Sarah's Thoughts
No Trips to the Circus
Add my name to the list of moms who will not be taking her kids to any circus that uses animals. The idea of making an elephant do headstands or stand on a tiny object is not entertaining to me. In fact, it makes me sick to my stomach. A bear is a dominant beast of the forest … this animal should not be juggling or riding a bike while we laugh and point. Catherine and other siblings who may follow can be introduced to exotic animals at the zoo. Sure, Nolensville Road is not the natural habitat for giraffes, but at least they are cared for by experts who truly love animals.
I eat meat and I’m under no illusions about the lives and deaths of the chickens and cows who end up on my plate. I like the idea of eating free-range meat for this reason. (I can almost feel Nathan rolling his eyes as he reads this) However, I believe there is a difference between using animals for sustenance and training them to do ridiculous show tricks. Perhaps I’m a hypocrite for my own convenience, but that’s my stand.
January 24th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Good for you. I’m with you on the “makes me sick” part.
Poor beasts.
January 25th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Thank you so much for this post. I hadn’t had a good laugh in a while. I’ll admit to reading it twice to see if someone I had missed the sarcasm.
Tell me, please, why you’re so concerned about the animals in the circus, but not the people?
Can I look forward to your post lamenting you will never watch a movie again because of all the people parading around or acting in unusual (gasp-even dangerous) ways?
Mark
January 25th, 2007 at 8:12 am
What a ridiculous comparison! I’ll assume, based on the time of your post, that you were tired and not thinking clearly when you wrote your comment.
Are the people in the circus forced to be in the circus? Or, did the acrobats and clowns join willingly? Are the jugglers and contortionists whipped if they can’t master a new trick? If you can show me that there is an underground circus trafficking ring that is abducting people and forcing them into a life of three rings and a big tent, then I will gladly boycott human-only circuses as well.
And, I believe that actors sign contracts agreeing to perform in a movie. It’s that whole “doing it willingly” aspect that makes all of the difference.
Did you do poorly on the analogy section of your SATs?
January 25th, 2007 at 11:21 am
Hey Mark, how do you think they get the animals to do all those “funny” circus tricks? They physically punish them into submission! Circus animals are routinely beaten and whipped. I don’t think that happens to any of the people who work for the circus.
January 25th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Y’all are great-I mean it. Those animals probably live a better life, with a higher standard of living than 99.9% of their species. Along with those whippings and beating (unique to the animal kingdom, right?), they get regular meals, medicine and love from their caretakers.
I guess domestic animals should be lamented too? I can’t wait to see someone write an emancipation proclamation…for monkeys, seals and elephants!
Keep it up y’all, this is good stuff!
January 26th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I was wondering if Mr. Brown provided that
‘higher standard of living” to one of his own pets?
Mr Brown was probably one of the unfortunate children that grew up with all of the neccesities to survive but denied the experience the beautiful unconditional love given to you and understad how strong the bond can be between man and beast. Kids that grow up with only a fish or a few captured lightening bugs live a life without ever learning to have compassion for the animal kingdom.
Perhaps Mr.Brown should become a little more informed about the treatment of the animals in the circus before venturing into an area he obviously knows nothing about.
I’ll betch $199 in a contest between MR. Brown and any animal,domestic or wild, that he would submit first to standing on one leg and do a little dance before any animal does.
I am thankful for his opinion though. It reminds me that there are still people out there with beliefs like his that allows the circus and there crimes against mother nature to continue. This reminds me I need to do more to educate all the poor souls that go through life so deprived.
iThere are two things that man should learn from the animals. These two things would make this world tolerable.
1. tHE ABILITY TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND A LIFETIME DEVOTION
2. THE ABILITY TO HUNT AND DISPOSE OF THE WEAK, SICK AND DEFORMED ANIMALS.PATHIZING FOR.
I know my wprds may be a tad bit strong, but I believe the abuse animals go through is a strong problem that needs strong measures in order for any type of change to happen.
(plus i have a small resuce where I spend most of my day treating, teaching, earning the trust of the beaten, starved, abandoned and most near death. ) COME VISIT HOOF-N-PAWZ
sincerely,
usmellthat?