"DOC" T-Shirts now on back order!

We are sold out of the t-shirts with the image of DOC. As soon as they are re-ordered, we will post them to the site. Also, if you would like to read the story of DOC, please reference the section on this site entitled "Acknowledgment".

The time has come to realize that what we do to the earth, we do to ourselves. As advanced as we are, there is no excuse for ignoring the well-being of our fellow earth inhabitants in pursuit of our own petty needs. We are destroying our planet and it seems to me that those who have the power to do anything about it are the ones causing the greatest danger.

On July 16, 2002 the US Navy got permission to go ahead with tests for using low frequency sonar in our oceans. The high-powered submarine detection system will operate at noise levels billions of times more intense than those known to disturb the migration and communication of large whales. This testing is effecting close to 80 percent of the world's oceans. It is estimated that the system which is referred to as the LFA system generates sounds capable of reaching 140 decibels more than 300 miles away.

The permit to do so exempts the Navy from the responsibilities of the Marine Mammal Protection Act http://tis.eh.doe.gov/oepa/law_sum/MMPA.HTM allowing it to harm whales, dolphins, and other species while flooding the oceans with intense sound. It has been known by scientists and the US Navy as well, that these tests injure marine life. (See update on Law Suit and Navy response per Sept 3rd below)

You may be aware that in the early summer of 2002, there have been many reports of marine mammals strandings. Sixty False Killer Whales beached themselves off Australia, reports of hundreds of Giant Squid had beached themselves along the Californian coastline, along with unusual numbers of (harmless) Leopard Sharks coming in close to shore very disorientated. Twelve Manatees (another endangered species) have also been reported to have died on the Florida coast within the same time frame. Then, close to 60 more Pilot Whales beached themselves off Cape Cod and eventually most have perished. All of this within a week of the Navy's go ahead to use this low frequency sonar. Coincidence?

The sonar is equivalent in decibels to us standing next to a rocket being launched. It causes brain hemorrhaging & disorientation to cetaceans and other marine life. There are innumerable accounts of how dolphins and whales have helped us in life threatening situations. Isn't it time to help them? It is so hard to believe that we all cannot put energy and recourses into finding peaceful solutions, that save lives instead of taking them.

Please take action today if these facts move you. Send a letter to Hon. Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy - Click Here. It takes only a few minutes. Or you can register your opinion on a petition - Click Here.

Please spread the words on your outrage of this chain of event. Make sure you keep positive thoughts and keep these animals on your mind, whether it be in prayer, or with spoken word or in direct action. In mass, there is much we can all accomplish.

Someone once told me that in order to change the conditions of our outer world, we must actually become the conditions of our desire from within. If we all strive for "Peace" to our world we must become "Peace" ourselves. I believe that there is much to be said with regards to creative imagery...and conscious awareness. Just today, when you read this or pass this onto to someone in your life, imagine that it has already happened, that we have accomplished our wish to stop this useless testing which is killing our creatures. Miracles are possible, and they can start within each of us.

We can effectively change the course of our future, we have been given a choice.

UPDATE: Aug. 7
— WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A coalition of groups led by the Natural Resources Defense Council said it would file suit on Wednesday to block the U.S. Navy from using a powerful new sonar that scientists say could injure whales and other marine mammals.

The lawsuit, which was to be filed in federal court in San Francisco, challenges deployment of the low-frequency active sonar, also known as LFA, under several federal laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

The National Resources Defense Council is joined in the lawsuit by the Humane Society, the League for Coastal Protection, the Cetacean Society International and the Ocean Futures Society and its president, Jean-Michel Cousteau.

UPDATE Aug 28: -NRDC's Earth Action Alert- Calls to Navy made the difference!

NRDC reports that action requested from the public to the U.S. Navy to voice concerns about the sonar and whale stranding issues, and the fact that the Navy was deliberately blocking faxes has been rectified. Because of the public outcry- within three hours reports indicated that the Navy's phones were "ringing off the hook," and that the Navy public affairs office had to set up a 'hotline' phone bank to handle all calls. Less than an hour after the start of the calling and web site campaign, the Navy contacted NRDC to inform of the flood of calls, they have added "three" working fax numbers.

If you would like to contact the NRDC...please reference the section in my site under favorite links for more information.

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