Mugglebaiting, bullbaiting and bloodsports (was Re: Hate Crimes)

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 155987

> Marion:
<snip>
> Well, it looks to me that the object of 'baiting' is not 
necessarily the killing or physically harming of the animals in 
question at all. It's, again according to the dictionary, the 'act 
to worry or torment a chained or confined animal for sport'. Muggles 
might not be physically confined by chains, but they are 'confined' 
by the limitations of their power. The 'fun' element must largely be 
in the anomynous pestering, driving the victim wild with frustration 
or pain, the idea that you, the baiter, have power over the victim. 
It is, in other words, a form of bullying, but the term 'baiting' is 
expressely used in the 'bullying' of animals. Which tells you 
something about the WW's attitude towards Muggles.This is not really 
so very strange since we know that Arminta Meliflua (a cousin to the 
Sirius' mother) was 'was lobbying the Wizengamot to legalize Muggle 
hunting' and hunting is a bloodsport (although hunting is not about 
the tormenting of animals for sport - which is why it was not 
prohibited and bear-baiting, cockfighting and dogfighting *was*)
<snip>

a_svirn:
Depends on hunting. Fox-hunting, for instance is, exactly that – 
tormenting and killing animals for sport. And I am pretty sure 
that's what Rowling had in mind when she invented this muggle-
hunting bill. And I absolutely agree with you – the choice of words 
is pretty telling.