The Cove: Something Smells Fishy

Watching The Cove was very difficult and frustrating for many reasons. What I found perhaps more upsetting than the killing of dolphins (which was horrible to watch) was the political process that is enabling the killing to continue.Ultimately, the political system that runs the world is responsible for deciding how we treat the animals around the world, including dolphins. This is a problem for animal rights because teh current system in place doesn't work well. Why does politics revolve around allegiances, and who has more money as opposed to doing what is actually right? The movie clearly shows that the capture and slaughter of dolphins is completely pointless. The dolphin meat is not desired as a food item, is unhealthy to eat, and not actually worth that much money when subsidies are factored out of the equation. Yet the Japanese government continues to get support to keep this fading industry alive. The industry, lacking financial viability is, ultimately, slaughtering of dolphins for no reason. This is done by providing financial support to smaller nations who then support the Japanese agenda. As the old saying goes, "you don't bite the hand that feeds you." This, is ultimately what politics has become, a popularity contest similar to those found in high schools all over the world. The one who can throw the best parties, give the best gifts or has something to offer everyone else, has the most friends and gains support while those pursuing true friendship are left out. This is exactly the same as what is going on at meetings of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The Japanese government has more to offer to many nations and as a result gains the allegiance of these nations in supporting its causes. Instead of sitting down and arguing about facts, figures and ethics, the discussion is focused on each side's lies and embellishments. Instead of having intelligent discussions, the entire political system breaks down into accusations of a "he/she said" nature and embellishments of the truth. The film, The Cove, was very disheartening to watch for many reasons but what was perhaps the most troubling was the scenes showing the backwards nature of the political system that exists in today's world.