Judi Lynn

Another country Mr Watson would not be any near in the future I guess.... To not respect other nations legal standards is maybe not something he like to do I guess... Even when he in theory have to wait for whatever Costa Rica want to do and the German State Dept. Also decide to do with the man... At least in Costa Rica he would be given a public founded health care when in Prison... He looks like he cold have use for it...

Diclotican

tru

You have to respect the LAWS in a country, even when you are not in agreement with what the country always do you know.. Otherwise a lot of people who visit US could do a lot of stupid things in the US, and just leave the country with inpunity...

And the US are not exactly on the high moral grounds, when it came to killing endangered animals are you?:... Clean up your own act when it came to killing of endangered animals, before you put your fat finger to others and tell them who to behave..

Diclotican

The incident in question happen in Guatemalan waters. Watson's group stopped the Costa Ricans illegal shark-finning operation at the request of the Guatemalan government.
Watson chose to skip bail in Germany because the Japanese were attempting to extradite him to Japan.

Randomthought

I think it is you who is to get the facts straight here... The German authorities was asked by Costa Rica to arrest, and keep Watson in custody to so the man could, if necessary been extradited to Costa Rica, to answer for legal wrong doing he had doing against a Costa Rica coast guard ship....

And I also stand by my point, that I doubt many in US have the right to accuse others - when them self is rather good at killing animals to extinction all over the world, thanks to big business.... And that happened all over the world as we speak...

But, I guess it is okay to skip bail, when it happened to be an american - and wrong as hell - if it happened to anyone who are not an american - and is not part of Mr Watson's Crew.... If an german had skip bail in the US, and was coming back to Germany - the US State Dept would be over it as a shark smelling blood, and even threatened with military actions, if not Germany put the man who had skipped bail on the next Lufthansa flight back to the US...

As US did under GWB, when in theory the International Criminal Court, or ICC could arrest and put american service men/woman on trials for crimes, and the US was all over driweling with drams about putting SEALS on the job, to extradite americans who was hold at an dutch prison complex. Even if it had been the end of US/NATO partnership for mounts, maybe years to come...

But I agree that crimes where plants or animals are in danger of going extinct should not be going un-answered.. But I have some decent doubt about the real ideals behind mr Watson's messing around all over the planet.. Somehow I think he do it much for the stunt, and for the public show he receive - than for the fighting against they who want to fish or destroy animals to the brink of extinction.... He might have had great ideals in the beginning when he was fighting "the good fight" But the last 10 year I fear he have been rather full of himself - and want to be the star regardless of what become of the ideals he once hold... And Sea Sheppard is some of a money machine for him too.... But then again, it cost to have a couple of ships sailing around the world - and the legal representatives he hold anywhere he goes is not going on cheap I guess....

But again, I find it rather interesting, that he want to rather loose 220 thousand euros - because he skip bail, than to fight the extradition to Costa Rica... The german authorities had not decided what to do yet - and the case WAS open until he run from the country... The german Authorities could as easy as sent him to Costa Rica, deiced it was not enough evidence to put him on a airplane due Costa Rica... Or to put him in an airplane to Japan.... He might as well ha been told to be a free man - and to not bother the german authorities again with stupid actions... Everything was up to grasp - and then he kind of f*** up the whole thing going into hiding somewhere... I'm not sure THAT was the smartest thing to do either...

He IS a brave man - even if he uses metodes that is way out in co-co land... But then again, you don't get your own show on Discovery playing it safe....

You are only repeating your opinions. BTW Watson is Canadian not American.

Randomthought

And what is wrong repeating my opinions I may ask?... Last I checked it is legal on this site to do that, repeating my opinions, as long as it doesn't insult others... And even though I doubt we will ever se aye to aye on this, I doubt I have insulted you in a way, that would be to hurtfully..

Ah, good for Canada.. They must be so proud about their "son"

Diclotican

Randomthought

When I stand corrected I accept standing corrected I might be a stupid "norse" but I do know when to fight, and when not to... And here I stand corrected about the nationality of mr Watson at least.

Diclotican

catbyte

So it is okay to break the law, when it fits Sea Sheppard and Paul Watson - but not if a person, like the evil bastard who killed over 70 people in Denver did it then?...

And it is differences between the denver shooting and what mr Watson are doing here and there - but in principle they both break the law - one of them do it with impunity, the other will problery getting the death penalty for his actions....

Why should mr Watson be over the law - that he in fact can do with impunity whatever he se fit, even with a decent goal as protecting endangered species.. He have to face the reality somewhere down the road - as he more than once have steeped over the line going from being the warrior of endangered species, to be promoting himself, regardless of what come out of it.. Many country's would be pleased if he was to sort things out with them, as he have used methods who not always have been inside the legal means of protecting endangered species around the world..

In a way I think mr Watson Is a man to have respect for - but also a man who stir more anger than most other do. He fight for what he think is right, regardless of the outcome - but sometimes I think he do it with the wrong tools... Trying to sink naval ships, twice or more his own ships size is maybe not the most prudent outcome of fighting for the rights of wales, or endangered species around the world... Even if it is the "right" things to do, it is not always the "vice" thing to do....

And sooner or later, Sea Sheppard and mr Watson will try to get up against a nation who doesn't care about how respected he is in many eyes, and will arrest the man - and put him in a prison Cell. Who is far worse than the prison cells in Japan or Costa Rica... Lile PRC, who dosen't have the greatest track record what comes to human rights....

Dilcotican

Just an fyi.

flvegan

I do - but you seen to have forgotten some facts - and that is that I also have pointed out, that the support for whaling is on the slow side of things this days - and have been it for years and years.. And you also seen to have forgotten the fact, that I have also pointed out that it will possible end in a ban of whaling some year down the road...

