Originally Posted By leobloom >> It is not just about tourism Leo, but also how we buy our fish for meals. Ethical fisheries, campaigning on international fishery laws, banning whaling etc. << True, I was just saying that SeaWorld's educational mission is inherently tied into tourism, so it's hard to separate the two. Incidentally, Rsey103, I have a lot of the same issues with Animal Kingdom -- another park that has a questionable mix of entertainment and education.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> An amusement park is no place for a whale or dolphin to live permanently. << I don't know if I agree with this entirely. Animals that are born into captivity seem to be different cases than animals that are captured in the wild or animals that are rescued or rehabilitated. What gives me pause is the use of animals for purely entertainment value (i.e. Shamu jumping on command).
Originally Posted By Manfried Well, I'm a retired person drawing a pension. Shouldn't I get in free too? A teacher in the private work place, kind of okay. But in the public sector? Not so okay.
Originally Posted By leobloom Makes sense that someone drawing a pension who isn't currently involved with education wouldn't be eligible.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>>A teacher in the private work place, kind of okay. But in the public sector? Not so okay.<<<< Why not. Working in the public sector, they are likely making an aweful lot less money. I am all for civil servents, teachers, fire fighters, cops, soldiers etc. getting perks.
Originally Posted By Rsey103 I understand your point, Manfried, but do you really want to go there? If you'd like to help reduce demand for captive whales and dolphins don't buy a ticket to a show or park that has them. Or accept a complimentary one.... And let hotels and cruise ships know you won't give them your business if they offer or promote a swim with dolphins program.
Originally Posted By queenbee Manfried, SeaWorld Orlando is a privately owned corporation, right? The company is making the decision to give away the ticket. Are you saying there should be laws restriction the behavior of private coporations?
Originally Posted By Rsey103 >>....I have a lot of the same issues with Animal Kingdom -- another park that has a questionable mix of entertainment and education.<< What are your concerns about AK, leobloom? I guess the main difference in my mind between the two kinds of parks is knowing that a park can't duplicate a dolphin or whale's natural environment. new video from Bob Barker: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITUGBrZEeCQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...GBrZEeCQ</a>
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb The shows may not be very educational, but the parks are, at least in San Diego. Any time we were near an exhibit and voiced a question within ear shot of an employee we almost always got an answer. And we got an answer to every direct question we asked.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed Deb, but I too found in the main the San Diego park is more educational than Orlando's in our expereience.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I guess the main difference in my mind between the two kinds of parks is knowing that a park can't duplicate a dolphin or whale's natural environment. << Think about that for a second. Duplicating a natural environment? An artificial natural environment? A natural artificial environment? My main hangup with DAK has to do with the presentation of conservation and preservation (they different things) and how middle-of-the-road the message is. Disney bends over backwards not to ruffle any feathers, but the bottom line is the environment is a political issue. Not that DAK is ever willing to admit it or take a strong stance on it. In short, I just think they water down the message tremendously. Not to mention it's awfully ironic that they want to sell environmentalism to rubes from Missouri after they've altered the Central Florida ecosystem so greatly!
