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August 14th, 2009
09:32 PM ET
Humane Society Cheering For Michael Vick?
I am all the way for Michael Vick. These 'dog people' should just get over it. He is one of the dominating forces in NFL Football.
The Eagles NFL football team are making a dog-killer a glorified superstar to many ignorant teenagers. Our kids don’t see a mistake being forgiven. They don’t see a man who has changed. They see one more celebrity/criminal who’s gotten away with carnage. Vick didn't make mistakes. He made many mistakes. He made entertainment decisions. Now, Vick will be a role model of the worst sort. Kids will make Michael Vick an excuse for behaving like animals themselves. Kids will not see his "payment" nor hear his remorse as anything but the reward for someone who got away with torture. It’s yet another blow to a football league. May the NFL sponsors dump the Eagles football team–and I say this as an ex-diehard fan!
Michael Vick is a disgrace. His actions reflect the coward that he is. He has no heart. The NFL is made up of men who represent courage when they step on the field. These men become role models for our younger generations. How could the NFL use such poor judgement and allow Vick back in? As a result of this I will no longer support the NFL. I hope Vick gets this message. Vick you are a coward!
There is no "making up" or "fixing" what Vick has done. It's not like stealing a candy bar from the store. You can pay the store back. It's not like stealing a car. You can buy another car. What Vick did was WRONG! We are talking about life and death. There is no mistake when it comes down to that! Vick save your apologies. You shouldn't have done what you did!
What is the different between a white man going hunting and a black man fight dogs. I understand that dog fighting is illegal but Vick went to jail to pay his debt. Why is no one asking about the players that hunt like Bret Favre. I never been shot but I know that bullets and arrows hurt. Stop picking one without picking the other because both are animal cruelty.
i think its awesome and dog fighters might say Hey!!! michael vic stopped dog fighting then so will i!!!
vick did not just fight dogs he tortured dogs that could no longer fight to death and invited people to watch. That is the sort of thing serial killers do when they are younger. if he just was responsible for dog fighting than yes he did his time (too short) but because he is a pro athlete people seem to be willing to overlook his potential danger to others.
I cannot tell if Michael Vick is being truly sincere by offering to help the Humane Society or if he just did and said the right things so that he could get back into the NFL and make millions of dollars.
What I think that is important to remember is that playing football in the NFL is not a right that Vick is entitled to, it is a privilege that should have to be earned and deserved. Michael Vick in my very strong opinion has forfeited any opportunity of being able to play in the NFL again because of his criminal and inhumane behavior to animals!
Just because Vick paid his debt to society in prison, that does NOT automatically mean that he should be rewarded for his inhumane behavior with a contract in the NFL that is worth millions of dollars which he could never get outside of playing in the NFL. He should still be working hourly jobs right now as far as I am concerned!
If Michael Vick is truly sincere, then he would help the Humane Society out of conviction expecting nothing in return because it is something that he really wants to do. With Vick being allowed to play in the NFL again, there will always be some doubt that he is just using the Humane Society as a photo-op so he make a lot more money in the NFL than he can by doing anything else right now!
Michael Vick is very lucky that he did not serve much more time in prison for the horrible and inhumane crimes against life that he is guilty of. If I was able to pass judgment on Michael Vick, then he would think that Guantánamo Bay was a hotel resort in a very short period of time after I got through with him!
I will never watch the Philadelphia Eagles ever again even if they are in the Superbowl and I will definitely boycott any products that the Philadelphia Eagles advertise along with their sponsors. I also hope that every Philadelphia Eagles game is so swarmed with protesters that the media pays more attention to the protesters than they do to the actual football game!
My decision is absolutely firm and it will never change under any circumstances!
Mitch Dworkin
Does Charles Manson deserve a second chance? What Michael Vick did to helpless animals is just as bad as the Manson murders. Sure, Vick is remorseful – he's sorry that he got caught. The upside to him playing with the Eagles is that he'll now be watched. Only a cold blooded killer could have done the horrific things Vick did and death row is proof they don't change!
Michael Vick has taken responsibility for his crime. He was found guilty in the courts of the U.S., and has served his time. My opinion is, the news media should not try to prosecute him again in the news.
