Well, lately, there's been a massive story emerging about a police officer in Rutland, Vermont looking at child pornography at work (in the police station). He had many images on his computer, DVD's including one labelled "teen porn." As if this weren't enough, the coverup is disgusting: the search warrant was sealed for 6 months, the cop argued and delayed releasing his name, the officer was not put on leave until the press broke the story, the state police are claiming they can't charge him due to a lack of evidence of intent (really? Having a DVD entitled "teen porn" is not evidence of intent?), and, the icing on the cake: a legislator, at the request of a police union, proposed a bill that would hide internal investigations of police. The officer, Sgt. Schauwecker, has been in charge in the past of investigations into child abuse issues. So, we had a pedophile in the position to investigate abuse of children. He also recently lead an internal investigation when a suspect in a holding cell was abused (shot with chalk rounds while in custody), and, not shockingly, that "investigation" was nothing but a whitewash.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20100212/NEWS01/100219989/1050
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20100213/NEWS01/100219976
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20100218/NEWS04/2180375
What we need is an external investigation of this.
Today I noted Whale Wars re-runs were on much of the day on Planet Green. For anyone unfamiliar with them, they are a radical animal rights group that engages in eco-terrorism against Japanese whalers, Canadian sealers, and various other people. These people want us all to be vegans, to not use animals at all, and they're willing to hurt or kill for their agenda. Up in Canada they nearly killed some sealers by breaking up the ice under their feet, resulting in their ship being seized by the Canadian government: http://www.nationalpost.com/m/story.html?id=444959
Their tactics against the whalers include ramming ships, trying to foul propellers with ropes (dangerous in those remote, cold waters, with dangerous icebergs about), throwing bottles of butyric acid at the whalers (contrary to the claims calling it "rancid butter," they are throwing industrial grade acid in glass bottles at the ships, here is the MSDS showing how dangerous it is, apart from the broken glass danger: http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Butyric_acid-9923216 ), throwing some chemical that makes the decks slippery (hello! slippery decks+broken glass+dangerously cold waters you can die in rapidly=violent attacks that threaten people's lives!), illegally boarding vessels to then lie and claim a "hostage situation" to cause friction between countries diplomatically (Watson's lies were all caught on film however), etc. Of course, if the Japanese do anything in self-defense the terrorists contact the media claiming they (the attackers) were victims. Things have gotten heated up down there now. One terrorist ship sunk after purposely colliding with a whaling ship. There's been at least two rammings I know of. Here's one, showing Sea Shepherd ramming (and proof they lied to the press): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_b_IYQMSvM
And another, this one from last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLakT8oPZLM
Watson is claiming for the third season of whale wars this year that tactics will be stronger, etc.
So, I'll say this: if someone with a ship and money is going to go after these terrorists, let me know, I'd volunteer to help stop these terrorists. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw this show, a show for eco-terrorism. At first attempts were made to present both sides. Now, watch ads for it, and watch season 2...it's blatant propaganda for the Sea Shepherd people.
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In 34 years, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has neither injured nor killed a single person. They have never had a felony conviction nor have they been sued, both charges that Greenpeace is guilty of. In fact, all members of SSCS are free to travel where ever they like within the United States, something I doubt an actual terrorist would be able to do.
Ahh, one of the Sea Shepherd internet trolls already found my blog post huh?
Ramming ships, shooting at people and ships, throwing bottles of acid, throwing a chemical to make decks dangerously slick, illegally boarding vessels, breaking up ice under people's feet putting them in danger of drowning, etc., to further a political agenda, is terrorism. The FBI even considers Sea Shepherd a terrorist group. You are terrorists and belong in prison where you can't continue your acts of terror.
