Steve is right , the bull is weakend but it never stops being dangerous . For proof you just have to look at Yiyo , he had placed the sword which the bull would die from , but the bull still had enough strength to put his horn through his shoulder blade and through his heart , you can see it on youtube if you want too .
A novierllo I know says " nothing is easy in front of a 500 kilo animal "

I think the barbarism issue is what makes it appealing to a certain segment of society. Probably the same would happen if there were men out there, real Gladiators fighting to the death. You'd probably have the stands full of screaming fans and protesters outside.

Saludos, MadridMan

I have been reading but not commenting, its a debate every day and now in some parts like Catalunya is going to the chamber for a decision to continue or not. Its a shame, it is a Spanish tradition, and you feel Spanish ,you will keep it. As I will.
Once a young rajonero myself at Ventas, and love it. NIce to read so many knowledgable folks about corridas and toreros here, always a pleasure.

I agree with Steve Robinson - I, too, love the bullfights. That said, the art, philosophy & appreciation of bullfighting is a part of Spain's culture & history.

Like all things when viewed in economic reality - if there is no paying audience over a period of time, it will die out (sadly - in my estimation). That economic reality needs no help from groups wanting to ban bullfighting ...

Well following on from MM´s comment¨: though it´s not to the death ... this " cage fighting " phenomenon that started in the States where they really beat the Hell out of each other is an example of the , como se dice , basic bloodlust of many people that´s existed for centuries and especially going back to the gladiator contests in the Roman Empire . I´m not supporting the gladiator contests , just making the point that there´s always been an interest fom the beginning of time to see or experience these sort of contests and that , I´m sure , is where the bullfight derives from .

Though , quickly , I would also add that witch hunts , burning at the stake , etc have also been supported by society in the past and i´d certainly not want to see those reinstated .

By the way . Anybody who has access to the "Times" ( UK ) magazine today , it has a Fantastic 10 page article about an English torero . Really great piece . I`m taking it back to Madrid . His name is Alexander Fiske-Harrison .

Cheers Steve .Alexander has his own blog .
You can read the times article here.

Do you know him Joe ( personally ) ? It might be a nice idea to get in contact with this guy and in a gospel sense " spread the word " ! I´d be interested in doing that .. MM ... what do you think ? It´s contraversial but relevant ,

No Steve I dont know him , just found his blog through one site or another .

I enjoyed reading that Steve - interesting find .. thanks! And I'm a closet Giles Coren fan too :-)