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10-29-2015, 06:04 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-29-2015, 06:06 PM by LPC.)
It would appear that this amendment vote, while a very positive move, still has to be approved by finance ministers, who seems to have the last say:
(From the article Catherine cited)
"The Parliament’s report will now be sent to the Finance Ministers of the 28 EU Member States, who will have to reach an agreement with the European Parliament with respect to the EU budget for 2016 and whether the budget appropriations may be used to subsidise activities associated with bullfighting."
Given the publicity, it seems likely that ministers will agree to end this subsidy. The main issue, of course, is the terrible suffering caused to bulls during these barbaric spectacles. But it also seems totally inappropriate to finance farming activities which have nothing at all to do with food production, only suffering.
One positive thing about the enlargement of the EU (including Baltic states) is that the new countries do not have a bullfighting history, so are all in favour of its abolition (or at least, ending financial subsidies for bulls to be grown for bullfighting).
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It is a very positive move, and there may be enough weight behind the report for it to mean the abolition of bullfighting. I do hope so. It has been obvious for a long time that it is barbaric.
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We have got used to the word "Matador" to mean something heroic and brave, and rather glamorous, and essentially masculine with an attractive cutting edge.
But the real meaning of that word is revealing; "Matador" means "Killer", from the word "Matar" (kill....kill by wounding) probably originates from Arabic "Mata" meaning dead.
Maybe that's where we got the word "Mortal" from , and "La Mort" in French.
Now it doesn't sound like such an honourable or glamorous profession does it?
I hope Spanish young men will not be glamourised into thinking they will be heroes if they choose this so-called profession. It's better that they choose something else truly decent.
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The Latin word for death is mortem. I think that is the root of the French and English words. I don't know if the Arabic word comes from the same root somehow. They seem similar and yet not. Mata and Mortem are different and probably have very different origins. As you pointed out, Matador would come from the Arabic word. It would be interesting to trace the words.
That being said, I never thought of a Matador as a heroic figure. When I heard the word, I also found out what they do. I don't remember how young I was, but I was appalled. I think I have always thought of Matadors as cowards who kill bulls while worse coward watch.
No one has ever accused me of not having strong opinions about things.
Bullfighting should have been ended many years ago.
I hope this is the beginning of the end of it.
Catherine