Michael Vick did not break a football rule which would bar him from playing, he broke a law of the land, and has served his time.
We have a legal system. We don't need the media trying to overthrow the system and replace that system.
Liz Perry
50% to the SPCA – I don't think Vick should have been reinstated in the first place; however, in doing so, I would have liked to see the NFL require him to give 50% of his NFL earnings to the SPCA. I haven't heard that this was part of the deal, so if not, come on.......let's encourage and/or pressure Vick to do so! At least this would go in the right direction of showing you can't just walk away from your mistakes once you've served your time. The consequences go beyond the law. Our young people should see examples of that.
Mike Vick is human everyone has done something he or she wish they hadn't.. Leave Mike alone, and let the man try to go on with his life.
He has kid to raise. Please leave him alone. Thank you.
People kill animals everyday in some part of the world its call hunting!
How many football players go hunting every year? Plenty! I don't see these Peta people trying to put a stop to hunting. Why is that? What about Cock fighing? This is something people are doing everyday, where is the protest?
See the problem is, is that there's no rehabilitation for stupid. The fact of the matter is, for a certain period of time, he was entertained by watching dogs mutilate each other. He was involved in training them to do so. Clearly he enjoyed it, without thinking or caring about the consequences and damage to the dogs. Stupid.
Also, this whole choreographed crusade for animal rights..
Do people really believe this stuff?
I'm so tired of all the phony bull. I really don't care that he's back in the NFL. It's more of a slap in the face to insult the American people's intelligence and tell us that Michael Vick will now become a crusader for animal rights. I'm not a genius, but watching the news and TV ads more and more makes me think that I am. If people are actually buy stuff like this...god help America. All is phony.
I am an animal lover amd I never heard of dog fighting until I was an adult. I wonder how many people are like me. Dog fighting wasn't invented by Michael Vick. He grew up in a neighborhood where it was not seen as a horrible activity.
I just have to wonder why he is the first person I ever heard of being prosecuted and jailed. Why aren't the owners of the dogs his dogs fought in jail?
I think we should be outraged by dog fighting as a sport and all of the activities that go along with raising dogs to fight. And I would really like for the animal lovers to take a little of the focus off of Vick and put more on finding other people involved in this activity.
If Vick can be used to teach people it is a bad thing, something I doubt he was taught maybe that's a better use of his time.
If Vick had been convicted of rape, would you still say 'lets move on' or 'he deserves a second chance'. The same sick mind that enjoys torturing animals also enjoys beating and raping women. Its all about power and violence and enjoying the suffering of others.
Torturing animals is an indicator of a psychopathic personality. You don't have to be a 'dog person' to recognize that Vick is a SOULLESS CREATURE and should not be in the NFL.
I will not watch the Eagles until they get rid of him and I will boycott the advertisers on those game.
If those who rescue pit bulls from dog-fighting kennels can rehabilitate the dogs, then why can’t Michael Vick be rehabilitated also? I deplore what Vick did, but I also applaud the Philly Eagles and Humane Society for giving Vick a second chance.
I am amazed at some of the reactions to Michael Vick returning to the NFL. It is a sad day in America when a person gets more prison time for killing dogs than for murder, child molestation or corporate embezzelment. It was wrong what he did, but the bible says that all have sinned... He who is without sin cast the first stone. Michael has paid his debt to society and has admitted his wrong doing. God has forgiven him and so should everyone else.
Tim Rucker
Most convicted felons can't get jobs. Vick drowns, hangs and shocks dogs for pleasure and is now a reformed man who's done his time and gets his multimilillion dollar job back.
I know a teacher who grew marijuana, managed to get himself out of a long sentence by finding a technicallity, can't get a job anywhere b/c he is a convicted felon now... Read More
The NFL's reinstatment of Michael Vick's and subsqent signing to the Pennsylvania Eagles allows him to earn more income after a felony confiction is a situation in need of correction.
A felon should not, out the gate, ever be able to be compensated more than the President of the United States as a normative policy rule. The felon must start at the bottom of society and earn and regain any status.
