Japanese officials are officially P.O.ed at Australian anti-whaling group, the 'Sea Shepherds,' after a "non-violent chemical attack" that left 3 whalers injured. Apparently the protester pelted the Japanese whaling crew with bottles and containers filled with rancid, oily liquids in an attempt to hold up the whalers' hunting.

The 'non-violent' attacks did result in 3 casualties -- the ooze splashed into the eyes of 2 members of the Japanese coastguard and 1 whaler. Australia's Foreign Minister responded to the attacks saying :

"I absolutely condemn actions by crew members of any vessel that cause injury, or have the potential to cause injury, to anyone on the high seas."

Frankly, I'm not sure I can digest the term "non-violent chemical attack," as Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherds puts it -- even if it refers to using "organic, non-toxic materials designed to harass and obstruct illegal whaling operations." For me, it simply registers as mindless doublespeak. When someone is throwing bottles at me, I don't consider it non-violent, regardless of what they call it.

So, here's the question: are the Sea Shepherds heroic for their actions? Or are they just a group of radicals giving the environmental movement a negative image? Either way, I wonder how much the whalers are getting paid to not defend themselves. If this type of encounter occurs regularly, how long before it turns ugly or tragic?