Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:03 am
Kudos to Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean and her plucky support for Canada's embattled seal hunt!

It's encouraging to see someone of influence standing up for the sealers whose livelihood is being endangered by the manipulation of European public opinion. Her simple gesture of participating in an Inuit seal ceremony could send a signal of enlightenment to the European Parliament, which recently voted to ban seal products.

I'm disappointed that so many well-meaning people have been taken in by the massive propaganda machine developed by the anti-sealing lobby, which I think has become a self-serving money machine. And I'm disappointed for the honest east-coast sealers and Inuit peoples, who are seeing their livings eroded.

Will the do-gooders sleep more happily in their beds knowing that fishermen won't be able to find markets for those floppy-flippered seals they harvest? The seals - not an endangered species by any measure - can gulp down more of our diminishing cod stocks while the fishermen and their families, whose markets are being snatched away, tighten their belts another notch.

From the beginning, the seal hunt controversy has been a staged affair. Photos and videos of a bloody abattoir on the ice have been powerfully exploited to build comfortable financial empires for some animal-rights groups. Uninformed celebrities have been lured into the campaign. In my view, the European Parliament and others are being misled.

If the seal hunt, engaged in for a few weeks by a few thousand Canadian fishermen, should be exterminated by this hypnotic attempt to torpedo its markets, what do you think the hyper-active animal rights organizations are going to do next?

If they can't get animal-sympathizers' money to save the seals, they're sure as heck going to be looking for another target to sustain their wealthy coffers. It's what they do. It's not about the seals. It's about money.

The scandal about all this is that so many nice old ladies, so many well-meaning animal lovers, so many decent people have been mesmerized into sending cash and bequests to organizations that thrive on this misplaced concern for big-eyed, fish-eating seals.

Their propaganda efforts might bring down a small sealing operation in Canada - with devastating effects on the fishermen who engage in it. But what about the real problems that affect real people in our world? Who's going to bat for them?

What about the Somalis, the Tamils, the people in the Middle East, those human beings whose lives are being tormented by ongoing strife? What about all the living babies in their mother's wombs whose lives are being targeted by the Morgentaler abortion campaign? Who's sending money to some well-heeled organizations to deal with real human problems?

Caring about animals with whom we share this world is fine and can even be noble. Caring about our fellow human beings is a much higher priority on my list.

The abundant seals have been traditionally "culled" in a regular fishing harvest. Other animals - cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens are slaughtered daily all over the world in abattoir operations that most humans condone. This human-animal relationship is all part of the life-cycle of nature. The anti-seal hunt movement has only become a modern cause because some people are making money out of it.

The once-a-year harvesting of predatory seals in a limited, controlled and monitored situation is no different than the slaughtering of beef cattle for our steaks or lobster for our plates. Why are people so sympathetic to seals and so indifferent to their legitimate balance-of-nature hunters? Because they've been duped.

Modern society - especially the well-meaning population in Europe, far away from where the seal hunt briefly takes place - has set itself up as the golden goose for an international cadre of money-making propagandists.

Fred Hazel is a retired editor-in-chief of this newspaper.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:04 am
OUTRAGES !!!!
An insult for Animal activists who want to see the end of this seal hunt !

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:30 am
This is desperate! the people that condone the mass slaughter of helpless seals know that they can no longer defend the indefenseable, so their last resort is to slander their opposition and belittle their supporters.
Not gonna work!
as if killing seals for the fur isn't about money.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:37 am
It seems to me that if the author of this piece were even-handed in his asaault in also taking on the truly massive pro-gun lobby, pro hunter groups (the NRA and many others), this might have had more impact. Yes, the relationship between people annd animals is eternal and complex, one that Vegans and myself might differ on slightly.

What is apparent is that blending modern hunting with traditional indigenous survival poaching of wild animals is both self-serving and bogus. Modrn hunting means big bucks for those who kill seals and other defenseless animals, who really can't be blamed for trying to et cod,their primary food. If cod weren't overfished to begin with, this blame the victim (i.er. the seals)nonsense wouldn't even be an argument. As it is, the very fisherman who cause this are making huge profits on the cod,with the seal hunters picking up the balance of this mother lode by killing the seals themselves. Some people might even do both, for as much as I know, but the point here is that there is large-scale political and societal support in Canada and elsewhere for these horrible seal hunts. There's millions in sales of products at stake here, millions! Not grounds for either backing off, but it seems to me the author of this goes by the old credo that the best defense is a good offense especially when its the pot claling the kettle black as it is here. BTW, Indigenous hunts have traditionally been subsistence in nature, with an eye towards preserving their food sources at all times, as far as I am aware.

We used to do this to American bison too, and this barbarism was fortunately stopped in time--can we say the same for the seals? Do we have the will to stop this nasty practice, or does yet another species or set of species have to go extinct?

