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Nuts!!! Running of the Bulls Begins in Spain [Pic]

foxnews.com — Six massive fighting bulls specially bred for fearlessness charged down the narrow, slippery, people-clogged streets of Pamplona on Saturday during the first bull run of the San Fermin Festival. Animal Cruelty or Fun?

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  • sickswaystop, on 10/11/2007, -7/+21Buried for Nuts!!!!
    • DopeWeasel, on 10/11/2007, -4/+13Buried for linking to a FOX News article. I'd rather not increase their hit count, thank you.
      • jmorgan1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0There's that liberal defense of "Freedom of Speech" that we all love!
  • mrpink.137, on 10/11/2007, -7/+9ugh...my anus hurts just reading it
    • str3ama, on 10/11/2007, -11/+11Running of the Bulls is disgusting, it's animal cruelty - cut of the bull's testicles, then stab the bull with a stick to get it angry. Then release it and watch as a bunch of idiots jump over each other in an attempt to flee from the bull. At the end of all this, the bull gets a sharp knife stuck in his neck and he's put to death by an infeminant man who gets his 'jollies' through this morbid sport (no it's not really a sport).

      Yea I'm in the minoritiy, but torturing an animal for entertainment is ***** rediculous and I doubt anyone would tolerate this if it was a dog.
    • IbnDigg, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Not as much as this poor bull runner.

      http://utopia.duth.gr/~nm4434/owned!.jpg
      • chopenik, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1That boy will never look at a piece of steak the same again.
  • 1laradream, on 10/11/2007, -2/+24Anyone ever done this or something crazy like it before? Back when I lived in the UK I went to Pampelona for the Bull run. Despite the stories of folk who had been seriously injured and a few who had died, despite the video footage of bull mauls, I wanted to run. It's scary what alcohol can fuel. Girls are not supposed to run, Spanish tradition makes this an event for men to prove their 'manliness' to the woman folk. Anyways, I ran. One of those "never to be repeated" events - and never to be forgotten.
    • tomlinwp, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5I've always sort of wanted to ... but maybe with less people ... there's very little room for escape! Congrats to you!
    • Akaji, on 10/11/2007, -0/+5I've known a few people who have - it's about as dangerous a thing as you can do. The people who I've talked to said that they're glad that they did it, but that it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
    • ploke, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I had the same experience. I am so glad that I did it, but I would never do it again. I tripped over someone ahead of me near the end and I thought I was going to die.
    • covertbadger, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I did it a few years ago. It's quite a rush. One day I might run it again, but I think next time I go to Pamplona I'll watch - the spectator sees more of the game.
    • Gerz1219, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I did it last year. It's quite safe all things considered; the bulls really don't want to gore you, they just want to run in a straight line into the arena. The most dangerous part of the run actually occurs in the arena, when they lock away the dangerous bulls and let loose a bunch of tame steers with corks on their horns to knock the tourists around a bit. I was in the arena with the unfortunate young man from upstate New York, referenced in the article, who got knocked up into the air and landed on his head about thirty feet away from me. Afterwards he was conscious, but just couldn't move his body, so other bullrunners around him had to pick him up and throw him over the arena fence so the doctors could get to him. Bad stuff, but it was quite a rush to get out of there.
  • asjk, on 10/11/2007, -10/+31Buried for being biased. It's Fox News and they didn't show running of the Bears. You see Fox likes to portray the current Administration in the best light so they favor a robust depiction stock market icons and...oh never mind.
  • tomlinwp, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I would like Reuters (or another news service) to broadcast the entire daily running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival!! When I was in Spain it was a great live broadcast.
  • geekchic, on 10/11/2007, -3/+25In a world which is becoming more risk-adverse and keen to sue over stubbed toes on pavements - its good to have a bit of total anarchy for those who don't fear the papercut of life.
    • carpespasm, on 10/11/2007, -2/+7agreed, i've seen where most malls will put gaffer's tape over cracked tiles on the floor, not sticking up, not in any way possible for you to somehow get hurt on it, but they still have to put bright tape over it so you don't somehow kill yourself with the floor.
    • spyrochaete, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Is it really the world that is becoming more keen to sue? Or just one country?
  • Unclickable, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4that's from 2006
    http://yuxt.com/videos/121724
  • MSeven, on 10/11/2007, -3/+48Spain: Running of the bulls
    Germany: Driving without speed limit
    USA: Guns for everyone
    • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -6/+41Spain: 0,16 deaths per year due to running bulls
      Germany: 5000 deaths per year due to traffic accidents
      USA: 30000 deaths per year due to guns
      • geekchic, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Now convert those stats into population percentages to take into account the fact that there are more people in the USA than in Germany.

