The Life of the Plastic Bag

Have you Ever Wondered where that Haphazardly Discarded Plastic Bag Ends Up?

A Mocumentary Video on the Life and Travel of the Notorious Plastic Bag ~ credits to www.healthebay.org

The Majestic Plastic Bag:

"Song For the Ocean"

I just found a fantastic website with a positive thrust towards wellness and longevity for the Ocean .  It invites us all to take a step forward and sing along with Kirsten in her healing song for the Ocean.  I actually came across the song on facebook and was directed to the website ~ http://songfortheocean.com from there. 

"Song for the Ocean" and "Ethereal Matterial" on Facebook posted a poignant message for all the People of the World to take heed ... We must all take responsibility for the health of our Ocean and it's inhabitants. The song and video pretty much says it all so I am adding that link here at the bottom of this message. 

Kristen Calls out to Father Earth to hear the plea for healing and good welfare of the ocean and asks us to join in the song with our own well wishes for Mother Ocean.

She petitions us in her song, singing "This is the Song for the Ocean, Father Earth We are Calling Your Name.  We Know You are Taken For Granted But We Stand Here Committed to Change.  The Voices of the Children are Singing, Towards Tomorrows Horizon They Gaze,  Oh, This is the Song of the Ocean, Give Us Strength.."  ~ The message further unravels in a beautiful song she has written that is complimented by the ocean and ocean life in the background.
Please Listen and watch this Amazing Video for the Full Message:
Kristin is truly a Champion of the Seas!

Song for the Ocean
BY KRISTIN HOFFMANN  ~ My goal for the “Song for the Ocean” project is to get a minimum of 1 million people to join me in singing this song and together make this an official Anthem for the Ocean. As we sing, let’s hold the vision of a healthy planet, and make a commitment to the Earth and all it’s creatures, to be a part of positive change in whatever ways we can. You can sing this song on your own, in a group, a chorus, any way you can imagine. Videotape yourself or a group singing “Song for the Ocean” and upload your video to YouTube...I will add you to my favorites! I am going to keep a list of all people who sing on the song, so e-mail your names, and you can be one of the million voices! Also visit www.songfortheocean.com or http://www.youtube.com/user/SongForTheOcean

"For the Love of Dolphins"

Hello Ocean Friends.

I just found this poignant posting by JamieLynn2001 on the "Cyber Whale Warrior Blog" by Holise Cleveland titled   "For the Love of Dolphins" .   I recommend it to all.

I believe that is possible for one to gain insight into the captured dolphin's mind in "The Cove of Taiji" Japan, by seeing it through the mind of the dolphin, which is portrayed in the first half of this posting.   In the latter part of this blog post there is further explanation to the horrendous activity that takes place during the Taiji dolphin hunts.

Let it be also known that these hunts not only take a surplus of many dolphin lives, but also the lives of small whales that migrate through this region. (whales and dolphins are of the same family, but many people are unaware of this fact and think of them as separate)...  Unfortunately, one has not found a way to change their migratory courses, or been able to eliminate their dying days in the Cove by the hunters who kill them for dolphin meat and the sale of live dolphins for entertainment.

People are not allowed to intervene by Japanese Law.  They can only watch and record what takes place.  If they try to intervene, they are threatened with arrest.  Intervening may be as little as a reported "push"... Recently, and reportedly, one photographer activist was taken to jail for "intervening" in application of Japanese Law.  I have read that his trial date has been set for late January or February.  The dolphins are herded and taken in Japanese Waters, yet the dolphins are not Japanese.... They are mammals of the seas that travel through international waters.  They are loved by many, and hunted by few...  And generation after generation, by the many thousands, they continue to be deliberate targets of death and capture here in the Cove of Taiji.

And so with saddened heart, I fear the dolphins and whales, like so many other animals facing extinction today, will disappear via man's ignorance and greed in the not too distant future ~  if nothing is done to stop it.  And, I continue to pray in hope, that through written, video, and verbal expression to the world in continual public education and through public outcry, the Japanese will finally take responsibility themselves.  My hope is that they will then respond in a positive manner to halt this practice, changing a destructive path for the betterment of their own people, and in so doing, for the benefit of the world.

