More Voices from the Sidelines...

"circus" (Photo credit: thaiz_mm)

This month Rouster praises two journalists for having the courage to take a look at the "pro" side of the animal circus debate. It would appear that June is not the month to be advocating that side from a media point of view. One year ago back bench politicians voted in favour of a ban on the use of wild animals in UK circuses. I won't go into details about the unfairness of this particular "debate". You have only to consult our list of articles and essays on the right hand side of this blog to see what happened in a so-called democratic country. This is also the month that saw the beginning of Animal Defenders International's ludicrous case against Bobby and Moira Roberts.



First up, we have the very honest sounding report published in "The Guardian" newspaper. The author delivers a balanced view based mainly on personal experience of watching a show. It also cites the legal/scientific history relating to the use of animals in circuses.

Secondly, we have Wendy Tucker's very ballsy general argument for animals in circuses. Tucker's article is very well-informed, particularly in relation to the most vocal opponents of the circus.

When you see the risks people take in standing up for circus, you cannot help but be torn by a sense of awe for the courage of those who step from the sidelines and also concern. Supporting animal circuses brings negative attention from animal rights fanatics who have proven time and again that they are not adverse to using violence and intimidation. The various pressure groups are shameless media whores who rely on the support of celebrities looking for an easy political cause and have done well to use "disneyfication" and the anthropomorphisation of animals to fight their asymmetrical battle. I say asymmetrical, as the "pro" side loses money and time when it defends itself whereas the "anti" side have monetary incentives to fight their so-called "cause".  One can scarcely blame side-liners with no vested interest in protecting circus from keeping quiet. I guess if we need to look for an incentive for such journalist and academics to speak the truth, we need only to remember this regular quote from Martin Niemöller regarding the inactivity of intellectuals in Nazi Germany:

"First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me."

Via: OnlineSchools.org Astley's Legacy was formed to counter the misinformation and propaganda spread by animal rights activists. As well as fighting the corner for circus animals and their trainers, we are here to promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of circus in general, and especially in the country of its birth - Great Britain. For more information please see our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/223570581049199/