Today’s essay is guest written by my daughter, who inspired me to write about Orcas last week. She felt that there was much more to say about them, and so I’ve given her the opportunity to share more information on the topic below. Steve As someone who grew up in mostly landlocked states — a competitive skier my whole life, and now attending the University Of Iowa (Go, Hawks!) studying sports management — my passion for Orcas is quite random, but I have been truly fascinated and passionate about saving Orcas my whole life! Sometimes I wonder why I am not studying marine biology, but I do not possess science and math skills (thanks, Dad) that would be necessary. I have been fortunate enough to see these animals in the wild several times in my life, and I will always cherish those moments.
Thank you for your thoughtful essay. This is of particular interest to me because Dawn grew up in my town and her parents still live less than a mile from me. Though I did not know her, and do not know them, her death was a trauma to our community.
I have been to SeaWorld in Orlando only one time, in 1995. I could hardly sit through the presentation. I wish I had had, at the moment, the fortitude to leave. I did not, though I thought it was completely appalling. I felt profound sadness that these mammals were exploited for profit. I knew I would never return, but never did I dream these animals would revolt against trainers. And here, I learn she wasn't the first to be killed. What happened to her was an unspeakable tragedy. What happened to Tilikum is also a tragedy. These types of venues should be outlawed.
I'm so proud of you and inspired by you for passionately speaking up about the sad and horrific consequences of taking Orcas out of the wild, stripping them from their families, their beautiful lives, the freedoms they are born to live to the fullest, and sentencing them to lives of prison and servitude. It is painful to read about this, let alone watch wild animals being captivated and exploited for the entertainment and profit for mere humans -selfish, heartless humans. The humans need to be STOPPED from doing this to Orcas (or any other sentient beings); They have no right! You show us what it means to be human. Keep speaking up and very best to you in college. Follow your dreams.
"As always SAVE THE WHALES - and America too (but that’s a topic that I’ll leave to my dad)." Sweet!
p.s. the 'free' youtube videos of The Warning are excellent!
Thank you for this. I am one that hates zoos. Always have. I’m outside this morning and watching as “my” geese family comes up from the river, along with several ducks. The squirrels are waking up and the birds are singing. I put food out for everyone, but otherwise am a observer. The way it should be.
Same here. l hated going to the zoo even as a young child and never went back. The only animals that didn't look as if they were miserable were the seals, who entertained themselves on a slide.
This is immoral and as humans we must do better than practice such cruelty toward animals. This piece was cohesive , concise and rhetorically balanced. I shared it with my daughter who just graduated from University of Cincinnati (go bearcats!😉) with a biology degree. She is pursuing a career working with animals and like you advocates for their rights as sentient creatures. There is a community of like-minded readers out there. Best wishes Ms Schmidt!
The treatment of many “imprisoned” animals is shameful! Your article demonstrates how poorly they’re treated,most likely to turn a profit! Thanks for your compassion!
Petition signed. Thank you for writing this. I have been an animals issue advocate since I was 8 (started with LIFE magazine article on Canadian baby seal massacre--exposed by Brian Davies--recently passed on, he work continues at Network for Animals).
Your writing skills and beautiful heart are most important for advocacy and you should continue to contribute--thank you to your father.
Now or upon graduation ms Schmidt should join Substack as a contributor
We hear of smoke, excessive heat, fires floods, however we are not paying attention to the death of our oceans.
What a niche for you to pursue.
My granddaughter is your age and is a gifted art and theater major, but she too has written about dogs (her passion) puppy mills, abandoned once Covid ended and so much more.
I have faith in this generation of youth as we all should
Wow... I've always ben uncomfortable with SeaWorld, and so avoided the place. They should be shut down, and the Orcas re-introduced into the wild. Not that humans have made the oceans a safe or clean home for them, but freedom is always preferable to prison. I'm pretty sure if I was kidnapped and incarcerated without cause (except for greed), I too would try to kill anyone standing in the way of going home. Thanks for a solid and informed essay!
Thank you to your daughter for clearly showing her genuine appreciation for these beautiful, intelligent, and fascinating animals. (Many thanks to you, Steve for nourishing this in her.)
I remember visiting zoos and aquariums when I was a child. My interests and excitement were always tempered by the sympathy I felt for seeing these wild animals held in captivity. Now, it upsets me even more. Yes, I understand the goal of breeding and saving species. (Often species humans have obliterated.) Still, look into their eyes and see a dullness that should not be there.
I understood she's your daughter (reason enough)--I did not know she is only 20 and a student. Give her a free subscription, Steve! You will not regret it.
Jun 9, 2023·edited Jun 9, 2023Liked by Steve Schmidt
Hey Steve,
Miss. Schmidt has put forward a compelling awareness raising argument, for the end of the brutal savagery brought upon the orcas of our oceans, by the Seaworlds of this world.. I have pledged to never set foot on any of their properties again.. though I can’t remember the last time I did. Her essay was a job well done and as a father myself, I can share how proud you must be of the young lady she is becoming.
Ms. Schmidt, thank you for today's warning and for sharing your passion so eloquently. Mine is humpback whales!
I encourage my fellow subscribers to check out the global programs of The World Cetecan Alliance working on behalf of ocean wildlife through education and awareness. Learn about Whale Heritage Sites, Responsible Whale Watch Partnerships and how individuals can protect our ocean's wildlife.
Great job! You have loved orcas since you were a little girl. I am proud of you.
By the way, I am paying for my subscription. Even his Mom doesn’t get a free one!
The policy is the policy. Love you, mom.
