Friday July 3, 2009, 1:18 am
Official Apology to the Government of Canada

From Captain Alex Cornelissen

Dear Canadian Government,


I would like to apologize for the trouble we have caused you. I know that every year, you have wasted millions of dollars to keep an already dead industry alive. Every year, you have sent a fleet of ships out into the ice in Eastern Canada to make way for pathetic unemployed whining fishermen so they can kill som’. I know your helicopters are being used to haul beer and cigarettes to the sealers every time their boats get stuck in the ice.

I especially want to apologize for all those years in which we had the audacity to actually send one of our ships into the ice, and you had to spend even more money to have your coastguard and DFO show us who is the boss. And I particularly want to apologize for last year in which you had to send four icebreakers, two other coastguard vessels, two DFO airplanes, two military airplanes, numerous helicopters and a destroyer to stop our extremely dangerous video cameras (they are digital).

Apologies as well for having to spend a fortune to keep our retired vessel the Farley Mowat under 24 hour surveillance for the last 15 months. Sorry we left her in such a state of array, we asked the SWAT team if we could clean her up for you, but they refused. Sorry we had previously stripped her of everything of value, although I believe there are still some pretty lame DVD’s in the lounge, I am sure they will be to your liking. Sorry we had to let you pay a fortune in docking fees for a ship that seems to have turned into your worst nightmare.

I personally want to apologize for not being able to attend my court case, it was difficult to say the least being deported and banned for life and all. Although I was quite happy with that, as you see I live in Ecuador and don’t like to leave my home to visit banana republics. I am sorry for not being able to have a good laugh at the expense of those whining sealers when they talk about the most terrifying moments of their lives having to face our cameras.

But rest assured dear Canadian government: we will save you the trouble in the years to come because you have finally been exposed. With Europe closing the borders on your bloody industry you will have to eat a lot of throbbing seal hearts and seal flipper pie to keep it going. I am sorry I won’t have to come back to your country as I was quite enjoying your correctional facilities and had numerous good laughs over your ridiculous bureaucracy.

Kind regards,

Captain Alex Cornelissen

PS- I am looking forward to hearing what my sentence is going to be, as I have several bets running…

Friday July 3, 2009, 1:19 am
Now,is that a good letter or what !

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:11 am
Brilliant gutsy letter!! So pleased Captain Alex has retained a sense of humour over this agonising plight for seals. Awaiting news of a response from the Canadian Government ...?? Thanks Claudia

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:12 am
Great Letter!! :), Thanks. Also Noted.

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:25 am
priceless thanks claudia

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:42 am
Thanks Claudia, the dry humor of this letter had me chuckling to no end. Well done Captain.

Friday July 3, 2009, 3:38 am
Bravo, Captain Alex. Courage and humour, both ! Thanks to people like him, we have a chance to end the bloodshed of our little pinniped brothers & sisters. All life is connected - we are ONE !

Friday July 3, 2009, 3:52 am
GREAT letter lol

Friday July 3, 2009, 3:53 am
Well said Captain!!

Friday July 3, 2009, 4:01 am
thanks claudia

capt you deserve a pulizer prize

well said and from the heart

we are behind you all the way

Friday July 3, 2009, 4:07 am
Thanks Claudia. What a perfectly waste of enforcement resources. I'm thinking Captain Alex should publish an open letter to our government here in Canada. I can assure him first-hand that our government does not answer letters.....and if they do, the response will not be meaningful. Many thanx to the Captain!

Friday July 3, 2009, 4:41 am
Great Letter..maybe some of them will see the insanity of what they do.

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:04 am
Glad he is keeping his wits about him... its enuff to make any average person go mad

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:11 am
Great letter TY Claudia
However I'm worried if those ... would understand it
Rain For Change - some of them - maybe....

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:16 am
I loved it. Sarcasm often gets to the heart of what you want to say. Well Done....Thank you.

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:24 am
This is an absolutley (underscore) brilliant (underscore) document; I adore the style. Obviously great pains were taken to combine perfect, polite sarcasm and elegant, ironic "penitence"! A slap in the face with a cavalier's glove could not have been better. But like Joanna I wonder if it will be understood by its recipients. They might, after all, (gasp) take it at face value... Thanks claudia, this made my day!

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:44 am
wow.... thanks Claudia! :)

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:50 am
I love it! what a masterpiece! What a great way to tell them to shove it where the sun dont shine. Excellant Claudia thanks so much.xx

Friday July 3, 2009, 6:58 am
The letter is priceless. Thanks for sharing Claudia. :)

Friday July 3, 2009, 7:10 am
Love it!!!!

Friday July 3, 2009, 7:19 am
Good advice Karen S;great letter thanx Claudia.

Friday July 3, 2009, 7:22 am
Awesome, he should get the message now, thanks Claudia

Friday July 3, 2009, 8:32 am
Super letter.
Thank you Claudia!!

Plant trees for life......

Friday July 3, 2009, 8:36 am
a great letter! however, with the ineptness and arrogance of the DFO and the canadian govt. they might actually believe it IS an apology!!! these caring people are the "terrorists" I fully support. why don't countries in the world hire them as advisors so as to really help with saving our precious wildlife?

Friday July 3, 2009, 8:43 am
totally hilarious! i love it. thank you claudia and thanks to the captain for all his work over the years.

Friday July 3, 2009, 8:47 am
Alex Cornelissen you are a true HERO! Great letter! You changed the way the world views these issues, you saved many lives. I thank you for that..... Peace

Friday July 3, 2009, 9:12 am
Great letter!!!!LOL

Friday July 3, 2009, 9:51 am
amazing how someone can keep that wonderful sense of humor in such an ugly war, ty for sharing Alex, this was a great pick me up!
brilliant idea Samantha, but that would mean the monsters would have to stop their bloody murder, I think they rather enjoy it.

