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Phil Vettel, in a post late yesterday to the Tribune's "Stew" blog, wrote about how restaurants around the area are joining in on a boycott of Canadian seafood to protest that nation's ongoing annual seal hunt. The boycotts range from simply not offering Canadian snow crab - many crab fisheries are also involved in the seal hunt - to not buying seafood from a specific region or not buying any Canadian seafood. The boycott, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, will remain in place until the hunt is permanently banned.
You can read the list of local restaurants participating in the boycott here.
Seal image courtesy of HSUS website.
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And be sure not to eat any seafood from Japan because they allow and support whaling (for 'science', yeah, right), and don't forget Norway, they allow whaling as well. In fact you can find reasons to not eat seafood from every country that has commercial fishing. America allows the year-round harvesting of lobster, dangerously depleting the stock (Canada has seasonal lobstering for the same lobsters, and has found it sustainable). It is fun to see those who live in glass fish tanks throwing stones. I hope all these deep thinkers stay in the kitchen, preparing delicious and unsustainable seafood dishes with their naively clear consciouses. Melted Butter, mmmm.
Doing something is better than doing nothing, dumbass.
Well, if you really want to protest, avoid most beef and many other forms of American-produced meat: The economics of the system are destructive.
Seriously, if you want to make a difference, why focus on the relatively trivial? Why not do bold steps instead of PR-friendly little steps?
No, I'm not a vegetarian. I just don't care about food-producing animals that much, though I do care about how the production process affects our economy and environment and personal health.
I agree with Guest #3. Let's talk bold steps instead of "awareness campaign". When the seal hunt is over, these restaurants are going to go back to serving Canadian seafood, right?
This post and these links really only tell one side of the story. For an explanation of the details of the Canadian seal hunt, see the Candian Department of Fisheries and Agriculture website:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/faq_e.htm
There is also a link on BBC news that explains a bit of the controversy.
I try to be conscious meat and fish eater. If the animals are not killed humanely, the hunters should be punished. But, if the animals are killed humanely, as is stipulated and enforced in Department of Fisheries and Agriculture website, how this is different than hunting deer?
Is there a shortage of seals? Er... I mean... why is a seal hunt wrong?
Or, to be right to the point, why is killing seals worse than killing fish?
Actually, #2, not always.
Doing something small and trivial can sap energy from other causes, and create a feeling of satifisfaction among the protestors and media and political types, creating the inertia that prevents a larger action from starting.
Why, for instance, do you think politicians trumpet relatively small causes? Sometimes, I admit, it's the best they can get, but often, it is to make a big deal over a small thing so that energies do not get diverted into larger causes that actually threaten the status quo, rather than make nice little PR campaigns that makes everyone feel oh so good.
How is this different? They're cuter animals, right?
Doing something small and trivial can sap energy from other causes, and create a feeling of satifisfaction among the protestors and media and political types, creating the inertia that prevents a larger action from starting.
and I thought I was cynical.
Julene: The word is a cynical place. That doesn't mean there is ample room for hope and optimism and honesty, of course, only that we must accept the reality of human nature.
After some 6 years of Bush & Co., I can't understand why more people don't grasp this and fight accordingly.
Number 6 isn't being cynical. He/she is being realistic and pragmatic. We spend much too much time convincing ourselves that we're making a difference with pointless action like standing in a street holding a sign with a fancy slogan while we continue to live our lives in reckless, sluggish, destructive ways. Why? Because holding the sign is easy. It makes us feel better, and it doesn't require us to work.
Here's an example: over the last year or two, the whole country has gone nuts over ethanol, claiming we can change the world simply by changing what we put in our gas tanks. We don't realize, though, that ethanol is far-more destructive to the environment than gas. It takes more energy from fossil fuel to make ethanol, meaning we're using more oil and pumping more carbon into the atmosphere, not less. (Don't believe me? Look it up.) Meanwhile, we drive up the price of corn, making food that much more expensive for ourselves, our poor, and those living in the Third world.
But we ignore this. Why? Because buying ethanol lets us quote rainbow-infused slogans and feel good about ourselves without actually having to do anything. Nothing will really change until we get past this hypocrtical, hippy laziness.
Steps that seem "small and trivial" to you may be the beginnings of larger steps down the road. All changes, whether it be in society, or on an individual level, start small. It is only when they are adopted by a larger group that they become big. One person deciding not to eat a certain thing, or deciding to boycott a certain thing can change the attitudes of those around them and create a ripple effect that spreads to many, many people.
Don't underestimate the value of "small and trivial" changes.