That’s okay. You are worth it❤️
Well, there is certainly no Nepotism in the Schmidt family..😎
lol
Thank you for your thoughtful essay. This is of particular interest to me because Dawn grew up in my town and her parents still live less than a mile from me. Though I did not know her, and do not know them, her death was a trauma to our community.
I have been to SeaWorld in Orlando only one time, in 1995. I could hardly sit through the presentation. I wish I had had, at the moment, the fortitude to leave. I did not, though I thought it was completely appalling. I felt profound sadness that these mammals were exploited for profit. I knew I would never return, but never did I dream these animals would revolt against trainers. And here, I learn she wasn't the first to be killed. What happened to her was an unspeakable tragedy. What happened to Tilikum is also a tragedy. These types of venues should be outlawed.
I don't really like zoos, either.
Thank you for your essay. Be well and study hard.
I was there that same year. I was horrified!
I'm so proud of you and inspired by you for passionately speaking up about the sad and horrific consequences of taking Orcas out of the wild, stripping them from their families, their beautiful lives, the freedoms they are born to live to the fullest, and sentencing them to lives of prison and servitude. It is painful to read about this, let alone watch wild animals being captivated and exploited for the entertainment and profit for mere humans -selfish, heartless humans. The humans need to be STOPPED from doing this to Orcas (or any other sentient beings); They have no right! You show us what it means to be human. Keep speaking up and very best to you in college. Follow your dreams.
"As always SAVE THE WHALES - and America too (but that’s a topic that I’ll leave to my dad)." Sweet!
p.s. the 'free' youtube videos of The Warning are excellent!
Petition signed. When you absorb all of the horror stories about human deeds, you start thinking that humans are the universe's biggest mistake.
Well. Was being a bit overly negative there, perhaps :-(. Still. Let's just hope that better souls prevail.
Thank you for this. I am one that hates zoos. Always have. I’m outside this morning and watching as “my” geese family comes up from the river, along with several ducks. The squirrels are waking up and the birds are singing. I put food out for everyone, but otherwise am a observer. The way it should be.
Follow up. Mama duck just brought up her 8 babies. Baby geese seemed to find them interesting for a bit, then moved on. Hahaha
Same here. l hated going to the zoo even as a young child and never went back. The only animals that didn't look as if they were miserable were the seals, who entertained themselves on a slide.
Glad to find someone else who feels the same way. I just think we should be observers, without cages and walls.
Exactly.
This is immoral and as humans we must do better than practice such cruelty toward animals. This piece was cohesive , concise and rhetorically balanced. I shared it with my daughter who just graduated from University of Cincinnati (go bearcats!😉) with a biology degree. She is pursuing a career working with animals and like you advocates for their rights as sentient creatures. There is a community of like-minded readers out there. Best wishes Ms Schmidt!
The treatment of many “imprisoned” animals is shameful! Your article demonstrates how poorly they’re treated,most likely to turn a profit! Thanks for your compassion!
Solely to make a profit. Like so many examples of human conduct, utterly disgusting.
Petition signed. Thank you for writing this. I have been an animals issue advocate since I was 8 (started with LIFE magazine article on Canadian baby seal massacre--exposed by Brian Davies--recently passed on, he work continues at Network for Animals).
Your writing skills and beautiful heart are most important for advocacy and you should continue to contribute--thank you to your father.
Now or upon graduation ms Schmidt should join Substack as a contributor
We hear of smoke, excessive heat, fires floods, however we are not paying attention to the death of our oceans.
What a niche for you to pursue.
My granddaughter is your age and is a gifted art and theater major, but she too has written about dogs (her passion) puppy mills, abandoned once Covid ended and so much more.
I have faith in this generation of youth as we all should
Wow... I've always ben uncomfortable with SeaWorld, and so avoided the place. They should be shut down, and the Orcas re-introduced into the wild. Not that humans have made the oceans a safe or clean home for them, but freedom is always preferable to prison. I'm pretty sure if I was kidnapped and incarcerated without cause (except for greed), I too would try to kill anyone standing in the way of going home. Thanks for a solid and informed essay!
Thank you to your daughter for clearly showing her genuine appreciation for these beautiful, intelligent, and fascinating animals. (Many thanks to you, Steve for nourishing this in her.)
I remember visiting zoos and aquariums when I was a child. My interests and excitement were always tempered by the sympathy I felt for seeing these wild animals held in captivity. Now, it upsets me even more. Yes, I understand the goal of breeding and saving species. (Often species humans have obliterated.) Still, look into their eyes and see a dullness that should not be there.
So proud of you…brilliantly written!
The first time I saw an Orca in the wild was with you and I will always cherish that memory..
I understood she's your daughter (reason enough)--I did not know she is only 20 and a student. Give her a free subscription, Steve! You will not regret it.
Hey Steve,
Miss. Schmidt has put forward a compelling awareness raising argument, for the end of the brutal savagery brought upon the orcas of our oceans, by the Seaworlds of this world.. I have pledged to never set foot on any of their properties again.. though I can’t remember the last time I did. Her essay was a job well done and as a father myself, I can share how proud you must be of the young lady she is becoming.
I am very proud, and glad that you've made this pledge, as is she!
Ms. Schmidt, thank you for today's warning and for sharing your passion so eloquently. Mine is humpback whales!
I encourage my fellow subscribers to check out the global programs of The World Cetecan Alliance working on behalf of ocean wildlife through education and awareness. Learn about Whale Heritage Sites, Responsible Whale Watch Partnerships and how individuals can protect our ocean's wildlife.
https://worldcetaceanalliance.org/
Well done! I love that you have this passion, know your topic, and can write about it clearly. ps petition signed and donation made from my end.