Poor ol` Cecil the Lion

[FightTheFuture]

And don`t EVEN get me started on what`s being done to elephants.

AND gorillas!


A N D ....I could go on and on. Just a dang shame.

[pyewacket]

Then I would suggest you put your little fingers in your ears and hum really loudly.

Seriously, it`s apparent that there are a few posters around the forum that, unfortunately, endeavor to make EVERY thread in which I post ALL about religion.  A religion in which they have no belief, yet are quite fond of ridiculing. Frankly, I honestly could not possibly  care any less, but I suspect some folks do grow a little weary of it. For that, I apologize.

FTF- I don't see any need for you to apologize. You are free to express yourself within the rules set out for all of us. I used to be religious, but had to abandon it when I wanted to expand my consciousness. I do understand your devotion to your beliefs and it was not my intention to belittle you. You do understand that people will challenge fantastic claims and will not simply take it on faith, right?

Religion has been around in one form or another for many millennia and reflected the cultural development of the times. Monotheism is relatively young and, as far as I can see, is outdated to the point of being dangerous in the 21st century.

How can we possibly evolve as a civilization if we cannot evolve past a Bronze Age concept?

Funny that you should direct this heretic to "put her little fingers in her ears and hum really loudly" because that's what religious folks do when confronted with the logical fallacies of their beliefs.

I bear you no ill will.

With metta 
   

[pyewacket]

Thank you for a  terrific post.

I think one of the best bits about the Greek gods was that they were as mean and petty as the rest of us, but they just happened to be more powerful. Pretending that there was one totally perfect man and making us all feel guilty about killing him is not a particularly appealing idea for me.

Well thank you for reading my rant all the way through. 

[UnscreenedCaller]

This guy's an unconscionable twat with deep pockets, enough deep pockets to kill a beautiful wild animal in a situation that was like shooting fish in a barrel. I don't know what's worse, that he has $55,000 lying around so he decides to kill something with it, or that that he now 'regrets' killing the lion. The only thing he regrets is that his name, Walter Palmer, scumbag, is known all over the world. I hope his business dries up and fizzles out. I also can't get it out of my mind that he shot the lion with a bow and arrow, and the putz wasn't even a good aim, and left it to suffer for forty hours. I hope Karma bites his soft ass asap.

My dentist, also a very successful man, shoots animals, too. The difference is that he uses a camera and their photos are on his office wall, his 'trophies' that walked or swam away unharmed afterwards.

I eat meat, I have no problem with hunters going after game for the table, but I have huge problem with the wanton destruction of an animal just because some twat with too much money can afford it.

[UnscreenedCaller]

And don`t EVEN get me started on what`s being done to elephants.

AND gorillas!


A N D ....I could go on and on. Just a dang shame.

Hopefully, there's progress being made on banning the importation of elephant ivory.

[PathoJen]

And don`t EVEN get me started on what`s being done to elephants.

AND gorillas!


A N D ....I could go on and on. Just a dang shame.

In an effort to prevent poaching, elephants tusks are being stained in some parts of Africa. As well as infusing Rhino tusks with poison. It sucks that they have to be put thru this, but it's better than the alternative.

[FightTheFuture]

In an effort to prevent poaching, elephants tusks are being stained in some parts of Africa. As well as infusing Rhino tusks with poison. It sucks that they have to be put thru this, but it's better than the alternative.

Wow. I had no idea they were resorting to that. Although, I guess it has had some success with seal pups (dying their beautiful white fur)

[PathoJen]

Wow. I had no idea they were resorting to that. Although, I guess it has had some success with seal pups (dying their beautiful white fur)

I love the vigilante animal rights people. I saw a wonderful story about a Greenpeace-like group that trailed a poacher 10,000 nautical miles for over 150 days to bust him! The poacher ended up capsizing and sinking. And the crew was arrested. The vigilante group did this with their own funding. Even though the poachers were on a sort of "most wanted" list, it would cost millions of dollars and hours of man power from authorities to catch him and they simply did not have the resources...he has been hiding in plain sight more or less. Google it. The boat is called the Bob Barker, because the actual BB from the Price is Right donated $5 million for these people to make this arrest!
I would be more than happy to post link if anyone is interested. It's a length story, but very exciting.

