I'm so disappointed in Michael Vick
Comments
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Monday's the day - let's take bets...I'm sayin' 6 months in the slammer + huge fine + community service.
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Disclaimer - Vick DID set the single game QB rushing record against my Vikes, but that has nothing to do with my ire; Just about every major record was set against my Vikes...
Vick was hand-selected to be the face of the NFL, to be held up in high esteem by kids of all colors across the (American) football-lovin'-world.
1) I don't think that, other than being physically gifted to a freaky level, he did anything to deserve this pedestal. But he was put there, fine.
2) Once he was put there, how did he conduct himself? Like an ghetto-ass idiot. Flipping off his hometown fans because they booed their piss-poor performance? Nice. Blunts online? I have no qualms with the puff-puff-give, but you're supposed to be setting an example. Quite literally, an industry is devoted to building a positive persona around you so they can sell more merchandise and pay you absurd amounts of money so that you can continue to run around a field playing catch with the guys. Maybe a little more caution would be wise. The water bottle? Come on, it's hard to mistake the smell of the mary jane as all of the initial reports indicated. Then it suddenly disappeared, with an explanation that was hugely lacking. Me thinks something skunky went on... Ron Mexico - yeah, not illegal, but not the actions of a decent human being.
3) When he's been caught, did he react with grace? Never. Lies, backtracking, more lies. He's never shows signs of genuine contrition. He obviously thinks that his fans are gullible and he might just be right.
Anything he could ever want, it was handed to him on a buffet table of silver platters. What did he do? Piss in the punchbowl. Way to be MV. -
If the NFL selected Vick or any other player because they wanted role models and someone that kids could look up to .... then they are a bunch of idiots and who really believes that anyway.
These men are athletes not anyone's baby daddy and certainly not role models. ATHLETES!
I could care less if A-ROD is having an affair and got caught entering a hotel lobby with a "stripper" WHO CARES? that's not very role model like but it is his personal life.
Flipping off his hometown fans is not "ghetto".. not sportsmanshipl ike but "ghetto" what a strange way to describe some of mv's actions. 'ghetto" is not the word that comes to mind. -
Subject: CNN Breaking News
Michael Vick admits funding a dogfighting operation and that "collective efforts" by him and two others caused the deaths of at least six dogs, his plea agreement states. -
Breaking News: Vick files plea, denies explicitly killing dogs
QB strikes agreement with prosecutors, admits guilt to funding dogfighting
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20417707/
My favorite part...
According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging, but Vick never admits to being the one who killed any of them. “Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts†of Vick and two of the co-defendants, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.
WTF?
The entire written plea agreement:
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/070824_Vick_Statement_Of_Facts.pdf -
lmboogie wrote: If the NFL selected Vick or any other player because they wanted role models and someone that kids could look up to .... then they are a bunch of idiots and who really believes that anyway.
to some extent, i agree that public figures of many kinds (clinton) are put under a spotlight and judged harshly for things that have nothing to do with their jobs and that no one would care about if they weren't famous.
These men are athletes not anyone's baby daddy and certainly not role models. ATHLETES!
I could care less if A-ROD is having an affair and got caught entering a hotel lobby with a "stripper" WHO CARES? that's not very role model like but it is his personal life.
on the other hand -- and i've barely been following all this, so this is just my impression, but it seems like now is one of those times -- sometimes, famous people do things that are wrong, bad, clearly and flagrantly illegal, and then get special treatment under the law because they are famous. -
NFL just suspended him indefinitely.
Let's hope there's a special place in hell for people who torture animals -
I actually saw this stupid comment come out of Jamie Foxx's mouth last night, but here's the quote (from Dlisted.com). He should just shut the fuck up.......
“It’s a cultural thing, I think. Most brothers didn’t know that, you know. I used to see dogs fighting in the neighborhood all the time. I didn’t know that was Fed time. So, Mike probably just didn’t read his handbook on what not to do as a black star. I know that cruelty to animals is bad, but sometimes people shoot people and kill people and don’t get time. I think in this situation,he really didn’t know the extent of it, so I always give him the benefit of the doubt.†-
I hope nobody tells me I just don't get it because I'm not Black - but these types of hip-shot responses do no one any good. I'm not anti-Vick, or-anti-jock, or anti-a brother, I'm just anti-one-of-the most-despicable behaviors-a-human-can-be-involved-with is all. And if people are troubled that murderers of humans are getting off lightly go complain to the DA's of the world. It's a stupid comparison to begin with.
Vick's behavior is reprehensible and if he thought he was above it all because of his exalted position as a star athlete, then shame on all the adults in his life that allowed him to feel entitled as he was growing up. -
I actually saw this stupid comment come out of Jamie Foxx's mouth last night, but here's the quote (from Dlisted.com). He should just shut the fuck up.......
the guy is simply trying to explain how certain people in his cultural view dog fighting. again, i also used to see dog fighting in the neighborhood all the time and never thought it was a crime, forget that someone would actually go to jail. i know it is wrong and cruel but i would probably make the same comment foxx made. i know not to because i respect and understand that other people are passionate about this topic. so maybe he should shut the fuck up. -
I hope nobody tells me I just don't get it because I'm not Black
i don't believe any of the posts have even remotely suggested that what mv did was ok because he is black. you should have saved that comment. -
lmboogie wrote:
No, I think he was making a general response based on comments by some black people in the media regarding the prevalence of dog fighting in certain communities ( some rural,white and black, and some black, urban communities, etc.) and defending it using the "you white folks don't understand" defense (not in so many words always - but sometimes with those words..)I hope nobody tells me I just don't get it because I'm not Black
i don't believe any of the posts have even remotely suggested that what mv did was ok because he is black. you should have saved that comment.
There are a LOT of folks playing the whole race/ victim card thing regarding Vick ( none on this board so far). Just listen to so called "black radio" (please, no PC responses, stations that mainly blacks listen to and call in to) But Jamie Foxx and a host of other well known blacks have been rather 'matter of fact' about dog fighting. Jamie is originally from the south too, I think...
Unfortunately as you said earlier, it is a part of a cultural thing but the 'ethos' reads, rather unfortunately, as slightly sociopathic to anyone not from those communities ( torturing of animals, basically). If you knew a kid was torturing squirrels and killing them, you would be concerned. But somehow people involved in this trade compartmentalize it and rationalize it and deflect questions about it. the difference between this and boxing is that the animals have no choice.
Dogfighting pre-dates hip-hop culture of 1978 or so and seems to be a holdover from southern, rural culture in America (pit bull terriers specifically). It is one of those "habits" that many communities are going to have to drop given the prominence of the dog in American culture.
We need to stop self destructive, counter-productive behavior in our communities and with our values and heroes we choose.
Beside, it just isn't cool at all. -
Its not a black vs. white thing, but I do think it is a north vs. south thing and a lower class vs. middle/upper class thing.
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sweettea:he should be punished accordingly, no more and no less than anyone else who commits that type of crime.
Its not a black vs. white thing, but I do think it is a north vs. south thing and a lower class vs. middle/upper class thing.
YES, which is why i called "livetotravel' out on his/her comment. i was afraid that was the direction these posts were going. i'm looking forward to checking out real sports on hbo because i still have no idea what these people do to the animals. sounds horrific and i'm sure i'll be disgusted. will that change how disappointed and hurt that vick is going to jail.....Nope. -
now i'm reading folks think he should be banned from football for life. are you kidding me? 7180, care explain why this guy is going to pay his debt to society and then we want to continue punishing him by not allowing him to earn money in his profession.
sweettea: you think that punishment fits the crime? -
Hopefully his conviction for this crime will educate others that dogfighting and everything that goes with it is not only illegal but despicable and inhumane behavior. Hard to believe, but apparently not everyone gets that.
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lmboogie wrote: now i'm reading folks think he should be banned from football for life. are you kidding me? 7180, care explain why this guy is going to pay his debt to society and then we want to continue punishing him by not allowing him to earn money in his profession.
you want to know what i really think? (and again, bear in mind i know little beyond what has been posted here.)
sweettea: you think that punishment fits the crime?
i think there's little attention anymore to punishments fitting crimes. i think people's lives get ruined for less than this all the time. (see: collateral consequences) which sucks.
i also think that what he's been accused of is horrific. if it's true -- and it sure sounds like it is -- then it's hard for my heart to break that he won't be earning $130 million dollars a year anymore. (always assuming the nfl doesn't change its mind, which would surprise me very little.)
i further think that while sports may indeed instill all that good stuff about teamwork and honor and whatnot into some kids, that many, especially those who are really good from an early age, are instead often taught about bullying and double-standards and permissible violence. (no, i am not a football fan.) -
lmboogie wrote: now i'm reading folks think he should be banned from football for life. are you kidding me? 7180, care explain why this guy is going to pay his debt to society and then we want to continue punishing him by not allowing him to earn money in his profession.
After he pays his debt to society, he has (by law) every right to hold a job and earn a living... but that doesn't mean that he has a 'right' to play football. The NFL has personal conduct rules that he agreed to and that he subsequently violated.
sweettea: you think that punishment fits the crime?
Also, I'm not going to feel too bad about a guy that has earned tens of millions of dollars in the last several years. Unless he's REALLY bad with his money, he should have a ton of money left - enough that several middle class families could live off the earnings if you stuck half of it in to some conservative stocks. -
But because we live in a benevolent democracy, M Vick, after he pays his debt to society, has (by law) no right to vote.
Some place we got here right? -
Livetotravel wrote: But because we live in a benevolent democracy, M Vick, after he pays his debt to society, has (by law) no right to vote.
Really? That's fucked.
Some place we got here right? -
Here's an older artilce - but you'll get the gist of it
http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/feature-commentary/20030217/202/285 -
lmboogie wrote: now i'm reading folks think he should be banned from football for life. are you kidding me? 7180, care explain why this guy is going to pay his debt to society and then we want to continue punishing him by not allowing him to earn money in his profession.
Yea, I think if the NFL wants him back, he should be able to play. I don't want him banned for life or anything, just made an example of and punished (the public punishment has already started). I don't want to go crazy or anything and give him 10 years in prison, but the whole thing is very frustrating to me.
sweettea: you think that punishment fits the crime?
He hasn't served 1 day yet, he will be suspended for a year at least which will hurt him financially ( the example) but after all of the legal proceedings are done, he should be able to earn a living and move on and even be forgiven (if he earns it) by the public. It will be hard for him to gt endorsements afterwards though.... -
i don't have any delusions that giving Vick the maximum sentence is going to
make the dog fighting rings go away, but hopefully we can turn this negative
into a positive
Give Michael Vick a year in jail, and a 2 year probationary period which he has to spend
X number of months working with national organizations helping prevent
animal cruelty -- hopefully this time will help him reflect on the core belief
system he's developed that says it's fun to kill and torture innocent animals.
And he could not own any dog for X number of years.
If he fulfills his probation requirements, he will have helped raise public awareness as to
the grizzly side of dog fighting among his many fans; and also go a long ways to helping
himself in the court of public opinion
I don't see how locking him up for years and years is going to help society in any way -
this, i believe:
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Yea, I hope he has a successful career when he returns...
and so start the other examples:
DMX Facing Dog Cruelty Charges Too
Saturday, August 25th, 2007
Rapper DMX is the latest celebrity to go to the dogs.
The Arizona home of the rapper/actor was raided Friday, and the sheriff's department found guns, drugs and a dozen mistreated pit bulls.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, already had a rap sheet for animal cruelty, after abusing his pit bulls in New Jersey in 2002. He avoided jail time by agreeing to make a public service announcement against cruelty towards animals. Maybe he should have watched it.
The 36 year old hardcore hip hop artist is on the lam in New York and claims that he hasn't visited his Arizona home in months. Coincidentally, the dogs hadn't been fed or watered for months.
Guess Michael Vick isn't the only celeb to have dog troubles.
Come see what celebrity bets you can make at the Bodog Sportsbook.
http://entertainment.bodogbeat.com/dmx-facing-dog-cruelty-charges-too-52054.html -
So, MV seemed sincere in his apology made after filing the plea - I particularly liked the fact that he admitted that kids looked up to him and that he let them down, and that they should at least learn from him to show better judgment. Let's just hope that he and others really do learn something from this whole ordeal.
And please, MV, stop referring to yourself in the 3rd person. Please. -
hrmph! I once shook DMX's hand. jerkwad. he was, incidentally, surrounded by an entirely white posse outfitted in Armani. and this was in Harlem. I was totally confused but it did make him & his crew stand out ...
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just saw mv's apology and msnbc calculated the amount of $ he's lost, looks like the nfl want their 22M back. what a fucking waste /disappointment..... and he certainly conveyed that in his apology.
i did think referring to himself in the 3rd person was funny. -
You know, there are people genuniely disgusted with dog-fighting and Vick's involvement in it that feel the press has gone a bit overboard in this case. There was a judge on Larry King the other night who said he'd gotten hundreds of letters condemning Vick but has yet to recieve a word about the brutal murder of a baby in his district. The other night I mentioned this in passing to a foreign relative who hasn't lived in the US in 30 years. "I'm not surprised," she said. "Everybody knows Americans care more about animals than people." Wow...
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I have to agree - I think the greatest outpouring of sympathy post-Katrina was for the pets left behind and finally rescued. And in fact, there was a greater outreach by Americans to house and adopt them, then there was for the human victims.
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