Robert Bateman - Not a Pretty Picture

[5WindsOfVenus]

Thank-you for your message. I agree, and it's a frustrating feeling to watch everything happening that is happening... I pray it doesn't go any further and that your message makes the difference that is needed (and everyone who is making simular stands).

[drumweaver]

thank you for this mr. bateman..... very much!

[LeoTeh3]

I find it hilarious that people here think that the oil they produce in Canada should be hoarded. In this age there's no room for isolationism and why deprive your country of such a treasure when countries like the U.S., U.K., China, and all the other countries will pay through the nose to get the oil. When you think about it if you take out that chunk of income in your economy, those "short term gains" will become "long term losses". It's all about the capital you gain for your country.

[nomantis1]

Refine and sell the oil DOMESTICALLY! We have enough oil in Canada that it should cost us PENNIES for gas. Even in Libya it's less than 10c per ltr

[meagain2222]

well there is little doubt that Robert is correct.

We certainly don't need tankers.

We should keep the oil in Canada and stop thinking

of short term economic gains.Imagine how valuable this

oil will be when Saudi Arabia runs out.Lets keep for then.

[RobotPart]

it looks like a better pic when u do that lol!

[JoshuaFVrooman]

@RobotPart You're a sad person...

[PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

Well, it WAS a beautiful picture of yours Robert, until you did that!!

[aloue100]

lol he comes to my school every day lol!

[joe579003]

For the 20+ years I lived in my parents home, I wondered why every square inch of wall was covered by framed bateman prints. Now I know, dude is a badass.

[boggywoman]

I am unsure if this is an original - but Bateman is as genuine a person as you could ever meet. I dont think he would hesitate a moment to destroy any of his originals if he thought it could make a difference in protecting wild places. Why he would do it - because art is a very personal thing. When an artist creates, they bring forth - its labor and birth. But they can also take away. Many artists will destroy thier own artwork- artists put thier souls, thier hopes and fears - on canvas.

[wcbombers21]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO­OOOOOOOOO! OMG!!

[Fishywishy159]

OMG!!! why did he do that

[jetsonjoe]

okay....a "Print" here is not a physically made print...but a very high quality photo mechanical "reproduction" that is in reality worth no more than ...maybe a few hundred, for the time and quality of inks and paper. Saying it is worth $1950.00 is bogus as it is an elevated scheme to apply value to something equivalent to a high quality photocopy...maybe on a photo based paper. He is an excellent painter, however the print scam is criminal and a lie. Buy originals.

[leemcbride2020]

I'm astounded at how many people have made the issue the value of the print.

Um - do any of you critics out there have a better way he could have highlighted the ACTUAL problem of the tankers without destroying an original? I think the point has been made, and he made it wonderfully. Too bad that the issue has been eclipsed here by such a trivial detail.

[teflondon91]

can bateman paint a picture of the same thats is happening in the maritimes?

[ThePitaBread]

i wish i become a good artist like you...

[Natalie21001]

I like this .. A good painter will go down in history for sure

[bj616]

@Natalie21001 He lives here on our island among many other talented artists. His home on the south end was beautiful, but he has since moved to another location on our island.

[LUCKYLOONIE]

Bateman was not defacing the original, he was defacing a reference copy valued at around $1,950. The Star reports: "Bateman afterward rushed into the shower with the print to wash the paint off so as not to compromise the print."

[joe579003]

@LUCKYLOONIE The Star, real bastion of journalistic integrity there.

[leemcbride2020]

From Ilennn :"Ha Ha, Cat Stevens is a loser too. Batman requires more oil than anyone person in BC. If he lead by doing, instead of using so much oil, such as, him asking BC ferries to run on odd days, which would actually cut pollution. Not what he is saying here which is to say, do as I say, not as I do."

Ilennn, I don't know much about "Batman's" consumption, nor do you. Nor do I trust the ramblings of someone who marked off Roxette as a favourite. Go watch some cartoons or something.

[eureka4him]

Don't believe Bateman is really painting over one of his originals.....it's just one of thousands of his prints, worth less than pennies. I might agree with his opinion, but I don't like seeing him give the impression he is really caring enough to show destruction of actual art, instead of just a copy. That's a little melodramatic for me....

[Pociclecamprock]

What the heck is he doing?! He could make SO much money off that painting. Geez. People these days.

