Maybe. I do know that Greenpeace protesters have been injured in their defense of whales. Note that I'm not advocating anyone getting injured.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Well, in the event that they start sinking whaling vessels and the operating countries start sinking protest vessels in response, I doubt many are willing to give their lives.

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There can be no bystanders in the battle for survival. Anyone who will not fight by your side is an enemy you must crush.

We are at war with forces too terrible to comprehend. We cannot afford mercy for any of its victims too weak to take the correct course. Mercy destroys us; it weakens us and saps our resolve. Put aside all such thoughts. They are not worthy of those in the service of country.

Oh, I'm sure.

Of course, I'm not suggesting that Greenpeace sink the whaling vessels. I'd like to see the US Navy do it.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Seriously? You realize that would be an act of war on our part, right?

__________________
There can be no bystanders in the battle for survival. Anyone who will not fight by your side is an enemy you must crush.

We are at war with forces too terrible to comprehend. We cannot afford mercy for any of its victims too weak to take the correct course. Mercy destroys us; it weakens us and saps our resolve. Put aside all such thoughts. They are not worthy of those in the service of country.

I do. I'm not delusional; I know that it can't/won't happen. But, I'm OK with saying "I'd like ____ to happen" with the full expectation that it won't.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

I don't think it's the fact that the Navy won't sink the whaling boats, or that they would get into trouble for it. It's that to do so would be wrong.

Why?

Whales > whaling boats.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

It would be an act of war. This year though the Australian navy had a destroyer patrolling the waters that the Japanese were hunting (oops, sorry - engaging in "scientific research") in, as a means of monitoring the situation (on both sides); and at one point it was used as the intermediary to engage the return of two Sea Shepard activists who were kept imprisoned on the lead Japanese whaling ship.

The issue is an odd one in Japan. The majority of Japanese aren't interested in eating whale blubber, yet government schools are 'asked' to purchase it. The stock pile of blubber has increased, as the price has fallen.

You have to keep wondering;

Can't they do most of the research with whales that died of other causes (besides a harpoon)? or without killing them?

When do you realize it's not a tradition to hunt them anymore, especially when the meat caught is much more than the hunters would eat themseleves?

Kinda reminds me of the war crimes arguements... just keep waiting and people might forget, either that or the whales will all be dead and the point will be moot.

Thanks for your comments gaijinalways. It's interesting to read the comments of someone actually in Japan, as it's this view that we rarely see in the media about this issue. Usually it is a govt official speaking out in support of the action (and trying to equate the whale hunts with the Australian annual kangaroo culls - the difference there is that despite their cuddly appearance internationally, kangaroos are actually in pest/plague proportions in Aust).

I really have no problems with Japanese whaling, as long as they eat the meat and treat the animals humanely when hunting them. The whole issue is a bit of a beat up, and some Nordic countries also hunt the whales and there never seems to be much noise about them doing the same thing.

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I sometimes post on OzChess as well, but mostly here

I'd agree with you except for one simple fact. Whaling isn't sustainable, at least not in the numbers that Japan and some other countries want to continue the practice. Since whales take a long time to mature and only produce a few offspring, it's not wise to hunt them often. It's not a resource that can be tapped like that.

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He who learns but does not think is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. --Confucius

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
--Sun Tzu

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
--African proverb

No, the Nordic countries get bad press about it and even lose some tourism due to travelers being concerned about animal rights and environmental issues. Japan on the other hand gets many Asian travelers, many of who are less concerned with such animal rights or environmental issues.

I suppose you haven't heard of the dolphin culling either where they are slaughtered in a small cove being cut up alive in Japan. Sounds very humane to me.

No, I'm afraid I haven't. Can you please give me a link?

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I sometimes post on OzChess as well, but mostly here