by Matthew Carolan and Raymond J. Keating

About the authors: Matthew Carolan is executive director of National Review. Raymond J. Keating is the chief economist for the Small Business Survival Committee.

No more lions, tigers and bears? Oh my! The animal rights movement wants to ban animals from that great tradition—the circus.

This issue drew our attention recently when the 110-year-old Clyde Beatty- Cole Bros. Circus came to town. This year’s (1995) Long Island, New York, stops were Bay Shore, Oceanside, Southampton and the Smith Haven Mall.

Clowns, “an array of aerial artists” and a human cannonball brought smiles to faces of all ages, as did the circus animals, including tigers, lions, elephants, horses and dogs.

Even though these animals are well cared for and seem quite happy, the animal rights movement...