by Glenn Caron

Created on: July 04, 2008   Last Updated: July 05, 2008

Before I begin, I want to make something abundantly clear: I am not, in any way, shape, or form, some animal-rights whacko who cries when passing by the butcher counter at the supermarket. I love meat - chicken, steaks, hamburgers, jerky, you name it. I've hunted and skinned animals, even cute ones that have been featured in Disney movies, complete with their own song and dance numbers. Killing animals doesn't bother me.

That said, I don't know why people get all excited about the running of the bulls. Just because a famous author wrote about Spaniards teasing domestic farm animals doesn't make it a great thing. It's stupid. What person in their right mind runs in front of 1,000 pounds of pissed-off beef? Plus, come on, it's male cattle, not the most cunning of creatures. Run in front of an angry grizzly bear if you want to impress me.

If they just did the running of the bulls and then let the animals go back to their pens, that would be one thing. All these bulls are destined for the bull "fighting" arena, where the brave matador only appears after the bull has lost most of his blood volume and is weak from blood loss after having darts and spears stuck in him. If it's a fight, why doesn't the bull go free if he manages to kill his tormentors? We've all seen footage of matadors who zigged when they should have zagged and ended up getting the business end of the horns. I have little sympathy for these guys - it must be REAL brave to run around in pair of really tight pants and stab a bull that's already bleeding with a sword.

I've killed animals, but I didn't do it as a public spectacle to prove what a macho guy I am. I eat what I kill. I try to use as much as possible. In a way, it's a sign of respect, the same way Native Americans viewed hunting. Plus, I shoot it with a rifle or shotgun and not toy with the animal by sticking pointy weapons in it first, inflicting as much pain as possible before dispatching it with a sword hidden under a cape. The bullfighting arena smacks more of the Roman Colusseum, something being killed in the most brutal form imaginable to the screams of a howling mob. It speaks to a very disturbing facet of human nature - it's not enough the beast dies, there has to be a show, too. I know the whole thing is some kind of religious festival, but I'm sure there are better ways to celebrate than this. Have a Church picnic, street festival, something.

Learn more about this author, Glenn Caron.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.