Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I couldn't agree more~!

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

Bully for you, aajoanne! I couldn't agree more! Thanks for your blog. As times change so must these so called "traditions". Many people seem to regard the concept of tradition as some sort of sacred cow. It speaks little for their intelligence. Doing something just because "it's always been done", when it really makes no sense at all, adds no meaniful value to their lives or is down right destructive, is ignorance at its finest. Tradition is no excuse for animal abuse or abuse of any kind. If these people want to hide behind the facade of tradition in justifying their participation in this event I'd like to ask them who amoung them has taken part in raising these animals.............as was tradionally done? Who has thus earned the right to stand amoung these bulls? Sorry, buying a bus or airline ticket and too many alcholic beverages doesn't get it. Gee, maybe we should bring back the gladiators. How many of these bull runners would care to participate in that? Hmm..........wonder what ever happened to that "tradition"? Let' say adios to this one too!

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

Traditions, like rules can be broken and this is no exception. I have been to Spain six times and I have never attended a bullfight or the run of the bulls. I find this a medieval, not to mention heinous practice. I am a vegetarian and an animal lover who believes all creatures big and small deserve our respect. As much as I love Spain, this is one cultural aspect I abhor.
My sister and I donated money to the WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) to help them end this horrible bloodsport. I hope you visit their website at http://www.wspa-usa.org/

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

Can I play the Devil's advocate here???
OK, I agree that running in front of a bull or a herd of them is not something that is on my list of things todo, as a SANE PERSON but what about staying on home turf, never mind going off to other people 's country...
What about sitting on a bucking bull that has his testicules tide in a knot for added entertainment value, that happens right here in North America every summer at your local rodeo. Did they not have to shoot a horse in Calgary last year because the poor animal was way pass the point of no return in a Chuckwagon race that went wrong at the Calgary Stampede?
What about race car racing, or am I touching something that is a sacred cow and a tradition?
Just wondering...
Remember, I'm just being the Devil's advocate here...

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

While it's sad that people are/were injured in this "event", I have a hard time feeling sorry for them. They knew what they were getting into and all those people did have a choice whether to participate. The animals did not have a choice. I'll never understand getting enjoyment from terrorizing animals or forcing animals to fight (with other animals or people). To me, this is no better than dog fighting and should be outlawed just the same. There are a lot of things called "traditions" that should be outlawed now as well. People were uneducated and ignorant at the time this "tradition" was created. We are now educated and aware of the suffering of animals and should therefore alter our behavior accordingly.

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

My understanding is the bulls in general but especially in a bull fights are drugged and sometimes the equilivalent of blindfolded for periods of time before the "event". I don't see where the sportmanship comes in...

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I can't believe this sort of thing still goes on. I do not attend circuses, zoos or rodeos, nor would I attend this atrocity as I cannot abide animals being tortured, humiliated or caged for our entertainment. This is right up there with dog fighting and horse tripping.
We are supposed to be the "intelligent" animals on this planet. I wonder.

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I agree totally. What is the reason, what is the thrill, what is the accomplishment achieved by doing this? The same goes for circuses, rodeos, zoos, any sort of animal fighting (dog, cock, so on), basically anywhere that animals are forced into a situation, totally unnatural for them, just for human pleasure or thrill. People get hurt. Well, hello? If I ran down a crowded freeway, I'd get hurt too. Would people feel sympathy for me? No, they would say what the heck were you thinking. You deserved to get hurt. Well, I feel the same way about people who get hurt running with the bulls. My sympathy is with the poor bulls who are running for their lives.

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I love to travel, I have been to some eastern and western Europeans countries, BUT I have NEVER gone to Spain for this particular reason. I think this is a stupid tradition, come on Spain this is the twenty-first century there are plenty of other things you can show tourists and this is the lowest of the lowest. A civilized and developed country it's a shame that they still practice this barbaric "sport" if you can call this a sport. I spit on Spain!!

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I don't know,you may find me heartless for saying this but I don't feel sorry for the people who are injured.I don't enjoy seeing anyone hurt but hey at least they had a choice.The bulls aren't given a choice.The whole thing makes me sick.

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

No, dogsrule01, I don't find you heartless. I agree with you 100%. Any person that harms an animal in any way, deserves what they get. That goes for the bull run, rodeos, circuses and so on. I totally disagree with using any animal for entertainment purposes. The animals are treated with such cruelty and forced to do things that are not in their nature to do. As for the Calgary Stampede, all I can say is that it makes me ashamed to be Canadian. That and the Seal Hunt. These are not what most Canadians are about.
As for traditions involving animal abuse, they're barbaric. We keep evolving (I hope) as a race and trying to be better. Then we should be putting these traditions behind us. Our ancestors may have thought it was okay and believed in them but we've come a long way since then. It's time for it to end and that goes for all over the world.

Re: Commentary on the Running of the Bulls

I have always thought of this event as 'The Running of the Morons' and don't feel the least bit sorry for those who end up injured - unless it's the animal.