[swtiejap12]

we need to watch this 4 our french clasz. lols :]

[DjShahriar]

wow i go to robert bate man public school

[iluvblueberrymuffin]

wow why did he put black paint or whatever on some beautiful painting? i mean he could of gave it to me instead of ruining it into BLACK!!! my teacher loves robert bateman she talks about her alot like every day i like robert bateman's paintings very MUCH!!!

[umtali65]

it's one of his 'limited edition' prints - probably 5000 - worth zip.

[leemcbride2020]

A numbered print would be several hundred...a limited edition print in the thousands.

To destroy an original would be to destroy beauty in order to protect it, which is defeatist. He is making a *statement.* What can't be understood about that?

[llennn]

Ya.go Enbridge Inc....The Northern gateway..ya. We need tankers in Kitamat. This is needed to feed the ferry running back and forth to let Bob have his coffee. Bob needs all the oil and all the fresh drinking water for himself. Everyone else gets nothing. Its only for King bob, so he can keep his junk coming.

[blackbear2050]

His work is very artistic, he means well, but the question is .. is it too late? Look at our food industry today.. every day you hear of some sort of food contamination or such.. if it isnt in the water, its already in the food .. and obviously in the atmosphere.. I will start my environmental changes once all the Prime Ministers, Presidents etc etc all decide to stop holidaying via airplane travel. Same goes with this sending men to the moon.. another waste of time that is..

[theredcrickets]

Try making the transport of the oil safer, Train the people better, Set up a emergence spill system that works. Do this as you will not stop the transport of the oil in BC waters no mater who you are. Just not that easy

[llennn]

Briony Penn is out Ha Ha. Bateman tried to get one of his idiots in Ottawa. These types of people are misfits. Bateman uses more oil than anyone else in the general public. He sells is junk and destroy the Enviroment. This idiot would not allow a water tanker, he keeps every drop of water for himself. What a ass and the fools that buy into his junk.

[clarygirrrl9]

Very clear and simple depiction of what an oil spill would do to the fragile ecosystems of the British Columbia coast.

[RhiannonULlewelyn]

Freakin' hell, that was graphic!!

It does need to be stopped. That is for sure.

Thanks loads for posting.

[discountninjah]

This guys entire house and the material used in the construction of every single edifice within his residence is due to the oil trade. Face it, oil is one step to our technological progression. Wake up you hypocrites, you sit there and condemn oil and gas, yet the very fact you are discussing this all over the internet and media is due to the fact you embrace it all. What a bunch of clueless sheep....................

[RhiannonULlewelyn]

Well, there is a choice that must be made now, staying with our antiqated mode of reaping the earth of its wealth or changing our path utterly and doing things differently.

If we keep along the path we are currently walking then the ultimate price will be paid and money has nothing to do with it. The skyrocketing cancer rates in adults and the astronomical ones in children are directly caused by what we now do.

[RhiannonULlewelyn]

Continuing...

We can power down though we may not like it or we steam ahead and simply wipe ourselves out.

Fun, isn't it?

^___^

[brassflower]

...Or you can decide today that you will do whatever you can to limit the size of your carbon foot print. To have you tell it we should just give up on the idea - who's really the sheep here?

[kirkygirl]

I'm unfortunetly (sp) stuck in the middle of this debate. My father works in the marine industry, but he has taught me the meaning of why the environment is so important. It is important for thetransportation industry to travel into BC waters, but there is also a great need to design and create better ships, modes of transportation, and other alternatives such that both the environment and the economy can survive.

[343Kintaro]

Robert Bateman is one of my favourite painters... Did he really ruined the original picture ?

[whooopsderitis]

yes he did... but it is for a great cause, by "destroying" this painting he will be able to raise alot of money to prevent oil tankers from entering our bays on saltspring and on the rest of the gulf island etc.

[Swa6543]

I think that by ruining one of his beautiful paintings, he is sending us all a message that the sacrifice of his art is nowhere near as destructive and costly as the sacrifice of our wildlife and enviroment. Because if we don't stop raping our planet, there will be no wildlife to paint!!

[resada]

EXXON with its world record breaking profits for two years in a row still has not cleaned up the mess made by the EXXON Valdez in Prince William Sound in Alaska[and its been years!!!} The people in the area are still feeling the effects. And we are supposed to trust them not to do it again? NOT!!! Protect the COASTLINES!!!

