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I’ve had little to no enthusiasm or inclination to blog as of late, but my friend Tony wrote a piece with regards to September 11. Before you moan and groan, it’s anything but typical and probably isn’t at all what you expect it might be.

Take a couple minutes to click here and read what he has to say. It’s eye-opening at the very least.

Preliminary reports are emerging that five men of the Neah Bay, WA- based Makah tribe killed a California grey whale in the Straight of Juan de Fuca off the coast of Sooke, BC. Because the incident was based in American waters, the U.S. Coast Guard were the first to respond.

“We allow native hunts for cultural purposes. However, this does not appear to be of that nature so far,” said Mark Oswell, a law enforcement spokesperson for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Though the five Makah men claimed they were hunting for traditional purposes, as the tribe has been fighting for rights to do so, it was apparent that they had carried out this hunt without any acknowledgment from their tribe.

Shawn Eggert of the Coast Guard confirmed “As far as we know these men didn’t have any kind of permission from the tribe.“

What has incensed me most in the method in which the whale was butchered. The whale was first harpooned but didn’t succumb to those injuries. If you can actually believe it, it’s speculated that the men used a machine gun (yes, an automatic weapon), to riddle the whale’s body with bullet holes.

The U.S. Coast Guard has since turned the five men over to the Makah tribal police and this matter is pending further investigation. I will keep you updated as more information with regards to this story is released.

Photos courtesy of Komo TV News

Last night, I forgot to mention something with regards to Hanson that is actually quite a bit more important than having the group write a song for me. The first single from this year’s record “The Walk” is called Great Divide. From the first listen, I fell hard for the song, but in particular for the sense of inspiration that the lyrics give. It wasn’t long after that I found out that the song was written and released to coincide with World AIDS Day. The three Hanson brothers have recently done extensive work with children in Africa, in particular those who have become orphaned due to the AIDS epidemic. Great Divide was their labour of love and tribute to those children and the work currently being done in Africa. Take a couple minutes to watch the video below.

Everytime someone downloads Great Divide off iTunes, the proceeds are donated directly to HIVSA (HIV South Africa). HIVSA is a non-profit organization created to support those infected with or affected by HIV. Click here to learn more about this organization, or visit iTunes to download Great Divide.

Video courtesy of YouTube.

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For those of you from Vancouver Island who are keeping up with the latest Comox Valley debate, it seems as though recent talks have hit a brick wall. The Strathcona Regional District, which encompasses a fair chunk of the North Island, is weighing out the pros and cons between revamping the hospitals currently located in Comox and Campbell River or simply building an entirely new and “centrally-located” facility.

Personally speaking, everyone has the right to fast and efficient healthcare. To place a hospital facility between the Comox Valley and Campbell River defeats both of those factors. In the event of any potential emergency, the trek to a regional hospital would be far too long. When lives are at stake for the sake of dollars, there is no choice except that lives are by far more important.

To learn more about the Comox Strathcona Hospital District, visit this link.

Photo of St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox courtesy of hospital’s official website.

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And lastly, before I sign off and head to bed at a ridiculously early hour, need I remind you of three things?

1. LA Ink is on tomorrow night…if you’ve been missing it, then you don’t know what you’re missing.

2. Season 4 of Rescue Me premieres tomorrow night in Canada on Showcase. I’m ready for Denis Leary. Very ready.

3. Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” is being released in theatres this Friday. In case you didn’t know, I’ve been highly anticipating this one. If anyone knows of a local midnight showing this Thursday, please let me know. I was counting on the Rio Theatre, but it seems as though they’re showcasing “Hairspray.” Note that I am not providing an external link to that flick for y’all.

I guess that’s it. It’s time to dive between the sheets with yet another chick flick. Last night I checked out “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” (U.S. spelling) and found it beyond delightful. Stay tuned tomorrow for something ridiculously…ridiculous.

Love-love.

The Robson Bight Ecological Reserve, located on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island just south of Telegraph Cove, is a sanctuary dedicated to protecting, monitoring and studying the local killer whale habitat. It’s an area that’s completely closed to the public, including all non-destructive recreationalists.

Approximately 24 hours ago, a pod of 14 killer whales was spotted within the reserve swimming through an oil slick at an area estimated to be about two kilometres long at the time. Since then, the threat to the area has grown to an estimated 14 kilometres and is still growing. It’s thought that the cause of the toxic spill is that of an overturned barge which was carrying vehicular cargo near the area. It’s not yet been determined how the accident happened, but speculation has already begun that the barge itself was traveling through protected waters.

To hear stories like this enrages me to no end. I am so thankful that I’ve been blessed enough with the ability to appreciate the land, habitat and oceans that we as British Columbians have been endowed with. I can’t for the life of me understand why something like this can even happen, and it’s heartbreaking to think that anyone could possibly have such disregard for a precious commodity. If anything, instances such as this one should only serve the purpose of teaching us that we are the only ones responsible for protecting what we have. And that, I believe, begins with education. To learn more about this story, the Robson Bight Ecological Reserve or how you can help preserve British Columbia’s killer whale population, please follow the links below.

“Whales Spotted Swimming Through Oil Slick Off Vancouver Island“ – CBC News
Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
British Columbia Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program

Photo courtesy of makeupanid on Flickr.

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My friend Kyle and I met many, many years ago through his older brother Ryan. Kyle has long been fascinated with art, painting and drawing and his talent has never been lost on anyone. Recently Kyle lost a good friend of his in a tragic 4×4 quad accident. As a fitting tribute to his friend and the community they were all involved in, Kyle and a friend created the video below to honour and remember Keith Dickenson. If you have a minute, check it out. It’s a beautiful acknowledgment and, as always, Kyle’s skill blows me away. He’s the one in the plaid shirt and jaunty little cap.

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This weekend my “baby” brother turns 23. Exciting, isn’t it? I managed to order his custom, one-of-a-kind birthday present today. He’d better like it too or I’ll have to kick him in the shins. It means I’ll be making the trek home yet again this Friday, the third time this month. Truth be told, I don’t mind one bit.

Speaking of truths, I’ve been feeling terribly anti-social lately. Nothing excites me more than my TV and pajamas. Except maybe sleep. Sleep is really exciting!

P.S. Mom, don’t you think that adopting a killer whale would make a great birthday present for someone special other than Trevor? I do.