tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post5937755886463408645..comments2024-03-27T03:13:42.345-04:00Comments on The Legal Roller Coaster: Blackfish / White Lies? (An Epilogue): Responding To Your CommentsErik H. Beard, Esq.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12021548329555288575noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-16977872006040612812022-04-11T06:37:53.090-04:002022-04-11T06:37:53.090-04:00lifting seins<a href="https://www.carthagomed.com/intervention/lifting-seins-tunisie/" rel="nofollow">lifting seins</a>carthago medhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01583390299845323487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-50720015185406095392021-10-14T05:33:03.465-04:002021-10-14T05:33:03.465-04:00Abdominoplastie Tunisie
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Why don't you drop me a line direc...Hi Hannah,<br /><br />Why don't you drop me a line directly, and I will be happy to answer your questions to the best of my ability. My email address is ebeard@wiggin.com. <br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Erik BeardErik H. Beard, Esq.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12021548329555288575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-50361521643275614942014-09-02T07:02:16.765-04:002014-09-02T07:02:16.765-04:00I'm researching the 'implications of Seawo...I'm researching the 'implications of Seaworlds treatment of their marine mammals and to what extent it is immoral' for a project at school. I find your review of Backfish very interesting and useful for my research. I have used Blackfish extensively as a source for my project and your comments on the bias of the documentary has been of particular interest to me. As it is a topic of moral arguments and therefore each source holds its own bias and opinions, I was wondering if you knew of any purely factual resources that could assist my research?<br />I also wondered what your opinion was on the implications of Blackfish; the recent decision by Seaworld to expand its Orca exhibits, the many artists that have canceled performances there such as Willie Nelson and the effect on Seaworlds quaterly earnings? Do you see these as positive implications with respect to the morality of marine mammals in captivity? Or simply uninformed prejudice? I appreciate you are very busy but any thoughts and opinions would be very helpful.<br />Thank you,<br />Hannah Lawrence<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13124364802713583756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-56071931095669792992014-08-20T23:06:23.647-04:002014-08-20T23:06:23.647-04:00Perfectly stated. I think you said what a lot of u...Perfectly stated. I think you said what a lot of us were thinking whilst reading this blog.<br /><br />Some people just cannot stop justifying the confinement of wild animals and - whether it's wilful ignorance or just missing the point - they cannot seem to grasp the real message. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-40161151470610317062014-07-18T17:31:27.086-04:002014-07-18T17:31:27.086-04:00Funny to read all the animal wrongists,s rantings ...Funny to read all the animal wrongists,s rantings here. Orcas are apex predators who will chase a grey whale mother and calf for miles until exhausted, then kill the calf just to eat its tongue. The only reason they don.t threaten humans is because we are not their preferred meal type. Life is not a bullshit Disney movie. There is nothing wrong with orcas being domesticated by man, or being used for profit or entertainment or even for food if they taste good enough. They are not an endangered species. Save the seals and grey whale mothers from grief. Keep orcas in captivity. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-87934247583680124162014-05-03T18:34:43.327-04:002014-05-03T18:34:43.327-04:00He clearly states his bias right away. He is a law...He clearly states his bias right away. He is a lawyer for businesses like Seaworld. To even write the article in my opinion is biased. I understand he is explaining there is another side to the story, but I also think he clearly states he is biased without saying it, so maybe not clearly. Vaguely! He does have a bias though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503311426668393506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-53330074307599136742014-05-03T18:31:11.889-04:002014-05-03T18:31:11.889-04:00You're being an ass and assuming no one is doi...You're being an ass and assuming no one is doing anything, which is...idk what to call it. I've done what I can do. There are petitions to their government out there. You shouldn't be so ignorant with your assumptions...<br /><br />http://www.change.org/petitions/end-the-faroe-islands-whale-slaughterAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503311426668393506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-29670863984102892722014-05-03T18:27:36.871-04:002014-05-03T18:27:36.871-04:00My issue with this, other than what has already be...My issue with this, other than what has already been said (your own bias, working for the entertainment industry etc) is that a lot of us do not NEED an objective side. Watch any documentary on whales and dolphins, and you will know they do not belong in our swimming pools. They aren't pets, they aren't toys and they definitely should not be a paycheck. I honestly don't care what any zoo or entertainment park has to say; these animals do not belong in our pools. They should be free, born free, and they should live free.<br />The people in the film were not activists when they worked there (I don't think), it is partly FROM working there that they became activists, so to try and discredit them for their biases is kind of lame. That is just my 2 cents, now I am broke!