I am a dog owner. I love animals (in the appropriate ways) and really can't imagine abusing or killing them for profit or on a whim.
I also can't imagine hitting a woman. Or stealing from another human being at gunpoint. Or hitting someone with my car and fleeing the scene. Or pruposefully bouncing checks from my million-dollar bank account.
I take a very hard line on crime. I believe in stiff penalties and accountability. There are many acts that I can't condone or defend. And the same is true of people. Among those people is Mike Vick. What he did disgusts me. I'm not sure I could look the man in the eye. I certainly can't in any way justify what he did.
But in the wake of his signing by the Philadelphia Eagles, I can't help but be equally disgusted with the self-righteous indignation spewing out of America's collective cryhole. It amazes me that a single publicized criminal act can spawn thousands upon thousands of braying donkeys, suddenly claiming some kind of false moral high ground.
From my point of view, all their noise is self-defeating. The atrocity of his crimes, once so blinding, is rapidly dimming in the equally repugnant glow of fraudulent, self-satisfed outrage from a hypocritical public.
Let me ask this: Before Vick, how many of us were outraged by dog-fighting? How many even gave it a thought? How many knew that it existed?
What about cockfighting? What about bear-baiting? Trap-hunting? Blind-hunting? Dog racing? Puppy mills?
I'll bet there are plenty of folks who would berate Vick for dogfighting on Friday only to get up and go sport hunting on Saturday without a moment's pause. And if that statement makes you want to point out all the differences between the two "sports", let me point out that rgeardless of your personal opinion or mine, there are plenty of folks outraged by the far more socially acceptable practice of hunting.
It's so easy to latch onto Vick like a parasite, sucking sweet satisfaction from the oh-so-certain knowledge that he's immoral garbage. And I'm not trying to suggest there is never an objective right and wrong. But doesn't it bother you that the people of a country founded on Judeo-Christian morality can be so cavalier about tossing aside its most basic principles?
I'm not religious, but I do believe in the Golden Rule. Treat others like you want to be treated. Don't judge unless you're willing t be judged yourself. And I'm not talking about mocking someone on a message board, or having a flame-war in a throwdown. I'm talking about making guys like Vick social pariahs for their mistakes.
Look around at professional sports. Look at the myriad crimes. Then look at the sentences. We tend to be awfully arbitrary in judging the severity of such incidents. If you think Vick got off too light, fine. Maybe he did. But can you honestly tell me that in the context of punishments levied against pro athletes, Vick's sentence wasn't significant?
There are plenty of legitimate opinions being expressed, and I can fully understand why folks wouldn't want their favorite team to give Vick a second shot at football. But for every rational thought, there seem to be a dozen overreations. For every once of sense, a pound of unmitigated bullcrap.
In one extreme (and extremely ridiculous) example, a caller to ESPN asked,
"Why did we let [Vick] out of prison? Why didn't we execute him?"
Upon hearing it, I immediately started trying to decide who was dumber- Vick, or this witless wonder. But that's what happens when people are able to shoot their mouths off from beneath the blanket of anonymity afforded by the Internet.
As I am bombarded by commentary, I can't help but paraphrase an old adage:
Once a sinner, presently a saint. By and by, a fool.
The Vick saga is hardly the first of its kind. And it certainly won't be the last. I don't like the man. I personally wouldn't be likely to hire him.
You don't have to like him either, America. You don't have to want him on your team.
But for once, in these types of situations, can we dispense with the holier-than-thou attitude? Just once, can we not be jerks? Let's at least try.
Hilary Rhoda
Anne V
Best Players 6-5 and Under
Did You See That?
Comments (19) Add A Comment
::initiating slow clap::
Moondizzle: TD…
New York, NY
Total Comments (24634)
agreed
Army of Adam
Total Comments (7164)
What, so all the sudden dogs are more important than people?
The Pitt Panther:…
Telford, PA
Total Comments (59336)
Lesean McCoy eats puppies.
Porkins: I stole…
The Triangle, NC
Total Comments (30249)
Amen ..... I wish everyone on this site would read this post!! Thank you Porkins ..... :))
TigerBait10
Hold On Tight, MS
Total Comments (1076)
Down with America's collective cryhole!!
Seriously, nice post. The self righteousness has become incredibly tiresome.
LoveItHateIt
Portland, OR
Total Comments (3163)
Well played, Porkins... well played, indeed.
Bigalke
Springfield, OR
Total Comments (22305)
Dogs are more inportant than people! 8th sign of the apolycypse!
YanksJets-HUSKIES!
Total Comments (965)
Do you know what the "Slow clap" is used for?
Steveo16220 says:…
Total Comments (6153)
So, why is it okay for people to think the bad thoughts, but not speak them? Heck freedom of speech is a founding right, eh?
Steveo16220 says:…
Total Comments (6153)
A gradual building of applause, usually starting with one person clapping slowly, and ending with an enthusiastic standing ovation. Generally shows approval for an underdog in a come from behind victory or after losing with pride intact.
TigerBait10
Hold On Tight, MS
Total Comments (1076)
But doesn't it bother you that the people of a country founded on Judeo-Christian morality can be so cavalier about tossing aside its most basic principles?
Frankly, yes, It does.
Marlins Fan
Albuquerque , NM
Total Comments (3060)
I fully support Mike Vick and what he did.
I hate PETA, and I love my dogs, but I would love to see pitbulls fight.
They are dogs, and he spent two years in prison, Stallworth gets drunk and kills a man and gets a month in jail.
It makes no sense to me.
I was raised around hunting(for meat, so get off my nuts) and fighting roosters.
I have seen rooster fights all my life, they are entertaining and the losing chicken gets ate.
I would never eat a dog, but dogs natural instincts fight.
My dog fights other dogs all the time, he is 15 and has lost many teeth, but he still wins most of the time.
When did this country turn to treating the animals better than the people?
I hope McNabb gets hurt so Vick can start and dominate and shut all the PETA loving queers up.
Outlaw- HANK IT…
Ball Ground, GA
Total Comments (6640)
AMEN BROTHER
DKMF
Total Comments (2515)
Great post, if only everyone thought like this.
-Anderson Silva-
Total Comments (34)
Going for the dog angle are we? - forget the dogs - Michael Vick was tried and convicted of running and financing an illegal interstate gambling operation under the Federal RICO statutes - he got off light - he could have had a life sentence but we wouldn't want to upset the celebrity starved NFL fans who demanded his exoneration - He is a convicted felon and should not have been allowed back in the NFL - agree or disagree with me on his status is ok - everyone has a right to an opinion - but leave the dogs out of it and look at the facts
SnakeDriver
Total Comments (14576)
Good Job Porkins...
Yet the fans have made Vicks Eagles #7 jersey the best selling jersey on NFL.com
How soon they forget.
FoosBall
Total Comments (3548)
blahblahblah
Fear Kiffin
Total Comments (10749)
I say this regarding Vick and what he did - "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? - Matthew 7:3. I think this follows along with the Golden Rule. We are so quick to judge the failings of others and avoid looking at our own faults.
Also I think you would love this video on Michael Vick on this Youtube Video from Auto-Tune the News - 0:43 - 1:10. It cracked me up after watching it. Hope you enjoy!!
James
_________________
It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class. - JRS Medical Supplies - Children's Diabetes Foundation
recyclelover
Crestview , FL
Total Comments (10)
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