Cockfighting has a history that traces back to times before Christ. Approximately 3,000 years ago cockfighting was popular. In the time of Moses it was a favorite pastime. During the time of King Henry VIII cockfights were held at Whitehall Palace. The game became a national sport at one time and exclusive schools were required to teach students the points of cockfighting, such as breeding, walking and conditioning of the game cock. At the very height of popularity, even the clergy encouraged the sport. Queen Victoria in the 17th century banned cockfighting. Today, cockfighting is almost nonexistent. However, in the British Isles there still exists a breed of gamecocks known as the pyles strain of Charles II that is a highly sought after bird by cockers and breeders.

Today, cockfighting is a very popular sport in Spain.

In the U.S. famous presidents who were lovers of the game were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. It was socially acceptable and encouraged for a gentleman to have a flock of game cocks and to be an expert on the sport. At one point, the U.S. became a center for cockfighting activities and events. Cockfights were even held in the committee rooms of the president. It is said that the fighting cock almost became the national emblem. It lost by one vote to the American Eagle.

Cockfighting declined after the Civil War started. I just imagine that there were more important things to do at the time, like rebuilding our nation.

Cage fighting has been a popular sport in the U.S. since the 1800s and maybe before then. However, the only difference is that they didn’t have a cage and people would get thrown out of the ring. If there was no ring, they fought in an open area. I know that this took place during the early 1900s. My father was born in 1891 and he told of fighting without any kind of gloves and fought for money until he was 24 years old.

Cage fighting is also very popular in England, Japan and the U.S. Also, England has ladies involved in cage fighting.

So, like everything that people enjoy, a few decided that it was for them to save the world. How dare you accuse Stephanie of trying to hurt our county, and if you think for one minute that kids in our area don’t know all about the affects of alcohol, you have another thing coming. They also know the affects of drugs, too, but you haven’t put a stop to that. Maybe because it is just easier to work with the alcohol and get rid of it than the drugs.

But maybe you should start with communion; you’re giving minors alcohol and that’s OK?

Ann Clark

John Day