Four questions on the aftermath of Bethune
Apparently only 3 people turned up to meet Bethune, unclear whether that was his family or in addition to them. There were some 20 ‘media’.So much for a huge welcoming crowd.
So these 4 questions then come to mind:-
Could it be, that many people do not in fact approve of Bethune?
Could it be that many detest the way the Sea Shepherd Society behaves?
Could it be that many now wonder if the actions of Sea Shepherd are in fact counter-productive as regards reducing whaling?
Could it be that many realise that Sea Shepherd’s ability to raise funds and exist depends on the continued Japanes whaling effort on the Southern Ocean, thus the whalers and the anti-whalers have a somewhat symbiotic relationship, each having a vested interest in the status quo?
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Unfortunately I do not see NZ position on nuclear as a proud one, in fact I see it as a stance promulgated by a vain glorious clique that successfully managed to merge a concern about nuclear weapons into a complete anti-nuclear stance which is now in many ways holding us back. this stance was embodied in the theatricality of Lange who used it to obscure other actions his government was taking.
by the way the flotillas did little in reality to stop testing.
On the apartheid issue I think there may have been some assistance, but growing economic problems and the inevitable realisation that the Boers could not hold out were I suggest a more real pressure
Okay…that’s it for the Emily Pankhursts amongst us. It’s all up to the trusted and benevolent rich and powerful to define who we are. What a relief!
That is not what I said, but if it makes you happy so be it!
Robert
Based on what I have read, seen and heard I am of the view that Bethune and Sea Shepherd are counter-productive.
This does not mean I have a closed mind, it means that based on what I have seen to date I do not think Bethune and co are assisting those who wish to reduce/eliminate whaling.
The recent IWC conference would suggest that the Japanese are becoming more obdurate in some respects.
In addition the whaling issue allows Japanese politicians to pander to a limited degree to a noisy nationalist element within their political firmament.
I nterestingly I seem to recall that Greenpeace used to also chase after the Japanese in the Southern Ocean I do not recall them doing so this year.
Furthermore I find it hard to support an organization such as Sea Shepherd which celebrates and encourages the destruction of ships and equipment.
I may be cynical but I see Paul Watson as a grandstanding, self aggrandising individual who is more interested in inflating his ego than anything else.
You of course are most welcome to disagree
Adam
In terms of success Adam, how would you rate the efforts by Messrs Key, McCully and Palmer to secure an improvement in the situation, through their diplomatic manouverings?
How many whales were saved this season, for example. How much did they contribute or erode New Zealand’s ‘anti-whaling’ brand in the eyes of ‘the world’??
How well recognised is New Zealand’s anti-whaling brand as a result of Bethune’s actions, do you think?
Given that Palmer is the lead negotiator , I will ignore your clear attempt to bring politics into this.
The NZ position was that they sought a reduction leading to elimination. The talks were not successful, but prospects of success were not helped I suggest by the actions of Bethune and Sea Shepherd.
I would suggest that Palmer’s rationalist approach would add to the NZ brand, and whilst some, and I include you here see Bethune as enhancing the brand, I submit that his actions do not add to the brand as you put it.
Did the actions of the anti-tour protesters contribute to the end of aparthied in South Africa?
Did the flotillas contribute to New Zealand’s proud position as leaders in the anti-nuclear movement?
We should shut up, stop our ‘reckless’ behaviour, put on our suits and be diplomatic?
Okay Adam, but you’re sounding a little ‘domesticated’ there.
Non-event?
Nice re-writing of history there Adam!
A New Zealander didn’t sail to the southern oceans, didn’t attempt to stop whaling by a Japanese vessel, didn’t get rammed by the Japanese ship, didn’t board the vessel in an attempt to effect a citizen’s arrest, didn’t get detained by the whalers, wasn’t taken to Japan, tried and sent home with a suspended sentence.
Scrub all thoughts of an ‘event’ from your minds, Comrades!
I did not say ‘non event’ I inferred the so called huge welcome home promoted by the media was a non event
I did not say he did not go to Southern Ocean and carry out his activities, what I suggested was that in fact they were counter productive.
I also pointed out that for Sea Shepherd to exist it needed a target and that if there was no \Japanese whaling they had no target, therefore no need for Sea Shepeherd, therefore they and the whalers in effect had a symbiotic relationship
You are the one claiming I wrote things which I did not
“he is a non event”
I enjoyed Bethune’s comments re: the fear he held regarding any Sumo cell-mates.
Actually I did on re-reading the thread; and I meant non event in the sense that so what, his protest is a non event and the only impact is to make the japanese even more obdurate
How do you know that Adam?
Your blog is named ‘The Inquiring Mind”, yet your mind seems already to be made up.
Have I read you wrongly?
You missed one question: Who cares about Mr Bethune?
I don’t.
The only way I ‘care’ about Bethune is has he done any damage to the possibility of further restricting whaling
And has he damaged NZ/Japanese relations?
otherwise he is a non event