Music News
Morrissey vs. Canada
By Trent McMartin Mar 27, 2006, 22:18 GMT
Morrissey will not be playing in Canada any time soon reportedly because the singer is furious with the country’s annual seal hunt.
It is expected that up to 325,000 young harp seal pups could be killed in the coming weeks, despite pleas from international bodies for the practice to stop.
The ex-Smiths singer issued a statement on his official website saying that he won't be visiting the country to promote his forthcoming album Ringleader Of The Tormentors in protest over the hunt.
“I fully realise that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter - which is the largest slaughter of marine animal species found anywhere on the planet,” the singer said.
“The Canadian Prime Minister says the so-called 'cull' is economically and environmentally justified, but this is untrue.”
Morrissey claims that the motivation behind the “barbaric and cruel” hunt is “making money,” and in doing so will aid the fashion industry.
“The Canadian Prime Minister (Steven Harper) also states that the slaughter is necessary because it provides jobs for local communities, but this is an ignorant reason for allowing such barbaric and cruel slaughter of beings that are denied life simply because somebody somewhere might want to wear their skin. Construction of German gas chambers also provided work for someone - this is not a moral or sound reason for allowing suffering,” Morrisey continued.
Along with Morrisey, former Beatle Paul McCartney has been an outspoken supporter of ending the seal hunt.
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Older Talkback
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German gas chambers is a comparison to Canada? I think not only is this NOBODY really out to lunch, he freely compares all Canadians to mass murderers. If I did not already think his music is too amature for me to buy(Have you heard this clown?), I would boycott him just for his own hatered to Canada. Hopefully he never goes to Canada as his kind is not welcome. Oh by the way, are you boycotting other countries that cut rainforrests and put other animals into extinction?
The seal hunt is something similar to the killing of cows, or chickens or pigs. I enjoy the hamburger or the chicken burger and the pork chops. The only difference is the face of the slaughter. Those two musicians are speaking with too many loose ends not spoken. Are the cute little animals more important then the cute little babies that those hunters are feeding. To compare these slaughters to the Jewish slaughter is completely out of line. Please, stay out of our country, for the message you bring is flawed.
The seal hunt is necessary for the fishing industry because the seals depleat the fish. Many speculate that the seals don't eat cod fish (which is great) but they eat the fish that the cod fish eat, thus depleting the cod population and screwing up that part of Canada's ecosystem. Morrisey is too stubborn, intolerant and lazy to come to Canada anyways. No one should even respect the man. He's cocky, arrogant and a known drug user, so babbling about the killing of seals should be the least of his worries. Perhaps he should control his manners and addictions before he even thinks about going to Canada, or even North America.
The world is run by the almighty dollar. I'm a proud Canadian and very much detest the practice of the seal hunt. But I do understand the comparisons to killing seats to killing cows and chickens for food and skin. But one issue at a time. The killing of seals is looked upon across the world as slaughter, if that's the way the climate is moving, Canada should move with it. Remember, not long ago, killng whales and dolphins was an accepted practice (and still occurs). End it now, the money it brings is so insignificant. Use the international attention to start a large eco tourism attraction that would bring in ten-fold the amount of money to residents depending on the seal hunt. If it must continue, leave it to special cases. aboriginals hunting the seals for food and skins. Not for the fur industry. Maybe in 1000 years, the killing of cows will be frowned upon as seals today...remember one issue at a time.
DM
I agree with the seal hunt due to the fact that in Western Canada seals are over populated and other marine life has suffer dramatically. Seals when feeding only eat the small part of the belly that contains fat of fish.Seals have bitten people that are swimming or kayaking.Sure there cute but so are terroist when there babies. But the decline of fish stock are the main reason that the population should be controlled. I do respect though any one that speeks out against something that they do not believe in.
Agree with the seal hunt? Cut and paste the web address below into your browser.
http://dave.pither.googlepages.com/
So since he lived in LA for years I can infer he supported of of those states' lawful execution of those deemed mentally handicapped? Or that he supported the American refusal to sign the Declaration of the Rights of Children?
Or their REFUSAL TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE??? What did u do about that Moz???
I don't really support the seal hunt but I say good riddance to Morrisey and his faulty logic.
Hey here's an idea! How about Morrissey and McCartney look at what's going on in their own country before they start criticizing the seal hunt here in Canada. Every year in England, tens of thousands of foxes are hunted alive by 'sportsmen' and 'sportswomen' using packs of hounds. The hounds hopelessly outnumber the foxes and when the foxes are caught, they are torn limb from limb by the hounds, all for the AMUSEMENT of the human 'hunters' and for no other reason. At least Canada can qualify the hunt by 1) proving that it is nessesary to keep the seal numbers at the current levels; 2) that it is nessesary for the livlihood of the native hunters involved; 3) that it is very carefully monitored; and 4) that all parts of the seals are used. The fox hunt on the other hand serves no practical purpose other than to satisfy a sadistic blood lust on the part of it's participants. Try putting your own house in order forst Sir Paul and Mr. Morrissey
Good for Morrissey. The seal 'hunt' is disgusting to any normal, right minded individual. These creatures are butchered simply to adorn the bodies of ugly humans. I admire his stand and he is dead right about Canada & China. I will never visit a country that treats creatures in this way.
As usual Morrissey, you stand up for the animals. Bless you x
Gizmo should get his facts right. 'Tens of thousands of foxes killed each year by hunters' is exaggerating the numbers massively. Fox hunting has been illegal in the UK for over a year now anyway!
