Should we forgive Michael Vick?

Skippy · 10-01-2009, 01:48 AM

I am a BIG dog lover and also a football fan. I am wondering if the country can truly forgive Michael Vick. He has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and got his contract with Nike back.

Was his criminal punishment enough?

Should he be banned from professional sports?

Is he getting a pass and why?

My thoughts? His criminal punishment was no where near long enough. He is getting a pass because we love football more than we do innocent animals. He should be banned for life. Just my personal opinion.

Your thoughts?

Auto Agent · 10-01-2009, 02:53 AM

He did his time, but I am suspicious of his remorse. Fame and fortune was on his side. I think if you have money, you can buy your way out of trouble.

repo chic · 10-02-2009, 08:05 AM

Vick committed unforgivable acts of cruelty upon scores of innocent dogs. He planned dogfights, paid for dogfights, participated indogfights, and enjoyed dogfights. When dogs were of no value he murdered them. Vick was committed to a lifestyle of thuggery and violence.

Vick served his time and says he is changed man who wants to pay for his crimes.

Instead of traveling the country as the spokesman for animal rights he is getting bucks play a game and I have a major problem with it.

crusader · 10-03-2009, 08:46 AM

People make mistakes. Time will tell if he Vick has changed. he, like anyone deserves a second chance.

happyman · 10-13-2009, 08:51 AM

Dog fighting, cock fighting and other animal fighting are considered sport in some cultures and countries. I am not for what he did, but really who are we to judge?

repo chic · 10-19-2009, 09:05 AM

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-...511?source=rss

Animal rights activists and dog lovers, offended by what they called an insincere public apology and an insensitive NFL policy toward dogfighting, gathered Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum to protest the arrival of the Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick.
"We just really want to make it clear to both Vick and NFL that we haven't forgotten what happened, and the 18 months he served was just a slap on the wrist for the truly heinous nature of his crime," said organizer Hope Bohanec, who works with the San Rafael-based nonprofit In Defense of Animals.
"Vick killed these dogs because they were too gentle to fight and win. He could have found them homes," she said.
"Some of them he hung, he electrocuted, drowned them, and some he just beat to death. It's beyond animal abuse. It's truly sadistic."
Bohanec said the group has not detected much remorse in Vick's statement since being released from federal prison on dogfighting-related charges.
"He seems sorry he was caught," she said. "He apologizes to his fans and his wife, but he hasn't apologized to his victims, to the dogs."
Vick, 29, was sentenced in December 2007 to serve 23 months in prison with three years on probation for several dogfighting crimes. He was released in May after serving about 19 months and signed with the Eagles in August. He was suspended indefinitely from the NFL while serving his sentence and was suspended for the first two weeks of the 2009 season.
About three dozen volunteers held signs and handed out fliers as people attending the game walked by at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, many of them pausing to shout, "Give him a second chance" and "Get over it."
"He paid his debt to society," said Anthony Foster, 33, of Vallejo. "He went to jail, he did his time, and he did everything they asked him to do. He made some mistakes, but that was his culture. I think he's a good dude and he learned from his mistakes. If you do that, you should get that second chance."
Tom Miller, a 47-year-old Oakland fan who joined the protest, said he supports the Raiders but could not bring himself to buy a ticket because he feels the NFL has shown that it condones Vick's behavior.
"You can't appeal to their morality, but you can appeal to their pocketbook," he said.
Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said in August that Vick "has pledged to make a long-term commitment to participate in our community-based outreach programs to steer inner-city youth away from dog fighting."
Dr. Elliot Katz, a veterinarian and president of In Defense of Animals, wrote letters last week to both NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Vick's agent, asking that dogfighting and cockfighting be explicitly added to the criminal offenses section of the league's Personal Conduct Policy for players.
"Animal cruelty in itself is not only condemned, but it is recognized as the most consistent predictor of violence against humans," Katz wrote.
"By specifically including dogfighting and cockfighting in your list of 'criminal offenses' you are steering young men clear of activities that will bring them, their families and society greater pain. The NFL must make players and developing players know that torturing animals should not be a source of entertainment, nor does it make one appear competitive and 'tough' and that it will actually prohibit them from becoming successful and respected athletes."
Reached for comment by e-mail, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote, "Illegal conduct of that nature is already covered by the policy, as evidenced by the fact that Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely in 2007 after pleading guilty to the charges against him."

VAREPOGUY · 04-30-2010, 07:21 PM

anyone who is a public figure, especially an athlete or other cultural star should hold themselves to a higher standard, because so many young people are influenced by them, so no, i do NOT think michael vick should be forgiven. it wasnt a simple "mistake". it was a premeditated act that went on for a while, which makes it inexcusible.

10-01-2009, 01:48 AM	#1
Skippy Repo Agent Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern boy stuck up North Posts: 140	Should we forgive Michael Vick? I am a BIG dog lover and also a football fan. I am wondering if the country can truly forgive Michael Vick. He has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and got his contract with Nike back. Was his criminal punishment enough? Should he be banned from professional sports? Is he getting a pass and why? My thoughts? His criminal punishment was no where near long enough. He is getting a pass because we love football more than we do innocent animals. He should be banned for life. Just my personal opinion. Your thoughts? Last edited by Auto Agent; 10-01-2009 at 03:02 AM.

10-19-2009, 09:05 AM	#6
repo chic Repo Agent Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 196	Animals rights activists dog Michael Vick http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-...511?source=rss Animal rights activists and dog lovers, offended by what they called an insincere public apology and an insensitive NFL policy toward dogfighting, gathered Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum to protest the arrival of the Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick. "We just really want to make it clear to both Vick and NFL that we haven't forgotten what happened, and the 18 months he served was just a slap on the wrist for the truly heinous nature of his crime," said organizer Hope Bohanec, who works with the San Rafael-based nonprofit In Defense of Animals. "Vick killed these dogs because they were too gentle to fight and win. He could have found them homes," she said. "Some of them he hung, he electrocuted, drowned them, and some he just beat to death. It's beyond animal abuse. It's truly sadistic." Bohanec said the group has not detected much remorse in Vick's statement since being released from federal prison on dogfighting-related charges. "He seems sorry he was caught," she said. "He apologizes to his fans and his wife, but he hasn't apologized to his victims, to the dogs." Vick, 29, was sentenced in December 2007 to serve 23 months in prison with three years on probation for several dogfighting crimes. He was released in May after serving about 19 months and signed with the Eagles in August. He was suspended indefinitely from the NFL while serving his sentence and was suspended for the first two weeks of the 2009 season. About three dozen volunteers held signs and handed out fliers as people attending the game walked by at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, many of them pausing to shout, "Give him a second chance" and "Get over it." "He paid his debt to society," said Anthony Foster, 33, of Vallejo. "He went to jail, he did his time, and he did everything they asked him to do. He made some mistakes, but that was his culture. I think he's a good dude and he learned from his mistakes. If you do that, you should get that second chance." Tom Miller, a 47-year-old Oakland fan who joined the protest, said he supports the Raiders but could not bring himself to buy a ticket because he feels the NFL has shown that it condones Vick's behavior. "You can't appeal to their morality, but you can appeal to their pocketbook," he said. Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle said in August that Vick "has pledged to make a long-term commitment to participate in our community-based outreach programs to steer inner-city youth away from dog fighting." Dr. Elliot Katz, a veterinarian and president of In Defense of Animals, wrote letters last week to both NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Vick's agent, asking that dogfighting and cockfighting be explicitly added to the criminal offenses section of the league's Personal Conduct Policy for players. "Animal cruelty in itself is not only condemned, but it is recognized as the most consistent predictor of violence against humans," Katz wrote. "By specifically including dogfighting and cockfighting in your list of 'criminal offenses' you are steering young men clear of activities that will bring them, their families and society greater pain. The NFL must make players and developing players know that torturing animals should not be a source of entertainment, nor does it make one appear competitive and 'tough' and that it will actually prohibit them from becoming successful and respected athletes." Reached for comment by e-mail, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote, "Illegal conduct of that nature is already covered by the policy, as evidenced by the fact that Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely in 2007 after pleading guilty to the charges against him."

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10-01-2009, 02:53 AM	#2
Auto Agent Repo Agent Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 141	He did his time, but I am suspicious of his remorse. Fame and fortune was on his side. I think if you have money, you can buy your way out of trouble.

10-02-2009, 08:05 AM	#3
repo chic Repo Agent Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 196	Vick committed unforgivable acts of cruelty upon scores of innocent dogs. He planned dogfights, paid for dogfights, participated indogfights, and enjoyed dogfights. When dogs were of no value he murdered them. Vick was committed to a lifestyle of thuggery and violence. Vick served his time and says he is changed man who wants to pay for his crimes. Instead of traveling the country as the spokesman for animal rights he is getting bucks play a game and I have a major problem with it.

10-03-2009, 08:46 AM	#4
crusader Repo Agent Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: in my wrecker :) Posts: 104	People make mistakes. Time will tell if he Vick has changed. he, like anyone deserves a second chance.

10-13-2009, 08:51 AM	#5
happyman Lot Boy Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 28	Dog fighting, cock fighting and other animal fighting are considered sport in some cultures and countries. I am not for what he did, but really who are we to judge?

04-30-2010, 07:21 PM	#7
VAREPOGUY but i just made a payment Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 29	anyone who is a public figure, especially an athlete or other cultural star should hold themselves to a higher standard, because so many young people are influenced by them, so no, i do NOT think michael vick should be forgiven. it wasnt a simple "mistake". it was a premeditated act that went on for a while, which makes it inexcusible.