And here's a few examples of Sea Shepherd's violent history:
http://contradicere3.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/sea-shepherds-violent-history/
1980: The “Sierra” is sunk in Lisbon harbour. Sea Shepherd claims responsibility. Investigation shows limpet mines used to blow up the vessel. In a 2004 interview Paul Watson said:
"Meanwhile, the Sierra had been repaired and was ready to return to sea. It never did so: on February 6, 1980, my crew blew the bottom out of her and permanently ended her career."
1980: Explosives were used to sink the whalers Isba I and Isba II in Vigo, Spain. Watson said that the boats were "victims of magnetic mines, one of them homemade, which had been planted by the same trio that destroyed the Sierra." Sea Shepherd does show these vessels on the tally of vessels "sunk" on the side of the Farley Mowat and the back of some Sea Shepherd shirts. The whalers Susan and Theresa are also shown on these tallies (see picture above this article).
1983: Paul Watson and “Sea Shepherd” vessel engineer Paul Pezwick, tried and convicted in a Quebec, Canada, court for “interfering in the annual seal hunt in the Gulf of St. Lawrence”. Trial followed arrest in March 1983 when “Sea Shepherd” vessel boarded by Canadian police. “Sea Shepherd” fortified including electric barbed wire around the deck’s edges. Seventeen crewmembers get arrested. Watson and three others flee across ice to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, but caught and arrested. Watson charged additionally with piloting a ship in a dangerous manner, intimidation of the sealers and being unlawfully within a half mile of the seal hunt – a violation of the Seal Protection Regulations. Watson sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.
1986: Sea Shepherd attempts to stop Faroe Islands pilot whale harvest. Using rifles, Sea Shepherd activists shoot at Faroe Islands police in an attempt to sink their rubber dinghies. The vessel “Sea Shepherd” was ordered to leave Faroese territorial waters. The police report of 7 October 1986 states: “One of the rubber dinghies was attacked directly by a “Speed Line” line rifle. The attack … endangered the lives of the police crewmembers … and signal flares containing phosphorous was thrown at the police. At a later stage the Sea Shepherd used “toads” (rotating iron spikes, pointed and sharp at both ends) against the rubber dinghies … petrol was poured over the side of the ship and signal flares were thrown from the “Sea Shepherd” in an attempt to set the petrol on fire.”
1986: Sea Shepherd claims responsibility for the sinking of two whaling vessels in Reykjavik, Iceland, and for malicious damage to a whaling station. Computers were destroyed with sledgehammers and records were doused with acid. (This act of violence was carried out after Iceland stopped whaling in line with the IWC moratorium on commercial whaling.) Attack carried out by Sea Shepherd members Rodney A. Coronado and David Howitt. (Coronado linked to Animal Liberation Front and arrested eight years later by United States FBI for his part in an ALF attack on Michigan State University research laboratory. Charges included use of an explosive device, theft and arson.)
1988: Paul Watson returns in Iceland demanding to be held responsible for the sinking of the whaling vessels in Reykjavik in 1986. (He is arrested and held for questioning and told he could face several years’ of imprisonment. In a press release, the Icelandic Ministry of Justice stated: “At questioning, Paul Watson has admitted that he has given some remarks that connect him with the sabotage, but in spite of this he now claims that he neither took part in the planning nor the execution of the sabotage.”) There was no evidence incriminating Watson. He was ordered to leave the country and declared persona non grata in Iceland.
1991: A US crew member on a Mexican fishing vessel, the Tungui reports that Sea Shepherd, some of whose crew were armed with rifles, rammed his vessel causing considerable damage. An official of the California-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which operates the vessel, confirmed its ship had dealt the tuna boat a "glancing blow."
1991: Scott Trimmingham, president of Sea Shepherd quits in protest.
Scott Trimmingham: “We had rules about not hurting anyone, about not using weapons. I left because those rules and that philosophy seems to be changing.”
