An initiative to not promote bloodsports

[alani123]

I recently saw a thread where cockfighting was promoted.

Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 US states:
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/facts-about-cockfighting

Laws aren't always fair and sometimes make our life worse.
But if there are some regulations reducing cruelty against innocent lives it's common sense to follow them.

I know moderators have it in their conscience to not allow promotion of cruelty here. Especially for a bloodsport that is highly illegal in most places.
I would like to put it on record, that if we see something promoting bloodsports we should report it, and expect the forum's staff to delete it.

Let's do our part to prevent crypto being associated with cruelty.

I'll start by sharing this thread I reported:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5528251.0

[KingsDen]

If not for this thread, I wouldn't have known that such a cruel game exists. From the description of how the sports goes, it's just pathetic and needs to be prohibited by a serious country who protects animal rights.
No wonder in the Ann thread above, they advised that you have to visit the site with your VPN to connect to the Philippine server. It was there I knew that the said sports is fishy. I know the forum doesn't promote illegal stuffs. In this case, same cocksport could be legal in other countries apart from US. But if it is widely prohibited across countries, it will be fine BTT admin ban the promotion of such sport here.

[Hazink]

For some whose countries don't see animal cruelty as anything, they won't have anything against such a sport. I have watched a few of those fights, but to some point, it disgusts me more to watch Power Slap, this new trending sport, than this cockfight, watching two grown-up adults slapping each other, which could cause harm to the person's health to be included as a sport, and some few popular and unpopular casinos are offering it now as part of available games to place bets on, which I consider ridiculous.

[Alone055]

I'll start by sharing this thread I reported:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5528251.0

Since the thread hasn't been removed yet, I believe the mods aren't in favor of removing it maybe because of the fact that this forum doesn't only represent the US, but it's a global platform, and we know that the sport, even though is cruel and unjust, is legal in some parts of the world and people from there might be interested in that topic.

I don't know, but maybe threads targeting a specific region should be posted on their local boards. As I noticed, this platform allowing people to bet on cockfighting games is basically for people from the Philippines, so maybe it would be better if it was posted on that local board.

I have watched a few of those fights, but to some point, it disgusts me more to watch Power Slap, this new trending sport, than this cockfight, watching two grown-up adults slapping each other, which could cause harm to the person's health to be included as a sport, and some few popular and unpopular casinos are offering it now as part of available games to place bets on, which I consider ridiculous.

It's not that I'm speaking in favor of the sport we are discussing in this thread. However, I believe any sport in which humans are involved can't be that bad, even if it involves people getting injured, because, at the end of the day, they are doing it with their own consent and aren't forced to do it. If we look at it the way you described it, MMA and boxing fall under the same category as well; they should be illegal, too. However, as I said, humans participate in sports by will, and animals are forcibly trained to do so.

[Sandra_hakeem]

I recently saw a thread where cockfighting was promoted.

....and the people can do whatever they feel is right; including the induction of censored activities to people, just so they can make profit off of it. I read through the post, though I haven't been across any formal advertisement that has a tie-up with animal cruelty, but I couldn't stand this one.

Let's do our part to prevent crypto being associated with cruelty.

I remember having a discussion few months ago about people setting up animals for a competition, but that ended in stuffs like races from different varieties.
Setting 'em up with a bait to get a larger plater of meal until one knocks the other out is outrageous, talk more of creating a site for it.
It could be a cultural practice for some ( I'm not against that) but the fact that it's becoming an ally with crypto on a space like this isn't just right.

[Maslate]

Cockfighting is pretty much legal in the Philippines, and you can see it happening everywhere, whether in big arenas or even during fiestas in different cities and municipalities. Not a fan personally but it seems like this has already become part of Filipino culture, a tradition that dates back to Spanish colonization.

What I don’t understand is why it’s not considered animal cruelty, especially when there are laws protecting animals. Could it be that promoters make too much money, and authorities just turn a blind eye to it?

[alani123]

I'll start by sharing this thread I reported:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5528251.0

Since the thread hasn't been removed yet, I believe the mods aren't in favor of removing it maybe because of the fact that this forum doesn't only represent the US, but it's a global platform, and we know that the sport, even though is cruel and unjust, is legal in some parts of the world and people from there might be interested in that topic.

Too early to draw that conclusion I think.

