Posted on 12/13/2018 5:34:28 AM PST by cll
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Congress on Wednesday gave final passage to legislation that would shut down legal cockfights in U.S. territories including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, ending an institution dating from the colonial era that generates millions of dollars each year.
Opponents of the measure approved by the House said it will have a devastating effect on the islands' economies, noting that in Puerto Rico alone the cockfighting industry generates $18 million a year and employs some 27,000 people.
“We're all going crazy. Everybody is desperate,” said 86-year-old Angel Ortiz, who owns a cockfighting ring in the city of Bayamon. “There are so many people who make a living off of this.”
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello traveled to Washington to demand that the island be excluded, but he arrived too late. Legislators unexpectedly moved up the vote and approved the bill, which already passed the Senate.
Cockfighting in Puerto Rico was first officially recognized in 1770, but the practice was banned after the U.S. invaded the island in 1898. It wasn't until 1933 that it was declared an official sport and became known as the “gentleman's sport” because of its honor-based betting system.
In October 2010, Puerto Rico legislators voted in favor of a resolution to protect cockfights, stating they are an integral part of the island's folklore and patrimony.
Officials warn that the ban will lead to unemployment on an island already dealing with a 12-year recession.
“It is a cultural and economic pillar for Puerto Ricans,” Public Affairs Secretary Ramon Rosario said. “In addition to its cultural value, the cockfighting industry is the only source of livelihood for thousands of Puerto Rican families.”
Sanctuary cities for cock fighting? Based on the disparate impact, the ban is racist. /s(sort of)
I saw my first bullfight in Seville in the summer of 1959. Our guide told us that summer is the time for the rookie matadors to perform since the main season was over and the bulls were too old to put up much of a fight. Even so, the place was packed. After the last fight, our guide led us through an interior corridor on the way to the parking lot and showed us the rooms where Spaniards were butchering the bulls. He said that all the meat was distributed to the local poor. As a 12 year old, I thought that was a good thing.
This was the first thing that came to mind LOL!
GMTA!
If the muslims want to mutilate genitals, they ought to cut the head of penis off too
In a word: gambling.
Why is ANY of this the feds' business?
On acid?
Consumption does not increase wealth.
Have they asked “Spartcus” his opinion on this? (Can’t think of his name).
I remember back in the 60's when the Wide World of Sports would televise bull fighting from Spain. As a kid I never gave much thought to it......
Then back around 1984 my family vacationed in Acapulco. While there, we decided to watch the weekly bullfights they had in a local arena. Halfway thru the first fight, I had to get out of there. There's nothing glamorous about bull fighting, it's just plain slow and torturous butchery of a defenseless animal.......
How about transsexual hen fights? Pump them full of testosterone and let them fight.
1966.
In Monterrey, Mexico.
I saved the acid for 1970.
Now if it was a MUSLIM thing, that would be different.
That was my first thought.
Au contraire, dude. For a primer...
See my link below. AFAIK, there are no federal laws reading animal abuse, so the Feds will come at this using gambling. I don’t have a problem with that.
Totally agree with you. A throwback to the Roman Arena.
Hate people who abuse animals and children.
I meant above. My link at reply #55.
Case in point, guys...
Another attack on private property. Hunting, fishing, riding horses, will fall in time.
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