O/T- Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Beagles

[roster]

..........How many would be willing to give him a chance in the NFL if it had been just ONE young girl or boy???

.......

If the victim were a human, I hope the criminal would be in the electric chair for life.

[WearyOne]

I don't believe Rooster has ever DEFENDED Vick's actions, as a poster on here suggested; how could anyone. Showing grace and forgiveness to someone when they don't deserve it is not defending their actions. I'm not a football fan AT ALL; can't stand to watch it, so this has nothing to do with the game and him playing as far as I'm concerned. What he did was reprehensible. Right now, I can't stand the guy for what he did. I would love to beat the you know what out of him. But I still think Rooster is right. And grace does not mean a person doesn't have to pay for their crimes.

"You need to check up on the stats, all the prisoners just come out stronger, and smarter nowdays." (Emphasis mine.) If that statement means they come out worse than before, which is the way I took it; it's wrong. I've known people from my church in prison ministry and heard the testimonies of some inmates, so I know if that's the way the statement was meant, it's just not true.

[roster]

Rooster, I can't believe that you trust criminals. .......... She fell for their psycological BS and it looks like you did the same.

.......What Vick did to the dogs was sick any way you roll the dice and for you to say you forgive him without ever meeting him is just insane. You did not alalyze him so you are only blowing smoke when you defend him.

.......

Hoze,

I don't need any help from you in making up my posts.

-I never said I trust Vick or any criminal. You made that up and attributed it to me. I have been around criminals enough to know to always watch my back, sides and front.

-I never said anything that could be construed as a psychological topic. You made that up and attributed it to me.

-I never defended Vick. You made that up and attributed it to me.

[tgzlavistane]

Compare Michale Vicks sentence for dog fighting which was 23 Months in Prison and 3 years Probation to Donte Stallworths sentence of 30 days in jail , two years of house arrest and 8 years of Probation for drunk driving manslaughter. Was one sentence to lite or was one to harsh?

[janetlee]

There is ONE (besides Vick himself) that knows if he's truly sorry or not for what he did to those helpless animals. Have you ever noticed how many people only become "sorry" or "repentant" AFTER they're caught doing a wrong? This has been true of politicians, preachers, and others. They're sorry alright! Sorry that they got caught!
A person that did what Vick did does not SUDDENLY become all cuddly and compassionate. Has he changed his true feelings about torturing animals? I can't say. All I know is that I wouldn't want him near any animal again or any persons that might be incapable of defending themselves, such as children or elderly folks. If he can be cruel to animals, it's no stretch to be cruel to people too. All I do know is that I personally could not in good conscience support any team he played with. He'd have to do a lot more than say "I'm sorry" for me to be able to look the other way. He needs to put his money where his mouth is and become and continue to be an advocate for animals, whether he's ordered to by the courts or not (I honestly don't know what any of his release stipulations are/were though) In the meantime, I have no sympathy for him. I'll save it for those poor animals instead!
janetlee

[roster]

Here is the Humane Society's statements from today on Vick.

......... At events with Michael in Atlanta and Chicago, we've seen him deliver a powerful message against animal cruelty. Like so many other major American cities, Philadelphia has a serious dogfighting problem, and groups like the Pennsylvania SPCA have excellent programs to combat dogfighting locally. We have not had any discussions with the Philadelphia Eagles and the team did not consult animal welfare groups about its decision, but we look forward to working together to combat the dogfighting problem in Philadelphia and nationwide............ http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publicati ... 81409.html

not a spokesperson. he's working with our anti-dogfighting program to reach at-risk kids in urban areas. http://twitter.com/humanesociety

[kteague]

Don't know how I feel about him getting a second chance at playing ball again. While I am highly suspect of his change of heart, I do know it can and does happen. As far as ex-cons, I've seen both extremes up close and personal. A dear friend's brothers were doing sentences for a robbery gone bad that resulted in a death. At first they seemed incorrigable.The older one escaped from a maximim security prison and was recaptured. Was also accused of starting a massive riot, and while it was in protest of him being put in "the hole" he did not "start" the riot. Because of this early history with the prison system, the warden made sure his time was long and very hard. The younger brother was paroled after about 26 years, and was back in and out for short stints, ever getting caught up in one small time illegal act after another. The older brother did his many years (maybe 32) having grown into a sensitive caring patient man who sought only to live the rest of life right in the eyes of God and man and devoted himself to working with youth to prevent them from taking his path. There's plenty of jailhouse religion, but what happens upon release tells the story. This man has been out for a few years now, and maintains the integrity and lifestyle he proclaimed while in prison. It's who he is, heart and soul, and I value him as a trustworthy friend. But I heard his brother was in jail again just a few weeks ago. (This is not a commentary on their crime or sentence - the judicial system decided that.)

