Re: [Paddlewise] Protect kayaker's constitutional rights -- resp

From: Bob Tellefson <lists_at_zooid.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:30:33 -0700
At 03:39 PM 7/29/98 +0000, you wrote:
>Michael Kundu wrote:
>> Citizens must retain their constitutional rights to witness, document or
>> protest such a hunt at their own risk.  Please inform your regional network
>> of activists, marine trade or recreational associations, commercial
>> boating/fishing and marine commerce businesses, whale-watching or anyone
>> you know that can respond to this notice.
>
>Uhhh, pardon me, but no one has the right to interfere with, or
>harass hunters during a legal hunt.  Many states have laws making
>such behavior a criminal act, punishable by stiff fines and/or
>jail time.  If the hunt is legal, and Joe Schmoe interferes with
>or harasses the hunters, then Joe Schmoe needs to be arrested
>and fined and have his vessel confiscated.  
>

Perhaps that is what "at their own risk" refers to.  We all have the
option, perhaps even the right,  to violate the law at the risk of
suffering the penalty.   Besides, the words harass and interfere were not
used.

The Russian whaling fleet had boats with steam outlets that could be used
to cover the deck with a steam cloud to prevent planes from checking their
catch.  It turns out that they took many more whales than anyone knew at
the time.  The point is that if someone can perform without a witness they
are less likely to do the right thing.

Both sides of this issue, like any other, have rights proscribed by
existing law.  Specialty laws that would apply to only one party or in such
a specific case are, in IMHO, clearly political or driven by special
interests.

Bob Tellefson
http://www.zooid.com/sbpaddle

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Received on Wed Jul 29 1998 - 16:32:19 PDT

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