On Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:39 AM, Lee Bell wrote:

> David Strike wrote:
>
> > The fishermen are, it seems to me, not at fault!  They're simply trying
to make a living by catering to supply
> > and demand.

> Funny, drug dealers say the same thing about their business.

I wasn't aware that shark's fin soup was a prohibited substance?  Strangely
enough, while there are attempts to halt shark-finning and outlaw the
practice, the trade in them is still perfectly legal - and flourishing!

In that regard, my comments referred to an occupational group who - lacking
access to, say, the long-line technology that US business interests are
using to pillage the fishing grounds of the South Pacific - are obliged to
make a subsistence-level living where traditional fishing stocks have become
depleted, doing what their forefathers have done for centuries.  The money
that they make from the practice goes to feed their families.

I'm certain that the same argument could be made for those who work for a
pittance to grow, say, Coca leaves.  I would find it equally difficult to
condemn them - or put the blame for the crimiinal trade in drugs on their
shoulders! :-)

Strike