Rebecca

No, it doesn't necessarily mean that. But, in the context given, it does. Now, if we could harness our own destructive nature and put it to productive use, like a virus in gene therapy destroying the bad instead of the good, well, that would be something amazing. I was trying to come up with a reason, an example, anything to support the premise that humans have not been unequivocally bad for Planet Earth. Yes, I know that if we weren't here, no one would appreciate its wonder and beauty. But, if you play Earth's lawyer, say in a lawsuit against Mankind for all the damage we've wreaked, could you come up with one opposing argument that you couldn't defend? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Here is why this upset me: 1.) They're protected, meaning they're already dangerously close to being gone for good. 2.) They were in their natural habitat, minding their own business, unlike rats infiltrating our living and work environments. 3.) They weren't culled to control numbers to limit salmon feeding. An entire generation was wiped out. 4.) They were killed viciously. Nailguns and disembowelment. Sicker yet, they had to plan to bring the tools to do these things - it's not like the seals were hanging out on some beautiful accessible sandy beach. I don't care what it is, tiger, eagle, beetle, naked mole rat, bees, plankton, or cute fwuffy widdle baby seals, I'd still be pissed. Regardless of importance to the ecosystem (which, if that were a criterion for keeping a species around, would put us holding the short straw) As for the virus thing, I think Zenister said it best. We have no natural enemies, no control on our population - we're supposed to reach 9 billion by 2030 according to latest estimates. The only thing that's going to control our population is ourselves. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

I'm not saying that wouldn't be sexy in the bedroom, au contraire, it's just so very see-through! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Self interest. Something fisherman are all too good at. Who knows what we'll be eating in 30 years. I'll buy self-interest, sure, but they disembowled them. And shot nails into their heads. Not exactly the most cost-effective, efficient, not to mention humane way to destroy a "pest". you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Male lions fight for ownership of the pride. So do many other species. Primates definitely fight for control and territory. We're just one of them. That's directly survival-related. It's not an ego thing, it's fighting for the right to impregnate the females and pass on their genetic material, a fundamental instinct. Primates also fight for optimal territory to improve their survival chances. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Bravo! Oh yeah, I forgot to respond to that out-in-left-field post. First of all, I don't have an agenda. I'm simply railing against the 'wanton cruelty' exhibited by people on a daily basis, with this as the latest example. This is not an isolated incident. Of course we're all repulsed by this. I don't go around clubbing seals or puppies or helpless children, and neither do you, and neither does anyone else here (I hope to God). But, people do. They club seals, they light firecrackers in puppies mouths, they rape little girls as a war tactic, they put to death entire races of people, for reasons that are purely human. Not to mention, that just by being here, steadily increasing our numbers, we are causing irreparable damage to the planet. By the way, this is just a discussion for me. I've taken a position based on my emotional reaction to the news, and now I'm arguing that position. I'm not some kind of human-hating tree-hugging hippy. But I think I'm making a valid point. In case you wondered. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

I think you've watched too many Disney movies. Where do you think many of our baser Human behaviors evolved from? i think you fail to understand the nature of evil/cruelty.. our base behavior comes from the actions we take against each other... a individual's greatest threat comes from members of its own species... they are after the same resources... no other species attacks any other in the manner we do... you will never see lions 'waging war' and exterminating cheetas for example... they only compete as individuals when theyre territories overlap and threaten each other... Thanks for the back-up Zenister!

Ow! Quit bouncing shit off me! kidding. But I am going to duck for cover, 'cause I think it's about to start flying in here... [runs away, hands over head] you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

