January 21, 2014
by Mark Palmer

http://dolphinproject.org/blog/post/support-ambassador-caroline-kennedy-and-the-dolphins

Associate Director
International Marine Mammal Project
Earth Island Institute

Over a very hard weekend for the dolphins in Taiji, the new US Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, spoke out for the dolphins.

Ambassador Kennedy, in response to news reports that as many as 250 bottlenose dolphins were trapped in the Cove and waiting to be slaughtered, sent out a tweet: "Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing.” She further added that the official position of the US government was to oppose the killing of dolphins.

The reaction from the Japanese government was unfortunately as expected. Mr. Yoshida Suga, the chief cabinet Secretary and a spokesman for the government, was asked about the US Ambassador’s opposition at a press conference.

"Dolphin fishing is a form of traditional fishing in our country," he replied. He then added ominously, "We will explain Japan's position to the American side."

Japan’s government explanations for their actions on whaling and killing dolphins are full of lies and bombast. They are not interested in discussing the issue, nor do they stick to traditional Japanese courtesy and diplomatic niceties.

Ambassador Caroline Kennedy needs to be supported in her position. The Japan government will obviously go over her head to protest to the Obama Administration and the US State Department. And there are factions in the Obama Administration who have been less than supportive of the U.S. position against Japan’s whaling.

As Jane Velez-Mitchell said on her program last night (which featured Ric O'Barry): “Right on, Caroline!”

http://www.hlntv.com/video/2014/01/20/dolphin-hunt-taiji-japan-cove

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Ric O’Barry and Earth Island’s Dolphin Project Team are seeking a meeting in Tokyo with Ambassador Kennedy and in December sent her materials including a copy of The Cove.

Send a message to the White House and to Secretary of State John Kerry, urging them to support Ambassador Kennedy and use their influence to end the Taiji dolphin hunts.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

http://contact-us.state.gov/app/ask/session/L3RpbWUvMTM5MDI4MjE1NS9zaWQvTFVUSDZWS2w%3D

You can send a message to the US Embassy in Japan thanking Ambassador Caroline Kennedy for opposing the Taiji dolphin drive hunts. You can encourage her to use her influence to help end the hunts.

http://japan2.usembassy.gov/e/info/tinfo-email.html

nt

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/25/taking-ownership-one-japanese-protestors-fight-against-slaughter-cove

nt

https://www.facebook.com/OccupySeaWorld

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/dolphin-hunt-ambassador-caroline-kennedys-concern-21592710

Most DUers eat pigs, which are highly intelligent animals, and part of the meat industry which is the third leading cause of climate change.

I'm not saying we should all eat dolphins. I am saying maybe we shouldn't eat pigs.

Tyson Foods - Animal abuse

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152075598507140

also see:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/01/09/beginning-end-gestation-crates?cmpid=tpfood-eml-2014-01-11-Cheerios

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/jo-anne-mcarthurs-new-book-shines-a-heartbreaking-spotlight-on-invisible-animals-photos/

TO THE JAPANESE FISHERMAN OF TAIJI
FROM YOKO ONO LENNON, 20 JANUARY 2014

Dear Japanese Fishermen of Taiji,

I understand how you must feel about the one-sided-ness of the West to be angry at your traditional capture and slaughter of Dolphins. But that tradition was made only when the world, and Japanese Fishermen did not know what it meant to do harm to the Dolphins. I’m sure you have heard so many speeches in which all of these things have been discussed. So I will not bore you with it.

But I think you should think of this situation from the point-of-view of the big picture. Japan has gone through such hard times lately. And we need the sympathy and help of the rest of the world. It will give an excuse for big countries and their children in China, India and Russia to speak ill of Japan when we should be communicating our strong love for peace, not violence.

I am sure that it is not easy, but please consider the safety of the future of Japan, surrounded by many powerful countries which are always looking for the chance to weaken the power of our country. The future of Japan and its safety depends on many situations, but what you do with Dolphins now can create a very bad relationship with the whole world.

The way you are insisting on a big celebration of killing so many Dolphins and kidnapping some of them to sell to the zoos and restaurants at this very politically sensitive time, will make the children of the world hate the Japanese.

For many, many years and decades we have worked hard to receive true understanding of the Japanese from the world. And, because of our effort, Japan is now respected as a country of good power and ingenuity. This did not happen without our efforts of many decades.

But what we enjoy now, can be destroyed literally in one day. I beg of you to consider our precarious situation after the nuclear disaster (which could very well effect the rest of the world, as well).

Please use political tact and cancel the festival which will be considered by the rest of the world as a sign of Japanese arrogance, ignorance, and love for an act of violence.

Thank you.

Yoko Ono Lennon
20 January 2014

http://imaginepeace.com/archives/20166

Slavery was a tradition. Human sacrifice was a tradition. To hell with "it is a tradition".

http://www.seashepherd.org/commentary-and-editorials/2010/01/29/the-bogus-science-of-the-japanese-whaling-fleet-121

http://www.takepart.com/blog-series/cove-watch/2011/12/20/Cove-Star-Ric-OBarrys-2012-Resolution-End-Taiji-Slaughter

see http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024363589#post37

I sent e-mails to the White House and the State Department asking them to support Ambassador Kennedy's effort to end the horrific dolphin slaughter in Taiji, japan.
I also sent an e-mail to Ambassador Kennedy, thanking her for her effort on behalf of those beautiful, intelligent mammals who are about to be slaughtered by the Japanese government.

Thanks for supplying the links.


Indirectly related to this issue, is the upcoming whale slaughter off the coast of Iceland.
Whaling in Iceland provides little economic or cultural benefit to Iceland.
Much of the meat is sold to tourists, and the rest is shipped to JAPAN for luxury dog snacks.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/11312486/

started by n2doc

'Angel' Dolphin chosen for captivity; its mother commits suicide in "the Cove"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024366911



started by MoonRiver

TAJII DOLPHIN DRIVE IS NOT TRADITON - It began in 1969!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024367577




started by Ichingcarpenter

250 dolphins are being held captive in a cove on the coast of Japan,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024348260

nt

"This PSA, directed by Andres Useche, features an incredible array of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Hayden Panettiere, Courtney Cox, James Gandolfini, Evan Handler"

(Warning ... a few graphic scenes)

http://player.vimeo.com/video/17129452

I was watching Lawrence and switched to AC360 to hear the panel's take on the dolphin slaughter.

Jeffrey Toobin says, "Not all the dolphins are killed."

As if that makes it all right.

Wait, not photogenic enough:--KFC alert withdrawn.

Watch "Katie"