The document discusses the history of whaling in America in the 1700s and 1800s when it was a major commercial industry. Whales were used for their bones, meat, blubber, and especially their oils, including spermaceti oil from sperm whales which was used to make candles. It then discusses recent cases of anti-whaling activists who broke laws like trespassing when protesting Japanese whaling but received suspended sentences. The document emphasizes that while activism is important, laws should still be followed by everyone.