True dat. I kill mosquitos and roaches ruthlessly. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

indeed, now that the election is over it would be nice if we could focus the discussion more policy instead Go right ahead. In another thread. Unless you want to talk environmental and endangered species act policy, in which case, feel free. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Ugh. I am so sick of politics. Don't we have enough freakin' threads in this forum devoted to every frickin' political topic without turning this thread into one too? (Not directed solely at you, Zenister. ) you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Um, like the rainforest? Which was happy minding its own business providing us with a rather large chunk of the oxygen we need, not to mention keeping alive many of the plants used to produce our medicines? You know, the one we keep chopping down? Oh, and yes, the oil that we harvest by digging up and destroying wildlife habitats? I know we need these things, but we're using them up at an unsustainable rate. Non-renewable, you know? Even the trees can't grow back fast enough. Of course we're part of nature. We're here, so we're a part of it. The part that takes without sustaining. Life in the solar system? You mean, us on earth? That's more brutal than man? How? How is anything on this planet more brutal than we are? Explain, 'cause I'd love to hear this. No, that's OK by me because it has no choice. None. That's not "rape", that's a cataclysmic event. Wow. You got me there. You're right - I totally missed that. So, tell me about how other animals routinely and for reasons entirely other than survival wipe out entire generations of other animals. I wanna hear that too. Biting typing fingers, following rules... you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Time for another episode of WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? Starring Serena Williams!! Peek-a-boob!! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Well, not everyone. Just enough to make the rest of us verrry nervous. The situation is under control, right? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

So you're saying that if a world exists, but no one's around to appreciate it, it's pointless? Do you really think the world is a better place since we showed up, got civilized, and started raping its resources? I'm taking a hard line here for the purpose of discussion - I really am glad to exist, and I'm glad you're all here to discuss with me, but from the Earth's perspective, what have we done but cause its steady ruin? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

And there you have it ... By which you mean what, exactly? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Dude,seriously. I know nature is violent. I know orcas toss a seal or two around in fun. But they're the animals. We're much, much worse. They were left there to rot. AN ENTIRE GENERATION of a protected species, and for WHAT? Sport? Protest? Anger that they might dare eat fish that would've brought in a buck or two? And don't even get me started on the abortion thing. Frankly, we don't need more of us. If a woman wants to legally end her pregnancy, that's her choice. It has nothing to do with this topic, so move on. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

This is about how we humans treat our environment and our planet with such complete disregard for anything but profit and selfishness. We leech and suck and take and destroy. And then we're sad when all the beauty and balance and harmony are gone. But we don't listen to the experts who tell us how to fix it. We shed a tear, say oh well, and then go find something else to exploit. We don't exactly have anywhere else to go - why do we keep trashing the joint? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

WHY!! WHY in the f%^&*ing hell would anybody do THIS ????!!!! This makes me feel very violent towards mankind - that we as a species have the capacity to be so unbelievably cruel. Sometimes I wish we'd just hurry up and wipe ourselves off the planet so it can begin to heal itself - we're nothing but a virus to this planet, just like stupidhead Agent Smith said. Grr. Oh, and I know this happened off the coast of County Kerry, but this is not a political post! So don't even try! you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Stonehenge? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

My bf just got the book and he's laughing his butt off, always saying, "C'mere, you gotta read this!!" It's pretty damn funny. you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

Hereford? Herefordshire? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

I knew there was a catch! Who are you who are so wise in the ways of the world?

Much grass, senor! Me gusta el complimento! So, I see this discussion has drifted a bit away from financial responsibility towards scenarios involving justifiable sterilization and Latin. As long as we're going that route, OK, I do think anyone convicted of severe (equivalent of first degree) child abuse should be sterilized, regardless of who's paying for the child. Not spanking, not yelling, not even smacking a kid around - I'm talking locked-up-in-a-closet abuse. One strike and you're an it. As for welfare/unemployment - that should be drawn either as a supplement or as a temporary measure, NOT as a way of life, and not as a reward for working the system. We've got this awesome program here in Houston (probably other places as well), where a person can go for food, betterment classes, professional attire, networking and job opportunities, and other services. The catch? They have to work for it - volunteer at the center, work in the community vegetable gardens that were donated by generous individuals, and actively search for employment. I donated pretty heavily to that program through United Way. Are there that many cases where a person in need reaches out and can't find help? I don't know too many folks unwilling to help a person down on their luck if they're really doing everything they can to turn things around. My point is: are there that many people out there who have no other option besides welfare and welfare only for years on end? you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?