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503311426668393506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-2142869844863504472014-02-17T17:52:53.764-05:002014-02-17T17:52:53.764-05:00So I've spent half the day research both sides...So I've spent half the day research both sides of this subject. I watch the movie and read all of your articles on "Blackfish". I even spent several hours reading through most of these comments. After all that time spent I feel that if I left here without giving my opinion my time would be wasted. I can tell you that I will not be joining any protests on this issue, but I also will not be contributing any of my hard earned money to Seaworld, or any other amusement park. (1) I honestly believe that Seaworld takes good care of all it's animal/mammals. But I would like to see them build larger homes for them. It's obvious they can not be returned to the wild, but seeing as this is a billion dollar industry I don't understand why they can't build them a sanctuary where they can live in there natural environment. (2) I do not believe that any of there trainers should be in the water risking there lives. I know that it's very entertaining to watch, but it isnt safe, and we are not adding to any scientific research by doing so. (3) I also believe that if a mother and calf where seperated (like Blackfish claimed) they should be reunited with one another. I feel that knowing what we know about the species, they would have known better. Would it be okay if I shipped one of there child off at the age of 4 to some other county without there permission? (5) I feel that the fact that Seaworld is appealing the ruling for barriers between trainer and Orca shows little concern for there staff. I understand that they have performed these tricks plenty for times without incidents but why risk it? For the entertainment factor? I just don't think it's worth it. Finally I want to thank you and everyone else for helping me come to these opinions. I'd like to say that I don't expect others to follow me when it comes to me choosing not to go to places that hold animals captive in cages. I'm by no means saying that any of these places are bad, that any of these places mistreat there animals, but I think as a species we should start considering what's good for the animals and not just what gives us pleasure. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-15631188213164868752014-02-13T20:07:00.802-05:002014-02-13T20:07:00.802-05:00People are getting so upset about SeaWorld and the...People are getting so upset about SeaWorld and their treatment of their orcas. If you want to get upset about something then do something about the grind in the Faroe Islands. Hundreds of Pilot whales are killed every year. Its tradition. The number of whales killed every year is more than currently in captivity. Of course if you want to just ride the bandwagon and attack SeaWorld go ahead If you want to do something to help whales stop the Grind. Go for the Japanese whalers that go out in the name of research and kill innocent whales. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-6303529329891389282014-02-06T15:27:24.909-05:002014-02-06T15:27:24.909-05:00Thanks for all the well-reasoned commentary. I do...Thanks for all the well-reasoned commentary. I don't agree with you in general, but I'm curious about one statement. You say " I think it's about making people hate SeaWorld (and it does that well)". I'm curious as to why you think that, since you also state several times that you can't see any discernible message from the film. Also, do you have any evidence to suggest that the film's director, producers, or other participants are part of some evil scheme to destroy SeaWorld? While I certainly take everything I see in any documentary with a grain of salt, I find it hard to believe there would be any particular hate campaign against SeaWorld being propagated through this film. Thanks again...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-92015999224186125472014-01-17T09:50:27.038-05:002014-01-17T09:50:27.038-05:00Thank you Chelsea. I appreciate the time you took...Thank you Chelsea. I appreciate the time you took to comment and the kind words. Erik H. Beard, Esq.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12021548329555288575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-17716350035130620972014-01-16T21:25:07.627-05:002014-01-16T21:25:07.627-05:00By "read all of your articles", I meant ...By "read all of your articles", I meant all of your articles on Blackfish.Chelsea Boetcker Melendezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883658257553303377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-24049285389644397222014-01-16T21:23:56.531-05:002014-01-16T21:23:56.531-05:00Read all of your articles and I thoroughly enjoyed...Read all of your articles and I thoroughly enjoyed your research. It was so refreshing to read someone's opinion that was so well thought out. I never really felt like what you wrote was biased because you did take the time to back up your opinion with research and encouraged people to check it out and make an informed decision. It was so brilliantly written and so often people do not give encourage others to think for themselves on any issue. Also I was so upset when I read #6 your final note, I hate when people write such negative reviews filled with hate. I guess I just wanted to take the time and thank you for your research and your time for writing this! Sorry for all the crazy people out there that think it is perfectly acceptable to write threatening