The felon should theoretically not be paid more than another person of relative or equivalent capability, as measurable as that is, as possible. All thing equal.
The NFL is an elite squad of high performance, highly ethical individuals. A felon does not put this person in this category. Normally, a felon with extraordinary capabilities would never be allowed to enter the NFL whatsoever.
If money = power = responsibility, this individual cannot possibly be valued ($1 – 5.2 Million) more than a sitting US President. Nobody has that much lifelong talent to provide that much value (education, social and community work), and leadership to lead a nation. Clearly, by the felon's actions, he is not worthy.
Therefore, the US corporate – economic reward system is fatally flawed.
The felon's argument, that this is America, and we are allowed second chances is narrow in scope and catapults him back to the top of the echelons of professional football. He is using idiot's compassion to a new level, is taking hold with the NFL. His supporters and select fans or teammates that support him, have no interest in the legal justice system–just in entertainment and playing competitve football and winning at all costs. Perhaps some will have financial gains by supporting him in the future.
New laws should be enacted to mitigate societal and financial harm than can arise from individuals earning such large sums of money, particularly when banks and executives are failing their corporate responsibility to the public.
This felon has no training in social, financial responsibility, or ethical training and therefore should not be entitled to manage such large sums for public trust and safety. Systems are not in check with regard to employment legislation in these special cases and if allowed to proceed through the NFL, could cause irreparable harm to the societal fabric and message being reconstructed today with regards to fraud, crime, punishment and value of work.
In a 60 Minutes interview, "Vick said he feels "some tremendous hurt behind what happened." He said he should have taken "the initiative to stop it all ... I didn’t." Asked if he was more concerned about his playing career or the dogs he hurt, Vick replied, "Football don’t even matter."
Standing by the integrity of his words, an example of his future actions, then, he should not play football volutnarily. If he does, it is for the money and he has lied on national television.
Please consider this evidence and the normative rationale provided in developing your legislation to prevent and protect public trust and the systems and checks for corporate responsibility.
Mike Vick...Excellent footballer...Poor judgement in the morality department..Should he play for the NFL? Why not, like I said he is a excellent fball player, he has that "edge" about him that coaches like and the fans like it too..But why the Eagles, what will happen to Mcnabb...Like Nancy Grace said on her interview Anderson Cooper standing in for Larry King on the 'Larry King Show' Mcnabb is the "all-American-Boy" with the Campbel Soup ad plus he is a 5x pro-bowl–Vick, prison/abuse to animals/not very good in the eyes of some..Just Stick to what you know Vick, Football! Oh, & don't go near any petting zoo's for awhile...k.
I agree he did something wrong; he did apologize; he did serve time in prison; some of the people that are against his return to life are the same people that sit in church every Sunday cheering. Did god not forgive? They are also some of the same people who don't care if a man crossing the street is killed to a under the influence football player is worth the shout. Let him play, if he takes this chance for granted then he should lose his privilege to play in the national football league. Who are you to judge? Maybe I am guessing that some of these people would not have a pit-bull as pet and they bet on horse racing? Self righteousness is a disease.
This is good that the goofy animal activist lost there fight it's about time that realistic people pulls there head out of king kongs nose and smells the coffie these were animales not human beings the person that sent him to prison is the real criminal for being as stupid as the animal that most people over seas eat for dinner.
Dear Kyra,
Dear Lisa,
Health care reform is very complicated. We must control the income and expenses. Expenses must be CUT and controlled on service providers wages(Dr. fees), hospital(nothing free for uninsured), medications(why are drugs cheaper in other countries), eliminate dropped coverage, eliminate preexisting problem, single record data base,all policies and plans reimburse at the same rate(medicare has to pay the same as private policy), equal access and coverage for all(Drs. and health companies cherry pick),pay for preventive care and anything else I forgot.
The groups that have to agree to truly fix it and disregard their special interest are AMA, drug companies, hospitals, insurance companies and congress.
I can see no way to have meaningful reform the way we are going about it now. It is a piece meal approach. All of these entities will never agree to what needs to be done. Somebody has to be in charge. That somebody should be congress and the administration.