For some whose countries don't see animal cruelty as anything, they won't have anything against such a sport. I have watched a few of those fights, but to some point, it disgusts me more to watch Power Slap, this new trending sport, than this cockfight, watching two grown-up adults slapping each other, which could cause harm to the person's health to be included as a sport, and some few popular and unpopular casinos are offering it now as part of available games to place bets on, which I consider ridiculous.

Power Slap is quite ridiculous too but unfortunately some U.S. legislators were dumb enough to sanction it as a sport. Now it's legal... It's a great example of how laws can sometimes be against common sense. Now we'll have to wait a few years until the participants suffer catastrophic results for it to be banned sadly. Or maybe that won't have to happen because it has such low viewership that it may die on its own without any intervention.

Cockfighting is pretty much legal in the Philippines, and you can see it happening everywhere, whether in big arenas or even during fiestas in different cities and municipalities. Not a fan personally but it seems like this has already become part of Filipino culture, a tradition that dates back to Spanish colonization.

What I don’t understand is why it’s not considered animal cruelty, especially when there are laws protecting animals. Could it be that promoters make too much money, and authorities just turn a blind eye to it?

If we take a look at the history of the Philippine status quo we'll realize that their interests were never aligned with what people really need in that country. Obviously many things there are tolerated due to the money in such activities that are otherwise harmful to life or society at large.

[Bitcoin_Arena]

Maybe there should be a complete ban on Gambling site promotion here if we are to go by the same logic?

I mean, gambling is considered illegal in some countries around the world, right? Then why not advocate for it's ban all together because it's illegal in some places. Trading crypto derivatives is illegal in the US and some other countries, so the “unlicensed” platforms encouraging trading of crypto derivatives shouldn't be promoted here, right?

What I am trying to say is that the bloodsport thing is more of a culture that other humans detest, while others still practice. Just like other people do Trophy hunting while others consider it as pouching and should be illegal. It's also a matter of perspective.

Sports like kickboxing also appear very brutal to the participants.

[notblox1]

Is human blood and bloodsports not a problem for you OP?
I dont watch or support cockfighting and I dont know how legal that is in other countries worldwide, but we already have bloodsports with humans.
We have MMA or mixed martial arts with UFC as leader that can be very bloody sometimes, same as Muay Thai and other combat sports, but they are legal in most countries.

[FinneysTrueVision]

If mixers and stresstesters are banned from the forum, it does not seem logical that promotion of cockfighting betting would be allowed. Maybe the moderators are waiting on Theymos’ judgement before removing it.

There are also other red flags with the casino being advertised in that thread like the fake Curacao eGaming seal, missing terms and conditions, and a convoluted 10-step process before you can start betting.

[nutildah]

Is human blood and bloodsports not a problem for you OP?
I dont watch or support cockfighting and I dont know how legal that is in other countries worldwide, but we already have bloodsports with humans.

(I've been waiting to use this meme for a minute)

Last I remember our "bloodsports" don't involve sewing razors into the gloves of the fighters.

I've seen cockfights in the wild, and what happens is both chickens bock at each other, scuffle for a couple minutes, and then the smaller of the two runs away, basically unharmed. Whats happening in "professional cockfights" is the chickens are stuffed with steroids and razor blades are attached to their talons. They don't know they are killing each other.

On one hand, they're just chickens. On the other hand, yeah its pretty cruel and fucked up. I dunno. A weird moral quandary for the forum. Given its libertarian leanings, I'm guessing the official forum stance would be its OK to have threads about it.

If mixers and stresstesters are banned from the forum, it does not seem logical that promotion of cockfighting betting would be allowed.

wat

[alani123]

We can't draw a comparison between all fighting sports and cockfighting so easily.
In cockfights the animal can't consent, it's raised and angered only to be pitted against an opponent till death.
There's a reason cock fights are banned in most places but sport box isn't for example.

On the other hand, when cockfighting is a felony in most states, how can we justify tolerating its promotion here?
Like many others said, other stuff like ddos, bank fraud, hacking related services are also banned.

[Ziskinberg]

If mixers and stresstesters are banned from the forum, it does not seem logical that promotion of cockfighting betting would be allowed. Maybe the moderators are waiting on Theymos’ judgement before removing it.

I doubt it will ever be removed man, I mean,  cockfighting is widely accepted in some parts of the world, and at the end of the day, it’s all about personal judgment. You’re calling it a bloodsport, but it only involves animals. What about combat sports like boxing or kickboxing, where actual people have died? The government doesn’t even condemn those sports.

