Originally Posted by PulpMind

I'm kind of shocked by the ignorance being displayed in this thread. It's been shown time and time again that the Japanese "research vessels" are whaling ships. They are conducting illegal whaling. YouTube it. New York Times it. Google it.
Even if you don't like how the Sea Shepherds are going about trying to stop it (I'll grant that they have the failings of most grassroots human and animal rights groups), they are the ONLY ones doing it. No government body has dared to take action against these ships, because Japan is such a crucial economic partner for anyone that has the power to stop them.

There is tons of evidence out there that these japanese ships are responsible for massive, illegal slaughtering of whales - many species of which are endangered. While the rest of the world is too busy fighting wars, defending their borders, etc, with their ships, the Sea Shepherds have one boat that they do their damndest to try and stop these other boats with.
It may not be safe, but given the means, can you think of a better way to stop the illegal whaling? If not, you should probably consider doing something to support the people that *are* doing something, even if that's just writing them a letter, explaining how this Animal Planet show makes them looks like total asses and sensationalizes their downfalls.

The Sea Shepherds rarely conduct any illegal activity. In International waters, if you observe (and can prove... which they usually can, thanks to hand held video cameras) illegal activity, you're allowed to stop it. This includes boarding the offending ship, blocking its path, etc.

PETA sucks. They're idiots. The Sea Shepherds are fighting a necessary and nearly impossible battle, but, from my perspective, are doing a damn fine job with their resources.

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 PM ----------

PS - - The whole running out of gas thing is a great example of a stupid network sensationalizing a normal day at sea... almost everyone does this at sea. You have enough fuel to get you out, hang out, and get you back. Any more than that is useless weight. Stupid TV.