An inappropriate initiative

Barcelona. – Whilst the proposal to change the law to prohibit bullfighting in the region is still under debate in the Catalan Parliament, the deputies of the PSC(socialistic), PP (popularist) and ERC (leftists) have all voted in favor of a proposition of Law to protect the ‘correbous’ a holiday event that includes bulls. The CIU (nationalist) party, promoter of this shameful initiative, proposes, with the aim of winning votes, to ‘pamper’ in this way the Catalan region of the river Ebro valley which adjoins the Valencian Community, where inhabitants have said they feel ‘abandoned’ by the politicians and where these celebrations are very popular, perhaps because of influence from their neighbours. On the other hand, the position of ERC seems rather strange since in December, 2009, it voted for the ILP (Initiative of Popular Legislation) in favor of suppressing bullfights. Yet now, not only do they vote in favor of the ‘correbous’ but request that are counted as a part of the festival of Catalan patrimony which is a traditional holidays of national interest.
The events include two forms of barbarous and cruel treatment of the animals. One is the so called ‘ bull of fire’, ‘bou embolat’ where a harness is attached to the bull’s forehead holding balls of burning tar that gush onto the head and drive the creature mad. The second is named the bull tugging, ‘bou capllaçat’ where the bull is dragged through the streets by a double rope tied to his head.
Despite the barbarity of these events, comparable to the suffering associated with the bullfights three parties, grasping for a few votes, support another tradition that equally should be eradicated. The only party demonstratinga coherent position in respect of the treatment of animals, has been that of IC-Verds (eco-Socialist) who have voted against this proposition.
In effect, while the question of the ending of bullfighting has still not been decided the political parties are attempting to reinforce their position against a possible prohibition of the ‘correbous’. These politicians are placing the importance of electoral results ahead of their duty as good statesmen. They should be acting on the will and the democratic desires of the overwhelming majority of the Catalan population and not are attempting to gain a few extra votes by pandering to a small section of the population. The majority of the Catalan people are disgusted at these practices, and these short sighted politicians may find themselves surprised at the consequences of their actions. By choosing to act this way at this time and in a way that goes against the feelings of the rest of Catalonia, this initiative is shown for what it is, untimely and out of place. (February, 2010).