"Dolphins are territorial and there is a fear local dolphins might drive the interlopers out, causing them to go AWOL. " Damnit. Didn't Bush consider the possibility of pro-Iraq cetaceans? Where's the Universal Translator when we need it. The dolphins are either for us or against us!
They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning, No-one you see, is smarter than he, And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder, Flying there-under, under the sea! Everyone loves the king of the sea, Ever so kind and gentle is he, Tricks he will do when children appear, And how they laugh when he's near! They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning, No-one you see, is smarter than he, And we know Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder, Flying there-under, under the sea!
My cousin was an officer in the Navy for 15 years, and he actually trained those dolphins in San Diego. I used to think it was cruel until I saw the Discovery Channel special about how the Russians trained dolphins to go on suicide missions.
The correct response: We couldn't get sharks, they're on the endangered species list. We have ill-tempered sea bass.
I wish it was still rising. Before Bush was sworn in, I was thinking I'd be able to retire early. Not anymore.
US Navy's 'Flipper' goes AWOL March 31, 2003 AUSTRALIAN military divers yesterday questioned the effectiveness of the US Navy's mine-clearing dolphins, revealing one had disappeared for two days. The polite way to express their scepticism about the mine-clearing skills of the dolphins is to question their reliability and cost-efficiency, but one diver spoke more plainly yesterday. "Flipper's f----ed, mate," he said. "The dolphins have had all this amazing publicity but as soon as they put one in the water it shot through. There's a war going on and Flipper goes AWOL (absent without leave)." The diver said the dolphin returned two days later. But in the interim, the US Navy brought in another dolphin by helicopter. "That meant some of our gear got bumped off the flight," he said.
"US Navy's 'Flipper' goes AWOL" Latest developpments: Reports suggest that the dolphin in question has been taken as a prisoner of war by Iraqi dolphins and will be shown on Iraqi television later. Navy SEALS considering search and rescue mission.
From the price of it, sea bass will soon be endangered too. How about farmed salmons that can find their way home (or don't they)!
This may not be far off. Dolphins are very territorial animals and the locals were thought as possible trouble makers. This is not a joke btw. I heard it on the news fwiw.
They got Flipper? I guess that's it, then. It's time to send in our only special forces dolphin: ZIPPER!
I wonder if they made the dolphin ride alongside the carrier or tied a leash to it National Lampoon Vacation style
http://www.peta.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=686 Of course, PETA supports the troops in other ways, such as by sending them veggie-jerky, which is apparently well receieved. http://www.peta.org/news/NewsItem.asp?id=2016
Dolphins and the Military In a move that has outraged many animal-rights activists, the U.S. Navy is using dolphins to find underwater mines in Iraqi harbors. What do you think? "It's one thing to put human lives at risk in a war, but dolphins? That's just unconscionable." Arthur Bond Systems Analyst "I support the U.S. dolphin military program. For many dolphins, the G.I. Bill is the only way they can afford college." George Goff Auto Mechanic "As someone who wore a T-shirt with a dolphin on it almost every day in fourth grade, I find this development troubling. My nickname in school was 'fishshirt.'" Dorothea Klapp Graphic Designer "I gave up canned tuna for the dolphins, and now they're just blowing them to ************?" Melvin Adams Electrician "Sure, they'll tell you about the success of the Navy dolphins, but will they tell you about the 10,000-dolphin protest in Chicago last weekend?" Eleanor Reese Painter "This is the military. We should be amazed they're not using baby chicks." Dan Mora Civil Engineer of course, from http://www.theonion.com/onion3912/wdyt_3912.html
There was a story on MSNBC or CNN this mornng about the dolphins. Towards the end of the story, the reporter mentioned that sea lions are also being used. Apparently, the sea lions are trained to warn the military of any approaching intruders from the sea. I'm not making this up. Murf
They use sardines as well, during lunch time, from what I've heard. Not quite sure what their role is.