        (Yes, I still expect Amercian guns to outclass German motoring accidents)
        • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -3/+24Ok, I can do it per capita, then it looks even worse for the US. :-)

          Traffic:
          Spain: 68 death per million (that really surprised me)
          Germany: 61 deaths per million
          USA: 133 deaths per million (big SUVs make big crashes ;-) )

          Firearm Homicides (so it doesn't include suicides):
          Spain: 2 deaths per million (old data, like 1993)
          Germany: 1.5 deaths per million (2005)
          USA: 40 deaths per million (2004)

          Bulls:
          Spain 0.0035 deaths per million
          Germany: N/A
          USA: N/A
          • gmprunner, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Also, the running of the bulls is only once a year. If the bulls were running year-round, then it would be fairer to make those statistics.
          • ricree, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Or we could just give everyone a gun for one day and let them go wild.
        • mercurysquad, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1haha pwned.
          all hail deutschland
      • JonnyTrombone, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1At the current rate of firearm deaths in the US (14.24 per 100k people) there are apprx. 42,720 firearm related fatalities per year. Just FYI.
      • Mengoxon, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Well you should really put it into proportion:
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_safety#The_scale_of_the_problem
        Killed per 1 Billion Vehicle-kilometer:
        Germany: 9.7
        US: 9.4
        Slovak Republic: 46.9
        Now, killed per 1 Billion Run-away from Bull Kilometer:
        Distance of 0.8 km, absurdly exagerated assumption of 200,000 runners (number of visitors last year) for 83 years, 13 fatalities: 979
        ... more than 20 times as unsafe as driving on Slovak streets
        • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Yeah that's a good point. As far as I know traffic accident are usually measure that way, per kilometer. I also think people drive much more in the US, so the US statistic looks bad, but actually it's not really that bad compared to other developed nations. But hey, if an American 'patrot' like geekchic asks for statistics, of course I'll try to piss him off ;-)

    • SamKellett, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2And how often do people drive cars in Germany? And how often does Spain host this event a year?
      • JesseJ, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2And how often do Americans shoot eachother every day?

        In fact, with modest math skills you could get the daily death toll if you feel more American with daily stats...
  • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -6/+6You know, I don't mind people running with the bulls or being trampled by the bulls, just don't let me pay for their medical expenses via my health insurance fees.
    • Daniel001, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Like most countries outside the US, Spain has a public health system. So your insurance fees won't be affected by people over there having a bit of fun.
      • OakRidger, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2So where does the money come from to pay for those that are injured while having a bit of fun?
        • Daniel001, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3It comes from Spanish taxpayers. If you're one of those then I suppose you're entitled to complain about this event, but most of them seem to be pretty comfortable with it.
          • OakRidger, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2So cyberdork's original comment still holds merit. But instead of his/her health insurance fees paying for it, it would be his/her taxes that would be paying for it under that particular system.
          • Daniel001, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2I doubt that cyberdork is a Spanish taxpayer, otherwise he would be complaining about his tax contributions rather than his health insurance fees.
          • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I pay my taxes and health insurance in the Netherlands. It was a general comment, since Jackass hit the air waves it looks like it has become cool to do stunts for a cheap kick which potentially can put you in a wheelchair. I really don't mind people hurting themselves that way (Darwin FTW!), but just don't send me a bill for their stupidity.
    • gravedigga, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Sir, I'm sorry to tell you that your taxes have gone up 0,00001 cents due to public health sytem expenses from bullrunning.
      • cyberdork, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Well that depends! If the unfortunate bull-runner is insured with the same small health care insurance company as I am, and if he ends up paraplegic this could mean that I will end up having to pay a whole friggin' dollar just for his stupidity.
  • feoza, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1lol reminds me of the opening scene of Jackass 2. *****' tards, but it's fun to watch! :D
  • Jonmad17, on 10/11/2007, -2/+2I've always wanted to be in at least one running of the bulls.Just so that I can say that I did it.Kind of like bungie jumping.