If it is not a single payer system we will continue this exercise in futility again and again forever. Congress will always be tinkering with details.
Step up. We need to join the rest of the world and cut out all special interest in this important legislation. There are times in everyones career when you can really make a difference. This is yours.
Patrick Ronan
Hi Don. I myself believe that Michael Vick deserves to play professional football if he is good enough and he obviously is. He paid his debt and it serves as inspiration to others who have fallen that they can turn themselves around and come back better and stronger.
Ok The humane society said to kill all the dogs remember? Vick gave all the animal lovers at court the finger. HAS HE EVEN ASKED TO SEE ANY OF THE DOGS THAT WERE SAVED? How about COOP who is now retired from the 49ers -who cleans cages and tries to help the very dogs VICK tried to destroy. He doesent call the media to watch.
I think Vicks signing is sad commentary on our society.
Everybody wants to ask him why he fought dogs. I want to ask why he would take the ones that didnt fight -connect jumper cables to their ears and hook it up to a car battery and throw the dogs into a swimming pool gleefully watching them writhe to their deaths. The scratch marks are clearly visible on the pool STILL on the property. Now the Eagles want him to stand in front of kids as a role model??? You have GOT TO BE KIDDING.
How many chances should this goof get? He gets busted with pot in a water bottle, gives a woman herpes (but pays her off) and now cruelly takes household pets and kills them when they wont fight?
How many very talented college athelets are not getting press because of the horrific monster the media wants to celebrate?
The animals he and his friends tortured and maimed would like a second chance too! They dont have a million dollar industry to revive their lives.
Philadelphia's own humane officer talks about the fact that they already have the biggest problem in eighteen years with starving dogs and children (yes children) setting dogs on fire and killig them.
Guess they just want to be like Mike.
Disgusting.
I don't think it has it has anything to do with “dog people" at all. I think that level of gratuitous viciousness he displayed, indicates a serious flaw of character and, perhaps even a number of severe mental issues. Additionally, I am not convinced that his attempts at redemption are insincere.
Anyone who is capable of torturing any animal in the ways he did or facilitated is truly sick–and he does not get it. He needs major psychotherapy before he needs football. He has no remorse and I hope that no one ever allows him to have an animal of any sort ever–or children. He has a severe psychiatric disorder and I am appalled that no one has actually acknowledged this–not even the people who are 'helping him.' If they don't, how can he get the help and 'rehabilitation' he needs.
What Michael Vick did was not mean it was evil. The only number he should wear on his back is 666. The Humane Society never has and never will get my support. What cowards are they these people are suppose to protect animals and they sold out. I was hoping I was wrong about the Humane Society but sadly, I was not… Evil is Evil whether it is towards people or animals , I do not support it. I have heard people say, "People get less time for abusing people, because the Legal System let them down this makes this less, why? I think he should have had to do his time in dog’s years. No Michael Convick! You cannot rehabilitate evil, it cannot be done.
I did not see any remorse in this human being. All he could talk about was how, when he was in jail, missed his family, and he missed being able to play on the field..
If you look in his eyes, I don't see remorse, maybe he feels sorry for himself, because he got caught. Nothing more and nothing less..and blaming it on his upbringing..gimme a break..He electrocuted, hanged, drowned, broke the necks of the dogs that did not perform. sure this is not a normal person, he belongs in a psych ward..for sociopaths..
People like this are never going to be reformed..and like I saw
MICHEAL VICK IS AN EAGLE, HIDE YOUR BEAGLE..BOOOHHHHH
A serial killer has no remorse for their many victims. What makes what Michael Vick did any different than a serial killer.
I don't think he is sorry for his actions, rather he is saying what's necessary in order to try and regain his career which he is afraid of losing. I don't believe he is remorseful.
IF MICHAEL VICK IS THAT REMORSEFUL LET HIM TAKE A JOB WITH THE EAGLES AT CONSTUCTION WORKERS WAGES!
There is a difference between hunting and torturing. Unless you are a vegetarian (oh wait.. are you killing vegetables? Oh no!) We can respectfully, quickly and humanly kill animals vs watching them tear each other to shreds and torturing them purposely prolonging their agony for our pleasure.