Ahab the Felon

A federal court is considering whether to include constitutional protection to five orcas--killer whales--owed by Seaworld. The complaint, brought by PETA, asks that rights against slavery be applied to the five mammals held in captivity at a Seaworld park.

"This case is on the next frontier of civil rights," said PETA's attorney Jeffrey Kerr, representing the five orcas. One assumes this case is pro bono. The orcas have made no public statement.

There are many observations one can make here, not the least is the danger of lawyers with too much time on their hands. What is of most concern is the lack of embarrassment, the lack of mortification. What rewards does this culture offer that would induce such a disregard for logic, common sense and triviality? How could a clear thinking individual allow himself to be associated with such an intellectual outrage? How could a lawyer allow himself to trivialize his own profession? And how could the judge allow law to be so abused?

Certainly no one is exempt from debating angels and pinheads.