Making my point from yesterday’s post, Davey sends this satirical ‘toon about the continuing Michael Vick saga…

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.

Regular contributor Dave sends this clip of Terje Haakonsen going down Alaska’s Peak 7601 in the awesome snowboarding documentary First Descent.

Jana, I know you snowboard. What do you think of this run?

In order to be considered an accomplished golfer, one must be able to accurately read the green. And to do so without getting grass stains on your pink golf trousers is, well, priceless. 

Another ‘toon from Randall Munroe…

What a system. From the official NFL site:

The demand for tickets to Super Bowl XLI greatly exceeds our ability to accommodate the majority of our fans interested in attending. Most tickets are made available through the two teams competing in the game, and to a lesser extent through each of our other NFL teams. Remaining tickets for the general public are made available through a random drawing. There is no other means for the general public to purchase tickets. The NFL does not sell tickets to travel or ticket agents. Entries for the random drawing are accepted between Feb. 1 and June 1 of the year preceding the game in question. …

Of course, scalpers always manage to get tickets, presumably from the teams based on the forgoing, and I’ve heard they’re going for upwards of $5,000.

Say what? For that much I could buy a whale of a plasma HD TV, have my lovely wife whip up some great snacks, not have to pay $10 a cup for beer, sit in a comfy room with family and friends and get much better coverage of the game! So who pays that kind of dough to sit a mile from the action between a couple of slobs slinging their beer during every play and then have to spend three hours getting back to an overpriced hotel room? I can’t imagine.

I married into a Chicago family so, as much as I like the Colts, I’ll be rooting for Da’ Bears. And I’ll admit I’d love to be in Chicago during and after the game, especially if Da’ Bears win. Chicago is a football town and they love their Bears, so the city will be filled with electric energy and wild parties.

The Ohio State marching band is famous for its script “Ohio” formation. This obviously manipulated photo sent to me by my brother Larry portrays what the marching band might have spelled out after the recent BCS game…