saving the bear

[theholyinnocent]

Save Knut!

In all the flurry about the furry, adorable polar cub, many ignore the larger question: Should the "animal rights" activist be put down? Clearly, he has not been reared properly amongst the Germans and is not fitting into his Natural Habitat. He probably doesn't like beer or Fassbinder films or even a good Riesling, for heaven's sake.

Comments

[maroukian.livejournal.com]

I'm really late on this debate, but nevertheless, I will kick in.

Frank Albrecht, the activist, is an opportunistic bastard who is using this poor creature to further his "animal rights" platform. I cannot think of a more despicable, hypocritical, STOOPID, selfish, narcissistic, megalomaniac thing to do. In his deluded brain, Albrecht believes that the greater "good"--- of promoting understanding among all of us plebeians who might alter an animal's natural habitat to keep the animal alive-- out weights the evil of destroying 1 creature.

All for a public relations campaign... what a waste.

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's definitely a PR move, but it's a bad one. Even if he's just stirring up controversy to promote dialogue or awareness, it's just plain dumb. Because people are just too shocked and outraged by his stance.

A more realistic approach would help: How can we help animals survive in a changing habitat? We've done some irreversible damage to the environment--maybe we can make it better but it will take time, and if we can't, we need to focus on ways we can all adapt to the changes.

[maroukian.livejournal.com]

Because people are just too shocked and outraged by his stance.

I appreciate your point of view and as my comment indicated, I think his tactics are reprehensible. But the question with regard to a good or bad PR stunt remains: would any of us even noticed a campaign that leads with... How can we help animals survive in a changing habitat (?)

I am not sure that lead would have made the blogs like Frank Albrecht and poor cute Knut did. No matter how awful the whole thing sounds, we are all more "aware" of his stance on animals' natural habitats.

[maroukian.livejournal.com]

one more note of disgust...

Albrecht succeeded in doing exactly what he really wanted, (which was not really to destroy an animal), but to get people talking about respect for animals' natural habits. So, I not sure, after some thought, his was a bad PR campaign. By talking about it, pondering it, commenting, etc... I am actually doing exactly what the jackass wants.

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

I see your points here, definitely. But I think the initial obfuscation in the matter--taking the stance "it should be killed"--might not be conducive to long-term dialogue about the situation, or taking steps to do something...or maybe it will? I would like to think Knut's existence rather than his loss would contribute more to promoting change than the blathering of a jackass. But only time will tell.

[maroukian.livejournal.com]

This is certainly a conversation better conducted over vodka than a PC, holygirl...

I would like to think Knut's existence rather than his loss would contribute more to promoting change

Yes! of course, I agree - I would hope any sane person would! But isn't this sort of like any other extreme of any other issue? The people on the extremes moving the issue forward are the people who are absolutely nuts. Yet, they get centrists' collective attention because we are so SHOCKED by their absurd proposals that we are like, "wait a minute... kill the bear? You're certifiably nuts!" Like guns-- the NRA is BONKERS! Their platform will allow not one concession, at all. They say stoopid stuff that they don't believe: "I see no difference between an AK-47 and a sporting rifle... no difference at all." IDIOTS!

Anyway, Knut (that darling bear, my gosh, he is just so cute I can't stand it) There is no way that a man who sings Elvis songs to the cub is going to allow this nutcase to kill him...

...A keeper moved in to Knut's cage to care for him around the clock. The keeper, Thomas Doerflein, even plays him Elvis Presley ballads on his guitar, saying he has a penchant for You're the Devil in Disguise.

[theholyinnocent.livejournal.com]

This is certainly a conversation better conducted over vodka than a PC, holygirl...

Sure, we (well, you) would be coherent for a while until we (well, me) would get all blubbery and girly about Knut. "OMG, he so cute! I LOVE HIM!"

I have faith in Knut's human buddies. Behold the power of Elvis! We're caught in a trap / I can't walk out / Because I love you too much, baby...