    P.S. Anyone here live in Catalonia? My great grandmmother was born there.If you do, do you have to speak Catalan to get a Job there? I only Speak Castilian.
    • gravedigga, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Probably yes... they can get quite annoying with their catalonian... sometimes.
  • scarfo1984, on 10/11/2007, -7/+5dugg down for being a foxnews link
    • diagonalfish, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Yeah, because the running of the bulls has a well-known conservative bias.

      Idiot.
  • hexx54, on 10/11/2007, -2/+4buried for rosie odonnel on the left side
    • Armitage2k, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1gah! You did make me go back and look... like finding Waldo I guess... and NO I didn't find her...
  • vroom101, on 10/11/2007, -5/+1Stupidity.
  • crazybugger, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I'd personally like this.
    http://www.nriinternet.com/Association/BeliveITorNOT/Pictures/81-100/99_bullfight.jpg
  • 1laradream, on 10/11/2007, -1/+7@str3ama: You're confusing "Bullfighting" with the running of the Bulls. I wholeheartedly agree with you that bullfight is inhumane and that it should be banned. When at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, I tried to dissuade everyone from going to a bullfight - and shared with them the gruesome facts you've mentioned.

    The bulls that run are not harmed in any way. They may experience some stress, but they all seemed healthy and strong to me. Check out the video footage for yourself.
  • 1laradream, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1Just in: 2 Gored, 7 Crushed.
    www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288557,00.html
    "As they charged down the 800-meter route, two of them fell and, appearing to lose their way, turned on the crowd of runners. Two people were gored. A 23-year-old French man and seven Spaniards — one transported by ambulance with his head held in a neck brace — were treated in Pamplona's hospitals.
    Since records began in 1924, 13 people have been killed. The last fatality, a 22-year-old American, was gored to death in 1995.

    The San Fermin festival dates back to the late 16th century but gained worldwide fame in Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises."
  • gamemaster357, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2unlike some people....i cherish my ability to reproduce.

    reminds me of that episode of everybody loves raymond
  • workharderscum, on 10/11/2007, -3/+1Animal Cruelty, Fun, or just plain retarded?
  • ericdano, on 10/11/2007, -5/+5Buried for "Animal Cruelty or Fun". Interesting story, keep your judgements to yourself.
  • brevs, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1Fox news reports: 13 killed in running of the bulls. Soldiers killed in Iraq ..... we don't like to report bad news like that anymore.
  • tallulahvulture, on 10/11/2007, -2/+1You've gotta love these traditions,because soon they will be taken away from us.
  • over9, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3Richard Hammond from Top Gear participated once.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHDlm_czDDk
    Quality is a bit *****.
  • PabloIV, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3I did this last in 2001, and I gotta tell you it was a hell of a rush. The year I went, everything went pretty straight forward, more people died from being drunken idiots than because of the bulls. Either way this thing goes way beyond the running of the bulls which is only incidental. The festivities are for San Fermín, for them they would have traditional Bullfights as Spaniards do whenever they get the chance. The bullring in Pamplona didn't have a place to keep the bulls, and they would have to be transferred from where they were kept, to the ring for the fight,right through the streets of Pamplona. Quite a while ago some dumbasses started running in front of them, and then some more, and then some more, and then... Hemmingway wrote about it, and everyone wanted to become a man too. So now it is somehow the big part of the thing, and everyone forgot San Fermin, well at least los Guiris.

    Anyways that's my piece, and... GORA SAN FERMIN!
  • 1337h4ks, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1looks like fun
  • fuzzlepop, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2I'm doing this tomorrow in Denia, they let bulls loose into the street you get chased by them. Then once your at the port the aim is to get them to chase you then you dodge them and they fall of the wall into the water.
  • opiestana, on 10/11/2007, -2/+6Still not as good as the Running of the Jew.
  • ploke, on 10/11/2007, -1/+3I ran with my sister last year. It was amazing, but I would never do it again. I tripped over a person near the end and was almost crushed. A person died the day that I ran. Finding that out later scared the ***** out of me.

