In the award winning documentary, The Cove, a team of activists and filmmakers infiltrated a heavily-guarded cove in Taiji, Japan. In this remote village they witnessed a ruthless herding of innumerable dolphins. On a heartbreakingly regular basis, about 5-7 'pretty' dolphins are chosen for Sea Parks and tourist activities, around the world. The rest are slaughtered mercilessly. More than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises are being slaughtered each year. Their meat, containing toxic levels of mercury, is being sold as food in Japan. Often labeled as whale meat, the toxic meat is being given to children to eat at school. Though Japanese authorities know about it, they are turning a blind eye, and this horror is being hidden from the public for obvious reasons.

Even the dolphins that escape the slaughter and reach captivity have less than ideal fates. Often depressed, many just chose to stop breathing. (It is a voluntary function for them) So 'swimming with dolphins' and watching dolphin shows at theme parks is not helping these wise mammals. In the US, import of Japanese Dolphins has been banned for a while, but not so for around the World.

YOU CAN HELP:

To make an impact on this issue, we must get the word out in Japan and urge action from our own leaders. We believe that once the world and the Japanese people know, they will demand change. If you live in the US or Japan, please click the link below to demand action from our leaders. All you need to do is sign one electronic letter. If you don't live in these countries, please help spread awareness about the issue. You can include the widget in your facebook profile/ blog, or you can forward this email.

http://www.takepart.com/thecove/the_cove_letter_writing.php

Please take a few moments to help these graceful, friendly creatures from terrible fates.

Thank you,

Diagonally

Some people are meant to lead, some to follow, some to get out of the way. Me? I'm meant to write about them, their idiosyncrasies, their histories, their neighbors, how they all unintentionally set wheels in motion and how they make the little boy (there, on that corner, waving the flag of indistinct colors) feel. So here I am, starting again, to clear my head, cleanse my soul and sharpen my wits.

I'm using the response to the story as a very real parameter of my skills, and as a means to improve, so if you like certain aspects but not others, please do not hesitate to send constructive criticism/ tips/ ideas/ accolades/ chocolates.

Banner for Heirbrained by the talented GinnylovesHarry07 here (older version): http://sites.google.com/site/fanficrelated/banner/banner.jpg?attredirects=0

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll302/ginnylovesharry07/220WORKS20IN20PROGRESS20Banners/heir-brained_set_stoneedgepage.jpg (newer version)

Cheers!

Diagonally

psst: Thoughts become things! Remember to choose good ones!

psst 2: Thanks for being here, reading this!