The uproar over pitching legends Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal filmed in a cockfight arena in Santo Domingo should remind us that how the world views us is in fact, what we are; murderers of innocent animals for sport.
As a society our respect for animals, along with the way we treat our children, the elderly and the deceased, is the easiest gauge of hour humanity.
It wasn’t long ago when many Dominicans were devastated to see our top humorist, together with its then, and current minister of Tourism, “presiding” over the first bullfight ever staged in the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo.
"I understand that people are upset. This is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic. I was invited by my idol Juan Marichal to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant," Martinez said in a statement.
Prostitution is also legal in, and part of our culture in the Dominican Republic, so let’s hope our leading public figures don’t start being attractions on YouTube.
jorge.pineda@dominicantoday.com
From: Haiti
this is a very interesting article and very controversal. IMO, why doesn't anyone mention the bullfight in Spain,very famous, which is even more brutal than cockfighting. Although I dont see anything interesting in this sport, I dont understand why all the fuss if he hasn't broken any laws. Morally he should reflect on this but targeting this baseball player would be ridiculous. Bill Clinton also commited perjury why didn't he go to jail. Mr Bush lied to the americans about weapons of mass destruction and more than 3k american soldiers have fallen in combat for nothing, why isn't he in a court room. Enough is enough, people should not police the world rather stay within its borders and respect the culture of other people.
Written by: santanar, 8 Feb 2008 10:09 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Ramon Santana, La Romana
Next is going to be an article about the cruelty of a rotisserie chicken. Stop the madness
Written by: Armando, 8 Feb 2008 10:49 PM
From: Dominican Republic
What about making thousands of volts running through a human being's body in the name of the law? What about poison running through the veins of a human being in the name of the law? What about suffocating a human being with poisonous gas in the name of the law? All of these ubiquitous atrocities are made in front of family members of the victim as if justice is nothing more than revenge, as if justice and vendetta are synonyms, as if such a macabre spectacle can compensate the harm done to society. In fact, executions do nothing more than legitimise the crime purportedly done by the convict. What about ´waterboarding´ in the name of national security? It seems to me that the moral code that reign in some nations award more dignity to roosters and bulls than to prisoners of war and convicts, human beings after all.
Written by: Armando, 8 Feb 2008 11:15 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I would rather be a fighting bull or rooster than a farm chicken or cow: at least I would have a reasonable chance to defend myself from whoever pretends to end my life. Have you ever seen the living conditions of your average milk cow? Do you realise how much freedom to move do chickens have in the farm during their life, before they’re turned into poultry? Did you know that milk cows are excessively milked on a daily basis making pus coming out of their udders? The differential of quality of life (before they get killed or slaughtered) between fighting roosters and average poultry is a no-brainer to me. The only way for an anti-bull/cock fighting individual to not incur in double standards is to be strict vegan. I do not like either bull fighting or cock fighting, but it is defamatory to say that their fans just love to watch animals bleed, suffer and die. If it were so, why would they pay loads of money to see cock or bull fights when they can go to a slaughterhouse for free?
Written by: Armando, 9 Feb 2008 12:07 AM
From: Dominican Republic
You know who truly dovetail with the term ´murderers of innocent animals for sport´? Sport fishers and hunters (deer, grouse, duck, moose, goose, elk, bear, bighorn sheep, etc). You know what is really killing an animal just for the sake of killing it? Canned hunting: the majority of states allow it, even New York. The rooster gets the opportunity to neutralise its opponent rooster; the bull gets to attempt several deadly rams against its matador, many times with success; but, on the other hand, reindeers are completely helpless: they don’t even see the rain of bullets coming. What I see here is plenty of double standards, people caring about the dignity of just those animals that don’t end up in their dishes, don’t get poked by their hunting bullets, whose heads don’t end up decorating their study halls or whose skin doesn’t end up in their jackets, belts, shoes and car seats. There are two possible causes behind these double standards pandemic: naivety or hypocrisy.
From: Dominican Republic
I read all of the above posts and have to say that these people miss the point. The activties they mention are also cruel, without doubt but they don't justify our approval of these "Cock Fights". That is in effect what they are saying when they raise these other activities in the same breath.
