Inside the Tanks: Should We 'Free Willy' or Support SeaWorld?

When an adult reminisces on their youthful summers as a child, they often picture fun childhood memories. Some of these memories include riding bikes up and down the block, playing in the park on a sunny day, running through a sprinkler, making lemonade stands, and various other activities. For me, I think about my summer vacations that allowed me to see different parts of the United States. One trip that I frequently think about is my road trip to Florida in 2003. I remember driving there with my mother and father in the front seat and my younger and sister and I, excited as could be, in the backseat. We were headed to the popular tourist attraction known as SeaWorld. I loved marine life as a child and was thrilled over the thought of being up close with a ginormous killer whale and being able to hand-feed a dolphin. As I got older, I began to realize that SeaWorld was not the place that I once knew and loved – It’s something very different.  

           

SeaWorld in San Diego, California opened its gates to the public for the first time in 1964. It was originally planned to be an underwater restaurant, but founders George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott wanted to take the concept a bit further. They decided to make SeaWorld into a marine zoological park. The park became increasingly popular as time went on. It was, and is still believed to be, the perfect place to bring the kids on a warm summer day. But is this tourist trap really fun for everyone in the park?

           

SeaWorld is home to many types of marine life including killer whales, dolphins, fish, sea lions, etc. These animals are captured from their mothers in the wild and brought to live out the rest of their lives in huge saltwater pools at SeaWorld. Many of the mammals give birth here, leading their calves to live their entire lives in SeaWorld.

Despite the many deaths of orcas and the death of a trainer, who was killed due to a stressed whale who attacked her, SeaWorld continues to put the lives of these mammals and humans at risk.

The mammals that are placed in these tanks are basically denied everything that is natural to their lives. For example, dolphins can swim up to one hundred miles per day in the ocean. Being in the tanks at SeaWorld, they feel the vibrations of people banging on the glass all day long and become too scared to swim as much as they naturally would in the ocean.

Not only are these creatures taken away from their homes in the wild, they are reluctantly forced to learn tricks in order to get treats that they would easily catch themselves if they lived in the ocean. According to the trainers at SeaWorld, withholding food from orcas and dolphins that are unwilling to perform is a common and practical method often used during training and shows. This ‘practical method’ results in orcas, dolphins and sea lions becoming upset and harming one another. They will even bite the steel cages that hold them in, consequently breaking their teeth. 

Many of the animals at the park are already violent due to their living conditions. They are forced to have calves at young ages, which ultimately adds fuel to the fire. The orcas are forced to breed at around the age of eight, when in reality they are supposed to breed at around the age of fifteen. This becomes problematic for both mother and baby. These orcas are born inbred, which leads to key problems for survival.

On the other side of the spectrum, many customers see no wrongdoing here and take the side of SeaWorld. For one, they believe that if the mammals are set free now, they won’t be able to fend for themselves and live a normal life in the wild. The mammals that dwell in SeaWorld parks form bonds with their trainers, which makes it very difficult for either of them to part each other.

Dolphin and whale training is a dream that many have had from when they were younger. “I’ve told my husband many times that if I ever died by interacting with a dolphin or whale, then I died doing something I loved!” said Callie Pate, a writer and advocate of SeaWorld.

Folks often argue about the living conditions regarding the sea life that inhabits SeaWorld. It is well known that the living spaces of dolphins and orcas are much too small. One might argue that this isn’t any different from the living conditions of animals at zoos and aquariums. If SeaWorld was to shut down completely, shouldn’t all of these types of locations be shut down?

                       

One of the main respectable actions by SeaWorld is their wildlife rescue program. They are one of the leaders in rescuing wildlife who have been injured or sick in their natural homes in the wild. Their primary goal when rescuing these innocent animals is to be able to release them back into the wild.

People are beginning to realize the truth about SeaWorld. In 2009, a documentary called Blackfish was released and exposed SeaWorld and all of the practices that go on behind closed doors. Petitions by PETA have circulated throughout the world in hopes to change the policies at SeaWorld and have so far been productive. Only time will tell what’s in store for the vacation destination's future.

