If we truly exercise our humanity, should we have any reason to worry about their's?

 

Their what? Dolphanity?

There is evidence that they communicate effectively with each other, and any dolphin trainer will tell you that they communicate with them in every way that they are physically capable. The fact that they haven't organized a swim-in, boycotted smelt, or written a letter to congress doesn't mean they aren't intelligent and have no sense of their own existence.

 

 

I never said they couldn't communicate with each other. I already addressed that in their social organization. No animals can have any form of social organization without a form of communication. The difference is the level of communication.

I fully agree with the first part but I am just too busy (lazy) to look up anything else.

 

My problem lies with the line of thought that seems to be exhibited where if they aren't expressing resistance then all is well. When many countries were "discovered" the native people were viewed as savages and not on the same level of humanity as the "discovering people" are. It seems that throughout human history we have made repeated mistakes on the level of humanity attributed to certain groups. Furthermore, could it be that cetaceans are just pacifists? If all you want is resistance---I hear the squirrels in N. Ky are quite the resistant and organized bunch.

 

And as I said in my first post, I find this subject particularly fascintating, not saying I agree or disagree---just something interesting to talk about while at work.

 

Considering the way dolphins go after sharks or Orca go after their meals it is pretty clear that they aren't pacifists. Of course if they were I would have issue with that anyway. Nothing more irritating than idealistic sea mammals if you ask me.

 

The thing is though in regards to the "discovering people" there was the clear potential for communication and organized resistance. The fact that one side won and the other lost is a consequence of history. One asserted dominance over the other. You assert moral judgment on the past, which you know I will not do.

And finally, how do you know that dolphins feel and experience the same emotions as humans? You don't. Neither do the scientists, plain and simple.

Didn't you ever see Flipper? Timmy fell down...and that made Flipper very sad. :cry:

 

"You know guys, I was fearful of being captured and put behind those walls, but now that I'm there, you guys are really missing out. Heck, I don't have to fight over food...man, this is the life of Riley...suckers!!!"

I'm sure the Native American people were expressing similar thoughts when we rounded them up and marched them off to some dusty little reservation.

Their what? Dolphanity?

No, it's the "Porpoise Driven Life. "

I never said they couldn't communicate with each other. I already addressed that in their social organization. No animals can have any form of social organization without a form of communication. The difference is the level of communication.

What? No cellphones or iPads?

Didn't you ever see Flipper? Timmy fell down...and that made Flipper very sad. :cry:

 

I'm sure the Native American people were expressing similar thoughts when we rounded them up and marched them off to some dusty little reservation.

So, have we moved on to white man suppressing dolphins? Wow. This has really morphed into something outlandish. Oh, nevermind, we passed outlandish way back. Maybe we could get Kostner to blend Waterworld and Dances with Wolves and develop a blockbuster, Dances with Dolphins.

So, have we moved on to white man suppressing dolphins? Wow. This has really morphed into something outlandish. Oh, nevermind, we passed outlandish way back. Maybe we could get Kostner to blend Waterworld and Dances with Wolves and develop a blockbuster, Dances with Dolphins.

I'll have more later, but how is it outlandish to question the levels of understanding, self-awareness, and emotions of our fellow inhabitants?

I'll have more later, but how is it outlandish to question the levels of understanding, self-awareness, and emotions of our fellow inhabitants?

 

I know several "humans" who have less of the bolded than the creatures we're discussing.

We have enough issue with humans killing humans in the world right now. I think when that gets solved (good luck) maybe we can worry about our more slippery friends.

Nope

I'll have more later, but how is it outlandish to question the levels of understanding, self-awareness, and emotions of our fellow inhabitants?

It's not outlandish to question those levels. It's just friggin' goofy to grant them a bill of rights.

To start with, What?

 

Our government can't even decide what rights humans have, how in the world are they supposed to "Grant" rights to other creatures that they can't even communicate with. How are the "animals", and they are animals, supposed to oppose unfair treatment. Oh, never mind some liberal human will speak for them. That will work. And what makes you think we can "Grant" rights to another species? Have they told you they want something? Have they told you they don't' like things the way they are now?

 

On second thought, I want Cataceans' rights, I want to resend my human rights and live as a Dolphin. Who will fight to make sure I get what I want? Can someone began making sure that I am treated the way I want?

Yes, and they have doctors on hand to treat blowhole infections.:thumb:

Yes, and they have doctors on hand to treat blowhole infections.:thumb:

 

I can hear Obama now, "we have 4 million sea creatures without health care, we need to fix this now".

 

The Palosi will chime in, "we need to pass this bill so we can see what's in it".