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Originally Posted by horseofcourse
IN all honesty, I don't think it's all that bad. I don't agree with it, but lets get real, just as we may rip these guys to shreds, there are those who think horse racing is barbaric and cruel and in many ways it really is, yet we'll respond in ways that Portis is responding to dog fighting detractors. We drug these animals mercilessly, perhaps cruelly at times simply so we can bet on them. Many die needlessly for our enjoyment. And this is a whole lot different than dog fighting how?? If Portis grew up with dog fighting, I really can't criticize him that much for thinking as he does. I certainly enjoy horse racing , but I can't help thinking how cruel it is often. IF I take drugs it is my choice. These horses have no choice.
Let the ripping and shredding of me commence!!!
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No ripping but I disagree. As a long time PETA member and someone who worked for years in horse rescue, I've seen the dark underbelly of racing...there are folks who should be banned from the sport as they don't give a damn about the welfare of the horses, I could spend days relating horror stories...that said, most folks in the sport love horses and really do care about them. I'm not talking about degenerate gamblers who only see a number and care only if they cash or not, but I worked on the backstretch, it's a tough life, dirty, long hours, little money...you only do it if you love horses! Anything that involves people has it's share of bad folk but, as a whole, I think people who work in racing with the horses are among the best people I've ever met. The object of racing isn't cruelty, it isn't torture, it isn't totally disregarding the preciousness of life...dog fighting, coc-k fighting, bull fights are all human perversion. They are in no way the same as racing. And...they are against the law. Portis and his like don't get that...I worked in the prisons for ten years, I heard it every day, "Other people do it, it isn't fair that I'm being punished" That is a morally bandrupt point of view...we all have free will, we make our own choices and we are each responsible for our actions. A dog isn't property, neither is a horse, chicken, cow or any animal...they are living beings and their lives are sacred. Man has dominion over the animals, we eat meat and use their hides but we have no right to torture them or kill them simply for enjoyment. It is a fact that kids who torture and kill animals often go on to exhibit extreme sociopathic behavior...an early warning sign of a budding serial killer is his/her killing of neighborhood pets. This isn't just some unimportant entertainment or cultural
issue...this is serious stuff!