Here is that link again to the article:
"For the Love of Dolphins"

Thank you JamieLynn2001 for writing and posting this great article about the Dolphins of Taiji on the Cyber Whale Warrior Blog.  Your voice plays an important part of helping to create the necessary change for a better world for all of earth's inhabitants.  This is one small area of the earth, yet it plays an important role in all our existence.  The Ocean is a major & necessary part of our life, and the animals of the Seas all Play an Important Role in maintaining a Homeostatic Earth Environment.  We, the Human Race, are contaminating the ocean, and contaminating ourselves.  We continue to destroy and reap havoc on many, if not all life forms.   It is time for us to wake up and stop this insanity by taking an Active Role in correcting the wrongs that continue to be done in the name of progress and greed.   Human respect for the animals and their unique roles in life are a very real issue in maintaining and guaranteeing our own existence.

Who Wants to Live Forever?

Excerpt: ... "This is an informational video to help bring the message out about conservation and features the Music of Queen. Erik Brush tells a poignient visual and musical story of the importance of getting involved. Also shares website info for www.erikbrush.com/ and www.seashepherd.org/

Set to the music and incomparable voice of legendary Queen singer and songwriter Freddy Mercury."

Erik Brush in his own words is a ..."wildlife artist turned conservation author and shark biologist.... fighting to protect sharks and the worlds oceans. I am a firm advocate of better education and positive solutions!"

"Fear in the Water" by Erik Brush

Fear in the water!

by Erik Brush on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 6:06pm (author, artist and conservationist)~ follow him @ http://www.erikbrush.com/ and on facebook

"The Ugliest of Monsters that you will ever find in our world is the darker side of the Human mind! - Self Quote."


I was swimming near a coral head in what seemed like a paradise on Earth. The warm waters of the reef fueling my body with energy and life and then there was a strange scent. I could feel fear filling me in a way that I could not explain. I looked around and then I saw them.

Two sharks lay on the bottom of the reef and crabs tugged and ate at the deformed bodies. I thought that they might have been born with deformities bit as I swam closer I saw that they were missing their fins. Only the upper tail fin remained and there were large gashes across their heads and necks where some great tooth or something sharp had bitten or cut the sharks.

A little farther more sharks lay on the bottom in the same or worse condition. It was terrible! I wondered if I knew these fish? Had I seen them in past encounters on the reef? I could not be sure. They seemed familiar to me and yet the scent and sight of death had shocked me and my focus was labored and I couldn't quite reason as well as I would have liked to on this gruesome day.

What kind of creature kills without eating what it kills? What kind of creature destroys life and discards it with such casual abandon? I couldn't understand this. I hunt to eat, not to maim or torment or discard what I take. That is not natural! It's just plain wrong and evil in its own right.

I left the area. It was too heartbreaking to stay and the death in the water may have pleased the crabs, but not me. It was a troubling sign. Looking around I could not see much life on the reef. The large fish were gone and the coral was dying. They say that this is due to acidification of the water which causes a condition known as coral bleaching. I wonder if they understand the link to sharks that is directly fueling this? I doubt it. They never mention sharks, whoever they are.

Swimming further I realize that I must cross a deeper expanse in order to find a better place to swim and study. Upon crossing the deep passage I could feel the flow of cooler water, but now there was a new scent wafting toward me. sounds screamed in a frequency that I can hear quite well and scents drifted to me of dying and dead marine life that seemed to vanish off into the distance for miles.

I came across the bodies of the dying or dead and had a feeling of dread replace the omni-present hunger that I felt. These creatures were all trapped. Floating at the same level with each other. There were dead turtles and dying tuna. A mahi and a few jacks. A barracuda, along with several dead and dying sharks. The caravan of weak or dead animals stretched for miles and miles.

It is strange to see this sight. But it is not the first time that the death line has suddenly been seen before me. I  suppose it is a popular trend with the strange beings who live above the water. In the old days the few remaining elders impart that the oceans were different. The water does not taste the same. The harvesters of all life were not so numerous. Not so greedy.

