Re: Whale Wars
Well, I admittedly was off the mark with my expectation of tears, but that's only because they didn't see the whale get harpooned. Once they do (which the teasers keep implying), open up the floodgates and make sure the drainage ditches are clear because the crew won't be able to handle it.
I got into this show as I caught a bunch of re-runs leading up to this season, which got me interested enough to watch this season. A few thoughts:
I give the Sea Shepherds a lot of credit, albeit in a backwards sort of way, perhaps. Though I am more than certain I don't see eye-to-eye with any of the crew on much of anything, Watson is correct when he decries Greenpeace and says no one ever saved a whale by holding a sign. Considering the Japanese are so full of crap on this it's not even funny, I give the Sea Shepherds a good amount of credit for actively attempting to stop something they deem atrocious. Do their actions push, and perhaps even trespass on, the limits of legality? Sure, but I'm not aware of anyone who ever actively and effectively fought against anything who didn't.
That said, what an incompetent bunch of hacks. I understand the basis for Watson's desire for passion over experience, but it's still a big mistake, and here are a few reasons why:
1. Operating largely on uneducated emotion, they waste their time on things that accomplish nothing while ignoring much simpler tacts that might prove more fruitful. As in: sit right on the *** of the processing ship. I don't mean a mile back like always seems to happen, I mean right on its ***. They get some competent and attentive boat drivers and do that, they won't even need to launch the inflatables.
2. The ridiculous concept of an all-vegan crew. Stupid, as it cuts out a big chunk of competent people who might be sympathetic to the cause. It ignores the big picture.
3. Impatience. In an operational sense, it could end up being a fatal, literally, flaw. Don't mess with the ice, for example. Stick a tracking device on the processing ship (not that hard to do if you know what you're doing, which they don't) and pick it back up later. Running unnecessary risk will eventually fold up an operation of any variety.
4. Organization. Sure they roll out a bunch of ridiculous titles like "Bosun's Mate" and "Quartermaster", but there isn't much by way of organization on the ship. Even Watson himself seems rather indifferent when presented with ideas at times. Granted, the emotion comes part and parcel with something like this to begin with, but christ, if you want to be effective...leave it at the door. Bringing in so many whimsical people is why there is such high turnover every year, which is also counterproductive to the ultimate goal.
5. Training. It obviously doesn't exist due to the passion over experience preference of Watson, but a little here could go a long way. There are enough idealistic crazies out there that finding 20 people to come in a month or two early to learn some things could go a long way...especially now that the show's popularity is only going to make finidng volunteers easier. Not checking the batteries on the satellite phone before leaving? That's how people die, and is inexcusable. It doesn't matter if you're on a nearby rooftop trying to monitor Russian naval activity in the North Atlantic or trying to stop the killing of whales, the principle is the same. That's how people die.
6. Foresight. I wonder what happens when the Japanese roll out a second processing ship. Uh oh. I doubt they have ever even considered that possibility.
Just a few there, but point is: If this bunch doesn't start expanding its options in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness it will ultimately sink itself.
They do a good job, but that's only because they are the only people doing it. There are a lot of people out there who could do much better, and they should open up their minds and maybe bring a few of them into the fold.