Outside magazine (Sept. 1991). Paul Watson admits there are arms on board “Sea Shepherd”. Watson tells the Los Angeles Free Weekly (April 24, 1992):
“We confront dangerous people. As the captain, it is my responsibility to protect the lives of my crew … Therefore, I have prepared myself for the possibility of defending my crew in a situation that could never occur, but if it does I will use firearms to first intimidate and then to defend”
1992: Sea Shepherd makes unsuccessful attempts at ramming three Costa Rican fishing vessels. In a written complaint to the local authorities the fishermen report that the Sea Shepherd crew shot at them with bullets containing a red substance, hitting two of them and causing them great pain.
1992: Sea Shepherd makes unsuccessful attempt at scuttling the whaling and fishing vessel “Nybræna” at her moorings in the Lofoten Islands, northern Norway. Police found the vessel’s engine room nearly full of water but were able to keep it afloat. The crew was at a Christmas party during the attempted sinking, which Watson described as a:
"Christmas gift to the Atlantic and to the children of the world, so that they can have whales in the future."
The attack was committed by Paul Watson, girlfriend Lisa DiStefano and one other Sea Shepherd member. Watson later states:
“The scuttling of the Nybræna was not a terrorist or criminal act. We were responsible for removing an instrument of death and destruction without causing death or injury.”
Charges laid against Watson, who fails to turn up in court. Watson convicted in absentia and sentenced to 120 days in prison.
1992: Sea Shepherd vessel “Whales Forever” collides with Norwegian Coast Guard vessel "Andenes” on July 4. Charges against Paul Watson include negligent navigation, refusal to leave Norwegian waters on orders of the Coast Guard and transmitting false distress signals. The Sea Shepherd’s ship was then chased towards the Shetland Islands. The next day, the Foreign Ministry issued a communique calling Watson a "terrorist".
1993: Paul Watson orders the crew on board the Sea Shepherd vessel “Edward Abbey” (formerly US Navy) to open cannon fire at a Japanese fishing vessel. Sea Shepherd crew do not carry out the order, but instead fire a shot across the bow of the Japanese vessel. The Japanese vessel does not stop. (Recorded by Yorkshire Television Documentary “Defenders of the Wild – Ocean Rider”.)
1993: Paul Watson claims in an open letter to the people of Norway that Sea Shepherd has sunk eight ships and rammed and damaged a further six vessels. In the same letter, he states:
“The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is a law abiding organization. We rigidly adhere to and respect the laws of nature or lex natura. We hold the position that the laws of ecology take precedence over the laws designed by nation states to protect corporate interests … the smell of guilt is already a stench in the nostrils of God.”
1993: Federal Grand Jury in Michigan State hands down a five-count indictment against Coronado for illegal use of explosives, extortion, threats to interfere with interstate commerce and interstate transportation, to commit arson, theft and destruction of government property and for receiving stolen property. Indictments stem from February 1992 fire-bombing of Michigan State University in East Lancing. Coronado involved in sinking two whaling vessels in Iceland in 1986.
1994: Sea Shepherd claims responsibility for the unsuccessful attempt at scuttling the combined minke whaling and fishing vessel “Senet” at her moorings in Gressvik. The vessel was salvaged, but the water had caused considerable damage. Paul Watson tells Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet on January 26 that former US navy “Seal” commandos took part in attack on the Senet.
Watson: “Certainly these men are trained to kill, but they are also well disciplined and respect my orders,”
1994: Sea Shepherd loses observer status at the International Whaling Commission. IWC Secretary, Ray Gambell, declares that the IWC and all its member states ardently condemn Sea Shepherd’s acts of terrorism.
1994: US National Fisheries Institute asks for investigation into Sea Shepherd. “The recent alleged actions against Norwegian fishing vessels constitute a clear case of piracy,” it says in a letter to former US IWC Commissioner James Baker.
“Acts of violence against fishermen of any nation cannot be tolerated. Their safety and livelihood could be threatened unless US officials vigorously condemn violence on the high seas.”