From: United Kingdom
Well said! Armando, u really went off on this topic!!!!
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Why is all this railing against the "cock fighting", the "bull fighting", the "game hunting", andtheother aspects of animal treatment by humankind being pulicised on this thread?
There are elements within the society which see such demonstrations of social mores, handed down by our ancestors of "hunter and gatherer" societies, as treatment of an inhumane nature. They see the executation of those who have violated others by death as "cruel and unusual punishment", notwithstanding that punishment as being a deterrent objective against man's inhumanity to man. The philosophy of taking one persons life in punishment for that persons taking of another is well documented in the annals of society worldwide and transcends all existing societies today and while we may, or may not, agree with such it is part and parcel of the laws we are require to obey in the interest of our societies as a whole. The laws of God and man are dictated by a higher authority than the individual.
TB
From: United Kingdom
I cant even imagine how anybody would support such a vile and cruel sport. I just feel sorry for the poor animals who suffer in these terrible circumstances just for the pleasure of these sick brainless idiots who think that this is fun!!!
Animals should be protected by people as they cant defend themselves.
So all those who take pleasure out of the suffering of lesser beings please be aware the day will come when the tables will turn and you lets say will get your own back!!!
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
welshchick;
Unless you are a PURE VEGETARIAN, your view on thesubject is,at best, one of GROSS HYPOCRACY since a majority of your PROTEIN comes from animal flesh. And justwhere soes that "flesh" begin as a foodstuff? With the chickens, the beeves, the sheep and the fishes.
For you to expound about the baic foodstuff of all humanity is absolutely ludecrious and without foundation.
If we were to follow your philosophy, we would all wither away in a famine amidst plenty.
TB
From: United States
OK, so we have, HIV, Haitian slavery, prostitution, hunger, runaway corruption in the government, obliteration of the middle class, Iraq, Iran, global warming, companies actually destroying our river beds for $$, pollution, over population, poisoning of our food supply........and you actually think that I have time to worry about rooster fighting in the DR????? Give me a break!!!!!
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
vtclassics;
Couldn't have said it better.
Congratulations on focussing on the assinine attempts and the expressions of hypocracy emanating from SOME posters.
TB
Written by: Armando, 10 Feb 2008 3:21 AM
From: Dominican Republic
TexasBill, 9 Feb 2008 11:19 AM, You posted the following: ´ The philosophy of taking one persons (sic) life in punishment for that persons (sic) taking of another (sic) is well documented in the annals of society worldwide[…]´. It happens that you erroneously omitted a crucial word when writing said phrase. You should have written that the reasoning behind death penalty ´is well documented in the annals of PREMODERN societies´. You omitted the word PREMODERN. ´Medieval´ is another term that could be used to refer to those backward civilisations that still believe in capital punishment. It takes a lot more than skyscrapers, technology industrial clusters and cockfighting ban laws for being considered a modern society.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Armando;
No, I did not "omit" the word PREMODERN from the sentence. That word never entered my mind, as a matter of fact. While we're at it, there are a majority of nations andcurrent civilizations that still embrce the "death penalty" as punishment for "MURDER in the FIRST DEGREE" and for thetaking of another's life in the commision of another felloneous crime.
I don't consider myself as a judge and jury of such actions by the State (whichever that State may be), but such laws are promulgated to be a deterrent to the commision of such crimes against another and not as a social retribution/revenge against the comitter.
Furthermore your reference to "medieval" is misplaced in that that reference is viewed as being the period of history from 800 AD through 1400 AD.
Additionally, Islam still imposes the death penalty in cases of far less violations of Islamic Law. And would you refer to China as being "Medievel"? They recently imposed the death penalty on a business owner for fraud
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
So you might infer that a vast majority of the "MODERN" world still hold to the "MEDIEVEL" philosophy of the deterrence of MURDER and some other classified felonys through the use of the death penalty.
All of this commentary is not to say that I agree nor disagree with thedeath penalty, but merely to point out that you are NOT in the Majority you supose yourself to be in where the issue is debated.
As a piece of sincere advise,,,
Don't EVER assume that you are the spokesman with whom all will agree, else you may just find yourself in the MINORITY side of the question.
TB
From: United States
MEAT IS MURDER
Heifer whines could be human cries
closer comes the screaming knife
this beautiful creature must die
this beautiful creature must die
a death for no reason
(and death for no reason is MURDER)
and the flesh you so fancifully fry
is not succulent, tasty or nice
it is death for no reason
and death for no reason is MURDER
and the calf that you carve with a smile
is MURDER
and the turkey you festively slice
is MURDER
(do you know how animals die ?)
kitchen aromas aren't very homely
it's not "comforting", "cheery" or "kind"
it's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
of MURDER
it's not "natural", "normal" or kind
the flesh you so fancifully fry
the meat in your mouth
as you savour the flavour
of MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
(who hears when animals cry ?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwQcMNMrJNU The Smith, Singer: Morrissey
Written by: Armando, 11 Feb 2008 2:26 AM
From: Dominican Republic
First of all, I have never stated or insinuated that only the US still has today Dark Age punitive systems: ironically, all of the so-called ´axis of evil´ and ´terrorist-harbouring´ countries apply capital punishment. When it comes to punishments, China, many Islamic countries and the US still belong to medieval times. The deterrent effect of death penalty is highly debatable, and many statistical, peer-reviewed academic studies suggest the opposite. I would choose lethal injection over rest of my life in prison any day. For guys like me, life in prison (even ´just´ 10 years in prison) is a stronger deterrent than premature death. So, if the objective of death penalty is not mere vengeance, why are the family members of the victim are invited to such a macabre spectacle? Just to make sure that the convict is executed instead of freed by rogue prison guards? It just makes no sense.
Written by: Armando, 11 Feb 2008 2:43 AM
From: Dominican Republic
No modern country of today’s world uses death penalty. In other words, USA is culturally not modern, unlike Europe. In fact, the absence of death penalty is a prerequisite for entering the European Union, the epitome of modern civilisation. Please, don’t go on saying that I am a US hater: baseball is my favourite sport, Roger Clemens is my absolute idol (notwithstanding current scandals), I am the greatest fan of the New York Yankees, I adore Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, BB King, Tom Hanks, George Lucas and Walt Disney; I enjoy American cuisine (best ribs and steaks in the world, in my opinion); Barbara Bonney is my favourite soprano, etc. I am never afraid of being in the minority side of an issue as I am no coward: I never renounce to my principles just to ´fit in´. I don’t fight for the majority side but for the right side, even if it implies the risk of losing my life for what I think is right.
From: United States
Mr. Armando, we do understand your point, but you we’re never told not to play with the food !!!!
Regards
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Oh, dear me, both Armando and perception have be bawling my headoff over my transgressions.
BooHoo, BooHoo, BooHoo.
TB
Written by: BLANCO, 13 Feb 2008 12:02 PM
From: Dominican Republic
SPAIN, MEXICO....BULLFIGHTING!!!! NY SUBWAY SYSTEM..DOGFIGHTING......DETROIT, L.A.,WASHINGTON d.c .... DRIVE BYE SHOOTINGS HOW DID THISS GET FROMCHICKEN FIGHTING TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
From: United Kingdom
Great article! Mr. gouletcolonial; thanks for posting, it possesses all that the New York Times is famous for: news with a liberal spin to it .
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
you got that right francisco
Written by: jasfalon, 18 Feb 2008 8:02 AM
From: United States
Boxing and Extreme Fighting are legal in the US, and these are the sickest sports in the world. Also the US allows assault and battery in hockey. Ignore the US comments on cockfighting.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
the world is changing belial or jehosophat or whatever name your using to day to spew your rant like projectile vomiting as civilization moves on things change in your case " the dogs bark the caravan moves on " old Arabic expression ..... keep barking C.C.
From: United States
Thank you Goulet!!!
Let's focuse our attention to the Dominican/Hatian border. People have given this article more time than it deserves.
I wonder how many children are hungry right now in the Island?
From: United States
Now there are even people condemning boxing and martial arts? Advancing our conceptions of morality is fine and well, but it is also very easy to become too Platonist and too much of a believer in ideals over REALITY. In the same vein many people seem too eager to forget that conflict and aggression are a part of nature, and that nature is a part of us. It's one thing to be against unwarranted aggression against humans, but the enterprise of removing aggression, blood and pain from all human endeavor is really anti-natural. Armando may have gotten carried away but his and others basic point is solid: in the face of so many problems out there condemning cock-fighting is childish.
From: United States
For kicks:
"Suddenly we noticed barnyard cocks beginning a bitter fight just in front of the door.We chose to watch...the lowered heads stretched forward, neck-plumage distended, the lusty thrusts, and such wary parryings; and in every motion of the irrational animals, nothing unseemly- precisely because another Reason from on high rules over all things. Finally, the very law of the victor: the proud crowing, the almost perfectly orbed arrangement of the members, as if in haughtiness of supremacy. But the sign of the vanquished: hackles plucked from the neck; in carriage and in cry, all bedraggled - and for that very reason, somehow or other, beautiful and in harmony with nature's laws. We asked many questions: Why do all cocks behave this way? Why do they fight for the sake of supremacy of the hens subject to them? Why did the very beauty of the fight draw us aside from higher study for a while, and onto the pleasure of the spectacle?" -St.Augustine, De Ordine (About Order) AD386
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
lets return to the good old days Christians versus The Lions whats the Vegas point spread....... the old thumbs up thumbs down sign will once again mean something ...whos performing at half time
From: United States
Really, what about the killing between them in the streets, its that for sport too.!!!
Written by: LRespect, 22 Feb 2008 9:56 AM
From: Dominican Republic
This is part of our culture like the bull fighting is part of Spain culture, every country has it's entertainment and US or any other country does not have the right to Intervene.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
In Espana I dont recall anyone placing wagers on the bull or his antagonist.....bullfigting could be described as cultural ....it is very dangerous ballet.....exchanging wagers can also be a gambling addiction.....neither one do I particularly enjoy watching..
Written by: DaniDr, 22 Feb 2008 11:11 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
gouletcolonial, I don't normally honour your comments, but your right on this one. cock fighting is more comparable to illegal dog fighting that to spains bull killing. The fact that theres betting makes it a business where we have people wrecking their lives and the underground mafia that grows with this kind of activities.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Thank you you are too kind
From: United States
At least the rooster has a chance to survive by winning. As I recall from my visit only in cases of utter cowardice on the bull's part is the bull spared death. On top of that the bull is allegedly 'fighting' a human (usually multiple, armed, and mounted humans) so if we are going to say one is more or less disgusting I would say that the sacrificial theatrics of bullfighting are more offensive.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
there is no winning or losing in the corrida [bullfight]...it is spectacle.......Whether you believe it cruel or not....
From: United States
So a bloody spectacle is more acceptable than a fair combat?
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
"It is all in the eye of the beholder"
Written by: Perez, 2 Mar 2008 8:38 PM
From: Dominican Republic
OH lala! so much love for DR. This is nothing compared to Bullfighting and dog fighting in other countries yet, they got the nerve to bash DR for animal cruelty. "take off the peck in your eye before taking off someone's else!". Hypocrites!!
Written by: Perez, 2 Mar 2008 8:39 PM
From: Dominican Republic
btw I never approved cockfighting either.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
under the concept of globalization.....Global warming ......green......and P.E.T.A. etc. all these things become the new religions.....and cannot be criticized ...as attached to any nation.....like America,because the practitioners are of many nationalities including Dominican
From: Canada, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Unbelieveable how humanity shows up in defence of animals. After all, humans dying in the streets and back alleys all across the globe, out of site from the same, '' animal saviors '' is not an issue until they have to step over the carcass. These are the same people that can accept the cruel behavior of their chosen sport, (ie... hockey, rugby, boxing and extreme fighting), declare it entertainment and pay to sit in their living room, sports bar or arenas drinking beer and teaching their children the meaning of '' hero ''. These same ''type'' of individuals are quick to judge not just a sport, but the culture and people associated. This gives them a sense of superiority and elevates their sense of '' global''awarness that they portray to the underlings in their bubble world.