[rfish54]

Oil Tankers are definately dangerous plying the coastal waters of the harsh coastline of British Columbia. Mr Bateman illustrates very clearly the diasterous effects to this pristine coast should only one of these vessels accidentally spill its contents. We all have limits on our daily living, and some of them are for safety. For safety's sake, let us not allow Oil Tankers to travel the coastline of British Columbia. If we can restrict smokers, I am sure we can restrict Oil Tankers.

[ericheretoday]

Bravo Mr. Bateman

[morleyw]

Destruction isn't always pretty, but how often do most people notice the subtle beauty that surrounds them in their natural state... Robert finally took the next step as an artist, however there should have been no voice over. All the talking ruins this video, the visual, and the real brilliance of destructive beauty. Great art should always provoke your mind, and cause some reaction.

[morleyw]

If you don't react, or aren't moved by the work, then is it really art? Mr. Bateman thanks for taking the next step as an artist, and I can't wait to see more of your future work.

[whort]

It is insane to sacrifice the BC coast so that fat cats in Alberta can get richer and so that folks in China and California can maintain their addiction to oil. If this was to go ahead (and I believe it will be stopped) our children will look back on this as a testament to insanity and greed.

[carolannis]

Thank you Dogwood Initiative for bringing the tanker proposal into the public consciousness. It's not avoiding our attention as the corporation - & likely govt - hoped.

Thank you Mr Bateman for your continuing commitment to the beautiful evolutions of our current local and global homes, whether they're animal, vegetable or mineral. I would wish you were not yet again called to the fray.

Thank you to everyone unnamed who, believing we can influence what matters, act with dignity & pride.

[carolannis]

Keep the focus on the statement in the action.

Bateman has many years on a lot us responding. He's watched the destruction and disappearances, world over. His joy in the natural world is communicated in his art, whether you prefer his style/subjects or not.

If BC Ferries, experts on their home territory, can sink Queen of the North, an oil tanker accident is practically assured.

Bateman's statement is unequivocal - 1 accident is 1 too many.

Let that focus direct your action & words.

[apolihize2me]

and where is god in all of this? Nowhere but in all of us and each of us. We must learn to exercise our minds and our free wills to understand the implications of what we allpw to happen in our midst and speak out!!!! As Robert Bateman does!!!!

[gooddaver]

I think another "Bob" put it this way: "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;

None but ourselves can free our minds.

Have no fear for atomic energy,

'Cause none of them can stop the time.

How long shall they kill our prophets,

While we stand aside and look?"

[suestroud]

We're fighting the tankers, we're fighting raw log exports, we're changing our footprints and participating in earth hour and earth day activities. We are working hard to save the Sacred headwaters of the Stikine. Now we need to change the way we vote. Anyone voting Liberal or Conservative simply doesn't get it. They are funded by corporations (massively). If you care you will never vote for them again. And run! I'm running this fall in my municipal election. Run and make a difference!

[dogwoodinitiative]

I hear all sorts of attacks on Robert Bateman but still can't find a reason to justify putting our coast at risk to sell Alberta oil to Asia. Why is it when people make an effort to solve one problem their entire life is put on trial -- even when all the evidence is speculative.

For those so concerned about our future oil supply, how does digging it out of the ground as quickly as possible and shipping it to China protect our interests?

[llennn]

It protects Bob's living standard, his home,the road he runs, the ferries, the planes, the printers, his gatherings, on and on. With a enviromental foot print like that we can clearly call him Big Foot Print Bob.

Bob is clearly a deceiver, pretender,pharisee,fraud,fake. EASY TO TALK THE TALK BUT THIS FRAUD CAN'T WALK THE WALK.

But it sells the crap.

[agrothe]

@ TheDrollPedant

While Robert has very good points, so does bowlingballout. Have an open enough mind to see more than one side of the coin.

[agrothe]

@ bowlingballout,

Good thought really. While I signed the petition and agree with the no tanker route, It's isn't enough to just protest the tanker route, but as citizens we need to suggest alternate energy methods. For example, the new Hydro Electricity plant in Labrador. We should petition the Government to put money into that project to keep the tankers off the water. Not just BC, but all Canadian waters. To many people protest the ban and don't petition for the good.

[TheDrollPedant]

I really appreciate Mr. Bateman's great insight on this and other important issues. If we do not listen to hisbrilliance we are sure to be doomed. Sooner than later.

I beg you to sign the pettition. Once it has enough signatures they will have to listen to us.

"Lights out for countless living things" That should scare us all into action.

Great video again.

