Is it OK to start a new Whoopi/Vick thread?

[AnnInLa]

I was trying to read the other thread/posts, but I got confused, so sorry to the other OPer, but can I please start another thread?? Just want to tell what I know about the subject:

Here in the rural, deep South, dogfighting and rooster-fighting are customary activities among certain groups of people. That sounds so elitist to say, "certain groups of people," but let me explain. During the Great Depression, in the South, most poor people couldn't afford any entertainment whatsoever, so the "cracker," "hillbilly," "blacks," and other poor groups used dogfighting and rooster fights for entertainment....usually groups of men, but sometimes women and children too. Jugs were passed around and small bets were made. Evident in the crowds were well-dressed men, in suits, obviously from the "higher class" there slumming and also drinking and making bets. Getting their jollies from the low-class version of entertainment, so to speak. I know this because my grandfather, who had participated, told me all about it many years ago.

All of my life, I have seen evidence of the dogfighting and "chicken fights." I have even attended the "chicken fights," but not dogfights. I was repulsed, of course. I have known many non-poor people who attended these events to "slum" and brag about it. One of my sons got involved with the dogfighting group locally when he was living with a girl whose brothers trained dogs (pit bulls) for the dogfighting circuit. These Boudreaux dogs are highly prized and are shipped all over the world and demand huge prices. Mr. Boudreaux and his sons made a fortune with raising, training and fighting dogs...they were busted last year in a federal raid. There is a whole culture of dogfighting (and rooster fighting) here in the deep South, with people making money by raising the dogs and selling them, with people who sponsor the venues for the fights, with the gambling. There are published reports of which dogs are fighting well, which dog-breeders are doing what with their breeds, upcoming events...all "underground" of course. People follow the dogs, their owners and trainers like other people in the U.S. follow the horse racing activities. It is a huge, commercial activity here.

Are these people soul-less? Of course.

But, it does exist, and Whoopi knew it. I don't think she was trying to excuse Vick anymore than I am trying to excuse Vick here. She (and I) was trying to explain that this criminal, uncaring culture does exist, and it is a culture that someone can be raised in and be desensitized to.

Thx for listening.