Today we live and swim in a waste or dying oceans. Our bodies filled with chemicals and trash. Our predators and enemies have become the predators and enemies of all life. Perhaps the skies above them have filled their bodies and minds with a sickness that makes them act so strange. We are all only targets and time is running out. It is becoming empty as fast as the oceans themselves.

It did not have to be this way. In fact it was never intended to be this way. For hundreds of millions of years nothing like these creatures has plagued the world with so much destruction and death. But the end will also bring about their end. In a way it is a comfort just knowing that they are too foolish to last. Too short sighted to understand how badly they have destroyed our world. But they will get it only when it is too late for themselves and for most of us.

So we watch and wait for nature to strike the last blow. It is inevitable. If you take more than you need, and decimate without allowing for other species to recover, then you destroy all chance for balance to continue. And when balance fails, then life fails. I do not know if my species will survive, but I know that some of my kind will escape the great destruction. That one day the parasite from the world above the water will perish and the denizens from beneath will recover. One day in the peaceful future there will be sharks once more thriving and ruling our oceans. And the evolutionary nightmare primates will not even be a memory among any of the survivors.

- Erik

Facebook LINK:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/erik-brush/fear-in-the-water/278832492129726

The Taiji Dolphin Killing Drives and "Countdown to the Cove"

Sept 1st Marks the Beginning of the Dolphin Hunt Drives in the Cove of Taiji Japan.  It is not unusual for up to 20,000 dolphins and even some whales to lose their lives in these dolphin drives annually.  They are being killed for money... for their meat, and for providing entertainment to the demanding public who want to swim with the dolphins, and watch them do tricks for their own personal entertainment.

But the world is now taking notice, and the pressure is on to stop the killing from these drives, and the sales of selected dolphins for entertainment parks such as Sea World and other Ocean Aquariums.

"For the first time ever, in 2010 -2011, Cove Guardian Activists from Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Save Japan Dolphins were in Taiji every single day of the dolphin slaughter, which ran from September to March...yet the tragedy continues..." (from Countdown to the Cove)

People are becoming aware of the dark side of this beautiful sea and fishing port called Taiji.   Here, the fishermen have chosen to hunt dolphins & whales (of the dolphin family), which is misleading, for dolphins are not fish but intelligent sentient ocean mammals.  Also of concern is danger from this practice through ingestion of the dolphin meat which has been found to often contain of a higher than acceptable level of mercury contamination.  This mercury presence is generally not publicized, and when spoken of, lightly put aside as not of concern by the Japanese.  Even the children of Taiji are said to be served this meat in their school menu.

But the word is out, with a jump start from "The Cove Movie" which you can watch for free here @  http://www.ovguide.com/movies_tv/the_cove.htm and concern is now escalating around the world.  The media has picked up the story and there is an increase in the publications and public interest regarding the deaths and captures of the dolphins in Taiji.  Perhaps you too are concerned now that you have become aware of the dolphin plight.  But, what can the average concerned citizen of the world do? 

You can help by spreading the truth, and "Join the protest via Facebook International Day of Awareness for the Dolphins of Taiji @ "The Countdown to the Cove"

For more information on "Countdown to the Cove", and the Taiji Dolphins just follow this Web Link:

"Countdown to the Cove"

Scientists Name World's Most Important Marine Conservation Hotspots

"Scientists have identified the 20 most important regions of the world's oceans and lakes that are key to ensuring the survival of the planet's marine mammals such as seals and porpoises. Their analysis also shows, however, that most of these areas are already under pressure from human impacts such as pollution and shipping. Marine ecosystems around the world are deteriorating rapidly, according to Sandra Pompa, an ecologist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico who led the study, in particular due to habitat degradation, introduction of exotic species and over-exploitation of natural resources. " ... " To find out more, Click below to pull up and read here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/aug/01/marine-life-wildlife

A Song for the Dolphins and Whales

A captivating song about Captive Dolphins/Whales
Titled: "Captive" 
Written by Holise E Cleveland, and vocal by Jaki Song, with music by John Ming. 
Thank you!

