Paul Watson gets out of Dodge again

Date
    July 27, 2012 -




Pirate captain ... Paul Watson, founder of environmental group the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

    Japan confirms Watson pursuit

Paul Watson calls it "Getting out of Dodge" - as in the Wild West's Dodge City. The hardline conservationist knows when the forces arrayed against him mean it's time to leave town.    :)

He got out of Dodge once in 2006, just hours before authorities in Hobart were told his ship Farley Mowat should be detained, having been stripped of its Belizean flag.    :)

Since then he has led the transformation of his group from a self-proclaimed pirate outfit, to a small, efficient navy funded largely by Hollywood millionaires.


Now he has suddenly taken flight from Germany, where he was being detained over another 10 year-old decision to get out of Dodge in Costa Rica.

The decision to skip bail in Frankfurt throws into doubt his ability to lead the group he founded 35 years ago.

Pensive and bearish, the Canadian-born Watson, 61, was an original Greenpeace member who broke with the group in the 1970s. Most of those activists have recalled Mr Watson as too much warrior and not enough rainbow.

In Canada his own group first raised their profile internationally against seal hunters, but in 1979 he was to change the face of anti-whaling direct action.

His first ship, a 779-tonne former North Sea trawler called Sea Shepherd, rammed the Atlantic Ocean's pirate whaling ship, Sierra, in Leixoes, northern Portugal.    :)

Sierra was damaged, repaired, and later sunk with a limpet mine by unidentified saboteurs. Mr Watson was released, but when his vessel was held, he scuttled it.

"We traded a ship for a ship," he said. "But it was a great trade because we also traded our ship for the lives of hundreds of whales that would be spared from the Sierra."

In the following years he claimed to have sunk other Icelandic and Norwegian whaling boats , many of which were raised and resumed whaling.

He was detained in Amsterdam in 1992 over the sinking of the Norwegian ship Nybraena, but although they held him for 80 days, the Dutch refused to hand him over to Norway.

He took up other campaigns, including an anti-poacher patrol off central America that led to the Costa Rican charges. In this incident, Mr Watson was in Guatemalan waters when he encountered the Costa Rican vessel Varadero and the two collided with minimal damage.

He maintains that, on the order of Guatemalan authorities, Sea Shepherd instructed the crew of the Varadero to cease their shark-finning activities and head back to port to be prosecuted.

Then, under pressure from the lucrative shark fin industry, authorities turned against his group. It is this case that resurfaced a decade later to snare him in Germany.    :(

But the campaigns that lifted Sea Shepherd's resources and profile more than any other are the eight expeditions he has undertaken to the Antarctic against Japanese "scientific" whaling ships.    :)

Harassment by Sea Shepherd is claimed to have saved thousands of minke whales from the harpoon. A series of high seas collisions also ensued, climaxing in 2010 with the loss of the Sea Shepherd ship Ady Gil, sliced in two by a Japanese ship.    :)

Sea Shepherd is now an $11 million turnover organisation, 84 per cent funded by private donation, according to its US tax returns.

The latest celebrity donor to fund the campaign is The Simpson's co-creator, Sam Simon, whose name will be on the side of a former German icebreaker set to join the fleet.    :)

The identity of the icebreaker is as yet unknown, as are the whereabouts of Mr Watson.

"We have no further information and are not in touch with him," the group's administrative director, Susan Hartland, said.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/whale-watch/paul-watson-gets-out-of-dodge-again-20120727-22xgw.html#ixzz21nYrhyeV

Crook do you support this criminal?

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 6:06pm:

Crook do you support this criminal?

he's not the criminal. It's the honourable lying japanese  scum that keeps murdering whales for the sake of science !!

where are the results of their scientific research ?

likewise the other scum that keeps lopping off the tops of the sharks and somehow they become the victims in all of this !!

My heart bleeds for the true criminals !!

It certainly isn't watson. They've got the wrong man.

When they over fish and deplete the oceans then one day the penny will drop for you :(

Quote:

he's not the criminal.

Since when is piracy legal? What about skipping bail?

Hi Nail,
Paul Watson is my hero.
I feel so sorry for the poor whales - they are mammals like us
with large brains & feelings.
I know I wouldn't have the guts to stick my neck out like him.

Are you a vegetarian bobby?

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 8:51pm:

Are you a vegetarian bobby?

No - but I wish I was.  :(

Suppose you were, would it then be reasonable for you to start killing pig farmers because no-one took you seriously enough to ban bacon?

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 8:57pm:

Suppose you were, would it then be reasonable for you to start killing pig farmers because no-one took you seriously enough to ban bacon?

Stop embarassing me.

I feel embarrassed every time I see Australians get on their high horse about the Japs killing whales. You should feel embarrassed.

