I once read “Always take sides, neutrality favours the oppressor but never the oppressed”. Mostly, this is true. But when we take a side it is vital that we have done our homework well. When a ‘side’ is taken based on only emotion, it needs to be argued, countered and challenged…after which an informed decision is made and acted upon.
I have long stood for the plight of the planet…this sacred place we call Earth. I have championed ’causes’ and fought strongly to defend them…in spite of people trying to pull me down in their vain efforts to justify their views. I am comfortable with that and applaud at least a stand taken as appeased to apathy.
Recently, I have been a strong activist in defence of rhino, physically, verbally and spiritually. I have been challenged on many fronts although each challenge has been a biased view where I have supported many views!
I have been told that ‘poisoning rhino horn is wrong’. I have been chastised for advocating ‘the controlled trade in rhino horn’. I have been scolded like a class pupil for suggesting that ‘educating Asian markets is futile’ and, believe it or not, I have been told that ‘increasing ground forces to fight poachers will never save them’. Well…
We need to do WHATEVER IT TAKES. I ABSOLUTELY STAND BY MY VIEW…
Read what I wrote months ago in my blogs www.braammalherbe.com YES, we must treat rhino horn with ectoparisiticide (poisoning the horn), because it is a viable solution in many instances. YES, we must explore trading in rhino horn (it should be a REGULATED trade. Like diamonds, we will never ‘flood the market’). YES, we should attempt to educate the Asian world (I am still working on Jackie Chan to ‘help save our rhino, just as we are helping save his South China tiger), YES, we must increase our ground forces (both in numbers and in training) to fight the scourge. YES, ‘government must intervene’. So…?
Do One Thing…DOT? What does it mean to you?
I will answer for me…I absolutely take a side…for the rhino’s, not ‘my cause’…for the rhinos! Red what I have written…not ONE side…ALL sides! If you fight an enemy there are certain basics…’know your enemy’ but more importantly…BE ON THE SAME SIDE in your fight! This is not about your personal view; it’s about saving a species from the brink of extinction! If your mother is dying from breast cancer, do you have the breast removed or let your mom die? If your brother is going to be killed innocently because his hair is a commodity, would you treat his hair with a dye to save him? If your sister was going to murdered on full moon for her toe nails would you employ armed guards to protect her? If your children were being enticed to use drugs, would you try and educate them?
‘YES’ to all of the above! May ‘ego’ with all good intention fade away now…and may we UNITE to a common cause…
“IT IS TIME TO STOP TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING BUT DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO SAVE A SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION…”
I will be posting on my Page as well as on United 4 rhinos and Braam Malherbe - Extreme Conservationist in MORE DETAIL on this pressing issue.
Remember…#DOT … Do One Thing … Please!