1997: Paul Watson arrested at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for the 1992 attempted scuttling of the Norwegian combined whaling and fishing vessel “Nybræna”. Arrested by Dutch police after Interpol issues warrant. Serves 80 days in prison in the Netherlands, the equivalent of the necessary two-thirds of the 120-day prison sentence handed down by Norway.
2000: Watson campaigns against the Makah people of Northwest United States. He uses intimidation to prevent the Makah from carrying out their IWC approved catch of the gray whale.
2002: Watson tells Animal Rights 2002 Conference in Washington DC that if a person dies from one of his actions, he would consider it “collateral damage”. He believes it is not possible to:
“commit violence against non-sentient objects. Property damage is not violence.”
2002: Quotes from Paul Watson on “Animal Rights 2002” convention:
“There are 30-million plus species on this planet. They’re all earthlings. They’re all equal. Some are more “equal” than others, I admit: earthworms are far more valuable than people.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being a terrorist, as long as you win. Then you write the history.”
“We should never feel like we’re going too far in breaking the law, because whatever laws you break to liberate animals or to protect the environment are very insignificant compared to the laws that are broken by that parliament of whores in Washington. They are the biggest lawbreakers, the biggest destroyers, the biggest mass-murderers on this planet right now.”
2005: The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has removed Dr. Jerry Vlasak – who has endorsed assassination as a way of stopping animal abuse – from its board of directors. He said the decision was likely necessary so that the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society could maintain its funding, and continues its operations, including protests against the seal hunt. Paul Watson, who ignored years of Vlasak’s violent rants wasn’t so much disturbed by Dr. Vlasak’s inclinations towards assassination as he was by the prospect of the bad publicity visited upon him and the SSCS by Dr. Vlasak’s loose tongue.
2006: During a campaign in the Southern Ocean, the Farley Mowat ’sideswiped’ a Japanese supply ship called the Oriental Bluebird. New Zealand Conservation Minister Chris Carter criticized Sea Shepherd as irresponsible for using tactics such as running into the other vessel with a "can opener" device, a seven-foot steel blade (See picture below) on the starboard bow designed to damage the hull of an ‘enemy’ ship.
2006: Ian Campbell, Australia’s environment minister, said Watson’s threats to attack the Japanese fleet reflected poorly on legitimate anti-whaling groups and risked "setting back the cause of whale conservation many years". After Watson called the New Zealand government "contemptible" for allowing Japan to continue killing whales, Campbell called Watson a "lunatic" and "rogue pirate on the seas."
2007: Sea Shepherd Attacks Japanese Whaling fleet by ramming into a Japanese vessel. Videolink.
2007: In February 2007, the Robert Hunter and Farley Mowat participated in "Operation Leviathan" against Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean. The Institute for Cetacean Research in Tokyo told the Robert Hunter rammed the Kaiko Maruthe and that afterwards, both Sea Shepherd ships came to either side of the Kaiko Maru, stopping her from continuing. The Sea Shepherd crew then threw smoke pots on to the deck and released ropes and nets. The Japanese had already put out several distress calls due to a propeller that was damaged during the attacks. Watson told the press that the Farley Mowat ran the whaler into the ice.
2008: After attempting to entangle the whaling vessel’s propeller and throwing containers of butyric acid onto the decks two Sea Shepherd members, Benjamin Potts and Giles Lane, from the Sea Shepherd vessel MV Steve Irwin boarded the Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No. 2 from a rigid-hulled inflatable boat. The two Sea Shepherd activists boarded the Japanese vessel without permission and tried to tie themselfs to a railing. Paul Watson later claimed the Japanese crew tried to throw the two man overboard. He also claimed the two man were taken hostage and were mistreated and hurt by the crew of the Japanese vessel. The claims were later refuted by video evidence (videolink 1) of the Japanese crew. The two man were treated well. The Japanese crew gave the two man drinks and food and handed the two man on first opportunity over to the Australian Coast Guard vessel MV Oceanic Viking (videolink 2). On April 9, Sea Shepherd first mate Peter Brown told a newspaper that the incident only became a ‘hostage situation’ because the Sea Shepherd vessel left the scene, so the Japanese would be forced to hold the two crewmen longer. He was quoted as saying, "It’s all giant street theater." Also see this very telling videoclip from ‘Whale Wars’ (videolink 3) in witch Watson explains the intentions of bringing two persons on board the Yushin Maru N0. 2.
