President Obama: Keep the Right Whale Alive

President Barack Obama:
The people of Coastal Georgia call on you to join us in protecting the North American Right Whale from extinction at the hands of the U.S. Navy, currently building a submarine warfare training range in the nursery of the most critically endangered of the large whales.

Sonar from surface ships and Seahawk helicopters, underwater explosives, and phosphorus canisters used in routine training exercises constitute an almost casual killing of our fellow creatures who have been here 50 million years. The massive whale and dolphin kills predicted by the Navy itself---thousands dead and five million deafened---all are as unnecessary as they are cruel. This inhumane slaughter must stop. In your own words, Mr. President, we are better than that.

Besides, only by using modern satellite technology, smart buoys, underwater drones, satellites, and simulation techniques to train personnel can we can maintain our place as the best Navy in the world. Twenty-year-old sonar technology is useless against newer, smaller subs coated with sonar-repelling paint. By converting to modern technology, we can reduce the toll on marine life without compromising national security.

Mr. President, we beg you to use your powers as Commander in Chief to stop the certain extinction of the North Atlantic Right Whale.