Fighting the Bull

A few days ago, somebody I follow on Facebook posted a link to an article on bullfighting in the LA Times. A matador was seriously injured by a bull and is recovering from surgery.  There was no mention in the article of what happened to the bull; I am assuming that if the bull was healthy enough to keep using, he is still alive somewhere.

As I casually read through the FB comments -- many, understandably, along the lines of  "serves him right!" -- I ran across one that said, "Damn! He should have died.  That impotent animal abuser."

Now, I *really* think that bullfighting is a grotesque sport.  When I was a student in Spain, in 1988, this was a heated topic, with many young Spaniards agreeing that the sport should go.  We talked about it often and I, along with most of the Americans in my student group, chose not to go to a bullfight even though it is arguably something that is distinctly Spanish.

I didn't like bullfighting then and I don't now.

However, I do not think it's appropriate to wish that a bullfighter had died. 

I said as much in the thread. 

The responses I got were fascinating -- much in the same way that a train wreck is fascinating.  You can't stop looking because it's all so unbelievable.

""Normally I agree one shouldn't wish somebody to die, but with bullfighters I make an exception..."

"Given all the bulls this guy has tortured and killed, his death would be a blessing for animals.  Better luck next time."

"When this animal is bleeding to death from his injuries he is either left to die or they kill him...When the bull loses, he gets nothing...but when the man loses, he gets medical care and love. Mess with a bull and you get..the horns! It seems more than "low" to wish this man alive to hurt more animals! More than "naive" to think he will ever change! You keep waiting...I will fight for animal rights!"

I replied to this last charge -- that because I don't want a man to die, it must (implicitly) mean that I don't fight for animal rights.  I do.  Anybody who follows me (my personal page) on Facebook knows that I cross-post listings of animals needing homes, that I follow PETA and the Humane Society, and that I sign petitions to save whales, wild horses, elephants, etc.  I *do* care about animals; the quality of their lives matters!


The response?  A sarcastic, "That's wonderful that you don't wish for him to die. Kudos to you!"

Am I crazy to think that animal rights activists who publicly wish for the death of people they dislike might just have a hard time bringing more people to their cause?  Is it so hard to understand that this man is a product of his culture -- just as we ALL are products of our cultures?  Is it hard to understand that, in his case, he receives tremendous glory for his perceived bravery?  In fact, now that he has survived, he will probably be even more glorified.  Yes, he may continue to fight bulls.  And yes, I think that's wrong. 

Animal rights activists would do well to continue their work without wishing that the people making bad or immoral choices should die.  To do otherwise is, well, inhumane. 

Thanks

I'm loving how adding that little Facebook badge to the right is actually making a difference -- maybe a lot of you were reading my blog all along and I didn't know it, but now I *do* and it makes my day!

So, thanks for taking the time to click that little "like" button, and for leaving comments either here or to me on Facebook. 

It's *really* good to have people to talk to who are attempting (or who have successfully accomplished) veganism. 

The promised "sufficiency" blog is almost done.  That is, it's almost sufficient.  :)

Need a Recipe for Your Non-Vegan Kids? This Worked

It's been, as I've said before, a HUGE challenge to change the kids' diets from, for lack of a better descriptor, "conventional" to vegan or "almost" vegan. We are a LONG way, still, from what I would consider ideal. But we're making progress.

I could mention here that the husband is an omnivore and has no intention of changing, so there's THAT. I take comfort in knowing that I am NOT alone in being in a mixed marriage. But certainly that sends mixed signals to the kids. No way around that. :)

But this week, I did find something that they will eat. And it's healthy. And raw. And of course, vegan.

A twitter friend (@veganRD) gave me a recipe for a green smoothie. The kids, as predicted, showed NO interest in tasting blended green veggies.

Frankly, at their age, I wouldn't have gone near it either. It *does not* look appetizing. And kids aren't known for their vegetable passion anyway.

But it occured to me that if I serve it as a dip, maybe -- just maybe -- they would go for it.

They did. I feel triumphant.

So, here's the recipe. Think "guacamole on steroids".

Smoothie/Dip Recipe (with nods to @veganRD)
1 smalll zucchini
1 tomato
1 celery stalk
1 green onion
1 t. lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1 c. spinach or chard
6 basil leaves
1/2 avocado
1/2 t. white miso

cayenne
salt

Blend (with some water to make a smoothie; without to make a dip).
Enjoy!!