[bleep]

the problem with this issue is the concept of "orientalism" as stressed by edward said, wherein he says that there's a phenomenon in the western world wherein they see the middle east, as for our case, the entire asia within the western lens; thereby, whatever the western culture says barbaric or whathaveyou, damn us.

in our side of the globe, we have been judged for eating dogs, as part of our culture, when in fact it was actually the americans, who taught the northerners to eat dogs to survive during ww2, since livestock are dying at that time and dogs are pretty much abundant. however, until now, they (americans) are still denying it. on the otherhand, since that certain province has adopted the practise as a means to survival, it has became their culture and we dog-loving southerners have no power over it; yet, our country is being generalised by dog-loving westerners as dog-eaters, which is unfair. to some extent, japan and us have the same "damn you __-eaters/killers" experience" (disclaimer: i am not implying that the american may have also taught whaling to the japanese ok? clear!)

i have watched the cove and am quite disturbed, as i have been swimming and diving with dolphins at my mom's province all my life. yes, the movie revealed quite a lot with regard to the slaughter and how some locals would tend to cover up the act; but then again, as what others have mentioned, regardless whether this is a culture issue or not - if the japanese have proven by solid historic evidence that whaling is a culture similar to the scandinavian cultures - so be it. let's just respect no matter how gruesome it may seem to other cultures. and also, as others have also mentioned and as it has been reiterated in the movie, not all japanese are aware of it. on this note, i would like to conclude that the issue of "the cove" would be more appropriately addressed if taken on the side of "personal sentiments" rather than of culture.