I watched Oprah’s Earth Day special this year (and last year – remember the garbage swirl twice the size of Texas?!). After watching these shows, I am always motivated to do my part. Yes, sometimes that motivation wanes, but for the most part, I remain green throughout the year (confession: my showers can run a bit long). Whether or not you believe in global warming, you must admit, our earth is a gift and we should take care of it. It seems pretty simple.
The shows that really get me are the ones where I see that animals are being affected by our carelessness or, as the case may be much of the time, our downright evil ways. An animal has died because it ingested a plastic bag, an animal is being strangled by those plastic six-pack things (didn’t your Mother tell you to cut them up?!?). My Mom and I are of the same mold–she sees an amazing animal story, she calls me. She reads an amazing animal e-mail, she forwards it to me. Nothing gets the tears pumping like a good animal story… or a bad one. I have even claimed before, don’t be offended, that I like animals more than people. While there is some hyperbole there, the point is this: for the most part, animals have an instinct to protect, to love, and to do right. Yes, some must kill to survive, but they don’t torture, take pleasure in another’s pain, or kill needlessly (at least, not that I’m aware of). Could I say the same of humans? Heck no. Remember Michael Vick? Or how about puppy mills? How about the kid with the cats and the fireworks? Whether or not you clicked those links, you get my point. Humans don’t always have the instinct to protect. In fact, quite opposite for some. Torturing something without a voice obviously brings some sort of satisfaction to many (I’m getting angry just talking about it!). On the flip-side, remember the story of the kidnapped and beaten girl in Ethiopia who was protected by lions?! Yes, by lions! People were abusing her, and lions protected her! If that doesn’t scream that we have a problem, I don’t know what does.
Now, stay with me. The reason I’m writing this is the dolphins. The Cove was an Oscar-winning documentary this year. I haven’t seen it, but I’ve seen enough on Oprah that my heart hurt. It seriously hurt. It was devastating. In Taiji, Japan, there is a cove that is hard to get to and protected on three sides by cliffs. Here is where the dolphins swim in, and here is where the water runs red (literally) because they are trapped and speared by the Japanese. Here’s an idea:
And here’s the trailer:
I really don’t intend to make this blog a place for my politics about anything, but I just felt too strongly about this to not share it, and as someone with a voice, I feel somewhat responsible. If you’d have seen the footage, I know you’d feel the same way. So, here are two sites where you can do something, anything (even just signing your name to a petition).
Take Part.
Save Japan Dolphins.
Now, am I being a hypocrite because I still enjoy a good burger sometimes?
I'm so glad your shared! Love your blog and am happy I found it.
This documentary was unreal. Definitely one of those films that even months later, I still feel strongly affected by what I saw. Although it was difficult to watch, it is so important to raise awareness of this kind of cruelty to animals. Thanks for sharing on your blog.
I'm intrigued to see this movie now. And I love a good burger but I also am trying to be more sensitive to the world.
Great share!! I am vegan and I stare at hamburgers longingly sometimes.
heyheyhey. as usual, love the blog. I haven't seen this documentary yet, but I did watch them win the award- one of the people on stage held up a sign that said "text dolphin to —–" (I forget the number). anyway, I agree with everything you said…I can't even watch the Sarah MacLachlan commercials on tv because they make me want to cry. Good for you for using your blog in a positive way.
What an amazing post. Animal cruelty is a cause close to my heart. It is beyond comprehension to me what some people do to defenseless creatures.
i love all of the things 'the cove' is accomplishing, such a great cause! it's absolutely awful the things that are taking place and i'm so glad they're shining some light on it.
and i will never EVER forget stumbling upon an oprah episode that was all about puppy mills… i SOBBED and sobbed and sobbed. it angered me so much, it was completely horrific the things they showed and i will always try and do my part in raising awareness about puppy mills. it's awful, how can people be so heartless and cruel?
Great post! I am so glad you shared it with us! Have a nice day:)
the Cove is AMAZING and it really is so important that everyone is aware of this. I had no idea it was going on, or at least not to the extent that it is. So happy they won an Oscar too, they deserved it!! xo
I just saw The Cove and I still cannot sleep. It's not for the weak stomached. It's amazing how red the river actually gets. It's disgusting.
If you never want to crave, salivate or lust for a hamburger, chicken or bacon (oh sweet bacon! How I love and miss you!!!) watch any of the PETA videos. They will scare the cravings out of your soul. All except that darn bacon. And sausage. What can I say, I love me some pork!
You must, must see The Cove. It rocked me to my core. It was actually a big factor in me going fully vegetarian – no seafood at all. You'll understand once you watch it.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! So nice to meet you. 🙂 Seeing those photos of you in the North End make me miss Boston so much!