Whale Wars?

**RICHARD** · 12-27-2008, 10:25 PM

The paper bombs contained flour- their explanation was that when wet, the flour made the the decks slippery.

I have to say that the tactics were a little strange and the complaints about the retaliation were stranger.

I have to say that the whole scenario reminds me of the protests at the G8 summits. It's O.K. to burn, break and destroy, until the cops come by and beat the living crap outta you.

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The story about the bullet/BPV was a little suspicious.

The whole purpose of a BPV is to dissapate the shock of a bullet strike.
Captain Ahab just had a pin prick from the badge? Usually the wearer of a BPV has a large hematoma or bruise from a bullet strike, the range that the supposed shot was fired from would have at least knocked the captain about....and notice the glance at the camera man when the doc was trying to remove the slug-it was almost a "hey, got this in tape" moment?

HMMMMMMMM....

**Karen** · 12-28-2008, 01:13 AM

Richard, I did a little digging - I believe it is Methyl Cellulose, not flour in the paper "bombs" they throw. As I know well, flour get sticky when wet, not slipperier! You can make GLUE with flour + water!

From Wikipedia: Methyl cellulose (or methylcellulose) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. It is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel. It is sold under a variety of trade names and is used as a thickener and emulsifier in various food and cosmetic products, and also as a treatment of constipation. Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not allergenic.

**pomtzu** · 12-28-2008, 04:24 PM

I've watched a few episodes, but just can't seem to get in to it on a regular basis. I'm waiting for the new season of Deadliest Catch - I'm absolutely addicted to that series! Has anyone heard when it will be back?

**moosmom** · 12-28-2008, 04:54 PM

The bombs were made of paper and ransid butter, which smelled awful and made the decks slippery. It actually brought the whaling ship to a standstill.

Don't know much about the skipper wanting fortune and fame in front of the television camera. I'll have to watch it more closely and reserve my opinion till then.

**Karen** · 12-28-2008, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by moosmom

The bombs were made of paper and ransid butter, which smelled awful and made the decks slippery. It actually brought the whaling ship to a standstill.

Don't know much about the skipper wanting fortune and fame in front of the television camera. I'll have to watch it more closely and reserve my opinion till then.

They throw two "weapons" - glass bottles of buteric acid (from rancid butter), and the other thing they throw is the methyl cellulose, in paper packages wrapped with tape that burst upon hitting the other ship. It is powder that forms a gel when it gets wet, so is very difficult to wash away. So the buteric acid is the "stinky" and the cellulose" is the "slippery" - just a clarification!

**moosmom** · 12-28-2008, 05:08 PM

Thanks, Mayor!!

**G535** · 12-28-2008, 05:37 PM

Some recent news items: http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-...-the-news.html

I don't agree with their methods but can't come up with a better (legal) way to deter the whalers.

**RICHARD** · 12-28-2008, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Richard, I did a little digging - I believe it is Methyl Cellulose, not flour in the paper "bombs" they throw. As I know well, flour get sticky when wet, not slipperier! You can make GLUE with flour + water!

From Wikipedia: Methyl cellulose (or methylcellulose) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. It is a hydrophilic white powder in pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous solution or gel. It is sold under a variety of trade names and is used as a thickener and emulsifier in various food and cosmetic products, and also as a treatment of constipation. Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not toxic, and not allergenic.

Thanks.

I was watching with one ear and thought I heard that one of the DHs say it was flour.

I stand corrected.

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Another point that Ahab made was that he had "Never seen a whale killed" in all the time he had been campaining? I guess he don't watch the videos that are shown all during the show?

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MY last 'thing' about the show is the "Steve Irwin" named ship.

Irwin, while a little outrageous in the way he promoted animal welfare, NEVER tried to use strong arm tactics to get the point across. He was more into the educating the masses and getting the message out.

I feel by using SI's name that captain Nemo is disparaging the work Irwin did, and naming the boat is a ploy to get the, "Oh, It's a GOOD cause!" feelings out there.

**RICHARD** · 08-14-2010, 09:55 AM

I just caught the latest episode of WW and had to shake my head at this season's campaign.

Last night two of the ships collided, again.

So the captain gets his crew to man a water cannon they had installed on their ship, toss more stink bombs and I noticed one crew member standing next to wall/bulkhead with tube in his hand.

It took me about two seconds to realize he was shining a laser at the Japanese boat.

I guess he didn't read the warning on every hand held laser pointer made.

Moron.

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Again, I do not like whale hunting, but I cannot get behind the idea that 'anything goes' while trying to stop it.

I can really imagine the up roar that the good old captain would raise if one of HIS crew was seriously hurt that way.

Buffoon.

**aTailOf2Kitties** · 08-14-2010, 12:23 PM

I'm with you on this one Richard. I watch this show just to see the whale-hugging sea hippies do stupid stuff and then whine about the consequences

Their hearts are in the right place, but they sure don't act like they have any brains sometimes. Go ahead, wreck another boat... you'll just keep spinning the story until you find a bunch of goody-goody rich idiots to fix it or buy another one.

**RICHARD** · 08-14-2010, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by aTailOf2Kitties

I'm with you on this one Richard. I watch this show just to see the whale-hugging sea hippies do stupid stuff and then whine about the consequences

Their hearts are in the right place, but they sure don't act like they have any brains sometimes. Go ahead, wreck another boat... you'll just keep spinning the story until you find a bunch of goody-goody rich idiots to fix it or buy another one.

It's like a train wreck.....er, A ship wreck?..that you can't help but watch.

Like the helicopter?

"Hey, it's making a noise near the rotor, Let's fly it to see if it makes MORE NOISE!"

And the propeller on the new boat that broke away when it was grounded a few episodes ago?

Might as well have run the boat on deck then have the cook toss shiat into the prop to see if it really worked? That way they could have salad for lunch or dinner instead of having the pilot smash the thing on the beach rocks.

I feel guilty at times because while it is a noble cause?

I do cheer for the Japanese (not their whaling) when they fire up the watercannons, the LRAD and start tossing stuff back at them.

Guilty.

**aTailOf2Kitties** · 08-14-2010, 01:32 PM

and what about the Ady Gil? "Hmmm.... I'm rich, bored, and insane. I think I'll take my bajillion dollar carbon fiber boat to the Antarctic and play in traffic with some giant steel-hulled boats. I'm sure nothing BAD can come of it.... right?"