th amendment of the US consitution does not protect the right of 'non-persons.'
Tilikum, Katina, Kasatka, Ulises and Corky have been captive and subjected to treatment that we feel is slavery, said PETA attorney Jeffrey Kerr prior to the ruling. PETA had wanted the orcas released into a coastal sanctuary, acknowledging they probably wouldnt survive in the open ocean.
But the ruling did not fall in favor of the whales, or PETA.
"The only reasonable interpretation of the 13th amendment's plain language is that it applies to persons and not to non-persons such as orcas," US district judge Jeffrey Miller wrote in his ruling. ...............(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2012/02/09-2
JohnnyRingo
(18,641 posts)I thought PETA was out on a thin legal limb on this case to begin with, and if they want to ban animal use for the purpose of entertainment, they have their work cut out for them. I hope they didn't waste too much of their donor's precious money pursuing this slavery case in court, and I hope they further curb likely fruitless appeals.
In my opinion, the best PETA can do in this endeavor is educate the public and sway the consumer's sentiment away from paying to see animals perform. Even there, I doubt the majority sees this issue in the same light as PETA, but a few billboards and TV spots can go a long way for their cause.
Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)kctim
(3,575 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)Simple, no?
Whales, Inc.
renie408
(9,854 posts)Larkspur
(12,804 posts)How will we treat intelligent life on other planets if we can't treat intelligent beings here with dignity? Is E.T. a person?
HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)Is a common definition in many state and federal statutes. This judge chose persons as the basis for his ruling. This is funny..... If people are animals, what are animals? Oh I get it. Non-Persons.
I hope PETA appeals just to see the fun.
MFrohike
(1,980 posts)That may exist in a few statutes nationwide, but it sure isn't common.
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)MFrohike
(1,980 posts)Like I said, maybe a few, but far from common.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO MONEY
Shadowflash
(1,536 posts)I'm glad he shot it down.
I have a cat that might have brought charges against me for illegal imprisonment because I won't let her go outside. Not to mention the potential suit she could have for me getting her fixed without her consent. Thanks judge! I sure dodged a big bullet there!
Of course, if the judge HAD ruled in favor of the whales, they could have started paying them minimum wage and then start charging them back for room and board.
Also, the ruling might have 'unintended consequences' as, if they were to be found to be people, then the whale that killed it's trainer a few years back could be tried, convicted and sent to the electric chair in Florida. That would be a shame.
All in all, a good ruling.
Bodhi BloodWave
(2,346 posts)but the mental(cartoon) image of a whale 'sitting' in an electric chair amuses me to no end
CAPHAVOC
(1,138 posts)RevStPatrick
(2,208 posts)...on another thread about this story:
whales are more human than corporations"
Johnny2X2X
(19,114 posts)When PETA pulls stunts like this it obscures from view the hundreds of good and logical things they do for animal rights. PETA has done a ton of good, but they pull publicity stunts that hinders their cause and makes them hated.
kysrsoze
(6,023 posts)[link:|
http://www.theonion.com/articles/seaworld-whales-demand-10-percent-chum-increase,9293/
Sorry, just couldn't resist