Michael Vick: Sharing the Blame?
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from federal prison recently after serving most of a 23-month sentence for his role in running a dog fighting ring.
But Vick’s new role—campaigning with the Humane Society to end dog fights—unleashed a torrent of public skepticism, from infuriated animal lovers to sports and opinion writers.
“People won’t easily forgive a man at the center of a ring that killed dogs that failed to fight well by hanging, drowning and electrocution,” stated one newspaper editorial. “A nation that fawns over Bo and Barney and queues up for ‘Beverly Hills Chihuahua’ and ‘Marley and Me’ will understandably be skeptical about giving Vick a second chance.”
As people pondered whether Vick was truly sincere, genuinely remorseful, and/or accepting responsibility for his actions, an assistant sociology professor at Tulane University declared that Michael Vick had been punished for “our crimes” as a “nation of outraged lobster-boilers.”
“What did Michael Vick do that is morally reprehensible?” asked Professor Shayne Lee, writing in The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Some of us forget that dogs are mere animals, and that animal mistreatment is as American as Apple iPods. Like Vick, most of us shamelessly abuse and kill animals”—for science, “leather jackets, ham sandwiches, or horse-racing.”
Noting that Vick’s actions “did not lead to the abuse of one single human being,” the sociologist said, “I think we have it backward. Let’s give the federal sentences to athletes who harm humans by beating them or jeopardize their safety by driving drunk. And let’s give slaps on the wrist to animal abusers.”
His conclusion: “If Vick is guilty, then we all are.”
Tell us what you think: Are we all guilty—or responsible—as charged? Michael Vick did the time for the crime, so should he be forgiven? Was his sentence too harsh?
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Starting Over
As the dominant species on this earth, we have power over the other species. It is our responsibility to protect the environment, including all plant and animal life. We have the right to use (not abuse) our environment. We do not have the right to cause unnecessary pain or stress to the other species that share our planet.
Too late we discover that an extinct species had great value for the planet, even though we did not recognize it until it was too far gone to recover from our abuse or neglect.
I don’t and will never understand how inflicting pain on an animal or human is entertainment. I do not understand how watching pain being inflicted is amusing. This would include cage fighting for adult, children, and animals.
There are so many varieties of sports which involve animals. Why must it entail deliberate injury or death? I love watching a well-trained animal doing what it was bred to do — running, pulling loads, herding sheep, demonstrating obedience or agility. Obviously each of these activities offers opportunity for injury; but the injuries suffered are not caused on purpose.
I’m sure if a group of people wanted to demonstrate his dog breed’s tenacity and strength, an alternative program could be devised (probably already has been done by responsible dog breeders). Why not get involved with your breed association functions and challenges where your animal can compete without suffering abuse?
As to Michael Vick: if he has served his sentence, it is time to let him PROVE himself. I do not mean he should be allowed to have control over animals; but if he is working with animals in a respectful manner, perhaps he will learn how a good inter-species relationship can be built and he will no longer be compelled to torture dogs.
Sandy DeWitt | 4 months, 1 week ago
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Forgiveness
People are always saying that Americans are so forgiving. Yet, are we? I believe Vick should be given another chance. I read up on his upbringing and he probably really did not know how horrible the thing he was doing and allowing. I believe he has other issues going on deeply inside his soul and should have counseling to get to the root of why? Unless you grew up poor, we did things to pass the time, some not so good. He reminds me of Mike Tyson who was a great fighter, but had no real knowledge of right and wrong so he was used by most everyone in his life. Now we want to persecute Vick. Reminds me of a scripture in the bible John 8:3; woman taken in adultery they only wanted to stone her to death yet the man was not condemned! My point, he who is without sin throw the first stone, no one was able to do this. Let’s give him another chance.
Shirley Bryant | 4 months, 1 week ago
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People can change
People can change. Has Vick? I have no idea — but I don’t automatically assume that he’s the same person he was. Sometimes people don’t think about what they’re doing until they’re slapped in the face with it, and then they can indeed genuinely repent.
The Tulane prof’s comparison to eating meat etc is not valid, however. What Vick was doing was hurting the animals for the sake of hurting the animals — as entertainment. Farmers don’t sit around devising the most cruel ways to slaughter food animals.
So… Vick did his time. I say give him the benefit of the doubt if he appears to be trying to do good. If he later proves otherwise, society will deal with that when it comes.