Get a handle on the real world and before you judge what is wrong about the treatment of animals in another culture, visit one of your local slaughter houses before you bite into your next steak, chicken nugget
From: Dominican Republic
People just can't leave other people alone! Everybody just can't take it that us dominicans live peacefully and yall have to ruin with drama and stupid reporting!
From: United States
"Planet of the Apes"
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Lions 4 Christians 0......the score from coliseum in Rome 75BC.......the lions were heavy favorites.....but they still beat the point spread
From: United States
danhearty, i believe that people defend animals because, by and large, animals cannot defend themselves in this type of issue. human beings have a choice: they can don boxing gloves and pound the face of an opponent, or they can seek their entertainment elsewhere. roosters and other fighting animals are importuned to conflict without the ability to opt out. i personally see staged animal fights as medieval barbarity, but there are others who see it as entertainment, as is their right. in my opinion, bullfighting is hilarious: some sissy matador, bedecked in ballet tights, taunting a bull, then killing it with the help of enablers. if these guys are so tough, then here is my suggestion: go to a town like Mesquite , Texas, where they grow real men!! enter a rodeo, then get ON TOP OF the bull! lets see how brave you really are, and how long you last before you are trampled and gored!!
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
welcome back dredy...those are totally different types of bulls you are talking about.....fighting bulls for the corrida are very different.from the bulls you are referring {RODEO]...and far from sissy are the men who face them...standing in front of a Miura fighting bull requires tremendous courage,I guess thats why they named a Lamborghini after them... but it is apples and volkswagens....I would not show up at the Maestranza in Sevilla to laugh at the spectacle any more than I would at the Calgary Stampede rodeo..apart from the clowns.......and many consider both very cruel to the animals....The fighting bull faces a man once in his life for 20 minutes.The rest of the time he lives a very good life...the Rodeo bull has those jerks on his back day in and day out.....no choice in quality of life
From: United States
for 20 minutes once in his life, quotes gouletcolonial. well, at least the bulls in the rodeo circuit live to fight another day. they do not get stabbed with sharp objects ,resulting in death: in mesquite and other such places, at least the bull gets to do the goring!
From: Canada, Edmonton, Alberta Canada
dreadlocks... with due respect, my point is that people make such an issue of their vision of who and what needs protection. All the while forgetting that '' people/citizens'' of all countries are dying in the streets, because of poverty, hunger, war, mental illness etc... and they have no viable options. Unless we, as humanity should, focus our attention and energy to aid these issues, this unecessary cruelty to our fellow humans will continue to go unnoticed. Does a wife holding her newborn and huggng her two small children while watching her husband being beheaded have a choice. Let's not be distracted or misdirected by pretending that the food indusry that we support daily, treats our dinner with humanity in their last moments. Take time to visit a local feedlot (cattle), glue factory (horses) or poultry plant (chicken), and your eyes will no longer be wide shut. Read more than the headlines to understand why people are dying in the streets in your cities and towns. Look at the cru
From: United States
Dan, thank you for your well reasoned remarks. i am very aware of the plight of humanity on a variety of levels, believe me. i know of the brutal treatment of animals we commonly use for food, such as poultry and cattle. maybe that is why i am so sensitive to additional, unwarranted mistreatment of animals.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
you are beyond hope belial or whatever name you are using today if you think rodeo animals are well treated...and as a chicken choker you know a lot of this subject correct C.C.
From: Dominican Republic
The issue right now in the DR with the cock fighting is the presence of avian flu. Although it is still the low pathogen - H5N2- it has spread now from Higuey to Pedernales- where 1000 fighting roosters were slaughtered. Haiti has imposed a ban on all imports of chickens, eggs, chicken products - that accounts for more than 50%of the egg production. The government is buying up chickens. And the egg producers have agreed to lower production. There is a grave danger that the virus will mutate, that it wipe out the local poultry industry. There is no chance that international agencies will lift the ban on poultry until there is a 30 day ban on cock fighting - or transport of roosters.