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:00pm:

I feel embarrassed every time I see Australians get on their high horse about the Japs killing whales. You should feel embarrassed.

where are the results of the scientific research ????

you should be embarrassed for letting the japs pull the wool over your eyes :(

I know exactly what they are up to. I still support their right to eat whale. You would too if you weren't such a hypocrit. If the Japs were actually breaking the law, there would be no need for Paul Watson to break the law in attempting to stop them.

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:17pm:

I know exactly what they are up to. I still support their right to eat whale. You would too if you weren't such a hypocrit. If the Japs were actually breaking the law, there would be no need for Paul Watson to break the law in attempting to stop them.

the point is they tell us that they are doing it for the scientific research.

where are the results of the research ??

if they are killing them to eat them instead of doing the scientific research then they are breaking the law !!

TNL, you are welcome to read up on the scientific research if you want. As for the law, the IWC has determined again and again that the Japanese are not breaking it. The IWC has had plenty of opportunities to close the loophole. They have not done so. The actions of the Japanese whalers is legal, regardless of how ignorant you are of the outcomes of the scientific research. Sinking ships in antarctic waters is illegal, regardless of how much propaganda you spew about the people on those ships.

Do you think it is reasonable for Paul Watson to attempt to kill people because you don't know what the research outcomes are?

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:00pm:

I feel embarrassed every time I see Australians get on their high horse about the Japs killing whales. You should feel embarrassed.

I feel embarassed that I do eat meat.
I know that I would have to be starving to death before I would
personally kill an animal & eat it for food.
The fact that it's in sanitised packets in the supermarket somehow removes my guilt
unless I think too much about it.


What about you on your high horse Freediver.
You reckon you could work in an abbatoir?

Quote:

What about you on your high horse Freediver. You reckon you could work in an abbatoir?

Sure, if I needed the job. I kill animals for fun. Look at my profile picture.

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:32pm:

TNL, you are welcome to read up on the scientific research if you want. As for the law, the IWC has determined again and again that the Japanese are not breaking it. The IWC has had plenty of opportunities to close the loophole. They have not done so. The actions of the Japanese whalers is legal, regardless of how ignorant you are of the outcomes of the scientific research. Sinking ships in antarctic waters is illegal, regardless of how much propaganda you spew about the people on those ships. Do you think it is reasonable for Paul Watson to attempt to kill people because you don't know what the research outcomes are?

what research is it that needs to kill thousands of whales each year ?? that sort of slaughter in the name of research is unheard of for such a large animal.

you must be fickle if you believe their bullshit stories on research.

Paul Watson is just doing the job that spineless politicians won't do just because the japs buy our filthy coal from us and we have to suck up to them :(

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:00pm:

I feel embarrassed every time I see Australians get on their high horse about the Japs killing whales. You should feel embarrassed.

Dodo drumstick, Freediver?

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:35pm:

Quote: What about you on your high horse Freediver. You reckon you could work in an abbatoir? Sure, if I needed the job. I kill animals for fun. Look at my profile picture.

Come on Freediver - catching a fish is not the same as slitting a sheeps throat with a knife.
I don't think many people would have the stomach to do that unless they were starving.
Be honest now.

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:35pm:

Quote: What about you on your high horse Freediver. You reckon you could work in an abbatoir? Sure, if I needed the job. I kill animals for fun. Look at my profile picture.

why don't we kill you for fun ?? At the end of the day it's the humans who are the only species capable of destroying the environment they live in. One less trigger happy human on the planet would be an asset to the environment and presrevation of other species ;)

When you consider that whales have been on this planet a hell of a lot longer than us humans they must have thought their luck had run out as soon as they saw those slit eyes floating around in the ocean :(

Bobby. wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 9:40pm:

freediver wrote on Jul 27th, 2012 at 9:35pm: Quote: What about you on your high horse Freediver. You reckon you could work in an abbatoir? Sure, if I needed the job. I kill animals for fun. Look at my profile picture. Come on Freediver - catching a fish is not the same as slitting a sheeps throat with a knife. I don't think many people would have the stomach to do that unless they were starving. Be honest now.

but he doesn't do it  because he is hungry he does it for fun  [smiley=shocked.gif] Can you believe that ??

Nail,

Quote:

but he doesn't do it  because he is hungry he does it for fun  Can you believe that ??

I used to fish when I was a kid & I did enjoy it
& I also used to share the fish with my family -
I used to gut them & clean them as well.
I used to use a kontiki with 50 hooks but they are illegal now.

Quote:

what research is it that needs to kill thousands of whales each year ?

Why do you keep asking me this? Why don't you look it up yourself if you think that is the only important point. Not having a clue about the research does not mean it does not exist. Pretty much all biologists kill animals for their research.


