Fighting Bettas?

[Synirr]

I think outlawing the practice in Thailand would be ludicrous, it would be like outlawing bullfighting in Spain.

Betta fighting IS illegal in Thailand, really. You can obtain a license to set up a betting house in which betta and cock fighting take place, but ironically, no betting is allowed in the betting house. There are also a number of restrictions on how the house is operated. Obviously, the whole point of betta fighting being to earn some money on your well-bred and trained winner, most betta fighting that takes place in Thailand is of the illegal sort.

 

[jollysue]

So is it illegal or licensed, like prostitution in Nevada?

When I posted that, I was wondering if bull fighting is still practiced in Spain as it was. The treatment of the bull in Mexico has been legislated long ago.

 

[Synirr]

It is legal, but only in a "betting house" where no bets are taking place. Not much point in fighting them if you can't bet though.

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

Come to my country everything is legal

 

[Shelly_Otterkin]

Come to my country everything is legal

LOL So true!

 

[jollysue]

I've got to say, every time I think about Betta fighting and betting in Thailand I think of Christopher Walken in the Deer Hunter. There is a sense in which it seems based on an element of brutality to me. Some sense of power over life and death seems involved in blood sports. It is admittedly present in Bull Fighting--very elemental and mythic.

 

[happyannie]

In those who've enjoyed hunting for game over the years, there seems to be the same mystical element to it--feeling at one with nature. I personally couldn't shoot anything but recognize it must go on as here at least there aren't so many predators to keep a natural balance and we humans are busy overbuilding habitat. Richard K Nelson wrote a great series of books about hunting, aboriginal peoples and a really great one about deer.
http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/080505530...glance&n=283155

The deer book gives a person a new look at this union and hunting in general--also everything you ever wanted to know about deer.


http/www.amazon.com/gp/product/067973686...glance&n=283155



Just a plug for one of my fave authors and further reading on this perspective.

 

[jollysue]

[Personally, I prefer gardening and hiking for my oneness with nature.--she whispered]

 

[lisie]

[Personally, I prefer gardening and hiking for my oneness with nature.--she whispered]

Same. I must say that I never quite understood why people like hunting because "they enjoy nature." No offense to any hunters, I don't think hunting is -wrong-, I just think that that reason for hunting is kind of weird and doesn't make much sense to me.

BTW, I find it impressive that this thread has reached 3 pages and hasn't been locked yet. Good job y'all. *pats everyone's heads*

 

[Pugbrat]

Come to my country everything is legal

... *sigh*

 

[ajbettle]

how cud u watch lovely fish like bettas fight till there both ragged and dieng.. i find it a bit sick

 

[happyannie]

[Personally, I prefer gardening and hiking for my oneness with nature.--she whispered]

Yeah jollysue I know exactly what you mean....for me spilling blood would be an extreme act only done as a matter of self-protection or for others and even then it would be so difficult. The cycles of nature are such that it's some die so others can live and this includes plant life and single celled animals. We live in a universe where everything needs fuel to survive. We participate in this too but it's been cleaned so we aren't as in touch with the process. I can't eat the fish I catch but I can buy it frozen from the store and feel more comfotable about it. The point that Nelson makes among others is that he feels closer to the process by participating in it in a more direct manner. Mind you, he's spent alot of time living among native peoples in Canada and Alaska and been able to eat their delicacies we'd become sick at the mention of.
But yeah, I'll stay out in my garden and enjoy my hikes thank you.

 

[jollysue]

tetra-man2: that sounds suspicously like a moral judgement of others' mental health. Be sure your posts are "I" messages in this thread. Something like "I get a little sick at the idea of fighting Betta" would be more appropriate.

Making an informed opinion (as that is all we can give here--opinions) that helps us all to broaden our perspective and not get the thread closed is the theme of the thread now I think. If people think they will be judged, they will not post or will post inappropriately. Then it will be a shouting match or be one sided, and it will be be closed.

lisie will have to stop patting our heads, and wuv will have to exercise her mod authority.

Personally, I don't want anyone posting something negative about me or my world view ("moral bigot," "American imperialist"), either.

Actually we have hijacked this thread in order to have an indepth discussion of different opinions and world views.

 

[happyannie]

I think we're discussing the heart of various viewpoints in depth rather then from a strictly moral viewpoint (good or bad-wrong or right) which to me anyways is much more enlightening in the long run. I love discussions about nature and what is at the core of the workings of it......how various people see their roles in society and nature...fascinating stuff. Requires alot of reflection which I enjoy doing at my leisure--which is where the garden comes into the picture. I like to assume the goodwill of other cultures and individuals and try to get an idea of what makes them tick....

 

[lisie]

lisie will have to stop patting our head, and wuv will have to exercise her mod authority.

happyannie: I've never thought about it that way. That does make more sense. Unfortunately, though, I sincerely doubt that most hunters think about what they're doing that way.