Stephen R | 4 months, 1 week ago
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Forgiveness
Michael Vick is human just like all of us. Whether or not man or woman forgives Vick, it doesn’t really matter; I’m sure that God has forgiven him, especially if he asked for God’s forgiveness.
Derman Shannon | 4 months, 1 week ago
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The Unforgiveable Act?
Whether it is a dog fight, #### fight or prized fight, we sit (usually idly) by and watch while others are inflicting pain upon another for our amusement. I have a problem with the psyche that views this as enjoyment. Yet, I enjoy prized fighting which is where one fighter (human) inflicts that pain upon another (human) and do not believe that the promoter should be charged with a crime for arranging the “entertainment.” Football where on any given play one person, such as in the incident of Daryl Stingley, may become paralyzed for who knows how long. By the way, I enjoy football as well. And yet., whether we are talking about extreme sports, football, boxing or any of the myriad of sports since the Roman Gladiator, no one is charged with a crime for causing humans to inflict pain, injury or more to another. Some have said that dog fighting is not uncommon, I do not know if this is true but the Vick case served to remind/awaken our conscience that events such as this continue.
Back to your questions, and I must ask a question of my own “Considering that in the prime of an athletic career, Michael Vick was jailed for one year and has served his time, why is what Michael Vick did viewed as an inexcusable incident? Michael Vick was involved and funded the dog fight arena and has served a one year sentence (impactng his potential earnings and casting a shadow on a once promising career as what the court system saw as fair retribution for the event. Should he continue to be punished for his involvement by the court of public opinion. The bigger question and a question for a larger audience, have any of us committed inexcusable/unforgivable incidents. I believe that the ultimate judge t answer this question is our Creator and through his word states that man should be forgiven seventy times seven times (and continues to say that if the events exceed seventy times seven then we are to forgive again.)
George Carter | 4 months, 1 week ago
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reader
Michael Vick, did his time.
But did we not find out about more of these similar actions/crimes by well known people a few days ago ( July 6/09). How come CNN is not on top of this.
Michael Vick is a black man, are these other well known people who comit the same crime white people?????
Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere.
johanna Bush | 4 months ago
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Michael Vick
I think that everyone is allowed to make mistakes because we are all human. There is no one perfect. I also believe everyone should be forgiven in the process. I had a situation where I left my little boy in the hands of a man and he was so irresponsible that my little boy ended up drowning in a swimming pool. I forgive him and put it all into God’s hands. I know this like totally different from the situation at hand but my point is that everyone deserves to be forgiven no matter what they have done. It’s all up to God to judge and not judge anybody.
Annie Brown | 3 months, 4 weeks ago
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United States
I am against any kind of abuse against any thing. And yes, they are just mere animals. Animals that God created, they are living breathing creatures that has feelings and they very much feel the pain that you put on them. I believe it is very sinful to willfully hurt or abuse anything. An animal is just a helpless creature just like a child is a helpless little human that depends on the care from adults. God help the people that don’t understand this. And my opinion on Michael Vick, he paid for his crime and if he is truly sorry for what he did and wants to make amends for it then that is the way it should be and he should be forgive for it. If he is truly sorry for his crime then he could do a lot of good working for the Humane Society.
And as for Mr Shayne Lee’s opinion, animal cruelty is not as American as Apple Ipods and most of us don’t shamelessly abuse and kill animals. I don’t even like sports that has contact with each other where you might get hurt, but at least a human is an intelligent person that can make his on choice.
Brenda Joyce Abel | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Making mistakes
Yes, I do believe that people make mistakes but come on people that actually think with their brains won’t make that mistake of not caring about animals just to see them fight and kill each other. Some things can’t be over looked and I think he is just going to make the same mistake and do this thing again. Dogs and other animals can’t defend themselves for what humans do and they have feelings too. I can’t imagine someone with a little caring about things and animals would do something like that.
kaykay casteel | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Dear Professor
I hate to tell you this but Apple iPods are not American. They were made in China just like most things here in America. Also, you must have not thought about your statements too much because dog fighting does lead to violence against people. Dog fighting does not just involve dogs, but also drugs, guns, and other such things. Because the drugs and guns are there, it will probably lead to violence against people when someone gets cheated.
Jen Turin | 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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