Gulf Rescue Campaign
Monday, May 17, 2010

The British Petroleum (BP) deep-sea oil breach in the Gulf of Mexico is turning into the largest and most destructive oil spill in history. It is a priority emergency and a massive assault on a major marine ecosystem. While BP may be morally and legally responsible for causing this disaster, it is impractical and unwise to leave the rescue of all marine life in the Gulf to a private corporation. We all need to come together to address this, and we need to do it quickly.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is calling upon all able organizations to join us in sending vessels with trained crew to support large-scale efforts in the Gulf of Mexico to rescue oiled sea birds, turtles, and other marine species. Together we have the resources, skills, experience, and passion to make a huge difference in the number of lives and species that can be saved from this disastrous oil spill. We can provide the offshore facilities needed to complement onshore rescue efforts for the finding, capture, treatment, and transport of marine animals viable for rescue.

“Sea Shepherd and other organizations have ships,” said Captain Paul Watson. “These groups, as well as governments and corporations, have resources. We need to mobilize these resources now. This is going to be a long, dirty, and fatiguing process, but we must act, and we must act now.”

Although the Sea Shepherd’s Steve Irwin is en route to the Mediterranean to defend bluefin tuna from poachers for Operation Blue Rage, and the Bob Barker is in Tasmania, we are now working to secure a third ship in Europe to bring to the Gulf to address this disaster. Our crew will be fully trained in HazMat and rescue operations on land and sea, and we will be able to accommodate experts and equipment needed to search for, capture, and rescue oiled marine life in the Gulf. We will work with BP, local fishermen, and the U.S. government to support their efforts and those of other approved personnel and nongovernment organizations. We will need donations of fuel, supplies, dispersants, cleaning detergents, towels, blankets, and we need volunteer crew, especially volunteers with experience in rescuing and cleaning birds and animals contaminated with oil. (NOTE: anyone interested in donating supplies or services, please email: gulfrescue@seashepherd.org)

Sea Shepherd has a long history of helping with oil spill cleanup and marine rescue operations. For example: we supported the cleanup after the Exxon Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound in Mar 1989 and spilled over 10 million gallons of crude oil. Our Operation Oilstorm Y2K was initiated with the sinking of the oil tanker Erika in December 1999, which produced a slick that eventually covered 125 miles off the Breton Coast of France. The rupture of the Petrobras Oil Col pipeline in Rio de Janeiro in January 2000 saw Sea Shepherd volunteers coordinating wildlife rescue efforts, and Sea Shepherd Brazil (ISSB) contracted with Petrobras to develop an oiled wildlife rescue plan. In January 2001, Sea Shepherd’s patrol boat Sirenian was the first vessel on the scene of the Jessica oil spill in the Galapagos, and our volunteers spent weeks rescuing and cleaning oil-soaked birds, seals, and marine iguanas. Again in September 2005, the crew of the Sea Shepherd’s Farley Mowat rescued and cleaned birds, iguanas, and other marine species, coordinated the shore-cleaning operations, recovered floating debris, and removed dangerous mooring lines around the wreck after a diesel spill in Academy Bay at Porto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos.

Our ships and dedicated volunteers have accomplished amazing feats through the years, but this disaster in the Gulf needs more than we alone can give. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is appealing for cooperation and assistance from additional nonprofit organizations, governments, corporations, and all concerned individuals. While we will work with the U.S. Government and BP to support their efforts, we are also appealing to them for help with coordinating equipment, qualified personnel, and onshore facilities to complement our offshore work, and to help expedite appropriate clearances for us and other organizations who can bring unique and truly helpful expertise and equipment to help with these rescue efforts.

Sea Shepherd welcomes donations from the public for our “Gulf Rescue Campaign” to help us rescue and protect marine wildlife and habitats. Charity Navigator has recognized Sea Shepherd with a 4-star rating indicating that it is amongst the best nonprofits when it comes to responsible fiscal management and effective use of funds for campaigns.

Source | Volunteer

Executive: We must confess that your proposal seems less like science and more like science fiction.
Ellie Arroway: Science fiction. Well you’re right, it’s crazy. In fact, it’s even worse than that, nuts.
[angrily slams down her briefcase and marches up to the desk]
Ellie Arroway: You wanna hear something really nutty? I heard of a couple guys who wanna build something called an “airplane,” you know you get people to go in, and fly around like birds, it’s ridiculous, right? And what about breaking the sound barrier, or rockets to the moon, or atomic energy, or a mission to Mars? Science fiction, right? Look, all I’m asking, is for you to just have the tiniest bit of vision. You know, to just sit back for one minute and look at the big picture. To take a chance on something that just might end up being the most profoundly impactful moment for humanity, for the history… of history.

