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.”
As long as they leave us the time honored sport of Dwarf Tossing...
Gee, just when I was getting ready to book a tour of PR.
Industries to satisfy consumption do.
Such as more land under the plough.
Growing food creates wealth. Consuming food does not create wealth.
Congress bans cockfighting
Does this mean the democrats will be civil to the republicans in congress?
From your link: “Each state determines what kind of gambling it allows within its borders, where the gambling can be located, and who may gamble.”
Thanks for helping me make my point, the feds have no right to shut down gambling within a state.
My thoughts as well.
A question of the chicken and the egg.
Consumption creates the need to fill the need, which requires the creation of production to fill the need.
This is quite a fraught issue in development economics.
The US produces a lot and therefore consumes a lot, or perhaps it produces a lot because it wants to consume a lot. Your call.
In any case, cockfighting requires the breeding of champion roosters, the creation of sometimes fancy venues (there are some doozies in the Philippines for instance), hawkers and vendors, etc. Consider it as a form of professional sport, with football and basketball stadiums.
Hi.
Another PETA victory. Just like outlawing greyhound racing.
In another 20 years hunting and fishing will be outlawed.
BLOAT.
5.56MM
Or southern Idaho, or any place where there are populations of our law-abiding, better than you, or me, immigrants from south of the border.
The federal gov’t protects cocks from fighting but not vaginas from being mutilated.
“It’s not just “savages.”
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It’s savagery. The well-heeled and/or titled are every bit as savage as the most base peasant. They simply have more ways of hiding their savagery.
I think you overestimate humanity.
For the heat Vice-pres Pence has endured because of his belief in not being in ‘awkward’ situations without his wife, I am willing to give the man his due at this time.
He’s not perfect. He may very well be a Prayer Warrior.
Now, if I’d said that about Presidents Obama and Clinton then you’d be correct in your assessment of my view of humanity. LOL
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