Also, just because there are horrific things happening in one's own country does not mean there is no need or reason to voice disgust or take measures when appalling things happen elsewhere. What warped logic!
All that rubbish about seal numbers, seals eating too much cod (when it is man who over fishes the ocean) and livlihood of the hunters......heard it all before. I don't understand Canadians who feel they should defend the butchery just because they are patriotic, what a load of old guff. If there are awful things happening to animals anywhere in the world it should be said.
Don't try and defend the indefensible. Canada should be ashamed of itself anf it's arrogance.
Are the people here who support the commercial seal hunt in Canada actually researching the subject before forming an opinion, or are they arriving at a viewpoint based solely on a stubborn uninformed personal opinion?
I really have to ask, because I'm seeing the same lame arguments here as elsewhere: 'slaughterhouses are bad too' - yes, of course they are, but that does not mean we should ignore one evil practice because there are others. The majority of people opposed to the seal hunt do not eat animals, and the minority who may eat meat take the time to ensure their food is raised and killed humanely, ie not in a slaughterhouse. The activists fighting the seal hunt are also engaged in various campaigns to end animal suffering around the world, including factory farming and slaughterhouses. Have a look at the website for HSUS, Brigitte Bardot Foundation, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and IFAW. Do your research, people.
DFO used the seals as a scapegoat years ago, insisting that they were responsible for the depletion of cod stocks, in order to justify the seal hunt. Once challenged, they admitted that wasn't true. The depletion of cod stocks were caused by various factors, including ecological and environmental changes, and human overfishing. They claim that the seal population has tripled since 1970. What they seem to have forgotten is that between 1950 and 1970 the seal population was the victim of DFO incompetent mismanagement and human overhunting, and by 1970 the population was dangerously low. So to say that the population has tripled since 1970 doesn't necessarily mean they are overpopulated now. DFO has proven itself time and time again to be dishonest and incompetent. Why are Canadians still listening to them and believing what they say?
As for 'putting food on the table', the ones who truly profit from the seal hunt are the men who own the boats and the European fur industry. The sealers themselves earn very little from the hunt. Numerous viable humane employment alternatives have been suggested to the sealers, all of which have been rejected. In 1995 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society came up with a scheme that involved collecting the hairs from molted pups and selling the same for use in the textile and bedding industry. The Society even went so far as to secure a German buyer who would be willing to market the hairs. This idea was rejected by the sealers, whose response was 'This is a faggoty idea. Seals are meant to be clubbed not coddled.'. If employment opportunities are so scarce, why then are they turning down these opportunities?
The Canadian government and seal hunt supporters are fond of saying that hunt opponents are overzealous attention-seekers who haven’t got a clue what they’re talking about. It’s my opinion, however, after listening to arguments put forth by both sides, that hunt opponents have done their research, read the reports published by both sides of the issue, watched the video footage captured from previous hunts, and listened to arguments from hunt supporters so that they can reach a well-informed opinion. It is the hunt supporters themselves who appear the ignorant ones, refusing to research the issue and to use solid facts on which to base their conclusions, preferring instead to reach a conclusion based on nothing more than stubborn and misguided personal opinion.
Almost forgot - Sean Clancey, I think you may have it backwards about the seals eating the fish that the cod eat. Seals eat fish that prey upon the cod. There are scientific reports available that conclude that if the seal population is decreased and unable to keep the cod predators in check, the cod stocks will be no better off.
I can understand Morrissey's logic in refusing to come to Canada. I think he's looking at it more from a financial point of view. If he brought his tour to Canada, he would be purchasing Canadian goods and services whilst in this country. He doesn't wish to spend his money supporting the economy of a country still in the dark ages when it comes to animal welfare/rights.
And by the way, Morrissey was vocal about being against the fox hunt.
Thank you Morrissey for standing your ground I completely agree and I am a Canadian who is shocked by this information. The only way I would agree to killing innocent animals is if i was starving and had no other way to provide food for my family. Alot of eskimos would be against this waste of meat as they do live differently up in the cold North. They utilize all parts of the seal to provide food and clothing in their harsh enviroment. The Canadian Government is not making jobs they are creating alot of people like myself and I am sure the Eskimo community are replused by their lies and cruelty to these helpless seals. The only way the government can change my mind is if they work with the Eskimos so that the meat will be utilized and the seal is not wasted just for its fur. I hope the Government read this sight and change the way they are planing to kill the seals for their fur alone. Their are so many starving people in this world and the government needs to look and see clearly what could be done to make this a positive thing. Governments act to quickly and dont think things thru I think they should spend some time with the Eskimos and learn some respect for animals then maybe they can learn how to utilize the whole seal and help alot of struggleing families.
It would be awesome if people got informed before deciding their stance, instead of reading one side of the story, usually that of PETA or other pro-animal rights groups, and disregarding the fact most of the stuff put on their pages are things that are open to interpretation and always benefit their opinion. If you want to get informed and know what you're talking about, read from a none opinionated source, such as wikipedia.org
Morrissey once again does his Canadian fans a disservice. This isn't the first time he's refused/cancelled coming to Canada, be it his laziness in getting his papers in order (a few years back when I had front row tickets!!!) or his moral indignation. Give your fans a break - we buy your CDs and concert tickets for your music, not your political views.
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james birkbeckMar 27th, 2006 - 23:38:38
While I agree with Morrissey's point of view on the seal hunt, I don't see how his refusing to play here helps the cause. The Canadian government couldn't care less whether or not he performs here - it his fans who will be losing out.
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