This bothers me to no end. Why is Canada so insistant on this barbaric and cruel practice? Why bring it to the Olympics? Why are politicians so blatently supporting it and protesting the entire EU's protest of the practice? Other countries are asked to abide by international treaties/UN rules for peace between nations, however when it comes to rights of these animals, then it doesnt matter what the rest of the world says.

The purpose of my post is mostly to vent. Please feel free to respond. I wanted to put forward some thoughtful and related quotes:

"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages." - Thomas Edison, American Inventor and Scientist

"Show me the enforced laws of a state for the prevention of cruelty to animals and I in turn will give you a correct estimate of the refinement, enlightenment, integrity and equity of that commonwealth's people." - L.T. Danshiell, Animal Rights Advocate

"Cruelty to dumb animals is one of the distinguishing vices of low and base minds. Wherever it is found, it is a certain mark of ignorance and meanness; a mark which all the external advantages of wealth, splendour, and nobility, cannot obliterate. It is consistent neither with learning nor true civility." - William Jones, English Philologist and Jurist

"To inflict cruelties on defenceless creatures, or condone such acts, is to abuse one of the cardinal tenets of a civilised society - reverence for life." - Dr. Jon Evans, England


Thanks for reading.
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http://www.vancouversun.com/Business/Canadian+vote+include+seal+skin+Olympic+uniforms/1570380/story.html


Canadian MPs vote to include seal skin on Olympic uniforms

By Mary Frances Hill , Vancouver SunMay 6, 2009

The quota for the annual east coast harp seal hunt is expected to be released later this month.

The federal government wants Canadian Olympians to wear a seal product — most likely skin — during the 2010 Winter Games to help protest a European Union ban on Canada’s seal hunt.

Members of Parliament from all parties voted unanimously Wednesday in favour of a Bloc Quebecois motion calling on the government to come up with a way to integrate seal pelts into the athletes’ uniforms.

“With the upcoming Winter Olympics that will be in Vancouver in 2010, the government has a chance to offer some concrete action to promote seal products,” Bloc Quebec MP Raynald Blais said. “Today we are tabling a motion aimed at studying the possibility to integrate into the Canadian athletes' uniforms. Is the government ready to act to save an industry?”

Canadian Olympic Committee president Mike Chambers said adding seal products to Olympians’ gear would not only mar athletes’ performance, but politicize the Games.

“I’m used to those in the political arena wishing to attach their issues to the Olympic arena,” he said from Lausanne, Switzerland. “But this is one … that will not and cannot be allowed to occur. It’s our intent for our athletes to remain free of the politics that arises in and around the Olympic Games. The seal issue, while important, is an issue that has become politicized.”

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games would not comment, as athletes’ uniforms are the responsibility of the Canadian Olympic Committee.

Liberal MP Ujjal Dosanjh was among those who supported the motion.

“It’s an industry in the Atlantic and I believe that our caucus is unanimous in supporting it,” he said.

When pressed for details, he added, “I’m not going to say anything more than what I have just said to you.”

Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea said the move would signal Canada’s support of the sealing industry.

“I would imagine that the Olympic clothing is all designed and probably made by now, but I think it’s a good symbolic suggestion to add something to the outfit of our athletes. I think it would be a good statement for the Canadian sealing industry and Canada’s support of it.”

Seal skin has made high-profile appearances in the past — even on the catwalk. Inuit designers such as Elisapee Kilabuk have showcased creations as diverse as motorcycle jackets to bustiers in international shows.

Chambers said he it’s “doubtful” that the MPs wishes would make any gains.

“There are political issues all over the world,” he said. “If the IOC started allowing a patch on everyone’s uniform we’d all look like FI speed racers. Let the politics do the political thing and keep the sport to the games.”

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The seal hunting and selling or seal-based products account for more than 40% of the annual income or native and aboriginal communities living in Canada's Northern and North Eastern regions.
They look forward to this all year.
This is a tradition and practice that has been there for centuries.

While it's true that it's a political issue (these communities are vote banks and have some political clout), it's also an economic and social issue.

How can you justify taking away more than 40% of the annual income of these communities, especially when seals are not an endangered species?

How about we stop the slaughter of animals for the sake of meat - like swine, chicken, cows, goats, etc?
Ever thought about taking up that crusade?
Do those animals not have rights, and these seals do?
I wonder what the reaction of the meat producing industry will be to that piece of idea....

How about taking up a crusade to actually save some of the real endangered species, like the African Elephants, Polar Bears, and the Tigers, who are poached for making stupid products (Ivory jewellery, quack medications, etc.)
What about the rights of those animals?

Here's another idea for a crusade - stop the pillage and industrialization of the Arctic North, so that the habitat and ecosystem of the animals living in those areas are preserved.
And the lifestyle of the centuries old communities living their and surviving on that ecosystem.
Do you realize that the industrialization of the Arctic north poses a much more severe threat to these Arctic animals than this annual seal cull?

I'm not criticizing you for feeling this issue and for discussing it.
All I am pointing out is that this is a deflection from many other more serious, relevant and real issues.
And proof that it's not what you do, but who you know (I'm referring to the commercial meat producing industry).

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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."

-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"