[PathoJen]

This guy's an unconscionable twat with deep pockets, enough deep pockets to kill a beautiful wild animal in a situation that was like shooting fish in a barrel. I don't know what's worse, that he has $55,000 lying around so he decides to kill something with it, or that that he now 'regrets' killing the lion. The only thing he regrets is that his name, Walter Palmer, scumbag, is known all over the world. I hope his business dries up and fizzles out. I also can't get it out of my mind that he shot the lion with a bow and arrow, and the putz wasn't even a good aim, and left it to suffer for forty hours. I hope Karma bites his soft ass asap.

My dentist, also a very successful man, shoots animals, too. The difference is that he uses a camera and their photos are on his office wall, his 'trophies' that walked or swam away unharmed afterwards.

I eat meat, I have no problem with hunters going after game for the table, but I have huge problem with the wanton destruction of an animal just because some twat with too much money can afford it.

I agree 300%!

[UnscreenedCaller]

In an effort to prevent poaching, elephants tusks are being stained in some parts of Africa. As well as infusing Rhino tusks with poison. It sucks that they have to be put thru this, but it's better than the alternative.

Fantastic idea. As you say, preferable than the alternative, especially in a breed of animal that mourns its dead. Animals might as well be aliens on this planet. We have no idea what goes on inside, but watching elephants stand watch over a dead member of their clan or bury its bones ought to give enough insight that these aren't 'dumb' expendable things to be exploited. I'm happy to read that so much pressure is being put on circuses that they are dropping their elephant acts. Good.

[PathoJen]

Fantastic idea. As you say, preferable than the alternative, especially in a breed of animal that mourns its dead. Animals might as well be aliens on this planet. We have no idea what goes on inside, but watching elephants stand watch over a dead member of their clan or bury its bones ought to give enough insight that these aren't 'dumb' expendable things to be exploited. I'm happy to read that so much pressure is being put on circuses that they are dropping their elephant acts. Good.

Elephants are exploited all over the world. It's up to tourists to stay away from people offering elephant rides, etc. In Thailand people take poor little elephants and throw them on the beach to entertain tourists WTF, that is the worst place you can put an elephant is on the beach., and when they aren't entertaining tourists they are chained up, alone, treated very poorly. The good news is, people have become aware of these types of indecencies, and more and more people are trying to make a difference. It is a long, uphill, difficult battle, but we are making a difference, at least in the life of one elephant, or one lion, or one dog at a time.

[Camazotz Automat]

I gleefully invite all teetering "aspiring Dexters" and Anti Dentites to go ahead and ~fall that way~ and embrace your new human target - who already has so many murderous enemies that a homicide investigation will be stymied from square one.

Wear gloves.

[PathoJen]

I gleefully invite all teetering "aspiring Dexters" and Anti Dentites to go ahead and ~fall that way~ and embrace your new human target - who already has so many murderous enemies that a homicide investigation will be stymied from square one.

Wear gloves.

Yes! Bring on the Dexters!

[albrecht]

It sucks but this happens all the time and, oddly, hunting/fishing when done legally with good management practices can help save species and animals as well as bring in big $ to certain economies. But I've never liked the idea, especially these days, of hunting species that are endangered or threatened. Hunt those with a friggin' camera.

Personally, I wonder if it would be better if countries enact bounties on poachers- maybe in some circumstance even like done with coyotes and you could produce the body for the bounty. Well, that could go bad- but maybe with GoPros and if the poacher could be proven to be on a preserve or private land. Humans, after all, are the most dangerous game and poachers shoot back. That might cut back on the poaching for Oriental medicine, 'bushmeat', and possibly stop spread of hemorrhagic fevers (some suspect 'bushmeat' as a vector.) We also should have sanctions on China simply for their purchases for their backwards "medicine" of endangered animals and plants (not just from Africa but even from N.America.)

I do find it interesting though, due to the anthropomorphic nature of how many view animals now (thanks Disney,) how there is more global outrage over one lion killed but not when people are being killed daily in greater numbers.

[FightTheFuture]

I would be more than happy to post link if anyone is interested. It's a length story, but very exciting.

Please do! Bob Barker is the man!

[PathoJen]

Please do! Bob Barker is the man!

Here you go!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/a-renegade-trawler-hunted-for-10000-miles-by-vigilantes.html?emc=edit_na_20150728&nlid=50792364&ref=cta&_r=1

This gives me an idea for another MITD guest!!

[Camazotz Automat]

how there is more global outrage over one lion killed but not when people are being killed daily in greater numbers.

Now see, that's apples and oranges. People aren't endangered.