Friday July 3, 2009, 10:05 am
Well done thanks Claudia

Friday July 3, 2009, 11:00 am
BRILLIANT! LMAO Thanks Claudia! :)

Friday July 3, 2009, 11:19 am
can someone please explain to me why governments are supposedly elected to serve those who vote them in. in many countries, the majority of the populace do not want these travesties to happen (witness, the seal massacre in canada). that being the case, why then do govts. allow the citizens of their countries to become tarnished with the atrocities they (govt. officials) seem to support pandering to a few over the majority???

Friday July 3, 2009, 12:24 pm
Kudos Capt... for all you've done to help the needless slaughter.. Thank you.

Friday July 3, 2009, 1:32 pm
Brilliant read. I adore satire. Thank you Claudia.

Friday July 3, 2009, 1:38 pm
Thanks , great letter !!

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:51 pm
What is being done to stop the Canadian government acting like the Iranian clerics? Surely there must be a political party in Canada that is opposed to cruelty and barbarity? Is there a Green Party in Canada. Come on you Canadian's wake up and do something about your totalitarian governemt.

Friday July 3, 2009, 2:57 pm
This letter made me smile, thanx

Friday July 3, 2009, 3:34 pm
Yes! This is not a simple letter, this is a state of soul, a state of heart fellings, and the revolt, the determination for the cause! A soul of a warrior! This is a MEN fighting for what he believes! Practing what they preach! This is much, much more than words...

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:44 pm
Hats off to you Captain Alex! Great letter.
Thank you Claudia!

Friday July 3, 2009, 5:48 pm
BRILLANT Captain Alex Cornelissen !! EVERYTHING ABOVE HAS BEEN SAID AND TRUE. WHAT A GREAT GUY AND HOPE HE WRITE A BOOK :-)
TX CLAUDIA

Friday July 3, 2009, 7:54 pm
There's not much more to add. Very clever letter and tactic to make the Canadian Government look stupid, greedy, foolish and incompetent.

Friday July 3, 2009, 7:55 pm
Everything we have come to expect from politicians in power. Did I forget to say corrupt?

Friday July 3, 2009, 8:28 pm
Brilliant! Breathtaking! Superb!

Friday July 3, 2009, 9:16 pm

Canada Tops List Of Worst Countries For Climate Change
The green group WWF and the German insurance giant Allianz reported on Wednesday that Canada ranks last among the Group of Eight (G8)
industrialized nations for tackling climate change while Germany is at the top of the list, AFP reported.
The

Saturday July 4, 2009, 12:24 am
Once again good teaching and learning skills show themselves through Capt. Carnelissen well learned art of satire.To be able to not only keep sane in an an insane daily existance, but to retain his sense of humor is a testiment to the cause he chose to work for. His pure eloquence, (I can see a slight smile on his face as he wrote some of the letter) and civilty to those who held him in such contempt shows through over and over.

I truly hope this hard working intelligent man realiazes how many "fans" he has arounf the world, and hope some of our comments may wend their way to him.

Lync

Saturday July 4, 2009, 6:35 am
Thank you Capt Carnelissen for your dedication and guts. Your tireless work and personal sacrifice to end a senseless, cruel and inhumane slaughter is greatly appreciated by all of us that support you. Your respect for the animal world is an honorable personality trait and defines your character. Thank you again your sacrifices to protect the seals and all living species.

Saturday July 4, 2009, 9:40 am
I salute Sea Shepherd and this letter says it all. Pity that one has to apologize when trying to save this planet.....

Saturday July 4, 2009, 9:42 am
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you...

Kipling's words come to mind. Bravo to Captain Carnelissen for graciously stating the truth! "Truth" is a multi-faceted, frequently manipulated thing that it rarely stated with complete accuracy. But I believe that this letter helps to reveal the truth of this bizzare and horrible situation. To the sealers: It's time to make an honest living right around the year! Leave the rock, go to rehab and become "recovering" while you work without bloodshed on the mainland !!
To everyone else: WHEN THE TRUTH IS UNPOPULAR and fits not with the government's political agenda, what happened here may happen to you, or worse. But the truth, in its entirety, will set you free! Believe!

Saturday July 4, 2009, 1:32 pm
If you don't laugh, you cry. Good for him, his letter.

Sunday July 5, 2009, 4:10 am
Bravo, Capt. Alex..... Brillant Letter-truely love the way he slides that sarcasm in and serves it up to the Can Gov., so very smoothly. Bravo Bravo!!!!!!He is truely eloquent and a master. Thanks Claudia for sharing this with everyone.

Monday July 6, 2009, 2:28 am
That's telling them Captain Alex Cornelissen!!!! Good on you!

Monday July 6, 2009, 5:19 am
This is an absolutely brilliant letter! Well written, Captain. Why don't governments THINK before they act? Beer and cigarettes for murderers? I'm pretty sure the tax payers' money could be put to much better uses....... I used to think Canada was my dream destination, but now, am seriously having double, second thoughts. Prayers are with you Capt Cornelissen.

Monday July 6, 2009, 1:25 pm
Fantastic! Bless you, Captain Alex, You write one great letter!!! And, live the path of the heart.

Tuesday July 7, 2009, 7:10 am
Great letter! Thanks Claudia.

Friday July 24, 2009, 10:22 am
noted, and read....love it, our Canadian gov. deserves this letter, but most likely think it is a real apology, Harper and his gang have the worse record in Canadian history in protecting wildlife and our enviroment! People who live in Canada like myself need all the outside support we can get, to protect our beautiful country and wildlife from these oil loving, don't care about anything government!!