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:44 am
To say they cull the seals in an effort to prevent them from eating up the last of the cod is just stupid. Who was it that caused the demise of the cod industry - themselves!!! They over fished for their own greed and lust and so the population of the cod declined to an all time low. And if there way no regulation on the number of seals they could kill they would try to wipe them out as well.

And yes I do put animal rights above the rights of quite a few people. People like him who do not show respect, concern nor compassion for those that can not defend themselves. Treat others with respect and you will have mine and I will help you in anyway you need.

What do you expect though from someone who gets his pleasure from the killing of other creatures. He won't be so self righteous and ignorant to the suffering when he is burning in hell with the rest of his murdering souless friends.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:46 am
well,he doesn't change my mind.i shall still vote for the life of all animals and humans on this planet.all life is sacred.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 10:51 am
It is so nasty that bloodthirsty people want to kill our wildlife for dollars. There is a special place in Hell for these "people" and a special place in Heaven for their victims. We just have to keep on fighting to get these killers to stop it. Making it a crime would be a good step. Thanks, Claudia

Thursday June 4, 2009, 11:27 am
Hey Claudia!

Thanks for the bringing this art to our attention I posted a comment on the artikel!
had to make an account, but it was well wurthed, never know what it's good for in the future!
here's the Link http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/688694

Thursday June 4, 2009, 11:52 am
isn't it disgusting ?they are not winning and they know it .this is just them being bloody minded .as for michelle jean don't get me started

Thursday June 4, 2009, 12:03 pm
I'm fascinated by the attack on the seals eating cod, research has shown that seals eat very little of the fish stock that the humans have fished for. They are also not responsible for any species of fish vanishing. Yes, this is about money, because the fishermen have cut their own throats by destroying the marine ecosystem.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 12:03 pm
These people who condone the slaughter of the seals are out of their minds. Whereare the feelings of these sick-O's.Michelle Jean can go straight to hell. The article is one big slap to animal activists that try to bring attention to curelty and extinction! Once again it's $$.
Tx Claudia I'm still fighting our cause!

Thursday June 4, 2009, 12:30 pm
I double what Big Cat Rescue has said,and regards seals eating the cod,they have been saying this for years,untrue.....Desperate Liars!!!!

Thursday June 4, 2009, 1:14 pm
When the,trees,waters are gone they can eat thier money.Mother nature has taken hell from us humans because of greed.Thank-you

Thursday June 4, 2009, 1:33 pm
Let me see...we can't keep the auto industry in the U.S.going (despite millions of dollars in subsidies), to keep thousands of jobs, but we are supposed to worry about the far fewer jobs of Candadian men who bash in the skulls of baby seals ! Corporate propoganda is sick & hypocritical. They play it whichever way it suits them.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 2:32 pm
Wonder how long it took them to write their propaganda? Obviously someone who has tons of time but zilch brains - because the content is pure crap.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 3:26 pm
They are trying to vilify animal rights advocates and so many people fall for this crap.. the voiceless need all the help they can get and thank you Claudia!

Thursday June 4, 2009, 3:29 pm
Claudia.....thank you, thank you, thank you for this. Canada's indigeneous people who have had the seal hunt imprinted into their culture and their way of life deserve the right to continue. It's the commercial seal hunt in the name of profit that I find unacceptable. Our governor general was being a gracious guest and I applaud her for showing her hosts that she respects their way of life.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 3:43 pm
". It's not about the seals. It's about money. "

Wonder how much money he's getting via a vie the Queen and the powers pushing this feeble song and dance because as I wrote in one post a little while ago -while we were in the midst of a strange swordfight with an invisible and fleeting member of CARE-who is no more-we are in the ethers-this community CARE is unique and we are causing major damage out there-there is no doubt of it-unifying with the other more effective groups there is a ripple effect and a trickle down effect that is causing a real scare in the markets for seal products, various countries to be shamed, the EU's reaction and the Russian stand against the barbarity of it-and now it's those cod-eating seal...well, these two legged land-sharks aren't going to pull this one off either... and we have challenged everything they have thrown at us. This Michelle Jean didn't work because you could see her coming a million miles away-using the Inuit as armor against any rebuttal but we went around that ploy-now this guy and his transparent violin playing performance for the same powers that were pushing Aurora on us and this Jean woman and this won't play either. As for his priority of humans above animals-he can keep his and I'll keep mine. We're good you guys and JUST a little bit scary...

Thursday June 4, 2009, 4:58 pm
Noted ,thanks !!!

Thursday June 4, 2009, 5:05 pm
Sorry, NO Kudos for Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, EVER, or Canadian offials; which continue to allow clubbing & slaughtering of BABY Seals for vanity & Greed. Or their continuing to buy American Horses for Slaughter.

Plus the Predatory Hunter of Cod fish, and everything else, is the Overpopulated Human Race, NOT the seals, not the wolves, not the bears, not the bison, not the endless list of false accusations toward our wildlife, which is continued to be condemned by a narrow-minded, self-righteous greedy society.

