Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New threat of mass extinction, 'marine wipeout'
Irish Times ^ | Thursday, January 13, 2011 | DICK AHLSTROM

Posted on 01/18/2011 7:50:54 AM PST by The Comedian

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last
To: The Comedian

Anecdotal evidence. And two can play at that game.

The potato blight which caused the Irish famine and migration affected 1 plant in 1 country.

I am perplexed at your use of “anecdotal evidence” in either of the two cases. The whale/krill case is well documented, and anyone who doubts the Irish Potato Blight has only to look at the Kennedy Klan to realize that all levels of Ireland’s talent pool came here.

Perhaps correlation argument would fit better? As in 90% of all heroin addicts have a history of smoking pot. May be true, but so what - virtually 100% of heroin addicts have a milk history.

Causation is the essential issue, and whaling did reduce the whales, and reduced whales allowed for a larger krill population.


21 posted on 01/18/2011 11:22:48 AM PST by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: GladesGuru
The Whale/krill example is anecdotal of a species die off, not necessarily indicative of how any particular ecosystem predator die-off would affect the prey population.


Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

22 posted on 01/18/2011 1:09:29 PM PST by The Comedian ("Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice" - B. Goldwater)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: The Comedian

“...indicative of how any particular ecosystem predator die-off would affect the prey population.”

I think the more worrisome aspect of any of these relationships is not so much what happens if the predator dies off, but what if the prey is gone.

The over-fishing of some areas is a concern. And pollution from third-world countries. But I always get a kick out of the environmentalists always pointing their fingers at the U.S. of A. when it comes to pollution, etc. If they were REALLY concerned about the environment they would want more drilling, minining, factories etc. in America where our environmental rules are so much better. (And many rules are over the top).


23 posted on 01/18/2011 1:23:40 PM PST by 21twelve ( You can go from boom to bust, from dreams to a bowl of dust ... another lost generation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-23 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson