Santo Domingo.– The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization urged the Dominican Republic to ban cockfights to stop the spread of bird flu in the country.
But the government is not expected to halt the popular sport in the run-up to presidential elections in May.
An FAO report released this week said Dominican health authorities had failed to control bird flu as new cases of animals infected with innocuous strains of the virus were reported in rural communities.
Officials said 1,096 birds exposed to the H5N2 and H7 strains have been slaughtered in the villages of San Pedro de Macoris, La Vega, Bani and Higuey. Ten farm animals have also been destroyed.
The H5N2 and H7 strains of bird flu do not infect humans. The FAO report, published in the media, said authorities have not taken steps to curb the movement of birds and have yet to make a map of outbreaks of the virus in the country.
The Dominican government says it has taken adequate steps to slaughter and quarantine animals, and disinfect areas where the virus has been detected.
A rooster trained for cockfights was found infected in La Vega, the FAO said. The report, drawn up last month by three FAO experts sent to the Dominican Republic, recommended banning cockfights for 30 days at a time.
The report could undermine Dominican efforts to persuade neighboring Haiti to lift a ban on the import of Dominican chicken and eggs due to the presence of the virus. Haiti's ban has financially hurt hundreds of poultry farmers in the Dominican Republic.
Written by: josean, 16 Feb 2008 9:51 AM
From: United States
"But the government is not expected to halt the popular sport in the run-up to presidential elections in May."
Public health and animal cruelty are not a concern for Lio-nel Fernandez and the PLD. They must get "El Jefe" reelected even if it means risking the public's health. The love the reelection and the "goodies" they can grab, more than the love the Dominican people!
Written by: joopjoop, 16 Feb 2008 11:26 AM
From: Dominican Republic, San Pedro de Macoris
It is like:
"i don't care if you die, as long as it is after voting for me"
Written by: josean, 16 Feb 2008 11:39 AM
From: United States
Viva La Sultana del Este ! Series 23 folks are among the most decent people the Dominican Republic produces. I wish I was eating "Johnny Cakes" at El Malecon!
I love San Perdo!
From: United States, Manhattan, New York City
Here we go....
what the UN NEEDS to do, is ENFORCE the laws against cockfighting HERE in the (and I'm being sarcastic) good 'ol U.S. of A.
Written by: dagtan, 16 Feb 2008 2:39 PM
From: United States
I have a real problem with the petition put forward by the UN. I grew up in gallero family and we still hold breeding farms in the DR. I love cockfights, but it is not about loving it, it is part of identity, one of the few old and fundamental identities that remains in a highly extrvertical society as the DR. We do not have much left when ti comes to pure Dominican culture, plus banning cockfighting in the DR is like banning Baseball in the U.S. It is part of our culture, therefore, do not touch it. Way too much damage has been inflicted on the Dominican population by the typical Dominican-York that go back to give false inpressions and hopes to the people over there. The fact that everyone is always is looking to leave and never give their energy and expertise to the nation, our fundamental culture has been lost. There are superficial and fundamental cultures, superficial, food, music, clothing, dialect: fundamental, ethical values, costumes, religious beliefs and others.
Written by: BASTA, 16 Feb 2008 6:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic, SPM
all culture is good? Than turn up your music louder , if you can.
Written by: SuperQ, 17 Feb 2008 10:00 AM
From: Italy
Why are you so amazed about it? in Dominican Republic it is a legal practice! why UN don't try to stop Spain, Mexico and Colombia from killing bulls in front of hundreds of hundreds people? why isn't UN saying anything about it?
Written by: SuperQ, 17 Feb 2008 1:22 PM
From: Italy
para BASTA!
Mi Hermano lease esto en la direccion de la flecha! obeugamam <=
Written by: lovingit, 18 Feb 2008 12:12 AM
From: United States, Delaware
Bird flu is not caused because of cockfights, cock fights have been going on for nearly 500 years of Dominican Culture. Leave it alone. Its part of our culture.
From: Dominican Republic
US, let us play with our cocks, we've been doing it for hundreds of years!!!!... When I was a kid I used to love running around the little cockfighting stadiums (Galleras), specially around the top floor, which was an endless circle.
Written by: dagtan, 18 Feb 2008 12:00 PM
From: United States
You do not have to be an oligarch in order to do this type of work in the DR. We were lucky to have such abilities and my family as poor as we were, was able to sustain it self from selling or taking care of other people animals. If I was an Oligarch you would have known that a long time already, I am not as fake and pretencious as you are GC. We were the care takers, and my family is still doing it today, yes we own some winners, but that does not make us OLIGARCH, which I think you do not know the meaning of.
