I think whaling should be allowed to continue, providing that the number of whales harvested is put to a limit and not exceeded. Whenever you're talking about trying to use enviro-politics
to curtail someone's livelihood, you have to consider the economic impact of basically putting them out of a job. But, we're seeing more than a little of that stuff these days, and it's a little concerning. How many citizens can you put on a public dole check? I think we're going to find out....

I take exception to your remarks about Steve Irwin. He has probably done more to preserve animals and their habitats then anyone else. He was an expert at what he did and your remark was totally uncalled for.

I concur with Ms. Walker. To suggest Steve Irwin was anything other than a modern hero of conservation is downright absurd.

Steve Irwin usually handled crocodiles and venomous snakes within the context of removing "nuisance animals," i.e., potentially dangerous animals from human and livestock habitats. In the context of his tv program, he extended that chore into an exhibition of animal appreciation (mainly with reptiles---kinda hard to imagine anyone else holding up a venomous snake and proclaiming "Ain't she a little beauty?") with some of the elements of a circus act. Basically, I think it had mixed results. On the one hand, his act was something of a freak show verging on the idiotic at times (as when he held onto his infant son with one hand while teasing a full-grown and hungry croc with a chicken carcass with another), but his enthusiasm for the animals he dealt with was contagious and I think he did manage to convey the fact that even the most dangerous of predators has a right to be here on this planet.

Bert, Should there be a limit on "harvesting" humans and squeezing them for their fat.? All oil (biofuel) sources are being considered for energy consumption for this overpopulated planet.. Who will enforce the limit in numbers of those firstworld humans "harvested" for their oily adipose tissue? Should it be those "citizens" who want killing justified, for work, or research; whatever monetary reason sounds good at the moment? The hypothetical point being: humans do not need to "harvest" (kill) whales. Not for food. Not "scientific research"; not subsistance hunting; not simply to "have work" to do. As for Steve Irwin;let his name not be used in vain, but to bring awareness.

I believe that annoying as Steve Irwin was and obviously out to make a good living off his unnatural (or well trained schooling)in freedom from fear of even the most dangerous animals; that it was pretty obvious he liked and respected all animals even, or especially, those considered repulsive or fightening to most. What have people always done with animals they are afraid of? They kill them in vast quantities until they become endangered, or if not curtailed in time, extinct. No one can say that was Steve Irwin's policy. His fascination for and involvement with animals was more than a sometimes silly ritual of molesting them for entertainment and livlihood (his), it was an education in awareness for those that needed to know all animals have a place in the sccheme of things and a right to live. He helped rearrange things so that was possible for countless species and did a great job in making thousands, maybe millions of kids learn about all kinds of wildlife. Yeah for Steve and I for one hope his kids follow in his footsteps to carry out his tradition because I love animals too and find the scary ones fascinating and deserving of life right along with the cuddly, cute ones.
dy foley

Now "Harvesting Humans", I really like that idea. Tackles global warming more effectively than any other argument put out there today, helps with loss of habitat immensely, as well a sneed for ever more resources to build houses, cars, kill other living being for food, etc. Why should one species be harvested and another not? Certainly we humans are not in any danger of extinction - except from our own self-destructive insanity! Other than religions that state "as FACT" that humans are superior to all other species, and our might and intelligence allowing us to be able to kill all other species -even to the point of extinction, why shouldn't we be "harvested"???

"Harvesting Humans" doesn't even have to be lethal or, probably, even forced. Just a chain of Free Liposuction Clinics across the country. A truly renewable energy source.

I think Steve was great! Don't be such a kwetter. I'm proud to be an environmentalist. I'm not proud when environmentalists are painted as kwetters, complainin' all the time.