Michael Vick and Dog Fighting - My $.02
We Americans often manage to put a humorous spin on events completely lacking in humor. And while I’m the first to laugh at good satirical humor, let’s not lose sight of the issue currently involving Michael Vick. Ever see a “professional” dog fight? “Gypsy” has. Click on the photo on the right for a closer look. And some people still think dog fighting is no big deal?
I’ve been following the Michael Vick story - so have you if you’ve read a paper or watched TV - and had decided not to comment, at least until the dust settles. But with his recent confession, I feel obliged to speculate on where the case might end up.
Let me first say that I abhor animal cruelty in any form and especially the so-called “sport” of training dogs to try to kill one another on command for the enjoyment of betting spectators. It’s a felony and Vick has finally admitted to his involvement in it. Everyone, with the possible exception of some die-hard Falcons fans, agrees that he should be punished. But we appear to be a divided camp, with one side contending that his not insignificant loss of income from endorsements is adequate punishment, and the other believing that he should face formal sanctions like anyone else similarly charged, that the courtroom should be a place that considers only the facts of the case with sentences based on that alone. I stand squarely in the latter camp.
So now that Vick has “confessed” and shown “contrition,” what’s next? Well, we’ll likely endure the usual public teary “apologies” followed by an obligatory appearance on Oprah where Vick will blubber how sorry he is, how he’s now found Jesus, and how he hopes people will forgive him for his “mistake.” Perhaps a probing interview by Larry King will follow, and maybe a book about how he followed the wrong path, found salvation and enlightenment, and established a foundation or two to help “under privileged” children learn to do the right thing. Eventually, folks will forget about Michael Vick’s evil deeds and, if he’s still young enough to play football after serving his sentence, another team will pick him up.
Some apparently feel he should be banned from the NFL. Sorry, but that’s going too far in my opinion. I don’t believe in taking away a man’s millstone. If he serves his time and if anyone will hire him to play or offer him endorsement contracts (pretty big “ifs” right now), then fine. Neuter him? Ban him from the NFL? That would be unreasonable punishment.
As a side note, I’m often amazed and sometimes appalled at how some people manage to find ways to make a quick buck off other folk’s troubles. To wit: The Official “Vick’s” Dog Chew Toy and chewed up Michael Vick memorabilia being offered on eBay. Only in America.
Doug
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The sad truth is that dog fighting is happening everyday. Dog fighting is widely practiced in much of Latin America, Russia and Japan. Too much focus is on Vick becuase he is famous, everyone will forget about it in a few months...just like when Ron Artest was under suspicion of failure to adequately feed his great dane. It is good for the humane society, they are getting some great dotation right now, but when this all blows over who is going to check to see how “Gypsy” is doing?
Geez!! That poor dog!! I hope they hang Vick out to dry!
Lets hope not, Jamie. If enough people become aware of the practice in this country (I doubt Japan or Russia care much about our opinions one way or another...maybe Latin America to some extent) then perhaps there's hope of eliminating it here. Sometimes it takes the spotlight being shown on a celebrity or athlete doing something illegal or immoral to get us off our asses.
I think few people knew this was going on, especially in affluent neighborhoods. Now, maybe they are more aware. I agree we are a lazy, complacent society of veal calves, but we need to take positions. Otherwise we're just chopped veal.
I agree, we have become too lazy. We sit back and do nothing and then complain that our government isn't taking care of things for us.
We elected government to "manage", not "do" everything. "Doing" is OUR job. My God, we HAVE all become veal calves!
Vick was brought up where dogfighting is everyday no big deal. That is how he was raised. He shouldn't be hung out to dry, he has already suffered enough and lost enough. It is dogs man, just dogs.
It was for a good cause, but can you imagine paying $7400 for chewed up Vick cards? She could have simply donated the money to her local shelter. I suppose she thought the auction would make a public statement against dog fighting.It did make national news.
I hope they do neuter Vick. Where does he get off thumbing his nose at everyone, ignoring the law and setting up something as scummy as a dogfighting ring? He thinks because he's an effing football player he's above the law? He has no regard for animals? He's too ignorant to know what to do with his time unless he reverts to something as archaic as dogfighting? He's got so much new money and idle time he can't think of anything more constructive?
I say throw him to a pack of fighting dogs and see how he does competing in that arena.
How awful! I can't even look at the poor dog! Even her ears are chewed off! What kind of sick person thinks dogs "like to fight"?
It is so sad and despicable that someone would cause such harm to an animal. And if everyone sits back and says or does nothing about it, then nothing will change. Yes, this goes on, maybe even in our own neighborhoods. And it isn't just backwoods rednecks or foreigners doing it; it is celebrities as well as we now know.
We can't just send donations to the SPCA or shelters and expect them to handle it. We have to get loud and force the authorities to make this a higher priority. And when we catch someone doing it, we have to give them the punishment they deserve so that others see we are serious about our intolerance for it.
BUYER BEWARE. This website is a total scam. DO NOT BUY. They'll take your money but they will never deliver. From what I've read on www.vickdogchewtoyscam.com these internet crooks have stolen millions of dollars, all while pretending to raise awareness of animal abuse. How disgusting is that?
Editor's note: The commenter is not referring to THIS site as being a "total scam." Rather, he is referring to one of the two on-line sellers we referenced in our post. Inessential Musings doesn't sell anything.
Thanks for the heads up, Kevin. I take it you were one of the people scammed?
I thought at the time it was a tacky idea. Sorry to hear it was also a scam. If you hear any more, please let us know.
Doug