[cranks]

Originally Posted by GoNative

I worked a couple of summers in cattle slaughter houses in Australia

This kind of first hand experience will be respected in Japan. Or I believe in anywhere.

Originally Posted by GoNative

All I am saying is that there are people who believe that dolphins do deserve special consideration, that they are not just like any other animal.

I think that is fine. People like smart mammals.

The thing is, how can your "belief" superior to other people's? If you have been following the discussion, you know it is THE nub of it. If they say "I like dolphins, so I want them have special considerations. I'll compensate for your losses, so can you please not kill them?" It will be taken a lot more positively. The logic, "I AM SUPERIOR TO YOU! YOU SHOUD LISTEN TO ME!! OR WE WILL ATTACK YOU!!!" genocided millions and millions of Muslims. Have you forgotten crusades?

Originally Posted by GoNative

There are also people who believe the way in which the dolphins are slaughtered in Taiji is cruel and unusual. It's not a matter of whether I agree with them or not which to be honest I don't.

We really don't know how the slaughter was. The movie, as I said, was taken in a very dishonest way. It is somewhat OK in the Western culture, but these kind of dishonest tactics just don't wash in Japan. If you have ever worked in Japan, you should know this. The reason why you are taking the side with that movie is because you speak mainly English. That's not your fault, but regardless a prejudice.

Originally Posted by GoNative

I do believe though these people have every right to express their outrage about what is occurring in Taiji and to protest against the slaughter.

Sure. You can say "Japs should die!" all day long. It's legal in Japan.

Originally Posted by GoNative

I don't believe it has anything to do with racism. This sort of slaughter of dolphins would be condemned no matter where it happened in the world. It is ridiculous to try and turn this into a racism issue.

It's your opinion. But you should consider the fact a lot of Japanese people, even the one like me who speak good enough English(I hope) to hold a prolonged debate, find it racism. I was actually anti-whaling several years ago. If you can't even see the blatant racism from the examples I brought up... I don't know...

Originally Posted by GoNative

I have absolutely no idea why you have brought up the nuclear bombings during WWII. What have they got to do with this issue? And I dislike nationalists in any country. Over the top patriotism is destructive anywhere it occurs. I am certainly not patriotic one little bit about my home country. Criticise it all you like

I was just hoping you get the idea. Japan was the first country that came up in the caucasian world. Nukes is just an example. I can come up with dozens. Yes, she herself did bad things to other countries, but still, before she stood up, coloreds were slaves. You don't understand. Japan had to fight white, Christian, "supremacy" for over 100 years and now she's getting this. Can you please please consider the possibility that "I don't care, I'm not patriotic type!" may not fly in an other culture? Imagine saying that to an Iraqi...

Originally Posted by GoNative

And I have had many arguments with friends over the years about their beliefs in religion and god. Sure people have a right to their beliefs but I reserve the right to criticise them for their beliefs

You are very cool, but I noticed how your attitude changed after I mentioned it is my "BELIEFS". I don't want to make it such a big deal, but some of you guys just don't get it that "A FUNDAMENTAL CULTURAL VALUE" is pretty much a synonym for religious beliefs. And yeah, I know what I'm talking about. I got a BA in International Cultures and wrote a thesis about Community.