Now you make the call: Will you support or boycott SeaWorld?

An Interview with Thomas

Thomas Mustacchia, 21, is an affectionate son, a younger brother, and a role model for his nephew. He is a high school graduate and is a current employee of the Department of Transportation. Thomas loves to partake in outdoor activities like hiking, going to the beach, and taking spontaneous road trips throughout the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions in his 2015 Volkswagen Jetta. Residing in Staten Island, New York, Thomas lives with his mother, Fran, in a two family house. Upstairs lives his sister, Jessica, his brother-in-law, Jorge, and 1 and ½ year old nephew, Peter. Thomas has lived on the South side of Staten Island his whole life. However, there was one particular year where he didn’t live in his familiar home. Although it may seem like he has it all: a successful career, devoted friends and family, and a place to call home, Thomas hasn’t always taken advantage of this picturesque lifestyle. Life hasn’t always been easy for the twenty-one year old.  There was once a time in his life where he questioned whether or not he would even be alive to see his 21^st birthday. 

Sitting at his oval dinner table I am greeted by Tom along with his nephew Peter, screaming and crying and clinging onto his uncle. As he sits down to talk with me, a scent of cigarettes and Hermes cologne engulfs me. He is indisputably charming, standing at 5’6” with thick black hair, enticing dark brown eyes and a statuesque build. He’s wearing a $15 shirt from H&M with long sleeves, which he begins to roll up as he sits down and places his nephew on his lap. As he let’s out a sigh following with a charming smile, he says, “Let’s get started,” and we begin the interview.

Q: So Thomas, to begin, what would you say are some of the best memories you can remember from any point in your life?

A: Just simply being on my old block in my neighborhood I used to live in with nothing but the whole summer ahead of me and every night to stay out and just be kids.

Q: I can say the same for myself. Can you tell me about a hardship that you’ve faced in your life?

A: Once I moved I got into substance abuse while I was twelve years old. It took me until I was seventeen to enter a therapeutic community in upstate New York that would last a little over three years, but had different parts of the program. Throughout that time I remained sober.

Q: Was there anything specific that caused you to fall into substance use?

A: I had a lot of issues growing up. Most of them were normal problems that a lot of kids feel but that’s just the way I handled them. I ended up dependent on heroine and painkillers, different hallucinogens and other control substances. I knew I needed to do something or really suffer for the rest of my short life or just die.

Q: As for the people you hung out with during this period in your life, the people you did the drugs with, do you still remain in contact with them? What’s your relationship like with them today?

A: Some actually ended up in the program so I still have contact with them. Some were in the program and left before they completed so I haven’t spoken to them and some didn’t really get any help at all and still struggle. I have spoken to them through Facebook but keep it at that and some I just don’t speak with simply because I don’t want to, even if they’re clean.

Q: So what is this program that you mentioned? Can you talk a little bit about it for those who aren’t familiar with situations like this?

A: It’s a three-year therapeutic community called Dynamite Youth Center that has different steps. The first step is one year long and you all live together upstate with staff that also live in a house on the grounds that guide you through it. After one year you transfer down to a Brooklyn house and the first step there is six months back and forth with no job. The second phase in Brooklyn is three days a week and you work part time at your job in between. The third is full time work and going to the Brooklyn house on Friday’s. We have groups and different meetings. We had a lot of fun too. We would have New Years parties together and for all the holidays we would have parties and have full basketball and football and baseball games, watch movies on a projector screen with all eighty-five people in the house in the gym with blankets on the floor and pillows… it was like a huge family. We ate our meals together, wash our dishes together, clean our house and rooms. We held our functions on the grounds. Some people cut grass… did maintenance… took care of the pool…paper work…cooked…there as different levels of workers. I ran the maintenance crew and we built a dorm from the ground up.

Q: And what is the range of ages of the members?