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You

[tubette1]

It's amazing how hateful people can be when they disagree with a person. (and noone knows their identity)Bravo to Robert for speaking out on what he believes in.

[bowlingballout]

Really? Hateful? I thought the questions were fair, but it is far easier for you to just cast your aspersions than to give thought to my points. If I'm misguided, then point it out. Labeling someone as "hateful" because of an assertion that is made is specious and sophomoric at best. However, that is what these YT comments sections are nine times out of ten.

BTW My name is all over my channel.

[TheDrollPedant]

What are you talking about???

You sound like one of those stupid Americans. All you care about is raping the land. You don't care about the future generations. Robert is making great points. He was willing to destroy a piece of art - HIS ART - imagine that if you will. He cares very much, and you??? Just full of the same mean words I've heard before.

We Canadians don't mind turning the thermostat down to 15 or even 10 if we have to, to help our little friends in the wild.

[bowlingballout]

I really had no intentions to have an argument. I just thought we should give some consideration to our energy needs if we stop using oil. I can only imagine how difficult life is going to be, once gas prices feach $4 and $5 per gallon. Everything is getting more and more expensive. That's all.

I like the planet, I had no idea that my questions were going to lead to being pummeled.

[TheDrollPedant]

You are a coward, that is now backed into a corner. It wouldn't bother you one bit to kill the wild life just so that you could live an extra hour. You Americans care for no one but yourselves. You steal from everybody.

Your actions are what brought on Terrorism in this world. Your lust for oil is killing the planet and mankind. The sooner America sollapses the better.

Now go scurry away you coward.

[bowlingballout]

I'm not sure if I'm a coward, but I do have a busy schedule. Good day now, I will go in peace, I hope the same for you.

[TheDrollPedant]

Mr. Ballout

What are you implying with that crack about "busy schedule"? I am busy too. I have many, many thinigs to attend to. I am very worried about the environment, obviously YOU ARE NOT. I am very concerned about humanity. There are many living things that human beings are killing everyday. In the rainforest alone about 100,000 different species go extinct everyday.

This is no joke, SOMETHING must be done RIGHT THIS MINUTE!

What are we waiting for???

You need to learn compassion.

[oitiborticus]

TheDrollPedant:

and you, sir, need to learn how to carry on meaningful, constructive dialogue.

bowlingballout had some interesting comments and you became arrogant and aggressive. tubette1 said earlier "It's amazing how hateful people can be when they disagree with a person." Well, you certainly exemplify that statement. I'm sure you also have some viable arguements to make, just try not to be so churlish when you present them. Shame on the rest of you for validating TDP's style of debate.

[bowlingballout]

I'm four square against pollution.

That said, Bob, you appear to be using lots of oil to keep your lifestyle going. I bet you could afford $500 per barrel. What about the rest of us shclubs? Can we have nice houses too? Affordable food and other niceties that go with our modern society? Are you suggesting nuclear instead of oil? You paint a pretty picture but I'm not willing to stop consuming energy - are you? Lead by example my friend. Ruining a painting is action enough.

[leemcbride2020]

What in the world could you know about Mr. Bateman's consumption?

I can't get over how many people are either missing the point or abjectly ignoring it in order to posit irrelevant and distracting arguments.

[bowlingballout]

Look at the room he's standing in.

No, I am amused that you are overlooking the more obvious point. Oil is the mother's milk of our entire civilization (a fact I do not like but am able/willing to recognize).

Plus he's from Canada, is there a single Canadian home that does not use some means of heat in the winter? That heat is from some fossil fuel.

There is no way, or reason, to have a "good" argument in the comments section on a YT video. It's impossible.

[DoJaenin]

If he lived a sustainable life somewhere in the forest (he lives in a place where this might even still be possible) noone would listen to his message and eventually the ecosystem he depends upon would be depleted by the forces he is now fighting and his lifestyle would become impossible. So he is doing the right thing by using the leverage he has instead. At some point there's nowhere left to run and you can't look away anymore, it would be shortsighted to assume otherwise.