Though many Organizations spread their money around in ways I wouldn't approve of, (Like PETA), My voice (& $$ when available) will forever come to support the rectification of humanity to All Gods Creatures (PETA excluded).

Being that human issues still need support, Human beings create "Human Problems", & I will do what I can. But they still have the upper hand as Humans, which forces my hand to support those even less advantaged, those without a voice or any choice, or any options to escape the narcissist evils & greed of the inhumane society that rules over them... Humans.

And Slaughtering wildlife with clubs for pelt, for blaming wildlife for depletion of land or wildlife needed for over populated humans, Is a HUMAN issue that needs to be rectified. And our wildlife Must be vindicated.

Though I will sign petitions presented by PETA, they have lost my financial support, and of everyone I know due to their dbl standards.

However, Many tragic issues would be absent to the massive public without these "Organizations", and it takes money to publicize and fight these topics.

If anything, this article reminds us all to do our research on who we wish to donate to, and explore their true intentions.

Thank you for the eye opening article, but Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, Canadian officials supporting Seal Slaughter, Gov. Pallin, and all other supporters of inhumanity toward our wildlife, are on my $^!T list.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 5:24 pm
thaht horrilbe it about money and animals

Thursday June 4, 2009, 6:08 pm
Its all about Blood money and excuses to keep killing the seals for there fur nothing more. Just as to me killing any animal really hurts for I don't see food I see a living breathing animal with a heart that has a soul and feeling that hurts and crys from pain. These people can call it whatever they want but its nothing but mercyless killings peorid and of course money the root of all evil. I also agree on Pallin she fits right in there with the same group. Thanks Claudia

Thursday June 4, 2009, 7:07 pm
Always an excuse. They just nauseate me. Noted with anger. Thanks Claudia.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 7:28 pm
Why does anyone have to kill seals anyway? Everything has a purpose on this earth and one of them is to live free without a constant threat of being killed.

Thursday June 4, 2009, 11:02 pm
The only people worried about money are seal hunters, because they know that without consumers there is no profit... and activists against seal hunting are more and more everyday. We are winning the idelogical and ethical battle! The seals's butcherers are getting desperate...

Friday June 5, 2009, 1:18 am
Cod is in short supply due to overfishing by humans, not seals! Yet again we try and pass the buck by blaming everyone/everything else for our own greed!
This is all about money, not traditions or lifestyles! They must be getting desperate to come up with this nonsense. Absolute rubbish!

Friday June 5, 2009, 2:02 am
As I see it, the only words of truth in the article are 'It's not about the seals' & 'It's about money'.
Fred Hazel is an unfortunate mis-guided individual who has many lessons to learn.
Big Cat Rescue, Alejandra & Helen's comments are so true - pro-sealers are becoming desperate for support.
Only hope this senseless practice of seal slaughter ceases in the VERY near future.

Friday June 5, 2009, 2:09 am
Sadly Noted. Thanks

Friday June 5, 2009, 6:33 am
Money is the root of all evil and sadly some people will always put it before life.It breaks my heart that innocent animals continue to be slaughtered, there is no excuse for this only greed and heartlessness. Those in Authority have the animals blood on their hands for allowing it to continue.

Friday June 5, 2009, 12:09 pm
noted Claudia *sigh*

Friday June 5, 2009, 12:50 pm
Noted with anger Claudia

Friday June 5, 2009, 1:08 pm
noted, this is the usual comments you see here in Canada, even from Senators who support the hunt. I

Friday June 5, 2009, 1:15 pm
Is that all the pro hunters can muster one retired hack?

Saturday June 6, 2009, 10:06 pm
This is sickening. These 'Pro Seal Hunt' People will use any trick in the book to make it sound ok. Slaughtering baby seals is barbaric, inhumane and totally incomprehensible. We will keep fighting for the seals. This is a last ditch attempt by the whole brutal lot of them to try to 'undo' all we have done to abolish the seal hunt. THEY HAVE NO CHANCE, WE ARE WINNING AND THEY KNOW IT. WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING FOR THE SEALS, UNTIL IT HAS BEEN TOTALLY BANNED WORLDWIDE.
SALLY D.

Sunday June 7, 2009, 8:33 am
We all know the pro hunt sector have attempted to hide behind the Inuit cause in a sickening ezample of obfuscation. We all the masters of that trick were the Nazis and they came unstuck eventually when the world woke up to them. What was the quota for killing seals? Iniuts 1600, Pelt hunters 300,000 ? So there is the lie!

Sunday June 7, 2009, 8:38 am
WEll I expect you got the gist of it even if I did leave out the word "know" from the second sentence which should read: We all know the masters of that trick were the Nazis and they came unstuck eventually when the world woke up to them.

Tuesday June 9, 2009, 5:51 am
seals don't hunt then throw out their kill, check out the action at so many restaurants, butcher shops, cruise ships, all the over feeding of humans then throwing away what they can't force down their throats. I could throw up just thinking about the gluttony of people.