Shame On Canada

[carole]

I am quite certain the person who started the thread had no intention of hurting or insulting anyone from Canada, perhaps it should have read 'SHAME ON THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT', but I am sure if you asked her that is what the thread starter probably meant, this is not a personal issue from what I can see, it is merely about terrible cruelty to an animal, this is an animal loving forum after all,it is only befitting IMO that an animal lover would be apalled by this cruelty and would want to discuss it here on our forum, that is what it is all about., it is neither here or there which country is carrying out these atrocious cullings, it is a fact and it is happening,that is what has been brought to people's attention here, infact one canadian PT'er had never heard of it before, I think it was Tikeya's mom, so if anything it is always a good thing to inform people , IMO.

I can understand people feeling upset all the same,Canadian's are from my experience wonderful people with the cutest accent,no-one needs to feel bad that anyone is against Canada or you because you are canadian, what your goverment does has no reflection on you as a person, you cannot control what your government does, only by changing your vote next time maybe, but other than that, what can you do , that will really make a difference,if you feel strongly as I do and other's here then lobbying against the cruelty is your only chance at a slight hope that it will be stopped or at least carried out more humanely in the future.

Just for the record I LOVE CANADIAN people especially all the ones here on PT.

I just think about the terrible suffering these baby seals are put through, whether it be one bad hunter or not, and that helps put it into perspective a little for me anyway.

[lizbud]

[todd]

it is insulting to me

Originally posted by carole
I am quite certain the person who started the thread had no intention of hurting or insulting anyone from Canada, perhaps it should have read 'SHAME ON THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT', but I am sure if you asked her that is what the thread starter probably meant, this is not a personal issue from what I can see, it is merely about terrible cruelty to an animal, this is an animal loving forum after all,it is only befitting IMO that an animal lover would be apalled by this cruelty and would want to discuss it here on our forum, that is what it is all about., it is neither here or there which country is carrying out these atrocious cullings, it is a fact and it is happening,that is what has been brought to people's attention here, infact one canadian PT'er had never heard of it before, I think it was Tikeya's mom, so if anything it is always a good thing to inform people , IMO.

I can understand people feeling upset all the same,Canadian's are from my experience wonderful people with the cutest accent,no-one needs to feel bad that anyone is against Canada or you because you are canadian, what your goverment does has no reflection on you as a person, you cannot control what your government does, only by changing your vote next time maybe, but other than that, what can you do , that will really make a difference,if you feel strongly as I do and other's here then lobbying against the cruelty is your only chance at a slight hope that it will be stopped or at least carried out more humanely in the future.

Just for the record I LOVE CANADIAN people especially all the ones here on PT.

I just think about the terrible suffering these baby seals are put through, whether it be one bad hunter or not, and that helps put it into perspective a little for me anyway.

[jennifert9]

OK this is insane...Cruelty to animals is wrong right? OK we all agree on that.
Skinning an animal alive is cruel, right? OK, great we all agree on that one too.
If your government does something that you don't agree with, you vote that person or people out of office right? Or you lobby against it or you do everything in your power to stop it right? The government is not YOU and YOU are not the government. (Well, technically you are but...you know what I mean! This is the same story as in America...it's a democratic society, the people rule. While I understand that may not be the case in reality, it's the idea behind it and with perseverance, it works!
The issue here is the seal killing, not Canada! My father is Canadian, from Montreal and many of his family members still live there. There are loads of Pet Talkers from Canada, many whom I call friends! Others I don't know so well but have great respect for and find fascinating.
This thread was not started to bash Canada. Americans are not in the business of bashing Canada, they're really not. This is about the animal, not the country. If America was/is doing something of this nature, I would surely expect someone, from ANY country to call attention to it. And being extremely patriotic, I would do what is within my rights, and that is, lobby to stop it, get the word out to others, VOTE! And still love my country.
Please, this is not personal, it's about the animals, not you.

[carole]

Here Here, I agree with what you have said 100 per cent, it is about the seals and animal cruelty,not any one particular person, it is a shame when threads take a turn like this because the real issue in hand gets left behind and forgotton.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and their feelings granted, but really this thread is about so much more than just that.

It is sad some have chosen to take it personally, because Lizbud never intended that.