Quote:

you must be fickle if you believe their bullshit stories on research.

Can you point out where I have justified my position on the value of the research?


Quote:

Paul Watson is just doing the job that spineless politicians won't do just because the japs buy our filthy coal from us and we have to suck up to them

No TNL. The politicians won't do it because they can't. Japan is not breaking any laws.


Quote:

Dodo drumstick, Freediver?

Minke whales are not in any danger of extinction. In fact, harvesting them could help prevent extinction.


Quote:

Come on Freediver - catching a fish is not the same as slitting a sheeps throat with a knife.

I have killed my fair share of cats and smaller animals. I know the difference. The hardest animal to kill was actually a cuttlefish. I am actually keen to go roo and pig hunting. Plenty of people do this for fun. If you have never tried it then you can not know whether you would handle it. Sheep are particularly stupid so I am not sure why you use them as an example. They are the fish of the land.


Quote:

I don't think many people would have the stomach to do that unless they were starving

I think you are wrong.


Quote:

why don't we kill you for fun ?

See TNL, this is where the law comes in. This is what Paul Watson has been trying. That is why he is a criminal and the Japs are not.


Quote:

When you consider that whales have been on this planet a hell of a lot longer than us humans they must have thought their luck had run out as soon as they saw those slit eyes floating around in the ocean

Typical racism from the anti whaling mob. Greenpeace get a lot of mileage from the racism. They raise funds in Australia and the US by playing up the japs, but in Europe they are pretty much silent on whaling because it won't raise the funds without the racist appeal. White people hunt whales in Europe. Whaling was one of Australia's founding industries.


Quote:

I used to fish when I was a kid & I did enjoy it

Is it so hard to believe you might enjoy hunting mammals?

Quote:

Is it so hard to believe you might enjoy hunting mammals?

If you were hungry then you'd have to make it fun
in order to be able to do it.
Could you slit a sheep's throat?

You missed that question!    ;)

freediver wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 10:03pm:

Quote: what research is it that needs to kill thousands of whales each year ? Why do you keep asking me this? Why don't you look it up yourself if you think that is the only important point. Not having a clue about the research does not mean it does not exist. Pretty much all biologists kill animals for their research.

then where is it then ??? I've asked you this three times already and you continue to fob me off like it's not an important issue of the whole debate !!

And what is the payoff to this mass slaughter of whales in the name of scientific research ?? What are the benefits apart from filling up their guts ??

why don't they just stick to researching the mating rituals of fire flys in a jam jar ?? May as well because their research into whales is about as useful :(

Don't you think that it is culturally insensitive to criticise the Japanese who have eaten whale meat for centuries? I do.

I think Alaskans, Russians and Scandinavians also have had a history if eating whale.

I don't have an issue with whaling, they are more or less just ocean cattle. There is such a thing as sustainable harvesting.

What a shame that the Japanese don't know, what whale sanctuary means.    :(   

Quote:

Could you slit a sheep's throat? You missed that question!

Physically I may have a bit of difficulty, depending on how strong or spooked the sheep is. It certainly wouldn't be my method of choice. But I wouldn't have any emotional problems doing it.


Quote:

then where is it then ??? I've asked you this three times already and you continue to fob me off like it's not an important issue of the whole debate !

Because I don't know where it is and it is not an important issue. If you actually wanted to find it rather than asking silly questions you would have no trouble.


Quote:

And what is the payoff to this mass slaughter of whales in the name of scientific research ?? What are the benefits apart from filling up their guts ??

Food is not a trivial benefit.


Quote:

I think Alaskans, Russians and Scandinavians also have had a history if eating whale.

You left out Australians. Whaling was one of our founding industries.


Quote:

What a shame that the Japanese don't know, what whale sanctuary means.

They know what pretend whale sanctuary means.

Freediver,

Quote:

Physically I may have a bit of difficulty, depending on how strong or spooked the sheep is. It certainly wouldn't be my method of choice. But I wouldn't have any emotional problems doing it.

You should have got a job as a butcher.

Japan confirms Watson pursuit

Date
    July 27, 2012

Andrew Darby

 





Japan has confirmed it wanted fugitive Sea Shepherd leader, Paul Watson to be held for questioning before he broke bail in Frankfurt and fled Germany.    :-?

The chief cabinet secretary, Osamu Fujimura, said the government was still attempting to determine facts around the flight of Mr Watson, who led his group in eight campaigns against the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic.

Mr Fujimura told reporters in a Tokyo press conference that Japan had been in the early stages of an official approach to Germany over the case of Mr Watson.   

"The Japanese government has tentatively submitted a request to incarcerate the individual for further investigation by the Japanese government," Mr Fujimura said through an official interpreter.