2008: On March 17, 2008 Paul Watson acts as if he was shot by the Japanese coast guard onboard the Nisshin Maru whaling vessel. The incident is used as propagada during the "Whale Wars" show in the final episode, and the first six episodes are covered as a buildup to what is portrayed as the major incident during the campaign. The footage in "Whale Wars" shows Watson standing on the deck of the Steve Irwin while Sea Shepherd crew throws glass bottles filled with butyric acid at the Nisshin Maru whaling vessel. The Japanese coast guard respond by throwing flashbang devices. Watson is then shown reaching inside his jacket and bullet-proof vest and remarking "I’ve been hit." Back inside the bridge of the Steve Irwin, a metal bullet is found inside the vest (videolink 1). The Institute of Cetacean Research has dismissed Sea Shepherd’s statements as lies. Footage show there was no shooting, just flashbangs (videolink 2). The incident is considered a propaganda setup the recieve more attention for Sea Shepherd and the show and is aimed at demonizing the Japanese whalers.
2008: On 12 April 2008, Fisheries and Oceans Canada seized the Sea Shepherd’s R/V Farley Mowat in the Cabot Strait after the ship came near the seal hunt without an observation permit and two collisions with a coast guard vessel occurred. During the raid, the captain and first officer were arrested and later charged for the incident. See the Sea Shepherd propagandavideo. They claim ‘right of way’ while trailing the coast guard vessel side by side. In the second collision the coast guard vessel is at full stop while the Farley Mowat, claiming ‘right of way’ again, rams the coast guard vessel a second time. On June 30, they were convicted of endangering lives by bringing the Farley Mowat to within one-half nautical mile from sealing activities without an official permit. The judge found that they had been warned to back away from the sealers but ignored the radioed commands.
2008: The Dutch vessel “Steve Irwin” (26 December) committed an attack against the Japanese vessel Kaiko Maru in the Antarctic. The Steve Irwin rammed the Kaiko Maru from the starboard rear side. The Kaiko Maru topside starboard rear bulwark was damaged.
2009: Sea Shepherd attacks Japanese Whaling Vessels from different angle. Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin attacks Japanese whaling vessel Yushin Maru No.3. Videolink.
2009: On February 6, 2009, the Steve Irwin deliberate rammed the Yushin Maru 2. The Japanese whalers blamed Sea Shepherd for the crash, characterizing the incident as a "deliberate ramming." Footage from the Japanese ships proof the Japanese claims are right (videolink 1 & videolink 2).
2009: Australian Federal Police have raided anti-whaling flagship the Steve Irwin, seizing records and videos that could help Japan to prosecute the activist Sea Shepherd group. An armed squad seized 157 of Discovery Channel’s raw videos, and navigational records from the ship in Hobart. The videos show the Sea Shepherd’s clashes with Japanese whalers and may be given to the Japanese Government. A federal agent said yesterday’s raid resulted from a formal referral from Japanese authorities and that police were undertaking preliminary inquiries into this summer’s Southern Ocean confrontation.
2010: On January 6, 2010, the Ady Gil was severely damaged in the Antarctic Ocean after being in a collision with the Japanese vessel the Shōnan Maru 2. Watson claims the Ady Gil was purposely rammed by the Japanese vessel. Footage show that de Ady Gil slowly drove towards the Japanese vessel and opened full throttle to, probably collide with the Japanese vessel on purpose. See pictures below
So, why isn't Watson going to Norway or Iceland to stop whaling there? Oh yeah, because he'll be thrown in prison there...
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