Monday, August 27, 2007

Understatement of the Year!


I don't care what anybody says! Michael Vick is a joke! He apologized to the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL for "using bad judgment and making bad decisions". He didn't run a red light! He is directly (or indirectly) responsible for the death of 53 innocent dogs. He said he did not personally place any bets or share in any winnings. Are you kidding me? How are we supposed to believe that? He is definitely trying to cover up the gambling part due to the NFL rule which says that if a player is even associated with gamblers he would be subject to a lifetime ban. The article also said he has "found religion". He is pulling out all the stops to try to save his career and his image. It is not working for me! People like this need to be punished, no matter who they are. Punishment in my mind is not being suspended, and...boo-hoo...not being able continue his job after "one" mistake. I sure hope the Falcons get their signing bonus ($22 million).

What is your opinion on this?

10 comments:

The Chicago Sports Kibitzer said...

There are many activities which are perfectly legal in the United States that are harmful, cruel and even deadly to animals. From horse racing to medical research to cosmetic testing to hunting and fishing, animals are routinely injured or killed in the pursuit of sport, entertainment, gambling, pleasure, medicine, and beauty with no repercussion from the law.

Minks are slaughtered to make fur coats for wealthy women. Queen Elizabeth attended the Kentucky Derby despite the fact that horses are whipped in the hope that they will run faster and are commonly "put down" after being injured while racing. The vice-president of the United States was driven around in an armoured limousine so he could take pop-shots at defenseless birds (and elderly men). Why then, is the United States government ruining one man's life because he engaged in dog fighting? Is dog fighting less cruel than shooting defenseless birds in the pursuit of "sport?"

Fact of the matter is that, either cruelty to all animals should be illegal or there should be no laws against it at all. There should never be a two-teared justice system, where some acts are legal only because they are done by members of higher social status, while acts of the same logical consistency are illegal because they are thought to be committed by people of lower social status, in this case, minorities and rural southerners.

Bob K said...

Thanks very much for the comment on my blog (www.geeksonsports.com), and your commentary on Michael Vick is right on! Keep up the good work.

Shaun Carey said...

Chicago Sports Kibitzer,

I totally agree with you on what should be law but the fact remains that dog fighting is illegal, not the other items you mentioned.

On the "two-tiered" justice system, are you seriously saying that Michael Vick is classified in a lower social status, than even the average U.S. citizen, just because he is black and was involved in dog fighting?

Mr. C

Anonymous said...

Mr. Carey,
I think that Micheal Vick should go to jail or at least be punnished in some way. Being suspended is nothing to him because he already has billions of dollars to live off of.

If anyone else did something this cruel to animals, they would be severely punnished.

For him, all the authorities are doing is not letting him earn money until a later time. But considering he already has billions of dollars, this punnishment is not really effective.

The fact that he took part in killing 53 dogs is pathetic. Why would anyone get a thrill out of killing a domesticated dog?

One other comment I was reading about this said something about "How is this worse than hunting?"
Well, it is because these dogs were domesticated, not just wild animals. People are willing to take dogs as pets and take care of them. While few people are willing to do so for deer and other wild animals.

Overall, I think that this guy should have had a harsher punnishment but there are always going to be flaws in our goverenment system.
-Catherine

Shaun Carey said...

How about this? My wife found it.

I've been thinking about our society lately and it's predeliction for revenge in the name of justice. A friend of mine suggested that the best way for Michael Vick to be redeemed was for him to continue playing football, become a spokesperson for the humane treatment of animals, and donate half his earnings to the ASPCA (Amer Soc for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). I think that is a great idea. I thought it was a shame that Don Imus wasn't allowed to show his personal transformation by keeping his job and donating part of his salary to the girls basketball team he maligned. Think of the impact that would have had on so many people. Undoubtedly, the most powerful example of forgiveness was shown by the Amish families whose children were killed last year in their school. They brought the family of the shooter into their homes and families. The welcomed them to the funerals. These people were among the most amazing Christians I have witnessed in my lifetime. Unfortunately our country is much more into punishment than finding ways for personal redemption. I would give a lot to see more creativity used to bring forgiveness,compassion, and redemption to the table (in the courts, schools, our community, our jobs, and homes) as quickly as we bring anger and revenge. There are so many little ways to practice this. It's challenging - but I am going to try it - how about you?

Anonymous said...

do u think micheal vick will be punished or get to play when he gets out of jail?

Shaun Carey said...

Zach,

My opinion is that Michael Vick is done playing football in the NFL. I could be wrong.

Anonymous said...

Itotally agree with you .Just because he's in the NFL doesn't mean he gets to do whatever he wants. Ialso heard that if the dogs weren't good fighters that he take them by their hine legs and beat them to death.

Jake Voss

Anonymous said...

I am very strongly agianstthe approval of only that suspention because if you would kill animals that is killing a friend for a man that does not have many friends and loves dogs and that is just cruel. I admit i did like him but that all changed when he became a dog killer he needs to be kicked out the nfl and maybe go get a job at the place they put sick or mean dogs asleep if that is what he likes doing.





dylan

Shaun Carey said...

Dylan,

Good idea on putting him to work in an animal clinic. I sure hope he turns his life around!