.... Can Smell the Ocean Wind... Can You Hear Me?  Can You Free Me?

Link to the Song with Lyrics Here: "Captive"Jaki Song/Holise E Clevland/John Ming

Please Listen and Share with All You Know and Don't Know... In whatever way you can...

"You Inspire Me" Video by Eric and Chastity

Eric and Chastity @ A Family Standing Up For What They Believe In Made this Great Video of The People they Believe are "Champions of the Seas".  It is Called, "You Inspire Me" ...

See if You can recognize any of your friends, or perhaps even you!

Shout Out for the Dolphins of Taiji - What I Believe

"Shout out for the Dolphins of Taiji"

We are Each a Small Voice, but I Believe Our Voices Ring Loud when in Unison. At this time I fear Many do not read what is put before them, but Some do, More are Listening and Concerned and with Time, More Will.

"My Hope Lies in the Faith That Many People from All Corners of the Earth will Feel it in their Hearts to Act and Voice their Opinions taking Stance against the continuing Slaughter of the Dolphins and Whales of the Oceans. The Killing is not for need as food ~ much of the meat is not even liked by the Japanese in their cusine ... Some Say it is their Culture or Tradition, but that does not make it Right.  Others say they are taking their fish, and for that they must die... 

I am Speaking of their Annual Slaughter ~ of Thousands upon Thousands of Entire Pods, the Painful and Horrendous Means of Capture & Death, and the Choosing of a Few Singled Out with Each Entrapment in the Taiji Cove, for High Dollar Sale for Amusement and Entertainment in Sea Aquariums in Far Away Places."

These Magnificent Sea Animals are not fish; they are mammals, and they are no more theirs (the Japanese town of Taiji) than the Ocean Belonging to Them. The Cetaceans (dolphins and whales) are Said to be Second to Human in Intelligence, Yet these Fishermen Continue to Search out and Drive the Pods of Dolphins into their Cove to Kill them and Sell them for Profit.  (revised for further clarification 1/6/10)


When they are No More, and have become Extinct, Will the World then take Notice, and Weep and Wonder Why? This Town is so Proud as to Let their Families Eat the Mercury Tainted Food rather than to Turn to Other Healthy and Humane Ways for a Living. But for Those who Care, We must Continue to Speak until this Atrocity no Longer Happens.

“Shout Out For the Dolphins of Taiji”

Cries of Anguish and Death

Reverberate across the Seas
Originating from Taiji
Taking Me Down to My Knees

Dolphins of the Oceans
What have they done?
They are Taking Your Lives
In the Land of the Rising Sun

From Your Ocean Home to their Cove
In a Death Run For the Kill
Relentlessly Driving Your Pods
For Your Blood they Will Spill

Oh Dolphins of Taiji
My God what they Have Done?
They Stab you in Numbers
And No Mercy is Shown.

Families, Unborn Babies,
It Means Nothing to Them,
The Power of Green Money
The Driving Force from Within.

And they Call You Pests
For that You Must Die
"Stealing Fish from Our Nets
Costs Us Money they Cry"

Your Blood they Do Spill
In the Cove of Taiji
And A Few Spared in Each Run
Are Sent Away for a Fee

To Swim in Concrete Pools
Entertaining the Masses
While their Friends are Cut Up
And Served in School Classes

Fed to the Children
Toxic Mercury from the Kill
Identified only As Meat
To the World from the Spill

Hearing Your Cries Our Sweet Friends
We Tell the World of their Shame
May the Fishermen of Taiji
Find no Pleasure in Their Pain.

The World Does Take Notice
Cove Slaughters Must be Halted
Let the Dolphins Swim Free
And their Defenders be Exalted.

© Cheryl E Gordon 12/25/10



If You wish to Help in Any Way, You can Write a Comment here, Post a Link on your blog or web, write the Japanese Embassy, write to the Japanese Newspaper (links are below).... Even Better, Go to Taiji to Help the Guardians, Be a Guardian, or Just Get the Word Out ... Anything is Better than Doing Nothing... Thank You!