comments. I will definitely read more of your articles because I enjoyed this so much.Chelsea Boetcker Melendezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883658257553303377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-71603874232122425852014-01-15T09:28:25.607-05:002014-01-15T09:28:25.607-05:00Mr Beard, you are completely right about the lying...Mr Beard, you are completely right about the lying, on both sides, it diminishes the argument to resort to false statements. However by saying that I don't care about the lies because the underlying argument for me is that the whole principle of captive breeding, displaying and performing is wrong - there isn't any other way to look at it - in my passionate opinion. <br /><br />The reason Blackfish is phenomenally successful is that it has spoken to the conscience of its supporters and converts - I bet you pound to a penny more than half will have seen beyond the fug of propaganda and dismissed that anyway in the light of the glaringly obvious, it is wrong, and we should change our attitudes and our beliefs accordingly. <br /><br />We are frequently shown how things we take for granted affect a wider circle of society and the thinking population process the argument and accept/abide with the new norm, and so civilisation develops and moves on. I know that slavery is often cited alongside the Blackfish argument and for good reason, we now simply and without question accept that subjugating another human being is unacceptable - I think the majority of Blackfish supporters just fundamentally feel the same way about the confinement of cetacean.<br /><br />What I would ask is whether the entire message of Blackfish was lost to you simply because it failed to meet the journalistic standards you illustrate? Are you judging the cause because the messenger delivered it in a less than perfect manner? Is the anti-Blackfish camp doing the same? Are those that profess to love sea mammals and watching them perform simply ignoring the issue because Ms Cowperthwaite broke some rules? <br /><br />Incidentally I value this discussion very much - it is a pleasure to trade views and I compliment you on raising the issues - some I may not have noted before (but still they don't alter my perspective!) and I nod to your argument. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-7417701974024536912014-01-13T20:57:00.738-05:002014-01-13T20:57:00.738-05:00"I don't give a damn whether the film was..."I don't give a damn whether the film was biased, broke journalistic rules, even in some cases lied" - I am intellectually bothered by this comment as I have recently seen similar comments posted in response to the growing criticism of the film on this and other sites I read. I can understand how someone who favors the anti-captivity viewpoint could overlook a biased film that breaks journalistic rules. I get that in the same way that I get that those who lean far-right can overlook these same things in Fox News reporting and those who lean far-left can overlook those things in MSNBC reporting. What I don't understand, though, is why it would ever be alright to just lie in documentary film and, more to the point, why it is OK to overlook lying simply because one agrees with the overall position of the filmmaker? If the point of any piece of advocacy is to persuade people to take up the flag and fight for the cause, isn't there a significant risk that any support gained will be undermined if the newly-convinced discover they were lied to? Sure, I suppose that there are some, like yourself, that will be willing to look past that fact, but a lot of people won't. I don't think it is a stretch to assume that many would leave the cause if they discover they were lied to. In fact, isn't that exactly what Blackfish is trying to do: convince millions of people that SeaWorld has lied to them for years so that those people turn against it? If that is at least one of the points Blackfish is making (and judging by many of my commenters on this blog, I think it is a message that has been received - whether or not intended) why should the filmmakers of Blackfish get a pass for the same conduct that they accuse SeaWorld of?<br /><br />Please understand that I respect your opinion, and in fact, I think you raise some good points, particularly in recognizing that "a half way solution is better than no solution." (a position that many of my commenters would disagree with I believe). I think that is a reasonable way to approach the issue and one that allows for reasonable discussion. But I am curious as to the willingness to overlook intellectually dishonesty "for the greater good" particularly since many (and I don't know if you fall into this category or not) have been dismissive of anything SeaWorld has said on this topic on the grounds that it is lying. How can we condone one side's lies while simultaneously condemning the others (assuming, for the sake of argument, that SeaWorld is lying)? If it is OK to lie to Blackfish supporters to gain their support, why is not also OK for SeaWorld to lie to gain supporters for its view.<br /><br />Personally, I don't think its OK for anyone to lie. I think the public deserves better than that. I think that swaying public opinion about an issue - otherwise meritorious or not - by lying to drum up interest is a recipe for backlash and will, in the long term, be detrimental to the cause. <br /><br />Thank you for commenting and participating in the discussion.Erik H. Beard, Esq.