Are Sea Cukes Kinder and Gentler Than Those Who Would Exploit Them?

They are. OMIGOD! When I started picking on sea cucumbers, I had absolutely no idea that the existence of these hapless creatures was seriously endangered.

And they are the innocent victims of human exploitation. Many people, excluding this author, find them delectable. In some countries, a ton of dessicated sea cukes net a cool million bucks for those who'd peddle them. Even at this moment, passionate debates about whether or not they will land on endangered species lists could be taking place.

The only fair comparison between sea cukes and the junta have to do with mindlessness, and even that one is tenuous and this is where it breaks away. What with the commodity of oil-- and soon drinkable water becoming scarce and hoarded-- none of this is going to even matter anymore.

How will global warming affect sea cucumbers? And assuming that they have never heard of Jesus Christ, will they be Left Behind when the current administration hastens the coming of the Rapture by continuing to trash the planet? Meanwhile, these diligent scavengers continue to do their humble work.

Months will pass. Maybe I'll have some answers. But I may need to visit the South Island of New Zealand to commune with the Strawberry variety of the sea cucumber. The population of these echinoderms is dense here. There's safety in numbers and possibly a lot to learn.

In Defense of Seacukes. . .Part One

A friend brings up some valid points about the sea cucumber. I have been a little too hasty and harsh in judgment. Now I must make amends to these hapless echinoderms for comparing them to the alleged "higher form of life" vertebrates that roost in the highest echelons of the U.S. government in Washington, DC. who seem to have neither enough natural predators nor a whole lot of redeeming qualities in terms of our delicate ecosystems.

Point #1: Sea cukes are cooperative members of the earth's delicate ecosystem.

In stark contrast to the current administration's Executive and FOURTH BRANCH, sea cucumbers play a useful role and demonstrate a humility that is unmatched within the Beltway. These members of the Holothuroidea class eat abundantly of the teensy-weensy bits of biological sediment from their natural environment. Expressed in less delicate terms, sea cucumbers feast on marine fecal matter. Yup. It turns out that they're the "freegan"/scroungers of the sea-- or better yet, aquatic sanitation workers.

The Bush Junta preys on the fear of the American people. Moreover, it spews more waste than it takes in-- unless you count its cronies-- and it leaves its mess for its supposed co-homo sapiens to clean up.

Point #2 Sea cukes have a plethora of natural predators and (what turns out to be) an appropriate defense system.

Although they sport tough, spiny skins, many large fish consider sea cucumbers toothsome treats. Feisty and clever and instinctively creative, besides the yucky-yet-cool ability to spew their intestinal tracts and subsequently regrow it, they have a way that quite literally saves their asses by using their asses. When imperiled, sea cucumbers will release fine, ultra-sticky threads that surround the would-be diner. This filament, as sticky as Superglue, prevents the potential snacker from continuing its pursuit.

The current corrupt administration has the National Security Administration. It considers its fellow Americans as the greatest threat to survival.

Point #3 Sea cucumbers have natural term limits. Their usual lifespan is from five to ten years. They accept their fate without becoming belligerent or forming dynasties.

to be continued. . .

Seacukes

These have got to be among the least endearing creatures ever! They're defensive little buggers, too. When threatened, they're like bizarre pint-sized submarine Super Soakers on a mission. They shoot out water along with some of their gooey insides--for good measure-- at anyone they consider an enemy. Then they simply turn around and regenerate a whole batch of new internal organs. You just can't seem to keep them down!

Some varieties remind me a lot of Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, and some other members of the Bush Kakistocracy in that they are bottom feeders and seem to lack any sense of ethics. I am uncertain as to whether or not they have any ties to the larger oil corporations, but you never know. I have a feeling that one of my next entries will elaborate on the similarities between these two classes of organisms.

They really love eating dead stuff and are, in my opinion, extremely creepy-looking. They fooled me once when I went to a Chinese restaurant and ordered a dish containing them. I mistakenly thought that I was about to partake of a vegan meal.

You live and can only hope that you've learned.