[llennn]

It would be nice for your screw ball arguments to ignor Batemans consumption...............Let Him (bob) start by champion ferry sailings once the ferry is fully loaded or at least nearly so. I bet if all the ferries sailed on odd days only, the price and the consumption of oil would drop...big time. Lets see bobby boy go and sell that to the hippies on salt island. I bet his popularity would all so drop. This is what you would call the Clinton factor, Do as I say, not as I do......Ha Ha loser l

[leemcbride2020]

So are you arguing that Bateman is one of the worst perpetrators of pollution that kills animals, or for the tankers & ferries? Your arguments are completely unfocused. Calling me a loser does nothing to support your lack of a coherent argument. Try writing in full sentences and addressing specific problems with what Bateman is/was attempting to do here. Obviously you think him a hypocite on some level, but I honestly can't understand what you're actually attempting to say.

[margot980]

Go, Robert, excellent use of the tube, and imagine, just imagine, I heard about this on the CBC! Almost makes up for not being allowed to say "Caspian Sea oil and gas" or mention the CIA and the Dalia Lama in the same sentence, while being ever so smug about China's censorship.

[simonr1960]

Nicely done. Someone prepared to speak up for what they believe in. Great use of celebrity and media. It worked.

[llennn]

Propaganda tool.......No, a tool for selling, making money, get out there and show your crap, someone will buy.

Everyone who is against oil tankers on the coast are also against tankers on the coast carrying Fresh Water as cargo.

VERY narcissistic artist.....like sick very sick.

[carolannis]

Everyone?

Do not include me. I wouldn't prefer carrying fresh water as cargo, for almost as many reasons, but not the most important: a spill of oil is inevitable, and, with that, disaster for a complex web of ecosystems and life-forms.

It seems to me also that you know very little of Robert Bateman's life history, which includes an enduring devotion to the natural world, and working to educate people about connection and sustainable living. Go and read "Thinking Like a Mountain," at least.

[RobertRant]

I also just found this video info from CBC radio. Usually the government doesn't let CBC report on this kind of thing.

[ladyeilidh]

I heard about this on CBC Radio tonight. This is a very well done video.

[treesrwe]

Hey, All-A few words in favor of perspective on Bateman's brilliance here: The importance of his statement is

1 He's an artist, which means his art is an expression of his experience

2 He's aware of the power of his art to impact the world, AND that means he's NOT a narcissistic artist, typical of this self-destructive culture

3 He's also aware of the power of his celebrity as a tool--He's brilliantly using the media as a propaganda tool, just as it's used against us, and the world

MORE!!

[treesrwe]

Hey, All-A few words in favor of perspective on Bateman's brilliance here: The importance of his statement is

1 He's an artist, which means his art is an expression of his experience

2 He's aware of the power of his art to impact the world, AND that means he's NOT a narcissistic artist, typical of this self-destructive culture

3 He's also aware of the power of his celebrity as a tool--He's brilliantly using the media as a propaganda tool, just as it's used against us, and the world

MORE!!

[leemcbride2020]

1) It was not a 'reject.' 2) He didn't post here to find out whether you like or dislike his art - it's his gesture that holds importance.

I heard Mr. Bateman tonight on CBC radio. The work is a print, not an original, and the reasoning behind that was he would have received no more attention for an original than for a print.

Finally, I want to say I agree with that, as why destroy original beauty in order to protest the destruction of original beauty? I commend him for using his voice.

[charlescampbellart]

Kudos to Robert for getting out in front and doing this. Read the comments on the notankers site and you get a much better idea of how this video is moving people to protect the coast they hold dear.

[bjoque]

uh oh Robert, I hope that isn't OIL PAINT on all of your canvasses!

[BCD345]

Effective!  Perhaps our governments should make energy gains by energy conservation and not further exploitation.

[petermanchester]

Hey, Bateman just painted an abstract!

[canamuk]

Thats one Bateman print gone, a few million more to go ... the Art world is pleased.

[charlescampbellart]

The Exxon Valdez Oil spill doesn't even make the top ten largest spills. It sits down at number 34.

[charlescampbellart]

A little info on Exxon Valdez spill. Thousands of animals died immediately -250,000 to 500,000 seabirds, at least 1,000 sea otters, 300 harbor seals, 250 bald eagles, and 22 orcas, as well as the destruction of billions of salmon and herring eggs. The effects of the spill continue to be felt today. Pink salmon populations show stunted growth and sea otters and ducks show higher death rates.

[llennn]

oil is a natural substance. The Exxon Valdez disaster was one of the largest so called spills and as little of time as 19 years you have a full recovery. Why? because crude oil is a natural substance. If this substance bubbles up from the bottom of the ocean floor then what. I say lets burn and use as much as possible before it comes to the surface, including off the coast of BC.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

You are an absolute ignoramus. It boggles my mind to think that anyone still has such an uneducated view of the situation, until I realize that Jerry Springer is still on the air...*sigh* Is that where you got the information that a "full recovery" had been achieved from the Valdez spill?

