Open Discussion: What would you do for a cause...

St. Paul native Joe Chisholm is part of the crew responsible for masterminding the filming of the new film The Cove, a documentary about the mass slaughter of dolphins in Japan, MPR's Euan Kerr reported this morning on Morning Edition. Check out the story and archived audio here.

According to the article, the operation became 100% clandestine. "It turned out the crew not only had to outwit the fishermen, they also had to avoid local police and government officials," Kerr reported. They had Hollywood set designers design camera mounts to look like rocks, and to set up (because they couldn't risk staying and filming themselves), they used spotty walkie-talkies in the middle of the night.

I can't say I've ever done the equivalent, but have you? What would you do for a cause you believe in? How far would you go? Would you risk jail time?

This is an open discussion, so you're welcome to link to your related Gather articles or other online resources. Your comments & articles may be quoted on http://minnesota.publicradio.org/your_voice/ or on mpr.org.

______________

Eliza Hartley
Digital Media Intern
Minnesota Public Radio
American Public Media

Comments: 16

Larry M. Aug 5, 2009, 11:27am EDT

The problem is not whether I am willing to make any kind of sacrifice necessary. The problem is to find something to do that will actually make my cause succeed. I have spent 18 months writing a book. I have spent almost 40 years working on the ideas. I have spent hours almost every day spreading the ideas. My life would be a small price to pay if the ideas are adopted. But it would be a waste to die without my death making a difference.

www.nopom.info

Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 11:42am EDT

I agree that a death without the life making a difference would be a waste, but I doubt you've made no difference in the world, Larry! You have kids, right? I'm sure you've made a difference in their lives. Being a dad is the most important thing you could be in the world. Yeah, it would be cool to live on through the power of the written word, but you'll live on through the blood and the lips of your family, and that's the most important kind of legacy!

That said, I really hope your book works out. I'll keep an eye out for it in the bookstores over the next few years! What's the subject?

Larry M. Aug 5, 2009, 1:15pm EDT

The subject of my book is a solution for most of the world's problems. If adopted it will save millions of lives each year and trillions of dollars of production. It can literally save humanity from destruction (self induced or external). My life is trivial and unimportant in comparison with the idea. The thing is that the idea is unique. It has never been thought of or considered by more than 500 people in the history of the world. If I don't get it considered, there is no chance that humanity will even understand the source of these problems let alone come up with a solution.

Susan Budig Aug 5, 2009, 5:50pm EDT

A couple of comments on the comments: All lives make a difference. The idea that if one doesn't make a difference, that life would be a waste is very inflammatory. It's not my Catholicism showing when I emphatically state that all lives are worthy.

Also, for me, my legacy is not through my children. I don't live vicariously through them. :-) If I leave a legacy, it will be through my written work.

Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 5:58pm EDT

That's great that you live your own life, Susan! And I agree with you about all lives making a difference - you've said it much better than I ever could.

Larry - That sounds really interesting! But I'm afraid I don't understand it. Could you be any more specific? Obviously I don't want you to give it a away, but I'm left a little confused after reading your comment. Thanks!

Larry M. Aug 5, 2009, 10:06pm EDT

Eliza,

I am not trying to make money on the idea. The book is available free to anyone here on Gather (visit my profile for the Table of Contents links) and at www.nopom.info where the text (without ads) and an MP3 version are freely available. If you can get people to read the book I would very much appreciate it.

Eliza Hartley Aug 8, 2009, 1:39am EDT

Interesting! I'll have to check it out.

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Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 12:02pm EDT

I know there are more of you out there with lifelong passions and labors of love! Fitting with the subject, check out this new article on MPR NewsQ about a Maplewood, MN teacher who's started an online high school catering to GLBTQ students.

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Peter Joseph Swanson Aug 5, 2009, 12:26pm EDT

I once put A LOT of volunteer time into helping my workplace Unionize - and I was the recording secretary for free. It was fun. I wouldn't go to jail for it, though, or do it in Mexico where I'd just get shot. I think there's a lot of legal safe ways to work in the U.S. system, for change. At least that's true in Union work.

Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 12:39pm EDT

You make good points, Peter. There are lots of ways to work for change that won't compromise your safety. I volunteer at a couple of different Minnesota organizations, but neither one is illegal. (I work with an organization that provides underprivileged girls with prom dresses, and I also volunteer at the county hospital, since I'm guessing someone might ask).

Union work, eh? What was it that you enjoyed about it?

Peter Joseph Swanson Aug 5, 2009, 2:53pm EDT

You really do get a feeling of solidarity with other workers. And since we were with the Steel Workers (they do all sorts of unions these days) we met with other workers from other jobs. A Union connects people. Management HATES that. They want workers all isolated and separate - so they can be controlled easily.

Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 2:56pm EDT

Ah, so a little bit of stickin' it to the man. :)

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Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 1:36pm EDT

It must be a day for events regarding people who work for causes they believe in, or maybe those stories just make good news. At any rate, check out another story on MPR NewsQ regarding the attack of a young Somali man who edits a popular Somali news website in Minneapolis's Cedar-Riverside neighborhood last night.

Susan Budig Aug 5, 2009, 5:53pm EDT

Ack! I write for an African immigrant newspaper. Do you suppose I'm at risk?

Um, hardly. Most of my articles are on the A&E (Arts and Entertainment) section. Sometimes I've hit the front page. Rarely am I controversial.

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Jan C. Aug 5, 2009, 1:54pm EDT

Oh my, I can't stand to hear dolphins being murdered!!! Afterall, I kissed a dolphin and I LIKED it!

My soapbox involved Autism - I believe I am undiagnosed Asperger's now that my son has an official Asperger's diagnosis. I grew up feeling like a fly on the wall = invisible. Now my passion is trying to create equal non-discriminatory acceptance for those with Autism/Asperger's. My 11 year old is afraid to start middle school this year - he is begging me to home school him or allow him to do the on-line classes. He has been bullied and picked on at school for years.

My non-profit is for similar at-risk youth www.lavenderdoorfoundation.org
and my book coming out in a year "Why Don't They Come With Instructions?" looks at the struggles and discrimination that are faced!

Eliza Hartley Aug 5, 2009, 2:20pm EDT

Apparently Joe Chisholm can't stand it either. ;)

I understand to a certain extent the difficulties your son is facing, Jan. I had a friend with Asperger's in high school, and it was really difficult for him to make friends. We ended up being pretty good friends, though when all was said and done - I've met him for coffee a few times this summer to catch up on our lives now that we're both in college. I hope things work out as well for your son! I'm sure he's a great kid, and would make a great friend!

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Open Discussion: What would you do for a cause you believe in?

Comments: 16

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