    Bullfighting is butchery in my mind. The running of the bulls is the opposite - the bulls have the advantage really. Even if you don't run it is worth going to Pamplona just for the party. The entire day is a long parade. It starts with the running in the morning and ends with fireworks every night.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanchrisbriggs/sets/72157600716961877/
    • over9, on 10/11/2007, -0/+4Your sister is a hot. I would hit it.
    • grat2001, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Back in "98 when I was stationed at the Air Force base in Spain I ran. Or should I say got ran over! Luckily after he ran me over my friend jumped out to get the bull's attention because it surely would have turned around for a little horn treatment. I use to have a scar from the ordeal that has since faded. But I remember it like yesterday.

      Spain is a great country...At least a 5:1 female to male ratio! A smile is coming to my face now :)
  • opiestana, on 10/11/2007, -2/+8Still not as good as the Running of the Jew.
    • TheRingmaster, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2How did you get dugg up more the second time you posted that same comment?
      • opiestana, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3'Tis a fine question and I hate the new comment system.
  • fullphaser, on 10/11/2007, -4/+2dugg down for save the bulls mentality
  • ChuckAndBob, on 10/11/2007, -4/+1Anyone who has watched this knows it's cruelty to animals. Personally, I cheer every time one of the bulls is able to severely injure or kill one of these *****.
  • Teelar, on 10/11/2007, -0/+2Animal cruelty? Seems like the animals are on top in this one.
  • silencerar, on 10/11/2007, -5/+0I really enjoy when someone dies doing this. Stupid people.
    • silencerar, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0c'mon man! you're running in front of a bunch of bulls! if you don't want to get hurt, then what the hell are you doing there?
  • Beevo, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2Buried for FoxNews.
  • Jeduthun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Well, I'm Catalan myself, so here's what I can tell you. As you may have guessed, speaking catalan increases dramatically your chances of finding a job there. Of course, it also depends on two factors: if you plan to live in Barcelona (which is very cosmopolitan), you could do pretty well with only spanish. If you wish to go somewhere else, you'll definitely need catalan. It also depends very much on what your aspirations are: if you wish to get a job in the administration, human ressources, culture, banking, catalan is indispensable. If you are just looking for a waiter's job or something similar, spanish will suffice. Hope this helps...

    Having said that, I hope you know that Pampelune is NOT in Catalonia, but in Navarre.
    • caponumen, on 10/11/2007, -1/+1The bulls don't care what language you speak, mmm k?
  • Jeduthun, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Sorry, the above was a comment intended as a response to Jonmad17. Damn the current comment system...
  • gravedigga, on 10/11/2007, -1/+2oeeeoeoeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
    VIVA SAN FERMIN Y LAS FIESTAS!!!
    CHUPINAZO OEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
    PARTY TIME!
  • omarciddo, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1This is a pic?
  • caponumen, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Yummy, a hamburger after this must taste AWESOME!
  • jmorgan1, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Go Bulls!
  • Tigerr, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1You know what's even more nuts?

    Fox News.
  • Silmarillion, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1it was absoultely incredible! I got there saturday at 8, stayed up all night partying (but staying mostly sober) and at 8 in the morning I ran with the bulls and was chased around the stadium by a bull with everyone else. It was one of the best addrenaline rushes I´ve ever had. You cant see the bull in the stadium but you can see where the crowd is swarming away in panic, and then the bull gets close to you and its quite intense. I felt high for like 2 hours after it. I´d recomend it to anyone.
    on a side note, I´ve never seen so much trash in one city. People were pissing everywhere because there werent enough bathrooms. The lack of an open container policy helped keep the party going too.
    • JesseJ, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Oh that is so macho.

      Too bad we don't have that in our culture. Here it's called "idiots".
      Then again, we jump from high towers with skis on...
  • kingygk, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1I wonder when the Discovery channel will film this in High Definition! :) It would look glorious in 1080p.
  • fuzzlepop, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1Just did my bullrunning last night, got chased by them jumped into the water and the bull jumped over me and nearly drowned.
  • calagaus, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0Great post!! congrats
  • calagaus, on 10/11/2007, -0/+0see more in flavorofspain.com
  • Babes011878, on 06/10/2008, -0/+0-indeed it is nuts! but the adrenalin rush that the participants felt was nothing to match for... i think i just wear the white clothes and the red scarf and watch everybody run! not agood idea for a fun vacation! but it is interesting..if only i could run
    fast...
  •  

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