Comments on: I saw the greatest show on earth today: the Ringling Brothers Circus

By: Dan Klarmann

Dan Klarmann — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:55:27 +0000

I saw Cirque du Soleil: Mystère in Vegas in the 1990’s.

Here is a picture of an act I caught in Berlin in 2003 with a little (3 megapixel) Kodak DC4800

This was a 1 second exposure, without a tripod. Flash was understandably prohibited.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:39:45 +0000

Erich, you’re pictures are great! I tried to take a couple of photos but my little Kodak camera did not do the Circus justice. I was excited like a kid as well watching my grandson experience his first circus. There was definitely a lot going on at once. Not much down time that’s for sure. Glad I mentioned it to you and you took the family and had a good time!

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:58:50 +0000

Cirque du Soleil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O0-HJhjw8Q

By: Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:41:36 +0000

Mike: I don’t know enough about the way these animals are treated. Your comment led me to read a dozen posts about the way circuses treat the animals. I suspect that many of these posts and articles are highly biased. Half of them say there is no abuse and the other half say that trainers have treated elephants horribly, with sharp hooks to inflict pain to make them do their tricks. If anyone knows of a credible source, someone who presents a balanced point of view, I’d be interested in knowing more.

Here’s an example of one of the critical articles I read: http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Ringling_Bros_circus_to_go_on_trial_10232008.html

By: artemis

artemis — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:14:51 +0000

wish I could go.. but animal allergies prevent

Circus Flora is an up-close and personal, not-so-overwhelming performance that I strongly recommend.. take your family to that one next time they are in town.

By: Mike Pulcinella

Mike Pulcinella — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:17:23 +0000

Not to pop your circus balloon, Erich, but the abuses those animals suffer in order to travel and perform are legendary. Is that no longer the case? I would have had a hard time enjoying myself unless I could have been certain that the whips and cattle prods were a thing of the past.

By: Dan Klarmann

Dan Klarmann — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:05:15 +0000

I’ve been to about a dozen circuses, most frequently to our local Circus Flora, once or twice in my childhood to Barnum et. al, and maybe counting performances at Circus Circus, where we have stayed on some of our drives to California. Vegas is a relatively cheap place to stay, if you know how.

I’ve been to two baseball games, both at the old, classic Busch Stadium. Once for Straight-A tickets in 1974, when I had to try to explain the game to my father. The other time a friend took me for a farewell visit to the stadium before its demolition in 2005. A pop foul hit my seat while I was wandering around taking pictures of the old, architecturally significant structure.

I prefer small circuses, where you sit close enough to see the faces of the performers.

By: Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:32:37 +0000

Erika: Good point. I would admit that I went to one baseball game per year, on average (no other professional or college sports). I’m keeping it in check.

Thanks for remembering that point.

By: Erika Price

Erika Price — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 16:25:10 +0000

Just remember Erich, don’t go to the circus any more often that you would a football game.

By: Erich Vieth

Erich Vieth — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:36:14 +0000

At the circus, they announced that we could take photos for personal use. This blog is a personal blog (shared by multiple authors). We have never made a penny in income.