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
but to be all puffed up about it to use the pretentious word Hold as if you were referring to a horse farm in Virginia Hold your getting all puffed up like dredy before he took his life.....Tis a far far better thing you did when you ended him...but please I am losing track of all your names
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
as for you sounessential Dont get caught playing with your cocks in public it is frowned on in most societies
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
stop whining dagtan an go back..... open a chimi on the malecon... call it THE PEOPLES CHIMI.....You can torture all your customers by explaining you philosophy and tell them about all the things you used to HOLD in the D.R. ......tenia this tenia that tenia this tenia that you can act talk a miami Cuban
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
dag since you used to hold chickens or rooster ranches i am sure you would be familiar with.bestiality aka.barnyard rape would be a subject you would be very familiar with...am I correct C.C....it has been said you were overheard in the horse stables near your residence from the other side of a locked door your voice calling out "GIDDYAP WHOA BACKUP...GIDDYAP WHOA BACKUP....It was a picture no artist could paint
From: Dominican Republic
I stopped playing with my cock a long time ago, when he was killed in a fight... It was one of the saddest days of my childhood... I never returned to the galleras
but I still have fond memories of those times, the food, the noise, the excitement... maybe one of these days I'll step into a gallera again
Written by: xochitl, 21 Feb 2008 9:22 PM
From: United States
Dagtan - I noticed that you live in the US - gosh - sorry but we don't like cockfighting here and we don't allow it so I guess if you love it that much maybe you should go back there. Do you even know the history of cockfighting? I don't think that originated in the DR and I think that it is sad that this seems to be the only thing that connects you with your country. Not that you are even interested but there is something very wrong with people who "get off" by watching two cocks rip each other to shreds. Your children will grow up just like you with thinking that this type of violence is healthy. I don't care what you say about CULTURE - this is all about making money but you will reap what you sow. The only people that torture animals and consider it part of their culture are the Jeffrey Dalhmers of this world.
Written by: dagtan, 22 Feb 2008 10:33 AM
From: United States
Xochiti, I must admit to your confusion. Please re-read my post about Dominican culture and what still connects us to the basic dominican culture. It seems that you are not aware of two layers of culture, you superficial cultural values and fundamental cultural values, of which I mentioned a few in my posting, so go back and read about it. I live in the U.S. and have become well assimilated to the American culture to the point that I know more about the U.S. than my own native land in terms of physical geography and travels. However, I have never lost contact with my native land, since I migrated when I was 14 and my fundamental culture and identity was already formed. The fundamental culture can never be chnaged or replaced, I do not have the love for animals (i.e. dogs) as it is prevalent in the U.S. since there is no such love in the Dominican culture. While my daughter is simply crazy about dogs and care about them tremendously, I understand that and it fine with me. cont..
Written by: dagtan, 22 Feb 2008 10:37 AM
From: United States
However, just because I live in the U.S. and I have become a professional and is earning a very good salary and have an stable life and family thanks to the U.S., that does not mean that I must replace who I am culturally. Most immigrants compliments or adapt their superficial culture to that of the U.S. because it is easier to do so, (i.e. eat dinner at 5pm instead of 12pm, eat hamburgers instead of platanos, drink soda instead of lemonade, is rice pudding instead of arroz con leche, dress heavely due to winter, use heavy hats, listen to rap instead of merengue and so on) I hope you get the point. I in no way will ever bash American culture, because that is my daughter's culture, but in my case I am bi-cultural, and I hope you know what that means.
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
POMPOSITY in capital letters from the rooster ranch holder and famous chicken choker....whatever name he is using today...you are a professional what? and is earning a very good salary...from the government you can be absolutely sure...if that has any truth
Written by: dagtan, 22 Feb 2008 1:03 PM
From: United States
GC, nice to hear from you again.
From: Dominican Republic
xochitl,
So you rather us be more fond of boxing and ultimate fighting sports--like other cultures are--in which people kick the crap out of each other or even kill each other?
I know it may be the individual's choice to participate in these sports but that doesn't take anything away from it's gruesomeness and savagery. I feel this has a worse effect on the culture and children than watching poultry fighting. Poultry that would otherwise be served as a cock stew because there can't be too many cocks on your farm, since they possess an inherent aggression towards each other and will fight to the death.
