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When we think of New Mexican culture, what leaps to mind? The ancient pueblos? The world-famous Balloon Fiesta? The diverse peoples, languages and religions? Or are our most vivid cultural images those of illegal gambling and the act of two animals mutilating each other to death?

The cockfighting lobby would have us believe that cockfighting is a treasured part of Hispanic culture. I am offended by this argument, which characterizes my culture as barbaric. I am a rural Hispanic and an anthropologist, and this is not my people's culture.

I am thrilled to be able to say that a few days ago the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops stated its support for a ban, saying, "The bishops recognize that cockfighting is not a cultural treasure. Cockfighting promotes violence." The Bishops are the spiritual voice of 600,000 New Mexicans, many of them Hispanic. Polls show that 76 percent of Hispanics want a ban.

One culture that is indisputably at cockfighting's core is a culture of gambling. There is serious money to be made. Depending on the size of the event, entrance fee and number of roosters, individuals have the potential to win as much as $100,000 at cockfighting derbies. Evidence of this has been documented by undercover investigations and law enforcement raids.

Weapons and drugs have also been documented, making the gatherings a public safety hazard. Children are often present at these events, and they get to witness all of the "culture" that goes along with the activity.

Public health is another major issue. Illegal transportation of roosters has already led to New Mexico playing host to an outbreak of exotic Newcastle Disease, which could devastate the poultry industry. What unimaginable devastation could be wreaked by an outbreak of avian flu?

The issue of animal cruelty is a given. There is a misperception that these birds fight like this naturally. Roosters do exhibit territorialism and dominance behavior, but this seldom results in serious injury. There is nothing "natural" about pumping them full of drugs, attaching 3-inch blades to their legs and forcing them to keep fighting until one dies or has its lungs punctured, its bones broken, its eyes pierced. Cockfighting is intentional cruelty inflicted on animals by humans.

Polls show that an overwhelming 81 percent of New Mexicans support a ban on cockfighting. Support spans geographical, ethnic and political lines.

I appeal to those of you in the 81 percent to please come to the Legislature to testify at the bill's hearing and to contact your legislators - in particular the members of the Senate Conservation Committee.

Cockfighting is pure brutality, and it breeds a culture of violence. There have been many studies that show a direct link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans.

The recent murder in Socorro of N.M. Tech student David Cady stands out in my mind as a horrific example of this. The alleged facts of the case are that Cady got into an argument with another man over the man's mistreatment and killing of dogs, and this man shot David three times and killed him.

Recently, I have experienced firsthand the culture of violence propagated by certain individuals who oppose the ban on cockfighting. Because I have led the effort to do away with this vile act, I have been the target of threatening messages from cockfighters who say they intend to "dig my grave." They made the same threat against two other women.

But I will not let them intimidate me out of doing my job as a senator. Believe me, I'm not chicken. The only "grave" the vast majority of New Mexicans want to see is one marked "Cockfighting R.I.P."