A: Anywhere from thirteen to twenty-five. Usually sixteen to twenty-one.

Q: How old were you when you entered Dynamite? Do you remember the day that you decided you needed help?

A: I was seventeen and I was at my sister’s wedding and I was really drunk and I ended up telling one of my cousins I was shooting heroine so within a week I was upstate.

Q: Are there certain rules you have to follow if you enter Dynamite?

A: So many. It’s strict but it was also really fun at the same time. So many rules I don’t even want to name them all, but it went as far as you have to wait three months to touch the remote control without permission.

Q: Are you finished with the program? Do you still remain in contact with the people at Dynamite?

A: Yeah I stop by every now and then. I should probably go more often. They offer a group once a month for people who complete the program.

Q: During your time, did you ever wish you could leave?

A: Yeah, plenty of times…but after a couple of months, I grew a good connection with the place and couldn’t bring myself to leave.

Q: How different is your life now from when you first started off at Dynamite?

A: It’s a completely different thing in a lot of ways. I hold more responsibilities now, I have a girlfriend…I have a nephew. My dad passed away while I was in the program and even my best friend died a couple of weeks ago from relapse. I just became more responsible and able to function in the world and be way more trust worthy and hold up morals and values and have future goals.

Q: Is there one thing that you’ve learned in Dynamite that helps you everyday?

A: To just continue to be me and learn from it.

Q: And is there anything that you’ve learned that you would give as advice to a new Dynamite member?

A: You can really only give so much… you don’t want their head to explode. I guess I would say take it day by day and do less talking, because you don’t even really know what you’re talking about.

Q: That seems like it would be helpful. Finally, I know sometimes you probably feel like people judge you based on this past experience. Is there anything you would like people from outside of the spectrum to know?

A: I don’t feel judged about that at all. There’s no one in this world who doesn’t have some sort of problem. If you want to be a judge then go to school.

Q: Great advice, thank you Thomas. 

Use Your Funds To Buy Guns: Why America Needs To Be Armed

We live in an extremely scary world. Almost every day a story is released about some kind of murder that happened the night before. Incidents like shootings, bombings and any types of killing can occur at any place and at any time. In order to protect ourselves and those around us, guns must be available for purchasing. 

Picture this: You’re with your husband or wife and child eating dinner at a restaurant. Suddenly, a man comes in and begins shooting. Because you’re not allowed to carry a gun, your life as well as your family’s life is in jeopardy. If you were allowed to have a gun, you could have saved the numerous lives that were lost by shooting the perpetrator. 

On July 4^th, 2015, a mass shooting took place in Chicago that resulted in the killing and harming of 50 people. An incident like this could have been prevented if someone in the area was armed. With strict gun control laws, these citizens were unable to protect themselves against a weapon. 

Every mass public shooting since 1950, with the exception of two, has happened in a gun-free zone. Maybe if these places had allowed the handling of guns, these deadly attacks would not have been fatal and maybe just one more person could return to their family after these types of unfortunate events. 

The Second Amendment was added to the Constitution because the founders believed in private ownership of guns and believed that guns were necessary for the protection of our freedoms. Stricter gun laws will punish honest people.  

According to DoSomething.org, close to 33,000 Americans were victims of gun-related deaths in 2011 and an average of 268 citizens are shot every day. The support of allowing the purchasing of guns for protection has increased from 45% to 52%.

Many people will argue that having guns will only cause more violence. I believe that the gun is not doing the killing, the person on the other end of the barrel is doing the act. We should not blame guns for the killing of people. If there’s one thing we should do, is provide stricter background checks on those who want to purchase firearms. If guns are outlawed, criminals will still find ways to arm themselves.

Although police are always there to protect us, they are not always reliable. If police are called it takes time for them to get to the scene. Local police forces are primarily there to investigate and try to figure out crimes and suspects after the case. 

People also tend to believe that we need gun control laws simply because of how easy it is for criminals to get the guns in the first place. Most, if not all, guns used by criminals are purchased illegally through the black market. 

