“Club the animal, or shoot the animal it is our culture, as some areas could not afford guns so they used other devices such as bow/arrows, others could not afford fishing nets, so they used nails as hooks and a line and so forth. If you don't like it please leave the planet, if you need help, please don't hesitate to call because I will feel obligated to assist in your departure.”

Culture of Deflection

Some of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador seem to exist in a culture of deflection. Taking no responsibility for their own actions, instead pointing out all of the other cruel and horrible things that go on around the world. They will tell you that there are starving children in the world, soldiers being killed in Iraq, they are not the only province who slaughter seals, and that animals are horribly murdered for economic gain in slaughterhouses every day in Canada. No one can argue that atrocities are being committed every minute of every day toward all living beings but at some point the people of Newfoundland and Labrador must take responsibility for their own actions and end their cruel seal hunt. The only way anyone can start to make change is by taking responsibility for each choice they make with each day they grace this planet.

Here are a few directly quoted samples of this exact thinking, compliments of some of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As for cruelty to the animals just turn on your television and you can see all the cruelty to humans that's happening in our world. Why don't people like you try and stop that.  There are children as well as adults that are being killed every day emotionally and physically and not to make a living either. That's what I call cruelty when I turn on my television and see some human being murdered. That's happening every other day. Why don't you people do something about that if you don't have anything else to do but stir up trouble over a way of life. Or are animals more important than humans to you. Try and get your priorities straight and maybe you will all get a little support. But do it where it should be done, just remember charity begins at home.”
(From a) B&B in Port aux Basques, NL

“My husband and son  have left today for the seal hunt, and I hope they do great with it and come back with the boat full, as I wish for every fishermen here thats left for the hunt. Their not doing it for sport as you so think its a way of living an income, Its killed in a more humane way, alot better then some of the meat you enjoy I'm sure. Maybe if you get a chance to visit a pork factory, or a cattle ranch, or see how many chicken are killed in one of these factories you might open your eyes a little more to the full picture of things. As for us here on this rock we rather you keep your money we don't need vistors like you with the kind of  foul months that you have spending money here , We'll do just find without it. God bless you and I pray he feels your heart with love for everyone.
From a seal hunters wife. and proud of it.”
Sheila P.