[llennn]

reality bites........ToyotaBoy..all the way from Japan, by ship, made from orr shipped from Canada via cargo ship to Japan, orr refined by coal shipped from Canada to Japan via fossel fuel, these ships supplied by tankers, full of Alberta crude........who got the info from Jerry...........you mean you got yours from Bobby Boy Bateman......HA HA

[dogwoodinitiative]

19 years after the Exxon Valdez disaster they are still feeling the effects. Sea otters have yet to come back to many of the bays fouled by the oil spill because of contaminated shellfish. The spill destroyed the herring fishery. The big problem isn't when the oil is on water, its when it hits land. No inquiry can fix the damage once it's done. Exxon has yet to pay for the damage they have done.

[jonsteen100]

@dogwoodinitiative no I was there in 1996 and there were plenty off sea otters every where

[llennn]

at the lowest tide in Douglas channel a tanker would still have about 5 to 8 feet of under water clearance, this is plenty of room. Transport Canada has very competent people they're not just a bunch of bureaucrats but ex ship Captains. And if any thing did happen the NTSB would have a full inquiry just like BC Ferries Queen of the North. Oil is a very natural substance, so I dont see the big deal, besides it floats on water.

[animalactivist]

Kudos to Robert Bateman...a Canadian icon who advocates tirelessly for the protection of what we all hold precious...

Whether or not the image destroyed in this video is an 'original' or not, is irrelevant. The metaphor illustrates beautifully what we all have to loose. Tomorrow it may indeed be the 'real original' -isn't that the point? Pristine nature- the real original- is priceless and irreplacable.

[charlescampbellart]

The point isn't to destroy something beautiful, it's to bring home the consequences of an oil spill on the BC coast.

[PerogyEater]

Then why doesn't he state it is a print in the video? Why is it on an easel? Why does he call it one of his favorites?? Come on. This is self promotional crappy spam. How big is Robert's house, car, studio, payroll, ecological footprint?????

[crazyridesdotcom]

I knew it was a print but the message still moved moved me. The first time you saw it, you said it impressed you. I am sorry you feel cheated now because you found out it was 'only' a print. Is the message less valid to you because of it?

[PerogyEater]

I was impressed, until.....

An image of this video was on the cover of the Victoria Times Colonist, and I was so impressed with Bateman's actions, as his paintings fetch a huge sum and he spends dozens and dozens of hours on them. What you aren't told in this video is that the image he destroys is a print. Yes, as confirmed by the Times Colonist this is a digitally reproduced print. He makes it look like his original (easel and all) and calls it one of his favorites. Hypocritical, selfish junk.

[DoJaenin]

Of course he doesn't destroy one of his actual paintings... that would be very stupid. I didn't think for a second that he did when I watched this video O_o does that make his message any less valid?

[carcultured]

And..... what are we using that oil for?????

Do we really need it??? What"s your share of it??

[llennn]

For batemans ferry and air travel, to peddle his junk to people like you.

[honouryourself]

Thank you Mr. Bateman. You have a powerful voice in our community. Why don't all oil tankards have double bladders. It should be mandatory. Many say that it is too expensive. Well, expensive compared to what??

You know, human beings are not that smart, you sure don't see most species of the animal kingdom screwing each other over.

[honouryourself]

Thank you Mr. Bateman. You have a powerful voice in our community. Why don't all oil tankards have double bladders. It should be mandatory. Many say that it is too expensive. Well, expensive compared to what??

You know, human beings are not that smart, you sure don't see most species of the animal kingdom screwing each other over.

[llennn]

at the lowest tide in Douglas channel a tanker would still have about 5 to 8 feet of under water clearance, this is plenty of room. Transport Canada has very competent people they're not just a bunch of bureaucrats but ex ship Captains. And if any thing did happen the NTSB would have a full inquiry just like BC Ferries Queen of the North.

[footballman201]

Who's really to argue with anyone who thinks five-to-eight feet of clearance is plenty of room for an OIL TANKER to adjust to pitch, yaw, wind, load shift or any number of other variables that affect the list of a resting vessel?

That kind of informed wisdom speaks for itself.

[GenevaManfred]

...and a full inquiry would make it all OK again. How nice.

