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The greatest show on earth may not be that great at all
We went to the circus - a performance they also call the “greatest show on earth”. It was nice, really, to experience the circus. Yes, they did have great shows and the performers were awesome. The usual circus fare were there - the clowns, the flying trapeze, the acrobats, the men on stilts and the performing animals. It was fun to watch and we enjoyed it very much. We went to the 3:30 p.m. show. The show was over, so we made our way out to the front entrance. As we exited from the Rabobank we saw the next batch of circus-goers lining up for the next show. Eager to get in, as we were 90 minutes ago. But at the corner of the intersection near the venue were a handful of people holding placards and handing out flyers. We continued to walk, admiring the water fountain fronting the arena. Children were in the fountain frolicking and soaking themselves to cool down as it was quite warm that afternoon. We stopped a few feet from the geysers, took some photos then walked casually some more - as did many circus goers were doing. We reached the corner and saw what these handful of people were doing. It was a small protest group denouncing the cruelty that goes on behind this circus - particularly those made to animals. This is their site. Check it out and get educated. I was not sure what they thought of us or what I thought of them. We just patronized, according to them, an organization that mistreat its animals. After enjoying the show, I suddenly thought, perhaps it may not be the greatest show on earth after all. They just spoiled the circus for me. But that’s just me thinking. 17 comments from 7 users
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posted by
KathyBates
on Jul 20, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Protesters annoy me. If the show was good, then it was good no matter what you think of it now. posted by
mattloch
on Jul 20, 2007 at 11:43 PM
True story: Years ago, my family was driving to my in-laws' house. We drove past a circus set up on Wible, between White Lane and the railroad tracks (the old swap meet area). My wife and I heard our son growling. I looked in the rear-view mirror, and saw him turning red, and vibrating. My wife got very concerned when she turned around and saw him, and she asked him what was the matter. "I want a gun" was his response. We looked at each other. This is not something two-year olds should be saying. "Why?" she asked him. "So that I could shoot them" was his answer. "Who?" we asked him. "Those people." "What? Which people?" "The mean people who chained up the elephants." We realized that he saw the elephants standing outside the circus tent, eating their hay, with chains on their ankles. How do you explain, to a two-year old, that shooting people is wrong? Even if they chained up elephants? That day is still one that makes me smile, and proud to be his father, to this day. posted by
KathyBates
on Jul 21, 2007 at 12:45 AM
Notice: Not for children or weak at heart! Animal cruelty is one thing but when you have an animal show how are you suppose to keep them safe and stay in the area? You leash dogs, whats wrong with leashing elephants? I don't believe that leashing elephants or pen them up is not cruelty. Beating them, cutting, smacking.. thats cruelty. With any animal. When you see a harness grown into an animals skin because it was never adjusted when the animal grew bigger.. thats cruelty. And the following:  http://www.animalwritings.c... /> The lighter side of animal cruelty:   http://www.tinydogclothes.c... />  http://www.pamperedpuppy.co... cannot be displayed, because it contains errors." />  http://www.bbc.co.uk/guerns... />  http://423smith.com/wp-cont... />  http://www.adpunch.org/imag... style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in;" />
posted by
tchudilowsky
on Jul 21, 2007 at 08:27 AM
No animal belongs on a chain. Mattloch, you should be proud :-)
* Bill of Rights for Animals * 1. All animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to existence. posted by
KathyBates
on Jul 21, 2007 at 08:48 AM
So you are saying that you NEVER walk dogs? If you do, how do you walk him/her?How do you bound your animal when he/she is out and about? You don't leash them, you don't keep them in a yard? All animals have restrictions! posted by
tchudilowsky
on Jul 21, 2007 at 09:03 AM
Yes, I do walk them both. (When we are back country they are off leash) But, on our bike paths and such it's the responsible thing to do. Dogs being on a leash, though, is not the same as chaining them up. Is it? How horrible it is to chain an animal. Restrictions for domestic pets are good, fences, leashes and such but if you are speaking of wild animals being chained and forced to entertain boobs then it is wrong. That's just my opinion of course.
posted by
KathyBates
on Jul 21, 2007 at 09:13 AM
As long as 'boobs' pay to see them, they will always be there.
posted by
sagefever
on Jul 21, 2007 at 12:16 PM
As soon as every human being on Earth has all the rights you describe,I'll be right behind you.