Try tell the whole truth next time....

Diclotican

That just breaks my heart. Nobody could look into the eye of a whale and not realize they are sentient. One of the most profound experiences of my life came in February 1996 when I was in a zodiac between Maui & Lanai when a female humpback swam under our boat and hung out for half an hour while 2 males fought over her. I will never forget it.

I have nothing but pity for the ignorance of people who are "proud" of whaling and dolphin slaughter. Anything but subsistence whaling is immoral and I even have a problem with subsistence whaling in this day and age. Being native, I know how it's tied to their culture and how important culture is--it's your soul--but still I'm torn.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Taz, Nigel, and new baby brother Sammy, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage--HISS!”

Absolutely none. I have watched documentaries about Alaskan Native people and how they depend on subsistence whaling for their survival. I would much rather these people kill as many whales as they feel they need, rather than let them becomes wards of states with nothing to do but drink, fight, abuse one another and then commit suicide.

And if you think I'm saying the life of a human is more important than the life of an animal, that is precisely what I am saying.

You know in your heart what is right and you'll fight for it.

The CR warrant seemed a bit hinky, but doesn't this mean that Germany could now issue a warrant? I'd guess that a lot of countries would take such a cut-and-dried warrant from Germany a bit more seriously...

would you want to piss of a country with the size of its economy that you maybe trade with.

At some point an Interpol notice could be issued

Isn't there a warrant from Costa Rica already? The Germans will arrest him if he is found there, but for what reason would they seek him outside of the country?

usually when you dont show in court thats what they do. unless german law dosent allow that but it would be strange if they did.

He was arrested in Germany only because CR wanted him extradited. The Germans are not interested to get him extradited to Germany from somewhere else, he didn't commit any crimes there.

court, i dont see a judge not being pissed at that and not ordering him to appear. Wonder if there is a german version of dog the bounty hunter and if they have a tv show.

that's why I asked what you meant - it is a common misunderstanding for Americans to assume that fleeing from prison or not to appear in court when so ordered, and "skipping bail" is a crime in itself, but in Germany it isn't. He doesn't get his money back, is all. And no, there are no bounty hunters here, neither in real life nor on TV

He's a hero of the first order.

for them to dig up a decade old arrest warrant from Costa Rica, in Germany.

Remember bail is your guarantee that you will appear for whatever hearing to be held (In this case an extradition hearing). If you do not appear, the bail is forfeit. Thus Germany gets €250,000 Euros.

The bad part is if and when he is arrested in another jurisdiction, he will be denied bail. i.e. he will sit on Jail till the hearing on his extradition. Thus he has to make sure he is in a country with no extradition treaty with Costa Rica,

As to the underlying dispute, that is NOT in litigation at the present time, it is something the Extradition treaty could cover i.e. is it a defense in the extradition treaty that the alleged crime took place in Guatemala waters but involved a Costa Rican vessel? Guatemala and Costa Rica do NOT share a common border, Honduras Nicaragua and El Salvador are in between. Thus the issue is one of piracy, a private person taking over another ship on the high seas by force. My understanding of International law is that since 1857 such acts by privateers or other private persons have been outlawed (The US refused to sign or ratify that treaty till 1862, when Lincoln and the Senate approved the treaty). Thus, if he had permission of Guatemala, as a private person, he still had NO LEGAL RIGHT TO STOP THE COSTA RICA SHIP, only a Naval or Police (or other governmental) agency can do so.

Remember taking a ship from anther country is an act of war, and as such the Hague treaty applies (Thus the US Coast Guard is a MILITARY FORCE with Police Powers, not just a Police Force).




The Hague Treaty of 1907 controls such shipping:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague07.asp

Article 1

A merchant ship converted into a war-ship cannot have the rights and duties accruing to such vessels unless it is placed under the direct authority, immediate control, and responsibility of the Power whose flag it flies.

Art. 2.

Merchant ships converted into war-ships must bear the external marks which distinguish the war-ships of their nationality.

Art. 3.

The commander must be in the service of the State and duly commissioned by the competent authorities. His name must figure on the list of the officers of the fighting fleet.

Art. 4.

The crew must be subject to military discipline.

Art. 5.

Every merchant ship converted into a war-ship must observe in its operations the laws and customs of war.

Art. 6.

A belligerent who converts a merchant ship into a war-ship must, as soon as possible, announce such conversion in the list of war-ships.

Art. 7.

The provisions of the present Convention do not apply except between Contracting Powers, and then only if all the belligerents are Parties to the Convention.

Art. 8.

The present Convention shall be ratified as soon as possible.

The ratifications shall be deposited at The Hague.

I am not happy with this guy. When I was in the Navy, a ship acting as the Sea Sheppard would be considered attacking our ship and we be treated as such. Attempting to foul the props in rough seas is extremely dangerous. When a ship cannot maintain enough speed for the rudder to be effective it can easily roll. Saving a whale could easily cost the Japanese crew their lives. Sorry, but in my world people>animals.

I am a vegan and generally agree with his mission. Since I think eating or killing ANY animal is wrong would it be ok for me to slash tires at the local McDonalds? A bit of hyperbole I know, but the analogy is awful darn close.

He keeps activities like this up, then one day he'll probably get his wish.

Part of me thinks he should have faced up to the punishment like a man. However, I do generally agree with his mission - of course the Japanese are lying with their 'scientific whaling' program, and they have to be stopped. Even if Watson fled, he was brave enough to try and stop the Japanese.