And I find it odd people are unable to remove their anthropomorphic view of themselves.

[UnscreenedCaller]

I do find it interesting though, due to the anthropomorphic nature of how many view animals now (thanks Disney,) how there is more global outrage over one lion killed but not when people are being killed daily in greater numbers.

I'm not a Disney fan but even so, it's not anthropomorphic on my part. My reaction is to  mindless stupidity fueled by too much money and no moral compass that makes a twat like Walter Palmer aspire to killing something because he can afford it. And, to think this animal suffered for 40 hours with his wounds is likewise haunting me. I can't even watch wild animal documentaries for that reason. But, it would be wrong to think that my or anyone else's compassion begins and ends with animals. I have in my memory too many stories I've read or photos I've seen about absolutely unspeakable human suffering and cruelty, and that keeps me up at night, too.

[PathoJen]

Now see, that's apples and oranges. People aren't endangered.

This.
Human beings think anything and everything is fair game. Nothing is sacred when it comes to humans. They will take anything they want, without a single thought. Human beings take other human beings without a thought. We have this strange sense of entitlement that I wish would go away.

[albrecht]

Here you go!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/a-renegade-trawler-hunted-for-10000-miles-by-vigilantes.html?emc=edit_na_20150728&nlid=50792364&ref=cta&_r=1

This gives me an idea for another MITD guest!!

Awesome story. A book came out about this awhile back that was pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Pirates-Poaching-Perfect-Fish/dp/1594866945/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438189308&sr=1-4&keywords=poaching+fishing
I think we should bring back Letters of Marque to go after poachers, illegal immigrant vessels, and pirates because our Navies and Coast Guards are over-taxed and underfunded in many countries.

[PathoJen]

Awesome story. A book came out about this awhile back that was pretty good.
http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Pirates-Poaching-Perfect-Fish/dp/1594866945/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1438189308&sr=1-4&keywords=poaching+fishing
I think we should bring back Letters of Marque to go after poachers, illegal immigrant vessels, and pirates because our Navies and Coast Guards are over-taxed and underfunded in many countries.

Did you read it albrecht? Is it worth buying? $9.99 for Kindle.

[Chine]

Been thinking on the 'God' in this. I have to toss this in here... And just my personal experience, I don't know if I consider myself 'religious'. Maybe I am? I apply many faiths and prayers in my day to day as a practitioner. All faiths, cultures..,  you name it.  Embracing all of them in their beauty. And we certainly see how individuals can exercise great harm as well. I personally don't feel uneasy if another finds it 'fluff and nonsense' nor stick my fingers in my ears. I want to hear it. As I do struggle in my faith all the time. Especially when I'm fucking up and failing. Arnt we all at times? It sucks. I acknowledge and respect those who contribute their ideas that may be far from my experience. That's okay because I desire to continually question and seek. Yet, something in is that faith that restores me to be an active participant in the smallest way.  I mean active, by using my gifts (art and at one time writing articles) The art, donated in raising funds for those on the front lines trying to put a bent in these horrific situations. Whether it be animal welfare, Cancer, etc. Years ago, I helped raise money for Sea Shepard two years ago. After Katrina hit, raised over 4,000  with my art for vet supplies for animals effected and suffering from that disaster.  When I get photos of a litter of puppies now thriving and healthy, or a dog who was close to dead, now wagging its tail in a new home because of my small action, I know in my heart it was a belief in the 'floaty woo woo spiritual stuff' that was a part of it. It gives me an ease over my heart somehow to be of service and walk the talk.

I don't concern myself with this faith, or that religion over another. etc.  Rather than focus solely on one instrument in the orchestra. I am interested in the music they all produce that may encourage the potential for the goodness and ability to be active that I believe is in all of us. But this recent tragedy with Cecil hurts as many others when you want to feel rage, and feel hopeless desiring change. But I will seek anything to give me strength and ease my heart to be, however small, a be a participant for change. Sorry so long, it was festering.

[Yorkshire pud]

Pretty much as everyone else has said. Unforgivable slaughter. And slaughter it is. Cecil's cubs will be killed by the next in line to be the dominant male. So not just one lion killed, perhaps ten in total, male and female.

I agree the twat should stand trial, but the likelihood an American will be extradited to an African country is going to be about zero. Extradition only works one way when it comes to the US administration. If you want to change that, get onto your politicians. Today.

