Mike Rogozinski's article "Rodeo not my idea of a good time" (May 20/06) was
as witty as it was factual and to the point.

While I'm certain that a lot of those 'drunken buffoons' and 'so-called men'
who actually enjoy themselves at the rodeo would not agree with him at all,
I bet all the animals who are forced to be part of this pathetic spectacle
would agree wholeheartedly.

I know the opinions on this form of entertainment are widely varied, but I
think his perspective on it was admirable and it gives me hope that one day
other 'real' men will finally realize how abusive this kind of dumb
entertainment is to defenseless animals.

The fact that the S.P.C.A. once again showed its presence but no action
shows that there still are too many people in animal-protecting
organizations that do not have the guts to condemn and act upon this
useless kind of violence.

"Saving animals from the slaughterhouse by giving them a good and useful
life at the rodeo", as Ralph Murray of CPRA claims as a preferred option for
farm animals, is a ridiculous claim.

Animals do not have options. I don't know who gave humans the godgiven
right to do to animals as we see fit, but next to being pushed and shoved to
the slaughterhouse, being prodded, poked and provoked at a rodeo is
barely less of an ordeal for the animals.

So, good for Mike Rogozinski, who caused one reader to realize that there
are men out there who not only condemn this kind of useless violence, but
have the guts to express the way they feel rather than showing off their
manhood by beating up a little frightened calf.

Madelon Keij
S.Surrey, B.C.