David Drumlin: I know you must think this is all very unfair. Maybe that’s an understatement. What you don’t know is I agree. I wish the world was a place where fair was the bottom line, where the kind of idealism you showed at the hearing was rewarded, not taken advantage of. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that world.
Ellie Arroway: Funny, I’ve always believed that the world is what we make of it.

The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker has shut down illegal whaling operations in Antarctica. The ship with its volunteer crew has caught up with the Nisshin Maru factory ship and is actively blocking its slipway. The Nisshin Maru will be unable to process whales as a result of Sea Shepherd’s efforts.

The Bob Barker intends to stay in this position off the stern of the Nisshin Maru until the whalers return home or until they run out of fuel. Sea Shepherd’s other ship, the Steve Irwin, is racing to the area to join the action.

Four other whaling vessels are in the area surrounding the Nisshin Maru and Bob Barker. They include: the Yushin Maru 1, 2, and 3 as well as the notorious Shonan Maru 2, which one month ago today sank the Sea Shepherd Ady Gil in an act of blatant aggression.

Says Captain Chuck Swift, “As we sit in the shadow of this cetacean death machine, I’m proud to captain this ship and fine crew on such a noble mission. We will end these illegal operations once and for all, thanks to support from our staff and supporters the world over.”

Sea Shepard News

Statement On Sea Shepher’s Ady Gil Attack

The recent news regarding the crew of the Sea Shepherd is just another example of the allegiance I have to a group of people fighting on behalf of one of my most personal issues – our animals. The protection and conservation of our planets whales is something I will never stay silent on. Included are some of the videos as well as reports on the latest clash. As always, it’s up to you to form your own conclusions on who is at fault. The key issue with me remains; the action of my friends and extended family within the crew of the Sea Shepherd vs. the inaction of those who have sat back and allowed the brutality and harm to our whales is a debate I’ll never back down on. While often it may seem I take a more spiritual and idealistic position on animal issues, make no mistake, I am fully educated and aware of the dominating laws at hand here. Whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary is illegal. The harpoon vessel – the Yushin Maru, has been whaling in that territory for a solid amount of time. There is no question about the fact that the actions of the Japanese whaling fleet in the Whale Sanctuary not only break the law, but continue to obstruct countless other laws the longer they stay and the more whales they kill. The Sea Shepherds unconventional methods of madness are aimed only at those who harm and brutally murder for no reason. Let me make this extremely clear – the crew is well aware of the risks involved in their participation on board – they fight on despite it because their work has nothing to do with them – they are in it for the cause. Protecting the welfare of those who can not is paramount. With that – I continue to stand by them and their continued work and efforts.

JL, 1/09/10

Australia Tells Japan: Stop Whaling
Paul Watson: Sea Shepherd’s Stern ‘Warrior’ Defies Japanese Whalers

Thistle was on the brink of starvation when our team found him with nearly 200 other wild mustangs who had been removed from the range, fenced in, and then left to die on a desolate ranch.

But I could see from his beautiful, expressive eyes that his spirit hadn’t been broken by the neglect. We brought him to The HSUS’s Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas.

Trust me — what happened next will warm your heart.

Watch Thistle’s uplifting story, then please make a special holiday gift to our 2010 Animal Survivors Fund.

Thistle is a survivor. But he — and the thousands of other animals we helped rescue this past year — wouldn’t have made it without people like you.

The Humane Society of the United States desperately needs to raise $1 million by December 31 for our 2010 Animal Survivors Fund. It’s big — but it’s a fraction of what it takes to run our sanctuaries and rescue operations, our campaigns for stronger laws to protect animals, our undercover investigations that expose cruelties hidden behind closed doors, and so much more.

Click here to see Thistle’s incredible journey — then make your tax-deductible holiday gift today to support all our life-saving campaigns and programs.

Thank you for everything you do for horses and for all creatures.

Sincerely,  Holly Hazard Chief Innovations Officer  The Humane Society of the United States

If anyone still wishes to debate me on the intelligence of animals vs. humans, watch this. 

post wwf speech (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 1 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

post wwf speech (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 2 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

post wwf (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 3 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

This weekend I spoke at a WWF event.  Just as I was ending I noticed someone waving to me from the crowd to come down over.  When I got there, they gave me their phone and said, “Here, someone wants to say hello you.”  I was so surprised to end up hearing from a friend I had known from years back who heard I’d be speaking that day and had their friend drive out to attend since they live far.  Respecting their privacy, I won’t say who it was, but I stopped in my tracks. “Nooooo wayyy…”  This was a great surprise!  I bogarted the poor persons phone (I felt so bad – but you were kind enough to let us chit chat and catch up, lot of  love!) walked to the nearby apple tent, and caught up.  Funny how things happen sometimes and how people find you – and thank you again, you know who you are – so great and unexpected hearing from you! xx

http://www.worldwildlife.org/

This Doesn’t Have To Be It

After finally seeing Michael’s “last” performance on the big screen, I promised I’d say a few words on what I thought. Although I’d much rather prefer to remain quiet, there are certain times when others need to hear you.

