SmithL
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Posted on 12/24/2010 8:14:10 PM PST by SmithL
WASHINGTON – Could Ruffles and Granny be in trouble?
At 59, Ruffles is the oldest known male orca in the world, one of an estimated 150 orcas known to inhabit Puget Sound and the coast of Washington state. Granny is his 99-year-old mother.
Environmentalists fear for the safety of the whales as the U.S. Navy prepares to expand operations in its Northwest Training Range Complex, which stretches from the coast of Washington to Northern California.
"They're all very susceptible," said Howard Garrett, president of Orca Network, a nonprofit group based in Whidbey Island in Washington. "The Navy is single-minded. … The whales are very much a secondary concern to them."
The group is among the many opponents in Washington state and California lining up against the plan.
At a public meeting hosted by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, last week, Ali Freedlund told Navy officials that they were "jeopardizing everybody's fish by doing what you're doing."
Freedlund, of Arcata, said she fears the current training is already killing fish.
"They say that they're not affecting the salmon, but how would one know?" Freedlund asked. "They can't possibly know the effects."
The proposal, already approved by the Obama administration, calls for increased sailor training and weapons testing on the site. It also includes the development of an underwater training minefield for submarines.
The site, which has been in use since before World War II, consists of 122,400 nautical miles, roughly equal to the size of California.
Navy officials are trying to allay concerns over their activities, telling the public the marine life will be safe.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
The group is among the many opponents in Washington state and California lining up against the plan.Some of America's enemies are already here.
What surprises me is that any whales survived WW2, when the pinging was really in vogue.
Sacrifice America’s security for a couple of fish that really couldn’t give a **** whether the Navy is out there or not.
Lady, they know a helluva lot more about it than you do.
Lord, forgive them. For they know not how ignorant they sound...
Military out of America (even though you are GLBT friendly).
LOL!!! I like the way you put that! ;o)
One Ping Only
The I84 symbol is placed over the Columbia River instead of where it belongs. I hope the “journalist” has a nice drive along I84.
So, when the Navy becomes a queer majority, will the libs still protest?
As if the Navy shouldn't be concerned with the security of this country but worry about a couple of frickin' Killer Whales.
I’d rather Rufflels and Granny end up in tuna cans than risk degrading the ability of our US Navy to defend our nation. Those enviro nuts should be ignored.
"They say that they're not affecting the salmon, but how would one know?" Freedlund asked. "They can't possibly know the effects." but she does know... feh
Should be of interest to the “whale wars” folks.
I think we should sacrifice Washington State - we would be much safer without the horrible people who inhabit that anti-American sh!thole. Boeing is moving out, Starbucks and Microsoft’s days are over anyway, no great loss.
Let British Columbia annex Western Washington. East of the Cascades, Washington is mostly composed of good people -- ones we want on our side.
SAVE THE GAY WHALES FOR JESUS.
“My favorite bumper sticker:
SAVE THE GAY WHALES FOR JESUS. “
A favorite from the late 70’s to early 80’s:
NUKE THE WHALES
(A play on NO NUKES and “Save the Whales” bumper stickers that were so common in those days)
.Now, they worship 
and 
, which kill and eat 
.
What did the ever do to them?
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