Run As Fast As You Can

There's no question that man likes to be in control. Since the dawn of time man has had a thirst for dominance. However, man cannot always be in control of other human beings so he takes control of animals. I've done some reading this past week about bull fighting and bull riding, and thought I would express my thoughts and understandings.

I had heard of bull fighting before, as I'm sure many people have, and never thought much of it except that the people who were fighting the bull were crazy. But after some reading I realized it's much more than just a guy swinging around a cape. These bulls are terrorized and tormented before they go into the arena; that's why they act the way they do. They run to get out of the hell they're in. They're drugged and kept in dark crates before they go into the arena, among other things. These bulls have spear/harpoon type instruments thrown into their neck and back area, they have a sword plunged into an artery near their heart, and once they collapse and can no longer fight they have their ears and tail cut off. After all the torment and abuse they are then pulled out of the arena by a pair of mules. There is nothing "macho" about this barbaric and abusive sport. Read more about bull fighting here: http://www.stopbullfighting.org.uk/facts.htm

Somewhat similar to bull fighting, is bull riding. These cowboys get money, ribbons, and highly-prized belt buckles for staying on a "wild" bull as long as possible. A flank strap is tied around the bull, just in front of their hind legs, to make the bull buck. These rodeo bulls are kept in a steel crate until the buzzer sounds and they're let out. Something I didn't know, although it's not surprising, is that once these bulls are no longer valuable to the sport they are sold for meat.

Another rodeo favorite is calf wrestling. These cowboys on horseback literally lasso a rope around a calf's neck (practically a baby!), jerk the calf back, throw it to the ground and tie it up. For what? So they can look manly? I'm sorry but there's nothing manly about preying on the weak and innocent. Read more about rodeo events here: http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/cruel-sports/rodeos/

These bulls and calves don't want to do these things. It's not fun for them, but they have no choice. These innocent creatures, among many others, are taken advantage of for money, fame, and entertainment. There are plenty of other ways to prove whether or not you're manly and macho, than just killing and abusing innocent creatures.

"Animals do not 'give' their life to us, as the sugar-coated lie would have it. No, we take their lives. They struggle and fight to the last breath, just as we would do if we were in their place." -- John Robbins

If I can be a vegan, so can you.

         -- Joy  



*Information used for this article came from the websites linked*


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