The hypocrisy of rodeo critics is in plain sight

Re “Padres’ decision to welcome violent rodeo event is shocking” (Dec. 28): I find it somewhat hypocritical of U-T letter writers to complain about rodeo animal cruelty and abuse, especially when many of them consume beef and don’t even blink an eye over the 32 million U.S. cattle slaughtered every year to feed America. One writer likened the rodeo violence to that of the Roman gladiator games, and yet most rodeo cruelty critics will be cheering for their favorite football teams every week, where players’ bodies and brains get damaged beyond repair. It seems we’d be better served by supporting causes like curing childhood cancer or saving our planet from pollution overload.

— Mark Blakey, Bonita