I think this is just how the world works, if there’s money in it, chances are, it’s here to stay.

[lovesmayfamilis]

There is nothing surprising for me. Nowadays, people are ready to bet on anything, and considering that cockfights are a common occurrence in some countries, it is strange to think that we can stop it. It all depends on the person. You don't like it? Ignore everything related to it, the topic, the user, etc. The world has been going crazy for quite some time. Money replaces religions, morals, and everything related to the definition of "humanity". Saying that we are changing the world for the better, for many, unfortunately, already sounds utopian.

[NotATether]

On one hand, they're just chickens. On the other hand, yeah its pretty cruel and fucked up. I dunno. A weird moral quandary for the forum. Given its libertarian leanings, I'm guessing the official forum stance would be its OK to have threads about it.

The best approach would be to banish cockfighting sites to the shadow realm, where basically they get the 1xbit treatment of being ignored by most people.

Except it wouldn't even be as harsh as that, as long as nobody is being scammed.

[UserU]

There is nothing surprising for me. Nowadays, people are ready to bet on anything, and considering that cockfights are a common occurrence in some countries, it is strange to think that we can stop it. It all depends on the person. You don't like it? Ignore everything related to it, the topic, the user, etc. The world has been going crazy for quite some time. Money replaces religions, morals, and everything related to the definition of "humanity". Saying that we are changing the world for the better, for many, unfortunately, already sounds utopian.

Money makes the world go round. Just like seeing those (gambling) sponsorships in sports, they somewhat keep the scene alive. There's always a market for everything.

[Lucius]

I am against all violence against animals and their exploitation for the purpose of mutual fights, but I understand that in some parts of the world cockfights are literally a tradition that people will not give up so easily. In Spain, some people enjoy watching bullfights, which are also popular in some Central and South American countries.

I don't think the forum will ban it because we have a lot of worse things on the forum that fall under freedom of speech and anyone who is bothered by someone or something should simply use the ignore option.

[Majestic-milf]

For some whose countries don't see animal cruelty as anything, they won't have anything against such a sport. I have watched a few of those fights, but to some point, it disgusts me more to watch Power Slap, this new trending sport, than this cockfight, watching two grown-up adults slapping each other, which could cause harm to the person's health to be included as a sport, and some few popular and unpopular casinos are offering it now as part of available games to place bets on, which I consider ridiculous.

You're right about this observation. I've seen this cockfighting and to be frank it's degrading as it can get. How low people can go just to place bets and I also support that such threads should not be welcomed.
 The first day I watched this game "Power slap", I was annoyed because that game consists of how well you can endure a slap and give it till you are declared the winner and I ask that what if you get permanent damage to your tensor tympani and the stapedius? The muscles in your ears? Like you get the money but can't hear anymore and you'd have to depend on hearing aid.
Or your face just becomes too damaged as a result of the game? People can really do unthinkable things just for the money.

[Helena Yu]

Bitcointalk.org is in US jurisdiction, and is subject to US subpoenas, wiretap orders, preservation orders (which would negate the above retention rules), and similar.

I agree, as been stated in privacy page, Bitcointalk is in US jurisdiction, so technically the forum should follow the US regulation. Mixer isn't even completely illegal, it's still in grey area, but the forum choose to ban it.

I don't think the forum will ban it because we have a lot of worse things on the forum that fall under freedom of speech and anyone who is bothered by someone or something should simply use the ignore option.

I think it should be only ban for someone who promote it e.g. ANN thread, signature campaign or other promotions. But, if the users want to discuss about it, it should be allowed, so it's not gonna harm the freedom of speech.

[Zlantann]

We can't draw a comparison between all fighting sports and cockfighting so easily.
In cockfights the animal can't consent, it's raised and angered only to be pitted against an opponent till death.
There's a reason cock fights are banned in most places but sport box isn't for example.

On the other hand, when cockfighting is a felony in most states, how can we justify tolerating its promotion here?
Like many others said, other stuff like ddos, bank fraud, hacking related services are also banned.

Another reason why using animals for bloody sports is because they don't benefit from the wins. It is an exploitative sport that gives money to a person while the animal suffers pain and other consequences.

Some people will say, it's just an animal but they fail to acknowledge that these animals feel pain just like them. Although it might be legal in a few countries, I support OP's proposal that bloody and exploitative (without consent)  should not be promoted on the forum.