It takes an idiot to do certain things, and one of those things is getting out in the middle of a very narrow cobblestone street, say just for example in Pomplona Spain, and try to outrun a herd of frightened bulls that have just been released. For one thing, these bulls are pretty much being herded toward their deaths, and while they might not necessarily be aware of that, they know something is definitely not right, and boy are they scared, and boy are they pissed. At this exact moment, the last thing they want to see is a human being, who they do know, I’m sure, is responsible for their plight.
I’m not one of these overly sensitive types who think hunting and meat eating should be outlawed. I think meat eating in moderaton is fine. After all, as animals ourselves, humans are merely lucky enough to be on the top of the food chain, and meat eating at this stage of our evolution is not only acceptable, it is desirable, and this will be true for millenia to come, doubtless.
Hunting, as well, is beneficial to the balance of nature, so long as it is regulated and done responsiby.
This, however, is barbaric cruelty for no real reason other than the pursuit of tourist dollars, though it says more about the tourist in question than it does the Pamplonans who understandably are all too eager to avail themselves of their currency. Unfortunately, it is probably the only thing that keeps this ancient Spanish city above ground financially.
Every now and then, somebody pays a hefty price. This last time out, one tourist ended up paralyzed from the waste down with only partial use of his arms. And he is yet in serious condition, though his family has hopes that he will recover, due to his overall peak physical condition and state of health. And he wasn’t even involved in the main running of the bulls that transpire on the streets of Pomplona, an event which usualy inevitably results in some participants being trampled, or gored, or both.
No, this person was in the bullring with a herd of female cattle, taking part in some minor event, and got his ass trampled. Well, I hope he recovers completely. These people aren’t necessarily bad people, they are just stupid.
Matadors, that’s another question altogether. I know it’s their culture, the way they were raised, I know it’s their career, etc. But it’s the bulls life, and he is an unwilling participant. Givn my choice between the two, I will root for the bull eveyrtime.
