Beauty, or a lot of bull?

Re “Rebirth in the arena,” Column One, Oct. 16

It is truly startling to see a paper one day bravely condemn the mass slaughter and torture of animals for meat, only to glorify the public torture and killing of bulls as “beauty” the next. Miguel Cid Cebrian remarks that these bulls die, like all animals one day must. But that is only half the truth -- we humans end all those lives cruelly, much before their time and, most inexcusably, in the name of entertainment.

How little we’ve grown since people watched lions tear Christians to pieces and families gathered to watch criminals drawn and quartered. We should take “human” out of the word humane, because we have little claim to it.

Mikko Alanne

Hollywood

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I was sickened by your front-page color photo of the terrified bull being slowly murdered by the man in the pretty costume. It was equally sickening to read that this man’s actions prompt “accolades bordering on hysteria.” The resurgence of interest in this “tradition” is about as welcome as the return of the Holocaust in Germany or crucifixions in Rome. God help us.

Susan Yodice

San Pedro

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I appreciate your article about bullfighting. I myself am a fan of the fiesta brava. I am also very conscious of the animal-rights argument. Ultimately, I feel that tradition and culture are worth preserving and that the bullfight has an undeniable beauty about it. It is a frightening Roman spectacle, but it is also a ritual that presents certain aspects of Hispanic culture that are undeniable. I am happy that you deal honestly with the animal-rights movement but also offer a sympathetic description of the event and its supporters.

Michael N. Escobar

Peoria, Ill.

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What a refreshing front-page photograph that captured centuries of culture in one split-second image. The beautiful bull with perfect horns charging ferociously, the cape in a classic wave of red and the matador, still and in perfect, calm control -- totally beautiful. My only nit is the writer chose the unfortunate word “torero” rather than “matador.” I have not visited the beautiful country of Spain for 40 years, but this wonderful photograph made me remember that visit and reading delightful descriptions by Hemingway and Michener.

Linda Dobson

Seal Beach