I'll leave you with your own words (with a word replaced):
I think there is something very wrong with people who "get off" by watching two HUMANS rip each other to shreds. Your children will grow up just like you with thinking that this type of violence is healthy. I don't care what you say about CULTURE - this is all about making money but you will reap what you sow.
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
Dag bro whats shakin? heard from dredy lately? in which mental institution is he being confined?please send him my regards.....tell him "a simple mind is a terrible thing to waste"
Written by: xochitl, 23 Feb 2008 12:53 PM
From: United States
soundsessential - How dare you asume that I watch or enjoy boxing - For your information - I am not a fan of boxing - nor football. I also happen to be a vegan - not that youhave any idea what that is!. What is your problem - you idiots are always in denial when it comes to animal abuse - you just make every excuse available. I hope you come back as a cock with feathers - cause you are already the other kind.
And dagtan - what a confused person your little one will grow up to be. This sort of reasoning will surely come back to bite you in the ass.
Written by: dagtan, 23 Feb 2008 1:18 PM
From: United States
Once again xochit, she will be a bi-cultural, bi-lingual hispanic/american. I do not see anything worng with that. I will not enforce any judgment, but will prepare her to make her judgement in the future. I believe in self determination and determining how our chiuldren think and how they view others. If my little one wants to judge my native culture when she is all grown up, I 'll advise her to go live in the DR and get to know the people before making any judgement. I do not judge any culture that I do not know, I rather live in that culture and look at things from those people perspectives. Do not make the mistake of having your own little ones judge another culture based on their value system, that is detrimental ignorant. That is the reason why we live in the world that live today, because people continue to judge other cultures based on their own value system and never stop to learn the other person's value system before giving judgement. I believe that you are confused.
Written by: xochitl, 23 Feb 2008 5:09 PM
From: United States
Dagtan - Ok - so what about Female Genitalia Mutilation - Stoning women to death - cannabalism - sex with children - slavery - gangbangers -- beastiality - Yeah right - I'm sure you are ok with all of these. These are some of the things that people claim is part of their culture. I have news for you - if your daughter is an animal lover you will have a problem when she grows up and learns about what you think is ok. Now tell Mr. has an answer for everything - would you take your daughter right now to the DR and let her witness the brutality of cockfighting? No right - I didn't think so. Once again - Cockfighting is nothing more than a way to make money. The world has changed Dagtan - it has taken some time but animal advocates are here to stay - we are not going anywhere - we are the voice for the voiceless and will fight against the arrogant simpleminded people such as yourself. Arrogant because you think that you have the God-given right to bring the kind of misery that you
Written by: xochitl, 23 Feb 2008 5:15 PM
From: United States
Dagtan - continued - you bring upon these animals. Dagtan - who is your higher power - Satan?
Written by: dagtan, 23 Feb 2008 5:23 PM
From: United States
Mr. Xochiti, do not get offended by my posting, I am simply putting things into perspective and not rushing to judgement. One important thing that I learned in the American education system was not to value others based on your own values. It is like the scholar speaking from the heart and not the brain. That person's argument will be full of holes as a result of the degree of emotions that comes with their argument. Therefore, here in the U.S. we are trained to argue with the brain and not the heart to ensure clarity and objectivity. I do not know about your educational background, but if was educated in the U.S. then you understand what I am saying. Also, do I approve of such practices, no, because they are human cruelty and everyone has natural rights that must be respected. You are taking your argument to another level, which shows your emotions and lack of reasoning. However, I really apreaciate your level of emotions and convictions on the subject of animal cruelty. cont.
Written by: dagtan, 23 Feb 2008 5:24 PM
From: United States
human cruelty is another issue and it must look at in differnt ways. If you want to shift the conversation to human cruelty I am more than happy to do so. If not, please stay on topic.
