BILL ROSSITER
 

Bill Rossiter has been president of Cetacean Society International (CSI) since about 1994, but he's not sure because no one told him for a while. Originally the Connecticut Cetacean Society, and only days younger than ACS, CCS was already an influential organization successfully battling whaling, as well as efforts by ACS' San Pedro dictators to absorb CCS as a mere chapter, when Bill joined in the late 70's. In spite of his management technique, blind faith attitude about helping people, and involvement in issues well beyond his capabilities, CSI has survived by remaining intentionally obscure. Bill's irrelevant early career included a 1961 BA from Cornell University, with all that he learned in the sciences since proven wrong. Following five years as a USAF fighter pilot, Bill was part way through a 35-year career with United Airlines when he found whales. Finally focused, by 1980 Bill and his charmed zodiac, Morfil, had developed a still-continuing thesis that curious cetaceans provide extraordinary opportunities for mutual understanding. Morfil, ancient Welsh for whale, was an obvious link with his 1966 marriage to Mia of Wales, who has bounced around with him in odd places ever since. Now retired, Bill lives in Redding, Connecticut, omega male in a household of four dogs and two birds, all rescued. When released from garden chores by the alpha female, Bill uses his time-sucking computer, Leech, to cajole expert friends to help CSI interfere with all sorts of evil acts by evil people. His ability to grovel, and the fact that he knew most experts before they were expert, facilitates CSI's surprisingly effective advocacy.

ABSTRACT

COMMERCIAL WHALING: WAR ON THE HOMEFRONT... Our culture abhors commercial whaling, because whales are unique, sentient, and more valuable alive than dead. So this isn't about whaling; it's about what we want to do about whaling.

After over three decades of the War on Whales shouldn't we examine why we aren't winning more battles, why some of us are losing our sense of commitment and urgency, and what new strategies, tactics, and resources we can personally bring to the front?

Whaling is war: a limited war that too few on our side seem to have time for any longer, yet a popular war that millions still seem to care about; a global war where the suffering and killing takes place far away in secret, but is locked in the mind's eye of caring people; a strange war where only the whalers commit violence, where fighting for 'our side' is completely voluntary, and where anyone can help to save whales from suffering without even leaving home.

Yet, after thirty-plus years fighting commercial whaling, some anti-whaling advocates are almost burned out, and public support has diminished. After many victories, including the global moratorium and several sanctuaries, whales still are being killed. We should explore the strategies used today by whalers, and us, to look for flaws and improvements. We should adapt, expand, and experiment at a personal and organizational level, but retain our synergistic focus on a common goal, empowered by deep personal commitment.

But How? Your contribution is your choice, but if you care enough, it's more your obligation. We will explore many possibilities about using personal resources. For example, you might find a way to bring the war to the Whalers home ground, to make their public question and change, and cause the meat market to fall. If nothing else, just become a member of all the responsible anti-whaling organizations you can find. Your only constraint should be to apply yourself in ways that are moral, ethical, legal, and non-violent.

What do you need to succeed? You need time, commitment, and an anti-whaling organization to enable your contribution. you don't need bloody images, tweaked statistics and mind-numbing numbers, but you need to focus on why you care. Whether you participate or not is entirely voluntary, a matter of conscience. The Whaling War needs you. Do you care enough?