[lizbud]

Canadians are speaking up about the seal slaughter.


http://www.protectseals.org/

[lizbud]

Canadians Give a Thumbs Up to the Protect Seals Campaign




Since The HSUS began a campaign to ban the Canadian seal hunt, there has been a chorus of approval from citizens of Canada. Here's a sampling of e-mails from Canadians to The HSUS.



I want to thank you for the tremendous advocacy work you have done to protest the Canadian seal hunt. Your organization is involved in a courageous and just undertaking by coming to Canada to expose this brutal and evil crime for the world. As emotionally and psychically painful this trip will be, it is only this first-hand evidence which will harden decent people everywhere against this atrocity. I hope that HSUS-inspired boycotts on Canadian seafood and a resolution from the U.S. Senate urging the hunt's end will convince this government to shut down the seal hunt.

—J. M. Berkeley, Windsor, Ontario, March 28, 2005

You will find this hard to believe, but I, and everyone I asked, did not know the seal hunt was still happening here. The media is virtually silent. Put full page ads in the Toronto newspapers and just see what happens. Tell the general public and they will respond. I have individually e-mailed all 307 members of Parliament, something that took me over 8 hours.

—L. Bayly, Toronto, Ontario, March 25, 2005

I have just recently read a few articles regarding killing seals. I am totally against this. I am totally against the killing of any wildlife or mammal. I think it is absolutely horrible and brings tears to my eyes when I hear or see anything to do with this. This must be stopped.

—L. Roy, Lethbridge, Alberta, March 23, 2005

I was born and raised in Canada many years ago. I can't believe that Canada still continues to slaughter baby seals. SHAME ON CANADA. This is something that has to stop. It also makes Canada look bad to other countries that are against this. I was proud to be Canadian at one time, but when you have something like this going on I have to say that I am starting to be embarrassed to say that I am Canadian. I support you people in your efforts to stop this. I have written letters to every person you have mentioned. I also want to thank you for what you are doing.

—L. Fair, Surrey, British Columbia, March 21, 2005

As a Canadian and animal lover, I am appalled that this practice has resurfaced in our country. I have been under the impression that this brutality to the beautiful seals had been stopped many years ago and am terribly disappointed in our government for allowing it to resume. As well as sending my prayers to those of you on the 'front' lines, trying to protect as many as you can, I will be contacting my Member of Parliament to voice my opinion. Thank you for alerting me that this is going on.

—K. Kropinske, Edmonton, Alberta, March 16, 2005

I live in Timmins, Ontario and I just want to applaud you for fighting against this seal hunt. I've already sent a letter to Mr. Williams, premier of Newfoundland. I find this hunt extremely cruel, ignorant and unnecessary. As I'm writing this e-mail, I know that seals are being killed and I just hate it. Thanks again.

—J. Lefebvre, Timmins, Ontario, April 12, 2004

I am aware that fishers are having problems making a living. We humans have over-fished our waters. But people are quite capable of finding incomes without reducing themselves to becoming killers of baby seals.

—D. C. Nicholson, Armstrong, BC

The fact that the government encourages the hunt is more sickening than anything. I encourage the U.S. in their attempts to prevent travel to Canada—maybe then our government will get the message that this behaviour cannot be tolerated.

—L. Mathews, Prince George, B.C.

As a Canadian and animal lover, I am ashamed of the absolute cruel and unusual form of killing the seals off Newfoundland. It really bothers me the way in which these lovable animals are killed, and in many cases are skinned while still alive.

—D. Oliver, Thunder Bay, Ontario

I want to applaud you for fighting against this horrible seal hunt that is taking place currently. I've already written to the premier of the Newfoundland government.

—J. Lefebvre Timmins, Ontario

I am from Ontario, Canada, which is some distance from the hunt, but was sickened knowing what is going on. As a Canadian, I will be honest and tell you that if it hadn't been for the ad in the New York Times, I would never have known about this.

—R.H., Ontario

As a Canadian, I am outraged that our government is sanctioning the annual seal hunt. Be assured that there are many Canadians who do not agree with the seal hunt and are mobilizing against it. Clubbing a seal for any reason is both cruel and barbaric.