posted by
NancyII
on Jul 21, 2007 at 01:56 PM
I suppose people could drive by my house and see my dog on a chain in the front yard and say what a mean person I am. The truth is, when I'm working in the front yard, my (lab) dog loves to be with me and since I don't have a front fence, I put her on a chain so she can stay safe and still be in my company. I have one on the other side of the yard for the hairball so that he can come out too. The rest of the time, they have a huge back yard to run, play, and be safe in. When not on the road, animals such as elephants have pens where they stay. A chain on the leg between performances isn't unreasonable. There used to be a place in Tehachapi where circus animals were kept in the off season..it looked pretty posh to me. During season, they are well fed and kept healthy not to mention that a lot of animals enjoy performing. So where's the cruelty? I'm sure there are rag tag circuses where shady people put on shows, but the animals are their bread and butter, why would legitimate ones harm them? posted by
ceeceehowell
on Jul 21, 2007 at 02:36 PM
I'm not completely sure how I feel about the circus in general. I've only been to one, and I was forced to go then, I have a dreadful fear of clowns. It's not funny, their evil. Anyways, I'm not keen on the whole performing animal thing. Have you ever been to a zoo and looked into the eyes of a silverback gorilla? Or watched the elephants roam on their +/- 5 acres? As amazing as the experience it, it's really quite sad. I like that we have the freedom, (term used lightly) to learn from animals in captivity, but there has to be some limit, right? Otherwise, where does it stop? tchudilowsky I actually kind of agree with you on this one, my only animal bill of rights argument I have is this, #5 I have an issue with this because we interupt the natural rythym of animals all of the time, new housing tracts, country development, all of the things that give us the ability to continue to live, interupt nature's ability to survive and thrive as it did before we were there. And we do it all for gain, we build industries where wild animals used to be. I don't know how we can improve it, but I know that I am not willing to give up my house because an opossum or raccoon want to live here instead. and #10 is kind of the same, how can we survive and thrive with the animals and not interfere, not cause genocide. Pollution is going to happen, never will it not. So does that mean that you, a staunch animal humanity activist is to blame also for driving a car, or for cooking on a stove, or for making trash that fills a landfill. There just have to be limits.
posted by
ceeceehowell
on Jul 21, 2007 at 02:38 PM
And I forgot, anytime you dress up your animal, you should be smacked in the back of your head. The animal cannot like looking ridiculous because you think it's cute. Unless it's cold and you have an old or small dog that needs a sweater. That is the only exception.
posted by
NancyII
on Jul 21, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Check this one out. Even though provoked, it might have saved a life if the elepahnt had a chain on it's foot. posted by
sagefever
on Jul 21, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Right Nancy~I saw that one too,I think legitimate circus..oh I just posted about those darn '..(which Ringling brothers etc etc) is legitimate,take care of their animals.For one they know people are watching,it is how they earn their money,and to some they are their "pets".Plus the event before the show is free~where else are many kids going to get to see an elephant? Abuse should be stopped but to accuse across the board does no good.
posted by
Neverleft
on Jul 21, 2007 at 10:05 PM
Tuchie. Sorry buddie. I like my Bacon, sausage and steaks. What are they supposed to do, wait until the animals die of old age? If you like the circus, go and enjoy it. If you don't like it stay at home and eat carrot sticks. My opinion.
posted by
NancyII
on Jul 21, 2007 at 10:11 PM
All I can tell ya is that if you support PETA you'd better give up all those Big Macs and steaks. I got a kick out of the articles on that website. Animals aren't supposed to be food? Since when? Humans have always been omnivorous. The only time I graze is at a buffet. posted by
sagefever
on Jul 21, 2007 at 10:23 PM
I am not giving up food~which includes critters! Now poking them(animals) in the eye to see if it hurts is wrong,but for me it's people first,then everything else.I know a couple of folks who really like animals more than people(which in some case's is understandable ;-P ) but I do not advocate that,giving up Big macs no problem~touch my fillet ,we are going to have a talk..lol
posted by
tchudilowsky
on Jul 21, 2007 at 10:29 PM
Just to set the record straight on my part. I do not support PETA. They are idiots for the most part. I am against real abuse and actual cruelty against animals (and humans). Beating, starvation, neglect, torture etc. PETA goes too far and well, they are mostly moronic about stuff. I can't save them all but I can make a difference and I will keep trying. I don't go to rodeos or the circus because I don't feel good about what I see.That is my own personal decision. Actually I would NEVER protest. I think protests are mostly useless. I think the attention most circuses get actually make them treat their animals better.
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