As far as seafood, for those interested in practicing sustainable seafood eating habits, I recommend checking out the Monterey Bay Aquarium's safe seafood guide. It's not perfect, but it's a start.
My own cynical note: the cuter the animal, the easier it is to get people outraged over them. Whatever works.
11: But what happens when he have the knowledge that can help us make bigger changes, or when a little research (as in the case of 10) allows us to questions the small moves we make?
Too often people send in a check or hold a sign but do nothing in the way of daily changes to their own lives. I am not trying to judge, only tell you what I've observed. Slogans and feel-good causaes are great, but in the absence of tackling the big problems head on, daily, quiet, personal action is even better--more so if you are a role model.
You are right, 11: Cuteness counts. According to some (not all) evolutionary biologists, there's a hard-wired reason within us that makes cuteness count for various reasons. I know this only because I wrote a paper on the subject a few years ago for reasons too boring to mention.
I hate the argument that small things don't matter, it just makes me want to throw all my garbage in your yard. It's a small effort on my part, but I bet it would make a big difference in your mood and resale value of your home.
Julene: I think you miss the point entirely.
This issue about seals is small and relatively trivial compared with other food-related issues, and really seems to do nothing but make people feel good about themselves without changing food production processess that are much more destructive. Perhaps I have missed something. Perhaps someone can tell me how Canadian seal hunts have as much impact as, say, current forms of beef production, or turning over corn fields to ethanol.
What on earth that has to with throwing garbage is beyond me. The analogy is fragile, and I feel like you've merely tossed back some superficial, junior-high level response that really makes no logical sense.
Obviously small things matter: A kiss hello to your significant other every night, for instance, or a nice note. But we are talking about political and economic action, and choices about to protest and spend our energy on should one decide to protest in various manners.
People who feel smug about doing small things are people who are not inclined to do anything anyway. A former in-law of mine felt she was doing her part to save energy by washing her hands in public restrooms with cold water. She was a narcissistic yuppie who only wanted to live the good life for herself, so being socially conscious just was not on her agenda. On the other hand, people I know who care about baby seals also tend to care about all animals and other causes, too. They donate money, write letters, go to hearings, and such because they are inclined to be active. Smugness is not their goal. I bet if you check the restaurants that are part of this boycott, you'll see that they're doing other things to help the community. I consider it a service that Chicagoist has let those of us who choose to live responsibly know which restaurants these are.
And here comes Ferdy, the goddess of trivial causes (see: MF).
Well, since you have that in-law evidence, I guess your case is solid. Well argued.
"Choose to live responsibily" by caring about some seal hunt? Uh, yeah? That's smug, sweetheart, really smug, in an urban leftist progressive grad student stoner hippie type of way.
I don't claim to be pure. I'm not a vegetarian and wouldn't boycott Canadian products over the seal hunt. But my friend from PETA certainly would, and I'm glad she has the info.
What causes to you support anonymous guest number 16?
"Doing something is better than doing nothing, dumbass"
Wow, "guest" that is a compelling argument, your little brain is scary. Most of the seal hunt occurs in Newfoundland, and you have to remember these are people who drove the Newfoundland wolf, walrus, and the Labrador duck to extinction in their territory and extirpated the polar bear and the pilot whale from nearby waters. The humans there do not get along with other animals. Vacation Paradise.
Ferdy:
"I consider it a service that Chicagoist has let those of us who choose to live responsibly know which restaurants these are."
Live responsibly? Please. Chicagoist is presenting one side of the story.
Yes, perhaps these restaurants are doing other things to help the community. That's great, but judging from the menus that I sampled on the website, if some of these places really were committed to animals, they wouldn't serve veal, right? Or fish that are not eco-friendly. Guess what. Some do.
And don't get me started on PETA.
What will satisfy you? Even Ivory soap was 99 and 44/100% pure. If the restaurants are doing more than a publicity stunt over the seal hunt, then they're making some effort. Restaurants are not animal-friendly if they're not vegetarian or vegan--a given. I kind of think the foie gras ban is pissing in the wind because of the nature of most restaurants, but this is the approach animal rights activitists wish to take--take out the most egregious forms of animal torment. Call it silly if you will, but they're making a dent. That's how change comes about, and this is the change they want.
What would satisfy me is if little leftists and little urban progressives would focus on biggger issues and not this shitty little boutique issues that really are trivial in today's world.
