bajacalifornian
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Pot discussions going on in the rooms next door, seems a good time to bring up bullfighting.
It seems hard to believe that in this so-called civilized age, a most vicious and cruel spectacle of blood continues to flourish in Spain and certain
other countries. Bullfighting is barbaric and should have been banned long ago, as bear-baiting was. It is difficult to understand how crowds of
people will pay money and take pleasure in watching one lone creature - who has never done them any harm — getting hacked to death. How can anyone
with an ounce of compassion, cheer and chant olé as a banderilla or lance is thrust into the animal’s pain-racked body?
If you were my wife, I'd say, "I understand".
I enjoy bull fights. There are favorite ones I've seen, most notably outside of Monterrey N.L . . . a night when you shouldn't let your eyes wander
onto the drug lords ladies. Bull fights are for me, a Luciano Pavarotte concert. Even, toward his death.
I enjoy this culturally significant tradition.
For me, it is on par with painting dancing and music.
I enjoy even the waifs of fine cigar smoke in the air.
Blame it on my constellation of defects.
I make no apology about it.
No graphic photos follow.
This public spectacle in an outdoor arena comes to us from Roman times,
and gladiatorial combat.
Socially, it evolved where it was no longer man to man.
There are theories it was introduced into Spain by Emperor Claudius, as a substitute for human combat.
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The matador quickly reveals his experience during introduction of the bull.
Last nights case, Arturo Macias of Aguascalientes is thrilling. The bull released ripe with anger & adrenaline,
Macias never left his knees during passes.
During passes, assistants "dart" into safe havens. All part of the picture, color and show.
The matador is testing the bull's behavior.
Following this act , the bull is weakened in two ways.
Firstly, two riders enter on protected horses, each with a long shaft.
The rider, or picador, with armament on the shaft injures the bulls neck muscles, as the bull violently thrusts upward, at times forcing the horse off
balance.
Like perfect dimensions of a baseball diamond,
The neck muscle is willing to fatigue when the bull lowers his head in a later part of the performance.
The bull is secondly weakened in the shoulder muscles. Three darts each side.
The bandelerillos perform this dance.
Weakening and further infuriating the bull.
Movement, in the face of the bull . . .
Yah. I get into it.
During the spear and dart part of the show, the matador is memorizing his partner and it's moves.
Finally, left to himself with the bull, the matador performs his dance.
His dance is a display of graceful movement, along with his thousand pound partner. A style similar to Flamenco dancing.
The bull fight "announcer", is every WOW cell energizing. Audiences respect the horn players. Music, is a huge part of the drama.
The opening of a bullfight begins with a tune being played on a trumpet — the tune is the special, signa lure Rifle which characterizes the
beginning.
Arturo Macias. Got an ear for spectacular performances.
The Grand Parade
Here Matadors with their assistants, picadors (riders on horseback), banderilleros, sword pages and mules (animal tows . . hitched to horns).
The sweepers too.
Final words over the loudspeaker were not to miss the next event. September 1, 5 o' clock.
25% off with last night's ticket stub, I'll be there.
[Edited on 8-13-2013 by bajacalifornian]
[Edited on 8-13-2013 by bajacalifornian]
American by birth, Mexican by choice.
Signature addendum: Danish physicist — Niels Bohr — who said, “The opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth.
Jeff Petersen
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Ateo
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I'll never forget my first and only bullfight -- in Mexico City. Shocking to a young white dude from OC. I have always meant to go back to TJ to see
another. Thanks for the photos. I haven't made up my mind on the moral issue. I eat meat so I guess I should shut up.
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bajacalifornian
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Thank you Ateo, for your candor.
American by birth, Mexican by choice.
Signature addendum: Danish physicist — Niels Bohr — who said, “The opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth.
Jeff Petersen
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bajacalifornian
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Dang. I forgot to show you my new poster. Requisitioned from the streets of Playas Tijuana.
American by birth, Mexican by choice.
Signature addendum: Danish physicist — Niels Bohr — who said, “The opposite of one profound truth may very well be another profound truth.
Jeff Petersen
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LaTijereta
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I say "Ole' " Jeff..Great Post..
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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MMc
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I look at bull fights kinda like pot. Who am I tell you what to enjoy or not.
Been a couple time to the old and the new bull ring in TJ, not my thing. I enjoyed when I watch, it but do not see much reason to go back. I would
rather go do something than watch most things, same with most sports.
I hope you enjoy your next one.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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mtgoat666
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Well, I suppose if you like watching animals get killed slowly, then you go for it.
I would prefer a more fair match, perhaps hand to hand combat with a lion, a game where the animal has a fair chance to kill the human
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David K
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Tecate's Stomplanada, 1980-ish
Here the bulls were invited to get even with the people that ran with them!
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DENNIS
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Big Hemmingway fan, are ya? 
There are other events that strike me as barbaric.....boxing, and much worse, this ultimate fighting sheit.
But...for me....the most egregious is dog fighting. That makes me murderous.
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SFandH
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I went to a TJ bullfight. I was affected negatively by the first couple of "fights" to the death and considered leaving. But after a few cold Tecates
I found myself watching the young ladies in the stands more than the bullfight. They certainly get all dolled up for a bloody afternoon at the arena.
The party after the fights were over in the bullring lobby area was fun too. 
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bajajudy
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If you want to understand the culture of bullfighting, I would suggest that you read Michener's "Mexico".
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SFandH
The party after the fights were over in the bullring lobby area was fun too.
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It used to be fiesta time at the Foreign Club if you wanted to toss a few with the matadors and their entourage, but that was around eight wars ago.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajajudy
If you want to understand the culture of bullfighting, I would suggest that you read Michener's "Mexico". |
The subject matter probably is the reason "Mexico" was one of his less successful efforts.
I enjoyed it.
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vgabndo
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My experience, comparing the two experiences, is that Cannabis use is almost always victimless. Bullfighting, purposefully, ends in the loss of a
creature's one and only shot at life on earth.
In my judgement, LIFE to those who get to live it, is more valuable than any culturally developed de-valuation of living.
I'm with whoever said, they should put a creature in the ring with the murderous thugs in their pink stretch pants, who has a 50/50 chance of putting
a 'win' in the other column for a refreshing change. (just look at the arrogance and posturing demonstrated in the photographs, when they aren't
hiding from the competition.)
With all the other distractions available to a human, is there really any excuse for 'entertainment' that requires an innocent creature to die?
(slowly)
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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willardguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by soulpatch
I would be open to seeing one. It's interesting and it also seems to be on the wain.
I am not long enough in Mexico to pass judgement.
Now midget wrestling.... just had a show pass through town recently.
Go figure. |
now you knew this was
coming!
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