Ole, ole for the children

June 2, 2007 5:00 PM

Little matadors. Bullfighting now comes in all ages.
posted by dov3 (12 comments total)

See, the thing is that I'd have no real problem with bullfighting if the bull got an even chance. If the matador died in 50% of the matches it'd be gruesome, but fair.

As it is, a bullfight is just an elaborate way to torture an animal to death at no real risk to the bully in the fancy costume. I'm unimpressed.

The whole thing sounds like a "sport" for sadistic losers.
posted by sotonohito at 5:24 PM on June 2, 2007

Meant to add: I know that matadors are injured and occasionally die, but not nearly as often as the bulls are injured and die. Its risky, but not as much so as people want to think it is.
posted by sotonohito at 5:26 PM on June 2, 2007

Look at the cute widdle bull!

And I agree that more risk would make it a better sport. More like the running of the bulls, y'know?
In before animal rights shitfest.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 5:39 PM on June 2, 2007

sotonohito, I agree. What I meant by posting this was that now even a 10 year-old can do it (and it does not make it cute).
posted by dov3 at 5:47 PM on June 2, 2007

"Rafita Mirabal's statuesque pose would evoke a classical ballet if not for the 450-lb. bull snorting in front of him."

Hmm. You know, I think I'd enjoy classical ballet a lot more if it involved 450-lb. snorting bulls.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:00 PM on June 2, 2007

As for kids doing it, while I think that bullfighting is little more than an opportunity for psychopaths to indulge in the torture of animals, it really isn't that dangerous for the matador. If kids can do motorcross, or climb mountains, there's no safety based reason why they shouldn't be matadors.

That said, I think a parent is being remiss in their obligation not to raise a psychopath by letting their kids even *see* bullfights, much less participate in the practice.

Anyone want to bet that the parents who let their kids train to be nasty little animal torturers are the same ones who'd throw a hissy fit over Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction?

Remember: Violence, even torture cumulating in death, is fine and dandy for kids to see and participate in, but if they see a nipple they're scarred for life.
posted by sotonohito at 6:24 PM on June 2, 2007

"Señor, the bull does not always lose."
posted by cerebus19 at 6:47 PM on June 2, 2007

Sorry, just had to say that. That, the story of Ferdinand, and Tom Lehrer's song "In Old Mexico" (For there is surely nothing more beautiful in this world than the sight of a lone man facing single-handedly a half a ton of angry pot roast!) always occur to me whenever anyone mentions bullfighting.

Seriously, I think that it's rather amazing that a way make bullfighting more despicable has been found.
posted by cerebus19 at 6:52 PM on June 2, 2007

I was going to say somehing about Hispanic Machismo being a cultural trait that needs rethinking, but then I considered how similar attitudes prevail all over the globe. So, sigh, never mind.

This is kinda cute, though.
posted by longsleeves at 8:22 PM on June 2, 2007

"I don't know where Rafita's courage comes from," says his father Rafael, watching the boy perform a few cape passes. "But the more we watch him, the more we know he can handle the dangers. As long as this is his passion, we'll do battle alongside him."

I do wonder if the passion is more from the parents than the kid. Some children will stare death in the eyes to win the approval of their father.

I recently moved to Madrid and am quite keen on seeing my first bullfight. I doubt I'll enjoy it, but I want to see it with my own eyes.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:09 AM on June 3, 2007

All the rethoric and symbols of the bullfight are endlessy fascinating

1. the smartness of man against the force of nature
2. the courage of facing the fears, face to face
3. the fluidity of the movement, its theatrical aspect, the colors, the noises and the music

and all of this remain spectacular...yet what is the point of harming the bull and killing him ? Isn't him the 2nd actor of this display ?

Isn't he an actor, even if an unwilling and teased one ? Would you kill an actor after a display , and why should one kill what is substantially a pet after playing with him ?

There are components of bull "fighting" that never ceased to deeply disgust me, which is the inherent teaching that there must be ONE winner and that the loser must be slaughtered ; that superiority shall be asserted by harming others or depriving them of their life. That assumptions are reinforced by the endless , senseless repetition of slaughter.

It's nonsense, it's part of the fact human can do senseless and brutal acts. It's not something that should be hidden, but on the contrary it should be acknoledged and recognized as a behavior enacted by humans. Yet indulging in it would be nonsense, clearly people who like see other people killing people or animals should ask themselves why they like it and if they would like to be slaughetered themselves like that.
posted by elpapacito at 7:41 AM on June 3, 2007

Next time you take a juicy bite of hamburger, ask yourself if you're not just doing it to entertain your taste buds.
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:45 PM on June 3, 2007