St. Maarten Private Eye

Laviest - Cockfighting is Cultural.

Cooking over a wood fire used to be traditional and cultural, but progress bought us alternatives. Jumping off boats to catch coins tossed by cruise ship passengers at the harbor used to be traditional and some might say almost because cultural, until it was decided that it's not only dangerous, but also gave an impression of an island of beggars. Until recently we didn't have to wear seat belts, could those who get fined (are any?) not claim that their right not to wear one is traditional or cultural?

I suspect some of those who fought against emancipation and the end of slavery claimed that their right to own slaves was traditional and cultural, thankfully there were others who were brave enough to fight and struggle and as a result, move the human race and it's moral zeitgeist forward.

Today O & C - Cockfighting - 11th April 2008
Laveist opposes cockfighting ban - 11th April 2008

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Many countries that had bullfighting as a tradition and culture have now banned it and the UK banned fox hunting, all realizing that more and more people in the world are considering the infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering on animals unacceptable and a sign of an unhealthy mind. Doesn't Laveist watch
the news? The outrage at, and the fall from grace of, Micheal Vick should give some indication of how cruelty to animals is seen, shouldn't it?. The Zeitgeist has moved on Louie, catch up mon! There is not difference between a chicken and a dog, they both feel pain and they both suffer distress and suffering when made to fight for the pleasure of ignorant and twisted minds. Are you really in that camp?

"It's only chickens" they will say, but that is not the point. The point is that being part of what is basically torturing living creatures that feel distress and pain shows a lack of empathy and compassion for life and towards causing pain in general. Just like with the brothels and casinos, cockfighting attracts mean, cruel and hard people, the sort you don't want to get on the wrong side of or make an enemy of. They won't come at your with words or a lawyer, they will use more 'traditional and cultural' means of retaliation.

Which is why I fully support Monique Hoffman, ARF, Animal Welfare Foundation and any others who stand up to insist that causing unnecessary and cruel pain and suffering on animals, whether it be for gambling or just for fun (sic) be a criminal offense.

St. Maarten/St. Martin (?) - 1950's

Draft Animal Regulation Ordinance - English
Draft Animal Regulation Ordinance - Dutch

Poor Louie doesn't really get it, he doesn't really understand or comprehend the meaning and reasons for banning cruel sports like cockfighting, and he certainly comes across as being clueless about culture and tradition. Just because we did something for a long time doesn't make it right or a good idea to continue doing it. Especially when it is a proven scientific fact that those who have no problem with, or even find pleasure in seeing or making animals suffer, are more likely to deal with fellow human beings in a similar manner.

Sometimes we have to let those 'cultural and traditional' things behind and to the history books, Louie. Cockfighting is one of those things.

Fuzz Buzz

Animal Welfare | Heritage and Culture | Fuzz Buzz's blog | 15 comments | read more