[albrecht]

Did you read it albrecht? Is it worth buying? $9.99 for Kindle.

It has been several years but I enjoyed it. Interesting story on many levels (how renaming a fish and marketing it caused it to be over-fished,) the chase and high-sea adventure, and the legal aspects. I got from my library but it was a good book and would recommend. The modern fishing technology, lack of laws, rouge countries and people, lack of care/education by the consumer, and potential profits are devastating certain species of fish.

[PathoJen]

Been thinking on the 'God' in this. I have to toss this in here... And just my personal experience, I don't know if I consider myself 'religious'. Maybe I am? I apply many faiths and prayers in my day to day as a practitioner. All faiths, cultures..,  you name it.  Embracing all of them in their beauty. And we certainly see how individuals can exercise great harm as well. I personally don't feel uneasy if another finds it 'fluff and nonsense' nor stick my fingers in my ears. I want to hear it. As I do struggle in my faith all the time. Especially when I'm fucking up and failing. Arnt we all at times? It sucks. I acknowledge and respect those who contribute their ideas that may be far from my experience. That's okay because I desire to continually question and seek. Yet, something in is that faith that restores me to be an active participant in the smallest way.  I mean active, by using my gifts (art and at one time writing articles) The art, donated in raising funds for those on the front lines trying to put a bent in these horrific situations. Whether it be animal welfare, Cancer, etc. Years ago, I helped raise money for Sea Shepard two years ago. After Katrina hit, raised over 4,000  with my art for vet supplies for animals effected and suffering from that disaster.  When I get photos of a litter of puppies now thriving and healthy, or a dog who was close to dead, now wagging its tail in a new home because of my small action, I know in my heart it was a belief in the 'floaty woo woo spiritual stuff' that was a part of it. It gives me an ease over my heart somehow to be of service and walk the talk.

I don't concern myself with this faith, or that religion over another. etc.  Rather than focus solely on one instrument in the orchestra. I am interested in the music they all produce that may encourage the potential for the goodness and ability to be active that I believe is in all of us. But this recent tragedy with Cecil hurts as many others when you want to feel rage, and feel hopeless desiring change. But I will seek anything to give me strength and ease my heart to be, however small, a be a participant for change. Sorry so long, it was festering.

Nice, Chine!

[PathoJen]

Pretty much as everyone else has said. Unforgivable slaughter. And slaughter it is. Cecil's cubs will be killed by the next in line to be the dominant male. So not just one lion killed, perhaps ten in total, male and female.

I agree the twat should stand trial, but the likelihood an American will be extradited to an African country is going to be about zero. Extradition only works one way when it comes to the US administration. If you want to change that, get onto your politicians. Today.

So where will he stand trial? Or are you saying he will not? He's apologizing all over the place today, but, not for the lion and the outrage but for being caught. Twat is a good work, Yorkie.

[PathoJen]

It has been several years but I enjoyed it. Interesting story on many levels (how renaming a fish and marketing it caused it to be over-fished,) the chase and high-sea adventure, and the legal aspects. I got from my library but it was a good book and would recommend. The modern fishing technology, lack of laws, rouge countries and people, lack of care/education by the consumer, and potential profits are devastating certain species of fish.

Yes, wasn't that something! It was once called tooth something or other. Now it's Chilean Sea Bass, and asshole foodies cannot keep their mitts off of them, even if that means fishing to extinction. See what I mean about humans feeling entitled.

[FightTheFuture]

Nice, Chine!

I echo, PJ's sentiments. Nicely done, Chine

[FightTheFuture]

Here you go!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/world/a-renegade-trawler-hunted-for-10000-miles-by-vigilantes.html?emc=edit_na_20150728&nlid=50792364&ref=cta&_r=1

This gives me an idea for another MITD guest!!

Thanks, Jen. Hey! Wouldn't Bob Barker be a great guest? He has had a very interesting life, and probably has a million stories.

[UnscreenedCaller]

I don't concern myself with this faith, or that religion over another. etc.  Rather than focus solely on one instrument in the orchestra. I am interested in the music they all produce that may encourage the potential for the goodness and ability to be active that I believe is in all of us. But this recent tragedy with Cecil hurts as many others when you want to feel rage, and feel hopeless desiring change. But I will seek anything to give me strength and ease my heart to be, however small, a be a participant for change. Sorry so long, it was festering.

Well said, Chine. Rage isn't a bad thing. It can be transformative if it's channeled into action.