Gun control won’t eliminate gun violence. It will only restrict people from saving those who bring gun violence amongst them. 

Albert Einstein defined ‘insanity’ as doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. Undoubtedly, the call for more gun control laws is insane. This call will not work. Armed civilians are essential for the protection of our nation. Will you take the stand to protect your nation?

Adopt, Don't Shop

Throughout my life I have always been an avid lover of animals. There has never been a point in my life where I didn’t have at least three pets in my house. All of my pets have been rescued and adopted from animal shelters in various different states. I’ve adopted dogs of all different ages and gave them the loving and caring home they deserved. There are many ethical places in which pet owners can adopt animals from, yet they aren’t paid much attention to. So, why should we adopt these beautiful creatures instead of shop for them?

Dogs and cats are some of the greatest animals to have as house pets. They are good for the soul and bring an immense amount of joy into any home. Just by hugging a dog your blood pressure can decrease. They bring a sense of warmth and happiness into any setting. First and foremost, by adopting a pet, you are not only saving a helpless animal, but you’re saving yourself in a way that no money amount of money can buy.

Animal shelters are home to some of the most lovable animals. You can find dogs and cats of all different sizes. Most of these animals have been abused, abandoned, and left to fend for themselves. The generous people at animal shelters help save these poor innocent creatures until they find their forever home.

One of the best reasons to adopt instead of shop is simple: when you adopt from a shelter, you become part of the solution to the overpopulation crisis. Not only that, but you get to give a sweet, loving animal a brand new happy home where it can live for the remainder of its life.

Some new pet owners may be hesitant and nervous when adopting a new pet. Behold, animal shelters provide educational information regarding all aspects of pet ownership. They also support the adopter even after they have adopted and give advice on training the adopted animal. Many of the animals seem to sense what they were once up against and become among the most devoted companions.

Because animals at shelters are kept there until their adoption, many of the volunteers and staff get to know the animals personally. With this personal connection, they are able to carefully select animals for the appropriate family.

Some people don’t like to adopt from shelters because the dogs are already old and they want a puppy or kitten. However, many older dogs are in shelters because their owners couldn’t handle them as puppies and gave them up to the shelter. The dogs in shelters are often already house trained. You don’t have to deal with the puppy or kitten phase, which involves the animals to be taken care of like new born babies. You will be able to see the personality of the dog or cat before adopting, that way you will know that you’re ready to make the lifelong commitment of keeping your furry pet.

Purchasing from puppy and kitten mills is one of the worst things a new pet owner can do. These mills are places where dogs and cats are forced to have as many babies as possible to be sold, and once they cannot reproduce any longer, they are sentenced to death. Horrible enough, these mothers are forced to live in a cage for their entire lives with no human companionship. The money that is generated through the purchasing of the puppies goes to the breeder, who is then encouraged to breed more puppies. The puppies end up having multiple health issues due to birth defects from overbearing mothers. If the dogs are not adopted in a certain amount of time, they are also sentenced to death because there is no other place to keep them. Adopting from a shelter means you don’t support these cruel practices.

Many people may argue that they want purebred cats or dogs and they cannot find these types of animals at shelters. Prior to contrary belief, purebred animals have many more health issues than animals found at shelters. Shelter animals may have a cold or be slightly sick when you first adopt them, but they will eventually get better and live longer and happier lives. Purebred animals contract lifelong illnesses such as heart disease, hormonal and endocrine system diseases, skin disease, and seizure disorders from the horrible tactics of breeding animals that should not be bred together. By supporting these over-bred purebreds, you will be supporting the creation of sickly animals.


These are just a few reasons why I feel strongly about adopting over shopping. Adopting animals has changed my life for the better and I hope the population will one day realize how impacting it is to rescue a furry best friend. It’s up to pet owners to make the choice: Will you support saving a sweet, innocent life or will you support the breeding of sickly animals?