Running of the Bulls - The Festival of Kicking the Bums Out

Well Election Day 2010 has passed, and political aspirations have been decided for some number of years divisible by two.

When I think of politics, I think of bull. There was plenty of that - but connecting the dots of my rather warped thought process, I thought of the Running of the Bulls. I found the following description of the yearly festival on Wikipedia. I have changed a few words to make my point - those are in bold

The Running of the Bulls (in Spanish "encierro," to shut/lock up) [back room deals with live bull] is a practice that involves running in front of a small group (typically a dozen) of bulls [house speaker, Majority Leaders, etc] that have been let loose. The most famous running of the bulls is that of the on the first [Tuesday of November]; although there are others in towns and villages across country. Unlike bullfights, which are performed by professionals, anyone may participate in the Running of the Bulls [elections].

The purpose of this event is the transport of the bull from the off-site corrals where they had spent the night, to the bullring where they would be killed [pundits] in the evening. Youngsters would jump among them to show off their bravado.

Every year, between 200 and 300 people are injured during the run although most injuries are contusions due to falls and are not serious. Since 1910, 15 people have been killed during the event.

Folklore claims the origin was the transportation of bulls in order to sell them at the market. Men would attempt to speed the process by hurrying their cattle using tactics of fear and excitement. After years of this practice, the it turned into a competition, as adults would attempt to race in front of the bulls and make it safely to their pens [offices] without being overtaken. With the popularity of this practice by the expanding population, a tradition was created and stands to this day.

Election Day - I hope you voted. Tell us about it!

Comments

Tracy said…

Ha - very funny comparison! Unfortunately, rather fitting as well.

November 4, 2010 at 1:57 AM

Anonymous said…

Say goodbye to high speed rail in America. It works very well for commuting in urban areas, and urban areas generate over half of American income.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026518.php

November 8, 2010 at 10:47 AM

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