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There are elements within the society which see such demonstrations of social mores, handed down by our ancestors of "hunter and gatherer" societies, as treatment of an inhumane nature. They see the executation of those who have violated others by death as "cruel and unusual punishment", notwithstanding that punishment as being a deterrent objective against man's inhumanity to man. The philosophy of taking one persons life in punishment for that persons taking of another is well documented in the annals of society worldwide and transcends all existing societies today and while we may, or may not, agree with such it is part and parcel of the laws we are require to obey in the interest of our societies as a whole. The laws of God and man are dictated by a higher authority than the individual.
TB
Animals should be protected by people as they cant defend themselves.
So all those who take pleasure out of the suffering of lesser beings please be aware the day will come when the tables will turn and you lets say will get your own back!!!
Unless you are a PURE VEGETARIAN, your view on thesubject is,at best, one of GROSS HYPOCRACY since a majority of your PROTEIN comes from animal flesh. And justwhere soes that "flesh" begin as a foodstuff? With the chickens, the beeves, the sheep and the fishes.
For you to expound about the baic foodstuff of all humanity is absolutely ludecrious and without foundation.
If we were to follow your philosophy, we would all wither away in a famine amidst plenty.
TB
Couldn't have said it better.
Congratulations on focussing on the assinine attempts and the expressions of hypocracy emanating from SOME posters.
TB
No, I did not "omit" the word PREMODERN from the sentence. That word never entered my mind, as a matter of fact. While we're at it, there are a majority of nations andcurrent civilizations that still embrce the "death penalty" as punishment for "MURDER in the FIRST DEGREE" and for thetaking of another's life in the commision of another felloneous crime.
I don't consider myself as a judge and jury of such actions by the State (whichever that State may be), but such laws are promulgated to be a deterrent to the commision of such crimes against another and not as a social retribution/revenge against the comitter.
Furthermore your reference to "medieval" is misplaced in that that reference is viewed as being the period of history from 800 AD through 1400 AD.
Additionally, Islam still imposes the death penalty in cases of far less violations of Islamic Law. And would you refer to China as being "Medievel"? They recently imposed the death penalty on a business owner for fraud
All of this commentary is not to say that I agree nor disagree with thedeath penalty, but merely to point out that you are NOT in the Majority you supose yourself to be in where the issue is debated.
As a piece of sincere advise,,,
Don't EVER assume that you are the spokesman with whom all will agree, else you may just find yourself in the MINORITY side of the question.
TB
Heifer whines could be human cries
closer comes the screaming knife
this beautiful creature must die
this beautiful creature must die
a death for no reason
(and death for no reason is MURDER)
and the flesh you so fancifully fry
is not succulent, tasty or nice
it is death for no reason
and death for no reason is MURDER
and the calf that you carve with a smile
is MURDER
and the turkey you festively slice
is MURDER
(do you know how animals die ?)
kitchen aromas aren't very homely
it's not "comforting", "cheery" or "kind"
it's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
of MURDER
it's not "natural", "normal" or kind
the flesh you so fancifully fry
the meat in your mouth
as you savour the flavour
of MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
(who hears when animals cry ?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwQcMNMrJNU The Smith, Singer: Morrissey
Regards
BooHoo, BooHoo, BooHoo.
TB
Let's focuse our attention to the Dominican/Hatian border. People have given this article more time than it deserves.
I wonder how many children are hungry right now in the Island?
"Suddenly we noticed barnyard cocks beginning a bitter fight just in front of the door.We chose to watch...the lowered heads stretched forward, neck-plumage distended, the lusty thrusts, and such wary parryings; and in every motion of the irrational animals, nothing unseemly- precisely because another Reason from on high rules over all things. Finally, the very law of the victor: the proud crowing, the almost perfectly orbed arrangement of the members, as if in haughtiness of supremacy. But the sign of the vanquished: hackles plucked from the neck; in carriage and in cry, all bedraggled - and for that very reason, somehow or other, beautiful and in harmony with nature's laws. We asked many questions: Why do all cocks behave this way? Why do they fight for the sake of supremacy of the hens subject to them? Why did the very beauty of the fight draw us aside from higher study for a while, and onto the pleasure of the spectacle?" -St.Augustine, De Ordine (About Order) AD386
Get a handle on the real world and before you judge what is wrong about the treatment of animals in another culture, visit one of your local slaughter houses before you bite into your next steak, chicken nugget