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12021548329555288575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-17739368780717175452014-01-13T09:08:13.489-05:002014-01-13T09:08:13.489-05:00If I actually understood what you were saying I wo...If I actually understood what you were saying I would be able to comment fully on your post, instead I will try to understand your argument. <br /><br />Those of us supporting Blackfish are against all confinement of orcas, captive bred or wild caught. There is no inconsistency. By showing that the public no longer accept this form of entertainment and do not condone the confinement of any orca/dolphin etc we send clear messages to the marine parks that they have to rethink their strategy. For every dolphin captured from the wild hundreds/thousands die unnecessarily. For every orca captured family pods are ripped apart. There is absolutely no marine park that is able to provide suitable and appropriate conditions for these animals, none, not even SeaWorld. Therefore, that should be the bottom line, the base argument, the foundation of future thinking. <br /><br />You patronise the activists and general public - they are not crying out to drain the tanks, people that support the premise behind Blackfish are aware you just can't turn these creatures out and wave them goodbye - we understand that the process will take time to rehabilitate the animals and some will never make it back. But like the Free Tilly campaign, at least a half way solution is better than no solution and the fact that if a line is drawn now, no future dolphin/orca etc need be captured or killed for such worthless causes as human entertainment and corporate profit. This is the consistent thinking behind all supporters of the Blackfish camp - stop recruiting new performers, stop the breeding, stop using the animals in this fashion and start figuring out how to return them to the wild or how to accommodate their final years respectfully. <br /><br />Personally I don't care whether the film was propaganda or not, the time has come for decent humans to make a stand and say it is enough, I do not agree with this, I will not support an organisation who continues to behave like this. I don't give a damn whether the film was biased, broke journalistic rules, even in some cases lied - I still have made the connection between unnecessary suffering and the organisations that cause it and my ability to boycott and campaign against it. We know better now, let's fix the future, but stop the present activities. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-53673315620814196352014-01-12T23:29:57.896-05:002014-01-12T23:29:57.896-05:00There's the big inconsistency though... if you...There's the big inconsistency though... if you're really about the welfare of the orcas' plight, then the focus should be on the captive breeding, not (what is the takeaway from 99% of the uninformed blackfish population, as evidenced by social media) "free tilly". As scientific evidence shows, that would be to the death of these "lifers".<br /><br />Whether or not they believe in showcasing orcas to the public, most agencies will tell you that SeaWorld's efforts & capabilities for the captive orca are the best on the planet. Therefore, this is the best of a bad situation, if that is your starting point. The activism should be against captive breeding. Let the captive population live our their lives, but allow that process to fade. Thus, no orca has to die for the idiocy of the uneducated public screaming "drain the tanks"; and no further orcas will be bred into a captivity that perpetuates the cycle.<br /><br />Had journalism done its duty, it would have proffered the cause, not the effect (nevermind the documented cases of withholding the contrarian points of any interviewees, or take a critical eye to fired ex-employees). Instead, it relied on the emotional response of the advocacy route. Again, all you need to do is look at the #blackfish hashtag to see that "the audience is [often] too stupid to strip out facts, do extra research...". A cry to "drain the tanks" far exceeds any rational discourse on the underlying problem; the masses have been focused on the effect, by a brilliant propaganda job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724814998338928097.post-62287772950835227422014-01-10T10:44:03.599-05:002014-01-10T10:44:03.599-05:00Well some of the comments you have addressed so I ...Well some of the comments you have addressed so I will leave them where they lie. However, I still believe you have missed the point of Blackfish - and a point that has been triumphant in its execution. The point that I, as an intelligent human being took away was that the capturing, confinement and treatment of all mammals for profit and amusement is now no longer acceptable. In the past, the population may have needed this sort of interaction to learn about creatures like the orca. Now we don't need this, there are copious numbers of books, dvds, documentaries, lectures etc that can tell us how wild animals live, behave, breed and interact. I would say that Blackfish has woken up the sleeping masses, myself included, and made it impossible to visit these parks with a clear conscience. That, Mr Beard, was the point of Blackfish. It was to bring this madness to the masses and end the impoundment of sentient creatures wholly unsuited to life in captivity. <br />One other comment I would make is that I fail to see why the debate of advocacy vs journalism is even relevant except if you make the assumption that the audience is too stupid to strip out facts, do extra research, make judgements and conclude on their own without being told to be aware. Most of the people I have spoken to automatically do this sort of filtering so we don't need to be told either by Ms Cowperthwaite or you to exercise caution in judgement. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com