As long as the seal hunt is sustainable and poses no threat to the arctic ecosystem, i have no problem with it. If the species remains viable and the seals are allowed to fulfill their ecological niche year after year, both as hunted and hunter, than the seal hunt is a legitimate and viable form of subsistence for those who wish to partake. I.e., i have far more respect for the sealing industry than i do for the cattle industry and its inherent cruelty, ecological destruction, and unsustainable means of production.

Andrew

__________________
Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

I am the proud owner of a seal fur hat and matching mittens with the ruff made from sea otter. There is no material comparible in extreme temps in the -40 and colder ranges. Also its waterproof characteristics and protection from wind really make it ideal. I dont bother wearing mine until it is 0 F out or cooler.

Wearing one in LA on the coldest day of the year there would have you sweating while sitting on the deck.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest:

Those hunters are staying fairly close together and shooting outwards. I'm assuming(though I honestly don't know) that seal hunters tend to be scattered across the killing field and facing all directions.

A stray bullet that was intended for a seal isn't the only risk. A weapon with the safety off and a finger on the trigger is very dangerous when standing on ice. Especially when you add the 270 kg animals thrashing about in close quarters.

__________________
During the journey we commonly forget its goal. Almost every profession is chosen as a means to an end but continued as an end in itself. Forgetting our objectives is the most frequent act of stupidity.
-Friedrich Nietzsche, The Wanderer and his Shadow

All good socialists have villas in Southern France. That's not the point.
-Eurosocialist

Ticky-tacky hair splitting.

I'm sure these guys have footwear with appropriate traction if they're out there swinging clubs around for Pete's sake. Give 'em golf shoes or football cleats for Chrissakes!!!

And once again, if the gun is pointed downward, there is little risk involved. Aside from that, there is a certain amount of risk involved in almost anything.

I think the reason these people continue to use clubs is because of some narrow-minded adherence to tradition as many indigenous type peoples are wont to do.

"My father did it this way, his father did it this way, & his father's father did it this way, so by-God I'm gonna do it this way too."

Screw that shit.

Hi Folks,
In terms of this seal hunt, and comparing to other harvesting methods in other areas, the main reason for not using a firearm is the damage done to the pelts. Whereas this is largely a commercial endevour. Whereas in Alaska where seal hunting is limited to subsistence hunting, it is largely done with a firearm from a boat nowadays. It takes a fair amount of skill to get a hit, as usually only the head is visible and not a large target, put into the motion of being on a small boat on the sea and well there is a reason the Ruger Mini-14 is quite popular for the task.

__________________
Abstinence Education at its finest:

Is that what they use on Death Row in Canada ?

Who are you quoting?

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Luap in post 15.

Matt

__________________
De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

Thank you.

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Here's the whole quote, in context:
Canada has a death penalty? It appears as if moon has a few decades to catch up on history. Oh, silly me, history started in 2000 for many.

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Si Modo;
Oh, so you mean that Canada has a sense of morality when it comes to putting creatures to death ? In that case, why are these arseholes allowed out to hack into the wildlife with spikes ?

A circuitous route, but we got there. Thank you for your assistance.

Are you a vegetarian or a vegan? Do you have any leather shoes? If so, then I understand your reference to morality w.r.t. killing animals. If not, then...well....

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

Coming from someone who supports war, but claims to value human life.... hello mr teapot....

Nobody can escape the hypocrisy that is inherent in this culture Si Modo, not even you.

Andrew

__________________
Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Golly. Another thread about me. How flattering.

__________________
I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

The EU's enviroment commissioner is working on an EU-wide ban or at least very strickt rules on seal imports from Canada. Some European countries have already banned seal imports. The EU parliament has already called for tougher rules so it's fairly certain a new law will be approved.

EuroNews : EU to ban cruelly killed seals