—K. Erickson, Calgary, Alberta

I would just like to inform you of how appreciative our family and community are for your stance on the hideous seal hunt. I don't know what is wrong with the government on this issue. They are subsidizing these fishermen most of the year anyway.

— K. Lomack, London Ontario

I cannot believe that the Canadian government deems this as being humane and necessary. We are a civilized society, so I thought, not a barbaric society. You have my utmost support in whatever has to be done to stop the slaughter of seals. I do not believe that the seals are the cause of the depletion of cod.

—C. Clark, Prince George, British Columbia

Many of us in Canada have fought for many painful years to try to stop the hunt. Our government counters with lies and support for a hunt that so many Canadians oppose.

—J. Wood, Scarborough, Ontario

Unlike the United States and the United Kingdom, we still have centuries-old anti-cruelty laws that are very rarely adhered to, and our senate is holding up changing these laws because they are protecting the seal hunters. Thank you for making this an international issue.

—R. Ungaro, Priceville, Ontario

I have fought in my own small way against the seal hunt for 25 years and have never been so discouraged as I have been this last year. Thank you for your support and for giving me hope again.

—D. Potter, St-Laurent, Quebec

Our government doesn't listen to the majority of its citizens on this issue so hopefully it will sit up and take note of your tourism boycott. I will send a donation.

—A. Streeter, Montreal, Quebec

Canadian environmentalists appreciate your efforts to put our government to shame. There will be many defensive responses regarding the economics and welfare of communities that depend on seal pelts, but they'll be from Newfoundlanders, who have overharvested cod and are now looking for another source of income. They have to find one that doesn't exterminate wildlife.

—L. Gary, Toronto, Ontario

At one time, seal hunting might have been a necessity. In 2003, it isn't. Seal skins seem to end up in grungy little souvenir stores as coin purses and trim for combs and wallets. Some companies, I have read, tried to push seal meat in supermarkets. I am dancing on the ceiling to see that someone with clout is doing something about this.

—S. Stone, Toronto, Ontario

As a member of several animal protection organizations, I have written letters to the prime minister and the head of the Department of Fisheries, begging them to stop this outrageous massacre. They make me ashamed to be a Canadian. You, on the other hand, have enraged them by advising tourists to stay away from Canada. My hat's off to you.

—P. Hause, Toronto, Ontario

I am so glad to read the Humane Society of the United States has the guts to encourage others to stick it to Canada where it hurts—in the pocketbook. Keep up the good work.

—K. Woodall, Ottawa, Ontario

Ours is a most unresponsive regime when it comes to the feelings of its own citizens, but I'm hoping that an international campaign might shame them into doing the right thing where the seal hunt is concerned.

—C. Klassen, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Once Canadians feel they are seen as cruel and barbaric, they may exert the necessary pressure to stop this madness. You should note that it is mainly the people of Newfoundland who promote the slaughter. Once they decimated their fish stocks, they started looking for other things to profit from. And the seals were perfect because they could be painted as scapegoats for their overfishing.

—P. Logan, Ottawa, Ontario

The problem, as I see it, is that now that the cod fish is almost extinct, the government wishes to give employment to coastal communities with increased seal hunting—a completely crude and unimaginative solution to the problem of unemployment. The question to be asked is what happens when the seal population decreases again?

—N. Brady, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

You have my utmost support in whatever has to be done to stop the slaughter of seals. I do not believe that the seals are the cause of the depletion of cod. I have told as many people as possible about the seal hunt and have asked them to send their letters of support.

—C. Clark, Prince George, British Columbia

I have never been so disgusted and embarrassed by my country.... The fact that the government encourages the hunt is more sickening than anything.... I encourage the U.S. in their attempts to prevent travel to Canada—maybe then our government will get the message.... I give the United States full support in their efforts to stand up for these helpless mammals. Please do whatever you can to save them.

—L. Mathews, Prince George, British Columbia

[lizbud]

April , 2005 Paradise Lost


http://www.hsus.org/marine_mammals/p...l/april_4.html

and why they die http://www.harpseals.org/hunt/pelts.html

Shame on greedy,insenstive, soulless people.

