A pissing match has cropped up in the news that Spain’s foremost public network, TVE, has not aired a single bullfight this summer for the first time in its 51-year history. Animal rights activists say its a result of public opinion finally turning against such a cruel sport, while neoconservatives claim it’s another example of “the Socialist government of undermining Spain’s traditional values and identity.” (Oh, they went there.) Turns out both the country’s dirty hippies and fat cats are spouting hot air as usual: according to Time, what’s killed bullfighting on TV is a combination of expensive broadcasting rights, a more competitive market, and a two year-old law banning violence from the airwaves at times when kiddies might be watching. We’re actually glad the little ones have nowhere to turn for their fix; unless, of course, you count cable TV, comic books, movies, the internet, movies on the internet, and the autograph line after a Coldplay concert. (We never will understand the Spaniard fascination with Coldplay.)

Spanish TV Says No to Bullfighting [TIME]
Image [Google]