I’d never wanted to in my lifetime see MJ on the big screen under which this circumstance presented. Unfortunately, we live in a mad world. A world where even superheros can disappear overnight – but, Michael was no superhero – he was mortal, just like you and me. A phenomenal performer and artist.  My sister and I had a talk earlier in the day where we agreed, above all else, we can look back and say we were here when one of those enchanting entertainers was alive - how lucky were we? What he used through the medium of art, is what elevated him to a level with which reached and inspired nearly every demographic possible. No easy feat. I won’t dive into my own personal memories and feelings towards MJ, some again, I choose to keep private for a multitude of reasons. My connection as I’ve said, was with the man, and his humanitarian vision and work. With that, we connected. As an artist however, I know I share the feelings of many. Those are the commonality that are showcased in a very nicely put together “film” using the rehearsal footage from what was to become the “This Is It Tour”.

A few points on what stuck out to me most when seeing the film.

Number one – new moves.

To me, MJ had been experimenting with a variety of new urban and hip hop style dances, and those were evident all throughout the film. I was actually surprised to see just how many new pops and breaks he had either seen somewhere else and put his spin on – or self-created in time for these rehearsals. The moves were clearly things that you can’t write a dance manual for, they had to be felt to be performed – something only certain artists can achieve. As you watch the film, look for what caught my eye – just how many new mannerisms and slight physical changes MJ slipped into his more classic routines and moves… I pay strict attention to detail, and for me, I must have caught at least one new twist on what he’d previously done in a step at least every 3 seconds. Seeing that from a performer who is so identified with his classic routines and dance moves, (which we love and instantly identify) seeing MJ experimenting and putting out totally different vibes through the smallest of manner or physical “flick” is thrilling.

Number two – MJ’s “Threatened” makes an extremely brief but KILLER surprise appearance in the closing of the “Thriller” performance. I’m sorry, but for me – as not only a fan of all kinds of music – but especially orchestrated and  instrumental twists on songs – when about 45 seconds of  MJ’s “Threatened” is weaved into the conclusion of that performance – along with MJ’s bump ‘n grind new moves as he made his exit, made it the peak of the mountain to me in a classic song. The ending cut to the track came out of no where, and when it did, I couldn’t help but start feeling the groove in my chair, so look for it!  My head couldn’t stop.

Number 3 – I had known this already after talking with him, but MJ’s almost dictated humbleness and work ethic are crystal clear throughout. There is a big difference between someone who works with you in encouragement and authentic passion, and someone who works AT you. MJ had the ability to make you want to better yourself in whatever you did. As an artist, as a musician, a dancer, and most importantly as a human being.

This film isn’t going to show you anything you don’t already know. It’s impossible to summarize who MJ was as an entertainer in 2 hours or below.  This attempt was a beautifully edited one, and one for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to see him live.  You will love it.  It’s a taste.  It’s going to remind you of just how effective and striking one person can be in the lives of millions of people – from millions of backrounds – and millions of perspectives. All the focus is on the music, how it makes you feel, where the adventures help you escape and travel to – and what messages we need to remind ourselves of each day are most important.

MJ’s last message or “sequence” offered from the film is one I was so happy Kenny Ortega decided to leave the audience with. It’s the one thing that kept my support and appreciation to him for such a long time. MJ was always tuned into the bigger picture.  He was a constant at it.  Never a gimmick or ploy – purely genuine and real.  I don’t think people today can fully realize just how difficult it can be to maintain a steady course of belief while the world does it’s very best to knock you off track.  Say whatever you will about MJ, from day one -  he never lost focus on what he wanted his art to convey.  To live a life outside of yourself. To make a difference, no matter how small. To just maybe take that chance and step outside of what is considered “safe” and “normal” in this society, and be unique.  Live to affect.  It’s a portrait of a man who gave all he could for as long as he did, and in my mind, the title of the film could have easily been altered to “This Doesn’t Have To Be It,” because just as MJ is no longer here physically with us on Earth, it doesn’t mean his music and messages have to end, in fact, it would be a crime if they did – they are real and very much alive this very moment.

If you take anything from seeing “This Is It” take the message of how important one life lived strong, lived in a world of art and escapism, and of helping those who needed it most, can completely transcend and stop time now – and for generations to come.  Let it remind all of us that all it takes is one.  It’s a lonely road, but one worth giving a try  if you’re up to the great task clearly as one man was.

Written By Jamie Leigh – Saturday October 31, 2009

According to one of my favorite nerds, Rainn Wilson.

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