CIRCUS OR NOT...IS IT TIME TO BAN THIS TRADITION?

Nowhere has there ever been a person who loves the circus more than I. I loved it as a child and my children grew up adoring the circus each year. From Ringling Bros. to the Shrine Circus and all the little tent circus' along the way; Kelly Miller and even smaller.

My oldest son moved back home to Louisiana about five years ago after living in northern California for ten or so years and could not shout his opinions on the circus and the treatment of circus animals in general loud enough. But I secretly thought "yep, he's become a tree hugging protesting/activist of all things he once loved". But I have thought much about it and have done lots of reading and this morning upon opening the paper this ad and article was on the front page of our paper. Now while I've never been a staunch supporter of PETA and mainly because they generally try to poke their opinions waaaaaay far down our throats, I still believe their message is a good one and it sickens me to even think of it as a possibility that these animals must endure the treatment they're reported to withstand in the name of a buck to be called entertainment.



Who would not love watching smart animals do tricks and perform gracefully and especially wearing costumes. But aren't there other means by which our children can learn about animals? Aren't there so many other wholesome forms of entertainment out there to participate in.

Look how long it took to abolish slavery. Aren't these helpless animals enslaved? While I never wanted my blog to be a forum for my political and social opinions I just felt compelled to get this off my chest and put it out for whomever may pass this way to at least consider.

This is part of the article I copied from The Shreveport Times if you're interested and if not...............hey sisters, it's still all good. Right? Luv ya all each and every day!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has put up a billboard off of Interstate 220 in Bossier Parish protesting the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which is coming to Bossier City in May.

Anyone who looks at the heartbreaking photos will see with their own eyes how bad Ringling's abuse of elephants is," PETA Director Debbie Leahy said in a prepared statement. "We hope parents will realize that if their kids love animals, the last place that they should take their children is the circus."
The billboard, which shows a picture of a struggling and tied-up baby elephant, is located on the west side of Interstate 220, near exit 17A, facing south. It is accompanied by the words: "Tied down, beaten, and electro-shocked." The billboard encourages people to boycott what PETA calls "Ringling Cruelty."
Ringling Bros. will be in Bossier City from May 6-9 at the CenturyTel Center. PETA claims that among other tactics, circus personnel use electric shock prods to train their animals. No identifying features on the elephant on the billboard show the animal was a Ringling elephant.
"Here's the thing about their (PETA's) thoughts," said Melinda Hartline, a Ringling spokeswoman. "They want to tell the general public what to wear, where to eat, where to spend their entertainment dollars without regard to the public being able to make their own choice. We want the public to come see for themselves."

What say you?