Written by: xochitl, 23 Feb 2008 6:10 PM
From: United States
Mr. Dagtan - yes you are right I do get emotional -and I am glad that I have emotions - but this conversation is getting nowhere- we come from two different worlds - I am from earth and you are from ???? Dagtan - I don't know what school you were educated at in the US but you sure know how to bullshit - no offence - but seriously you just go on and on about nothing. Hey - why didn't you answer my question - would you take your daughter to the DR to witness what you believe is ok - doubt it - it is like all those idiots out there who feed their children meat but wouldn't dream of telling them how it gets on their plate. And was I right about the higher power you believe in Dagtan? You are also right about one other thing Dagtan - I should stick to the subject of animal cruelty - it surprised me that you used that term - hmmm
Written by: xochitl, 23 Feb 2008 6:11 PM
From: United States
ps - and I'm not a Mr. - in fact it is Princess Xochitl to you
Written by: dagtan, 24 Feb 2008 11:01 AM
From: United States
Thanks, GC, it is nice to hear from you again. Ms. xochiti, yes you are right we come from different part of the world, hence our cultural differences. Once again I am not about imposing any cultural value on other people, these are my cultural values and people have the right to learn about others and then make judgement. If those are your cultural values I respect that as well as you must respect mine, because neither one of us has the right to do such due to the fact that we do not know each background or value system. Ms. xochiti, if you noticed I never judged your cultural values, the only thing I did was to give you the tools on how to judge others. You simply continue to make blank statements, without knowing the other person value system. This type of behavior will only limit your reasoning ability when making an objective argument. Yes the conversation is going no where because you decided to make it subjective, that is the problem. You must learn some objectivity.
From: Canada, Toronto ,Cabbagetown,Parliament and Gerrard
spoken like a true air bag as usual
Written by: dagtan, 24 Feb 2008 11:14 PM
From: United States
GC, stop hating as we say here in the states.
Written by: xochitl, 25 Feb 2008 8:05 PM
From: United States
Dagtan - sorry not to have responded faster - I'm sure you have been sitting by your computer just waiting for my next attack - just joking. I do have to continue making the same point over and over again - Dagtan - Are you able to read in the English language? I am serious - I continue to ask you a real simple question - Dagtan - would you allow your daughter to be a spectator at one of your cock shredding social gatherings? And I still want to know if you believe in a higher power? Please Please Mr. Dagtan enough with the "empty words".
Written by: dagtan, 25 Feb 2008 10:45 PM
From: United States
Ms. xochit, if I did not know how to read the English language, then how can I asnwer your post and questions? Please make you point in an objective way without resorting to barbarian ways. Yes, I am at times active on this forum and at other times when I am working on project I disappear for a while. To answer your question Ms. xochiti, about my daughter and cock fighting spetacles. I will raise my daughter to be as well rounded as possible and to be as diversed as possible. The best I can do is to allow her to make a decision on her own and not to forge any preconditions or prejudgements in her value system, since that will in essence constitute infrighment of her own decision making and ability to decide base on what she see and what she knows about that particular culture. I will never bring her to a cockfighting arena, since by doing such I am influencing her ideals at a time when she does not have the ability to say no. It will be the same as if we here in the U.S.
Written by: dagtan, 25 Feb 2008 10:48 PM
From: United States
will talk about not allow our children to go over to a muslim household because of what people of their faith have done to us here. I believe that is a great disservice to pass down our prejudice down to our offspring, Ms. xochiti. Do not make the same mistake that other generations made and today we are paying the price. My daughter has a long way to go before she has the intellect necessary to make these difficult decisions, so my goal is to provide an environment free of prejudices and prejudgments.
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Public health and animal cruelty are not a concern for Lio-nel Fernandez and the PLD. They must get "El Jefe" reelected even if it means risking the public's health. The love the reelection and the "goodies" they can grab, more than the love the Dominican people!
"i don't care if you die, as long as it is after voting for me"
I love San Perdo!
what the UN NEEDS to do, is ENFORCE the laws against cockfighting HERE in the (and I'm being sarcastic) good 'ol U.S. of A.
Mi Hermano lease esto en la direccion de la flecha! obeugamam <=
but I still have fond memories of those times, the food, the noise, the excitement... maybe one of these days I'll step into a gallera again
So you rather us be more fond of boxing and ultimate fighting sports--like other cultures are--in which people kick the crap out of each other or even kill each other?
I know it may be the individual's choice to participate in these sports but that doesn't take anything away from it's gruesomeness and savagery. I feel this has a worse effect on the culture and children than watching poultry fighting. Poultry that would otherwise be served as a cock stew because there can't be too many cocks on your farm, since they possess an inherent aggression towards each other and will fight to the death.
I'll leave you with your own words (with a word replaced):
I think there is something very wrong with people who "get off" by watching two HUMANS rip each other to shreds. Your children will grow up just like you with thinking that this type of violence is healthy. I don't care what you say about CULTURE - this is all about making money but you will reap what you sow.
And dagtan - what a confused person your little one will grow up to be. This sort of reasoning will surely come back to bite you in the ass.