Here are some issues:
Foreign policy
Property tax relief/reforms
TIF reform
Middle class woes
Mass transit, here and elsewhere
Alternative energy (not just nukes and ethanol) and/or oil dependence
Public education
Cost of college education
Beef production (if you want a food issue with more, uh, bite)
Freaking health care, for goddsakes
Notice nowhere on the list are Canadian seals and failed department stores.
Dent? I doubt it. But, even if it is true, so what? Wow, more seals get to carry on with their lives and well-meaning, relatively well-off white people (let's be honest here) get to feel better about themselves. Meanwhile, our economy is shaky, more people can barely afford to live in the city, the crime rate is increasing, etc.
Sparky makes a good point in 19.
And sweetie pie #14 - of course it's a juvenile argument - so is the small things do nothing jab.
12- When we have the knowledge to make bigger changes, hopefully we will. Finding out about an issue that impacts you enough to make you considering changing the way you live SHOULD make you care enough to investigate the matter, thus gaining the knowledge that will allow you to make bigger (and smarter) changes. Unfortunately, I agree with you, most people (that I've observed) who stand on the corner with protest signs don't have that knowledge, they are simply jumping into the latest cause d'jour.
Guest 10 is absolutely correct regarding ethanol. As residents of a corn state, I hope more people learn the truth about ethanol and its extreme drawbacks. It's not the solution to our energy problems.
Wow, Julene, the power of logic is amazing.
Great argument.
Yeah, I see your point.
Wow, you converted me.
Way to advance your cause.
Gee, don't ask for too much. One story about seals gets posted, people comment, and that ALL we care about. How dare we forget the big issues. Well, buddy, nobody's forgetting them. When Chicagoist starts posting about healthcare reform efforts, we'll have a chance to talk about that. Your beef is with the content on this site, not on the commenters, about whom your dismissive attitude speaks volumes.
Actually, no, Ferdy, my beef is with people such as you, who love all these boutique issues.
There's a reason the left is so weak relative to the right wing: The left has too many issues, many of them trivial (along with a lack of strong leadership). 'Tis been that way for some 25 years now, and there is no signs of change. What the non right-wingers in this country need to do is focus on a handful of big issues that will spark passion among larger segments of the population, not just the PETA nuts and assorted allies.
Canadian seals ain't gonna do it. Neither will department stores.
Then again, I am starting to think the left and other non right-wingers prefer to be out of power so they can sit back and bitch and feel as though they still have their political purity. My only hope is that a true moderate movement takes shape in this country, and the people on the fringes--left and right--are hung out to dry. You all deserve it.
Then, you can complain about seals all you want.
Read whatever you want, idiot. You have your mind made up and thoroughly locked. You know nothing about me or anyone else who posts here except what your prejudices tell you someone who cares about a store that makes money (god forbid!) must be like.
I think YOU like to sit around on websites like this and bitch so you can feel superior--to what I don't know. This is not a heavyweight site. It's entertainment. If you really care about making a difference, go work on one of the sites that do something, which I do when I'm not trying to have a little fun here. Don't hang around here.
Self righteous hypocrites. Do you really think beef is prepared any more kindly? Or lamb? Or pigs?
Ferdy: You say I am an idiot because I don't know anything about you.
Then, you go on to make assumptions about me.
Ferdy: I think we both know who the true idiot is here. And perhaps Spook was right about your liar tendencies. You certainly have a dishonest Internet personality.
And for someone having a little fun, you sure do post a lot of whiny, superior-sounding posts.
Back at you, Mother Superior. I said I THINK, not I know. I answer hostility with it because I don't think we should all just sit here and take your trolling behavior. I'd be happy to meet with you in person and deal with this directly. I'm not afraid of you or of revealing who I am and what I stand for. Are you?
This site never ceases to have the greatest number of self-righteous and cycnical assholes on it that may ever have convened online...
If you don't think the issues of seals or even department stores are important, then so be it. But to expend the energy ripping into others for caring is asinine. You know what? FUCK YOU!!
There are plenty (the vast majority) of people who live their day-to-day lives caring about little else except themselves and the microcosm in which they live. So who are you to criticize the people who actually do care about something just because you don't agree with them or their priorites?
You guys must break your arms patting yourselves on the back so hard all the time. You think you're so damned informed and are the only ones who know what truly counts in this world. Get off your high-horses, losers. People like you don't make the world a better place, only worse.
Deal with this directly, Ferdy? Are you that desperate for attention and/or friendship?
My god, you are a clown.
Tell you what: Send over your email, and I will give you my actual physical address, and you can deal with me directly. Seriously, we can set a time, and you can deal with me directly.
If you really need friends so badly, then I am glad to help.
Gladly. ferdychicagoist@yahoo.com