In some circles dog fighting, as well as cock fighting, are not considered deviant behavior, though illegal. I personally think it's barberic. Does it mean something is missing in the soul of those who perpetuate such activities? My personal belief is yes. Can one change their views once able to see the situation from another perspective - yes too. All I know is I have done things at certain points in my life that I would never consider doing after that point. But until I changed my mind about my doings, I continued. Has Michael Vick changed his views on dogfighting? Only he knows.

Kathy

[Hoze-Zay]

Rooster, I can't believe that you trust criminals. .......... She fell for their psycological BS and it looks like you did the same.

.......What Vick did to the dogs was sick any way you roll the dice and for you to say you forgive him without ever meeting him is just insane. You did not alalyze him so you are only blowing smoke when you defend him.

.......

Hoze,

I don't need any help from you in making up my posts.

-I never said I trust Vick or any criminal. You made that up and attributed it to me. I have been around criminals enough to know to always watch my back, sides and front.

-I never said anything that could be construed as a psychological topic. You made that up and attributed it to me.

-I never defended Vick. You made that up and attributed it to me.

Whatever, Go root for the Dog Murderer, in fact pm me your address and I will send you a nice Tee Shirt saying Hooray for Dog Murderers.

[roster]

...........Whatever, Go root for the Dog Murderer, in fact pm me your address and I will send you a nice Tee Shirt saying Hooray for Dog Murderers.

Do you really think I will send my address to someone who writes, about a fellow human,

........... deserves a bullet to the head ...........

?

Well nooooooo, I won't.

Instead of the t-shirt, why don't you mail a donation to the Humane Society?

[Hoze-Zay]

...........Whatever, Go root for the Dog Murderer, in fact pm me your address and I will send you a nice Tee Shirt saying Hooray for Dog Murderers.

Do you really think I will send my address to someone who writes, about a fellow human,

........... deserves a bullet to the head ...........

?

Well nooooooo, I won't.

Instead of the t-shirt, why don't you mail a donation to the Humane Society?

Ok so you want send me your addy but I bet you would if I were a criminal. YOu probably don't even watch football cause it is to rough. Compeitive needle point is probably about as rough as it gets for you. Go hug a criminal. Love you man!

[slapmeawake]

Personally attacking someone who voices an opinion is very ignorant in my opinion. Just because you don't agree with how they feel is no excuse to denigrate them. I personally don't care about Vick but I must ascribe to what my Savior says: to forgive. Its a hard pill to swallow sometimes and it doesn't mean forgetting anything or not making the person do restitution. Maybe I'm wrong but you sound like you want to never allow this man to even make a living. I will leave it up to a higher power to see if he really is genuine in his repentance. I sure hope you never do anything wrong and have to face the consequences. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

[Hoze-Zay]

Personally attacking someone who voices an opinion is very ignorant in my opinion. Just because you don't agree with how they feel is no excuse to denigrate them. I personally don't care about Vick but I must ascribe to what my Savior says: to forgive. Its a hard pill to swallow sometimes and it doesn't mean forgetting anything or not making the person do restitution. Maybe I'm wrong but you sound like you want to never allow this man to even make a living. I will leave it up to a higher power to see if he really is genuine in his repentance. I sure hope you never do anything wrong and have to face the consequences. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

You are right, I am sorry I picked on him and insulted him. I was being ignorant.

Please forgive me Rooster. This is from my heart.

[SleepNazzi]

Not that I want to add more fuel to the fire, but I'm just sick an tired of the double standard we afford to athletes. Anyone else would still be in jail. Any other job would not take you back. Vick, in the scheme of things did wrong, but no where near as wrong as some other recent SO-CALLED stars... Dante Stallworth killed a man while under the influence and only spent 30 days in jail. That's just laughable... Get behind the wheel... mow down 8 or 9 individuals... claim intoxication and only get 8 or 9 months in jail... OK that's stretching it a bit, but you get the point.

THE SICKEST THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING? IT'S OUR FREAKING FAULT! Yes, we buy the tickets that pay their salaries. We buy their sports paraphernalia that line the pockets of the people that made this decision to let these individuals back into the lime lite and back into the millions of dollars that they think they demand. It's a game. I'd rather pay a police officer, school teacher, fire fighter, or other servant millions of dollars. THEY ACTUALLY WORK!

Forgiveness is not for us, its for his maker. If he's truly changed, kudos to him. Can a zebra change his stripes?


NO SLEEP FOR YOU!

[SaltLakeJan]

I can understand why Andy Reid would give Vic a chance. He is a man who has been deeply disappointed in his son's behavior. Perhaps this morivated him to want Vic, as he would want someone to give his son's a second chance.

I have hopes for Vic - also doubts. What kind of person could be as cruel as he has been. There is hope for everyone to rehab themselves after a problem. It begins with humility. Do you see humbleness in Vic?

Jan

[Slinky]

I have no problem w/Vick getting a REAL job. But for the NFL to NOT suspend him for LIFE (and the same for Dante Stalworth)... Let them find a job elsewhere other than football and actually have to EARN a REAL living ..... this is a sick society.