Mr Watson had been detained on €250,000 ($295,000) bail in Germany for 70 days while Costa Rica sought his extradition over an alleged navigation offence that was revived after a decade.

Japanese officials repeatedly described Mr Watson as an eco-terrorist in the escalating Antarctic conflict. 

This summer he planned to use a four-ship fleet to shut down the "scientific whaling" operation.    :)

In 2010 Japan sought his inclusion on Interpol's blue notice list, which requested his whereabouts be noted, but did not ask for his arrest.

Mr Watson said before his arrest in Germany that he believed the notice had lapsed.

Following his departure from Germany, for an unknown destination, a Frankfurt court issued a new arrest warrant.

Japan has repeatedly asked Australia to act against Mr Watson and Sea Shepherd, but a series of Australian Federal Police investigations have not resulted in any charge.    :)


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/whale-watch/japan-confirms-watson-pursuit-20120727-22ygg.html#ixzz21rhBTl1o

Eventually you lot are going to regret creating this myth that if you disagree with the law, you have a moral right to take the law into your own hands and try to kill people.

Perhaps one should also, tell that to the Japanese pirates.   :(

freediver wrote on Jul 28^th, 2012 at 8:50am:

Eventually you lot are going to regret creating this myth that if you disagree with the law, you have a moral right to take the law into your own hands and try to kill people.

Freediver - when did Paul Watson try to kill people?

Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 27^th, 2012 at 10:47pm:

freediver wrote on Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:03pm: Quote: what research is it that needs to kill thousands of whales each year ? Why do you keep asking me this? Why don't you look it up yourself if you think that is the only important point. Not having a clue about the research does not mean it does not exist. Pretty much all biologists kill animals for their research. then where is it then ??? I've asked you this three times already and you continue to fob me off like it's not an important issue of the whole debate !! And what is the payoff to this mass slaughter of whales in the name of scientific research ?? What are the benefits apart from filling up their guts ?? why don't they just stick to researching the mating rituals of fire flys in a jam jar ?? May as well because their research into whales is about as useful :(

My understanding is that the IWC has asked Japan to demonstrate that their whale research provides critical information, and that non-lethal research techniques are not able to provide the same information. Despite numerous requests Japan has failed to provide this information.

Quote:

Perhaps one should also, tell that to the Japanese pirates.

The Japanese are not pirates and are not breaking any laws. Not having a clue what the law actually is does not prove the Japs are breaking it.


Quote:

Freediver - when did Paul Watson try to kill people?

Every time he tried to sink steel hulled whaling boats in antarctic waters. Every time he put his own pawns in the path of whaling ships. He probably has wet dreams about the publicity he would get if one of the Sea Shepherd idiots died.


Quote:

My understanding is that the IWC has asked Japan to demonstrate that their whale research provides critical information, and that non-lethal research techniques are not able to provide the same information. Despite numerous requests Japan has failed to provide this information.

Failing to satisfactorily answer a question from the IWC is not a crime. The Japs are not breaking any laws. The IWC chooses not to close the loophole that allows the Japs to continue whaling legally. They choose not to outlaw all the legal whaling done by other non-slanty-eyed nations that no-one seems to notice. Paul Watson cannot get what he wants legally, so he tries to kill people instead, and the idiots are tripping over each other to make excuses for him.

I don't remember any movie where they got out of dodge in a ship

MOTR wrote on Jul 28^th, 2012 at 9:16am:

Sir lastnail wrote on Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:47pm: freediver wrote on Jul 27th, 2012 at 10:03pm: Quote: what research is it that needs to kill thousands of whales each year ? Why do you keep asking me this? Why don't you look it up yourself if you think that is the only important point. Not having a clue about the research does not mean it does not exist. Pretty much all biologists kill animals for their research. then where is it then ??? I've asked you this three times already and you continue to fob me off like it's not an important issue of the whole debate !! And what is the payoff to this mass slaughter of whales in the name of scientific research ?? What are the benefits apart from filling up their guts ?? why don't they just stick to researching the mating rituals of fire flys in a jam jar ?? May as well because their research into whales is about as useful :( My understanding is that the IWC has asked Japan to demonstrate that their whale research provides critical information, and that non-lethal research techniques are not able to provide the same information. Despite numerous requests Japan has failed to provide this information.

and freediver fails to provide the information as well :(

TNL, please provide the information, or I'll get Paul Watson to disable the brakes on your car.

It would be good to see Germany and Japan working together on something. Just think of the potential!

freediver wrote on Jul 28^th, 2012 at 12:49pm:

It would be good to see Germany and Japan working together on something. Just think of the potential!

This time Japan would benefit, no whales in the Rhine I hear