Make Your Voice Heard to the Country of Japan ~ Tell them what You Think About Allowing Dolphin and Whale Hunting to Continue:

Link to the Japan Times Online where you can write your comments about Taiji and the Dolphins Directly: https://form.japantimes.co.jp/info/contact_us.html
Link to US Ambassador Ross on Twitter:
http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20101001-74.html
Japanese Embassy Names and Numbers:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=159578037405359&id=150758841615415

Nichole McLachlan's "No Dolphins and New Plans" Education of the Masses"

Excerpts in parentheses are From Nichole McLachlan's Blog "The Path To Protect" @ http://nicolemclachlan.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/no-dolphins-and-new-plans/. Nichole is a Cove Guardian currently stationed in Taiji Japan where Dolphin Slaughter & Capture is the Routine. She states she will be leaving the cove in a few weeks, but her passion is secure for the Dolphins, and she will continue to fight for their lives.  This is an excerpt taken from her latest blog post, February 13th, 2011.

"My biggest passion is for the oceans- for protecting the world’s marine life, and in particular the world’s cetaceans. My other passion is to help the youth of the world realize the importance of speaking up for what they believe in- to stand up and fight for their futures… My goal is to educate young people, in order for them to make informed decisions about how they live amid their surrounding environment."

Nichole believes mankind is on the path to self destruction and turn-around is imperative for the inhabitant's of this planet's survival. She further states here,

"If the businessmen and politicians of today won’t stop the madness that is occurring worldwide- the businessmen and women, politicians, scientists and environmentalists of tomorrow’s generation must take a stand a few decades early- and let those in positions of authority know that we will not sit by and watch our future be destroyed before our very own eyes…"

Nichole promises us that within a few weeks she will be offering plenty of ways on her blog, that people can get involved to stop this continuing path of destruction.  I believe that she is passionate about the health and welfare of the ocean, and will continue to fight for this cause as well as the cause for the earth in it's entirety.  One way she is doing this, is through her "Youth Project" that is now underway.  It is one that she will reach out to educate the youth in ways they can get involved with the change needed @ Taiji Japan, that will save the dolphins from man's grasp and death, and in helping save the ocean and it's inhabitants from human ignorance and pillage. 

This is the link to the Youth Project Posting on her blog:
http://nicolemclachlan.wordpress.com/youth-project/

Dolphin Rescues Beached Whales in New Zealand

Dolphin Helps Humans to Get Disoriented and Tired Mother Whale and Calf back out into deeper water to the sea. Click on link for more info & Utube video @ the "For the Love of Dolphins" Blog:

http://jackiebigford.blogspot.com/2011/02/dolphin-saves-whales-in-new-zealand.html?showComment=1297472381269#c7977406695281005352

Francois Hugo and Seal Alert / SA

Seal Alert SA:

"Seal Alert-SA was established in 1999, as a direct hands-on organization to address the imbalances, cruelty and abuse that has plagued this species (Fur Seals) for well over 600 years. Our primary roles are investigation, rescue and in the wild rehabilitation, free of all forms of confinement. Our ultimate goal is the re-establishment of the ecology path, this species has been diverted away from. We seek an effective and meaningful, protected natural balanced marine environment, that is not based on unnatural animal segregation or exclusion policies or over protection of one species to the detriment of another."  Francois Hugo

For More information about this Wonderful Cause and Francois Hugo, Founder and Champion of the Cause, please click on this link: 
http://sealalertsa.wordpress.com/about-us/

Nichole''s Story: Guardian of The Dolphins of The Sea @ the Cove of Taiji

"You have not yet lived, until you have found something worth dying for…”   Nichole McLachlan
What is Happening Now in Taiji

Path to Protect…

Her story, of fighting for Cetacean Conservation in the Cove of Taiji, Japan …

http://nicolemclachlan.wordpress.com/about-me/

Sea Shepherd Mission Statement

One of my Very Favorite and Important Champions of the Seas Groups is Sea Shepherd.

 Please Click on the Link Below to find Out more on this Active Sea Conservation Group:

http://www.seashepherd.org/who-we-are/