[grange44]

jesus , what a load of crap . Bateman , get off your pristine beach and look around .. the world is a enviromental disaster waiting to happen , not just on your beach and your wildlife ... Man what a pompus ass

[honouryourself]

If each one of us were to try to make an effort, then perhaps the world would not be an environmental disaster. Please don't pass on such negative energy. Don't you think that the world has seen enough of it already?

[charlescampbellart]

Thanks for doing this Robert. It really brings it home.

[OlEagleEye]

There was a plan in the early 70's to take super tankers to Belingham Wash. to onload, i got to cover the tests in the Juan de Fucia straight and seeing the larges tugs try to control this tanker was impossible, the force of tide was to much. A few years later I was sent to the Vadez oil disaster in Alaska and experencing that I will never foget the images . to see Pacific northwest go to my videos on youtube and enter oleagleeye.

[420homegrown420]

Because what you are saying is B.C. is too beautiful for oil so we should ship/pump it thorough other communities. That is an incredible elitist opinion of your province. If oil is So evil like you claim then take a principled stance and stop using it completely. I bet not one of you propaganda pushers ever stopped to think of the high paying jobs created for low skilled people around the world that otherwise would be stuck working at close to minimum wage. Alberta Oil Sands is just one example.

[420homegrown420]

What a fucking moron. This is nothing but environmentalist propaganda. I realize me just saying this on this stupid post i will get censored because the Suzuki/Gore cult is afraid of anyone who disagrees with their alarmist bullshit. If all you hypocritical morons really feel this way I hope you all stop using any product made from oil. Obvious ones, Gasoline. Or how about plastic you know the stuff that your computer is made of. It is unfair to say no oil tankers in B.C.

[canuck1252]

Dramatic but terribly true. Unfortunately, our government really doesn't give a damn. Between Harper and Bush, the dynamic duo we will destroy our environment piece by piece. Good bye to the Orcas, good bye to birds. It is finished.

[baNaNaMaN6]

Whoa!

[fireflydigital]

Oil and gas are truly a curse. They offer so much wealth but at such a terrible cost. We truly need forward thinking leaders that can see beyond the short term riches to the fact that the pristine nature of our Canadian landscape is a true resource.

[GregB333]

The more we spend on oil infrastructure the harder it will be to kick the habit. The oil sands are bad news in every way, and I don't want my province to be part of that system. A whole-hearted THUMBS DOWN to tanker traffic anywhere along the BC coast!

It's time to say no, people.

[Sanespar]

Let's hope this can make a difference. No tankers on our coast -- not ever.

[Smawalxi]

Robert Bateman speaks the truth. Visit the 'Living Oceans' website and you will find statistical global information of oil spills that occured in the recent past.Most of which were larger than the Exxon Valez spill. Many may remember the visuals that were on the news at that time.I SAY NO TO ANY AND ALL TANKERS CARRYING CRUDE OIL OR CONDENSATE which is currently being sent to Alberta Tar Sands! SPREAD THE WORD BEFORE THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD OIL THROUGHOUT OUR PRECIOUS WATERS EVEN ONCE!

[Robnoxious69]

Super-natural B.C needs to stay Super-natural

No Tankers Please !!!

[hplommer]

Tankers don't deserve to destroy our beautiful province.

[larry01982]

or any province, state, community, etc.

[dbowditch]

Very very sad but what a statement and what commitment. If only more of us felt that passionately about this threat. Please consider this as Robert's challenge to each of us to individually make an equally impactful statement in our own way.

[796565]

A very timely and important video.

[crazyridesdotcom]

I was moved to tears . . .

[PerogyEater]

You should be crying....the painting is a digital print

[crazyridesdotcom]

No, it is a video! - And I was moved to tears by the point Robert Bateman was making in the video 'Not a Pretty Picture'. Do you think his message will make a difference?

[loconet]

Still worth at least $1,000

[bowlingballout]

If that's true, there is no account for taste. Just cool signatures on a canvass.

[crazyridesdotcom]

I was moced to tears

[fytob]

important video for a great cause.

[mainemce]

Timely and poignant: the fact is that with tanker traffic along BC's central-north coast, eventually there would be an accident, and who would suffer and pay for it? Marine life disfigured and killed by it, terrestrial life harmed through interconnectivity with marine ecosystems, and the public, through resources wasted in clean-up and irrevocably destroyed in the spill. Tankers out!