US plan to protect endangered whale from shipping blocked by Cheney

[G_j]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/article3662800.ece

US plan to protect endangered whale from shipping blocked by Cheney

Friday, May 02, 2008

Efforts to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale from being killed by ships are being blocked by Vice President Dick Cheney according to leaked documents.

A behind the scenes struggle is raging between the White House and US government scientists who want to force ships to slow down near the calving grounds of the almost extinct right whale.

The right whale controversy is the latest example of the Bush Administration sidestepping the advice of its on scientists which are aimed at protecting endangered species or threats to the environment. On Monday, a judge had to order the administration to release its much-delayed decision aimed at protecting the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act.

Only 350 of the whales remain in Atlantic waters off America's eastern seaboard and they are considered one of the most endangered species on Earth. Government scientists warn that the loss of just one more pregnant female is enough to doom the species, which was almost hunted to extinction in the 19th century.

Every year around three right whales are either injured or killed in collisions with ocean-going vessels like containerized cargo ships even though they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Right whales frequently wash up on shore bearing deep scars from being struck by ships propellers.

To reduce ship strikes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) decided that ships should restrict their speed to 10 knots or less near whale feeding and calving grounds during parts of the year.

But Mr Cheney's office, which tends to operate in secrecy, sent letters repeatedly questioning whether the rule was needed according to leaked documents. Flatly contradicting the scientific research Mr Cheney's staff argued, "that we have no evidence that lowering the speeds of 'large ships' will actually make a difference."

..more..

[fascisthunter]

1. A Message to Those Who Promote Corporate Interests Over All Else

Is it man's destiny to be controlled by a system of greed for selfish gains that in the end destroys everything, including your own existence? Should we really model our survival after that of a drug addict or drunk that could never curb its own diet or urge for something that in the end has dire consequences on everybody else. Should an artificial system that only supports those at the top of the economic ladder supercede life itself, while punishing the majority? Why not be honest and admit your system kills while you yourselves profit? Are you afraid? You should be... you are destroying the very living planet you need more to survive than the very system you selfishly/financially benefit from and oh no.... the market doesn't "correct" itself. That's theoretical hogwash that has been dismissed by reality far too many times for even me to post.

Like all drug addicts, I don't wish to wait for your divine intervention so don't expect me to stand by and watch you destroy yourselves and everything else around you.

[scarletwoman]

3. Very well said. But what are we going to actually DO about it? (nt)

[fascisthunter]

6. Do What We Should Do....

Hound our representatives.....

[scarletwoman]

8. I haven't noticed that working very well so far. (nt)

[fascisthunter]

10. Well, We Can't Stop Trying

There is an election... :shrug:

[G_j]

7. well what would ppl do

if they were on a spaceship and someone was putting poison in the water supply?
they would have to do something or perish
if only a simple analogy would make people understand our situation.

[scarletwoman]

9. Good question.

Would they spend all their time and energy on electing a new captain?

:evilgrin:

sw

[Pineywoods Sam]

2. It's so sad that our great country is being run by men like Cheney nt

[cbayer]

4. All they want is for the ships to slow down in calving fields?

And he objects?

[sammythecat]

5. Dick Cheney has the heart of a psychopath.

Really, he's nothing but a cancer, a festering lesion on the human organism. The world would be a better place had that bastard never been born.

[G_j]

14. well said... n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

11. DDDDDick Cheney will stop at nothing to destroy his enemy, the whale.

Oops, wrong pic. Should be:



Cheney left foreground.

[Doctor Cynic]

12. Why the fuss? Dick *is* an endangered species anyways.

[bluedawg12]

13. Always the corporate wh*re, isn't he? n/t

[Annces]

15. He loves destruction

A black hole will swallow him up when he dies.