[tortuga55]

Originally posted by jennifert9
[B]OK this is insane...Cruelty to animals is wrong right? OK we all agree on that.
Skinning an animal alive is cruel, right? OK, great we all agree on that one too.
If your government does something that you don't agree with, you vote that person or people out of office right?

Canadian Law says you are not allowed to skin the seals live. Is it their fault if people do not listen. Is it the governments fault everytime someone murders another because they did not listened to the law. I think not, Canada is not a dictatorship thingy, the governmet does not force us to do right, they just punish people who can be proven that they did wrong. Everyone is just mad because it is a seal. No one is mad when their supper is on the table in front of them.

[carole]

To be honest I am tired of hearing these excuses, if you think it is ok to skin them alive, well you are in the wrong forum IMO,this is after all an animal loving site.

You are entitled to your opinion, but so are we., it is NOT just about the seals, this is just the topic of this particular thread, it is concern for animal cruelty, in general.

I think I have said this until I am blue in the face, it is more about how the seals are killed inhumanely than the fact they are culled each year, if there is a genuine need for the population to be reduced every year, then I can understand that (but somehow I doubt it is necessary from what people here are saying)all I ask is that is done in a manner that is not cruel and those who offend be punished accordingly.

For me personally I find it rather irritating that you keep coming back here and defending this appalling cruelty,(but then that is your democratic right) however no government of mine would continue to have my vote if they cannot abolish such practices.,when you become of voting age, I guess you will be fine with voting in a government that continues the seal hunt?

It is up to your government to ensure that people who do these barbaric procedures are punished, so that it no longer continues, of course the government has a responsibility here, just as it has where any crime is committed..

[dukedogsmom]

Carole, some people just love to cause conflict and feed on it. I think that's what's happening here.

[LKPike]

it was said, "Shame on Canada" not "shame on canadians". get it right, angry people.

[carole]

Absolutely, it is always a shame when a thread turns this way, because it really takes away from the original discussion, and that gets left behind and forgotten, this is supposed to be about the inhumane culling of seals occuring in Canada, nothing more , nothing less.

People have the choice and personal freedom to feel offended if they wish, after all this is a democratic society we live in, and their opinions do count, however it is detracting from purpose of this thread, and I see it pointless to continue beating one's head against a brick wall, for those who see the culling as acceptable, that is your choice, so be it, but hopefully we can move on and discuss the topic of the thread instead.

If signing a petition saves one baby seal's life, then I am all for it, we can all turn a blind eye to the cruelty that is happening right in our backyard if we so wish, but for me, I am prepared to stick my neck out, leave my comfort zone,speak up and do anything, no matter how little to STOP ALL CRUELTY to animals and mankind.,any step in the right direction is one worth making, sometimes sacrifices have to be made, but in the long run it is worth it.

A small an insignificant example, is when the new sub-division was being built opposite my home, they were prepared to cut down 100 year old redwoods,I joined my neighbours and many others in a protest, guess what, only the dangerous ones were cut down, and we still have beautiful Redwoods on the entrance to the new housing lot, and it looks good too, something small, but we did make a difference here.

I can be as opinionated as the next person, and when I believe strongly in something, it will take a lot to change my mind, but I am open to listening, however I have seen nothing here that convinces me in any way that culling the seals in this manner is acceptable.

I am more than happy to get into a healthy debate with anyone regarding this thread, but I will not be drawn into any slinging matches to make my point,I have been prominent in this thread because I feel so strongly about it,, my opinions differ from a few here, well that is ok,but I really hope we can concentrate on the topic in hand,because for me that is really what concerns me here..

[wolfsoul]

I keep seeing alot of people focusing on seals being skinned alive. The seals are not skinned alive. Just like chickens run around for up to a few minutes after their head has been chopped off, seals have a "swimming reflex" after they die. It gives people the impression that they are still alive, but really they are dead.

[lizbud]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
I keep seeing alot of people focusing on seals being skinned alive. The seals are not skinned alive. Just like chickens run around for up to a few minutes after their head has been chopped off, seals have a "swimming reflex" after they die. It gives people the impression that they are still alive, but really they are dead.

There are links available that prove you wrong, but I will not
post them here. It is not necessary to do that. They are available
and documented by HSUS & other news groups at the scene.