Pedro Martinez and his "culture"

Pedro Martinez, Juan Marichal filmed at cock fight

New York Mets Pitcher Pedro Martinez is seen in a You Tube video at a "Cock Fight" in the Dominican Republic, where it is legal. Cock fighting, which is similar to dog fighting, has been claimed to be a part of the "culture" of the island nation. Martinez says that, "I understand that people are upset, but this is part of our Dominican culture and is legal in the Dominican Republic,'' Martinez said in a statement issued by the Mets. "I was invited by my idol, Juan Marichal, to attend the event as a spectator, not as a participant.''

This is very disgraceful. While it may be legal in the Dominican Republic, it is NOT legal in this nation. And in the eyes of many, it is seen as a disgusting activity. Using the excuse of "its part of the culture" is lame. In other parts of the world, euthanasia is part of the culture. In some Muslim nations, it is part of the culture to punish the victim (if she is a woman) for being raped. In some regions of Africa, Clitorectamies of young girls is a part of the culture. Just because something is "cultural" does not make it right or good.

I know some have said that the US should not "force our morals" on other people around the world. But this has nothing to do with that. Martinez is an employee of a team in the US, pay US taxes. If he is unhappy about how he will be viewed or his lack of desire to ascribe to the US way of life, then he shouldn't be here. In this nation, we have a strong desire to promote good and condemn evil. No matter what anyone says, cock fighting is a form of animal abuse, just like making children in Muslim countries be suicide bombers is considered a form of "child abuse".

We need to stop letting people run around and use excuses such as "tradition" and "culture" for inappropriate and immoral behavior. We are all born with an understanding of right and wrong. If you are sneaking around doing something, then it is probably wrong. If something is done in secret and denied in public, it is probably something wrong or bad going on. We as humans naturally are proud of the good things we do and are embarrassed about immoral and "bad" things. Pedro Martinez, along with many others, need to get beyond "culture" and start admitting right is right and wrong is wrong. Our society needs to stop making excuses for such behaviors and activities. We must start standing for good and against evil before evil takes hold to the point that we loose our moral reasoning. Every "great" country and nation that has lost its moral reasoning have all fallen. The Roman Empire is a prime example.