The Captivity Debate on CNN

Typically I'm not one to promote a group of talking heads batting back and forth, but there are compelling arguments for all sides here. Ric O'Barry, Jack Hanna, Thad Lacinak and Jane Velez-Mitchell square off on Larry King, debating the issue of marine mammals in captivity. This is, of course, following the tragic death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau.



Each of these guys makes a good point. The problem is each is so convinced that the other a greedy liar with nothing but nefarious intentions, that they can't hear each other. So they'll likely waste a lot of time arguing louder and louder, when they could be working toward tangible solutions.

So Larry King may not the best source for well-researched, substantial information. But if you can dig beneath some of the spite, rhetoric—and less than thought-provoking puns ("abusement parks, Ric?")—there are a few important considerations brought up here, no matter what your position may be.