Thanks for your comment. It's clear that you've put a lot of thought into these issues. I admire your point of view - you have your own stance, but aren't bogged down to the point where it's become an ideology which you want to foist upon others. If only more people were like you and viewed their own opinion as a guiding principle in personal behavior, then the world would be a more open, less divisive place!
I've never been into rodeo or bullriding either. My wife is mad keen on horse-riding and all things related to farm-life. I can take it or leave it, but I do admit that I was excited to go because it's something I'd never experienced. Now I have experienced it, I don't think I would go again. Not because of the moral issues, but rather, because it's something I only need to experience once in my life.
It must have been tough avoiding the Rodeo in Calgary, what with the Stampede. My wife and I were there last Xmas, and even though it wasn't Stampede season, every tourist-related area was still plastered with Stampede-related paraphernalia!
Ahhh the corporate spiders weave a tangled web, don't they? Keeping people unhealthy is in their interests - they can then feed us ever more low-quality food, and then ply us with pharmaceuticals when we get sick!
Interestingly no one ever seemed too worried if I did not want to go to the rodeo or take part in that side of things. I think a lot of bonafide cowboys (working cowboys) might not be all that into rodeo either. There were so many other ways to get involved and enjoy community.
I haven't met enough bona-fide working cowboys to know whether or not they are into the rodeo, but that may very well make sense. I was looking up one of the champions of the PBR Australia, and the guy is a drilling engineer.
The rancers tend to be over in the 4H club.