I'm not necessarily defending Mike Vike, but....?

Question

He has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL, he will face several months in jail, and he will lose out on millions of dollars that he would have otherwise made. How, in any civilized country, can this be the punishment for killing and torturing animals, when countless athletes are given the relative equivalent of a slap on the wrist for driving drunk, for beating their wives, for being involved in shootings. These are freaking ANIMALS. No people were injured, that I am aware of, in this whole Vick thing. Am I the only person who sees DUI as a FAR, FAR worse offense than dog fighting. A drunk driver puts other PEOPLE'S lives at risk and those people don't even see it coming. Athletes that beat their wives are hurting another HUMAN BEING, but they hardly spend any time in jail, and serve a very short suspension. How does this get the reaction that it has, while other more serious, at least in my mind, offenses do not?

Again, I am not defending Vick. I realize that this is not like a DUI. Mike Vick made a conscious decision over several years. He broke the law and will be punished accordingly. He has lost the trust of the people he works for, Arthur Blank, The Falcons, the NFL. His career, as it was, is over. He will not be the same player when, or if, he plays football again. My question is, why the outrage over Vick, when other athletes have ruined people's lives with their actions. Pacman Jones comes to mind. He was involved in a shooting that left a Las Vegas bouncer paralyzed, yet the coverage of that story has pretty much vanished, he will doubtfully serve any jail time, and he will probably play football next year (2008). Mike Vick has ruined no HUMAN lives that I have heard of, nobody is in the hospital because of what he did. I am sorry but a human life is more valuable than a dog's, so where is the outrage when people's lives are put at risk?

Answer 1

Dui is potentially worse, yes. But sometimes it can be an honest mistake. That does not excuse it, especially if it casts someone their life (and it is seldom the drunk who dies).

But, except for repeat offenders, how does that compare with someone deliberately torturing animals for at least 6 years.

That is premeditated, bucko, something that most DUI's aren't. (and yes we should have tougher enforcement on them too. I read somewhere that in Germany you don't have vehicular manslaughter, but they are chareged for murder. not sure if it is true, but for repeat offenders, it seems like a good idea)

So, if Vick had attended a fight once, maybe even fought a dog ONCE, i could agree......but he did it for years, simply for the joy of inflicting suffering. Think about that before you make some flippant reply.

* Vick not a danger to society? WHose pits do you think it is that attack and kill people? They are a friendly breed by nature. It is the ones that have been abused and trained to fight that kill children.....that makes Vick and his Ilk a very real danger to society. And when these punks are caught trying to steal someones pet to use as fight bait, do you think they meekly go on their way? Are your eally that dumb? I don't want to ridicule anyone, but let's think about what we are saying, in both directions, before we post, maybe.

*actually, you wer the one to compare it to a DUI, and I think most of us here think Pacman should get the boot also. But is you take the time to really look at how Goodell is operating, you will see he is being very strict across the board,and not singling out anyone player. But as I remember correctly, it was only a few months ago that people were screaming that Pacmans suspension was too harsh. You also must realize, that there are still suits and charges pending on Pacman. As the Vick clamor dies down, doubtlessly he will regain the limelight. And It would be fair to say, looking at how Goodell has handled things, that were he commisioner when Ray Lewis did his thing, Lewis would NOT be playing today. Dont believe me? Why dont you ask people like Odell Thurman.

And the public outcry? Again, it is BECAUSE it was premeditated. We have already stated that. It is also because Vick lied until he was forced to admit it(he wasn't a man who faced the truth....he was caught red-handed, and could no longer deny it....BIG difference there. And to top it off, half of the fervor is because of alll the groups who have been screaming RACE so loudly. They have not given us the option of letting it die down.

*indycolts....Tanks crime was probably worse. just the way you stated it shows that you really don't even know what it is, so it is rather silly of you to bring it up? And Tanks crime? Owning fireams without a license.......ooh huge. Are you a liberal. or ATF agent? Okay, so since his weapons were not used in the commision of a crime, but Vivks dog were part of a 6 yr long felony....how is that worse? Folks,I actually don't like calling people out, but if you don't get your facts straight before you make an ignorant post, what do you expect?

*Vick is Sick...actually it is Mongo, as in Mongo Da Great.....but hey its all good! (lol)

Answer 2

Who is Mike Vike? Mike Vick is sitting comfortably in a multi-million dollar mansion somewhere in Virginia, contemplating how many assets he can liquidate to repay the money the banks want from him and the 19.9 million he owes the Atlanta Falcons. The paper in Atlanta reported his mansion here is for sale. On or about December 10th, he will be sentenced. The smart money says since he got busted on the pot test, the 18 month sentence is out. The new odds put him doing 60 months. Remember, there is also no such thing as 'parole' in the Federal system. He will do the time he is assigned (minus 'good behavior') Vick and T.I. are both out of the pool.

Answer 3

First of all, if you had that much money coming to you would you jeopardize it by running an enterprise that violated any number of federal and state laws? Second, you're arguing as if over 100 mil was taken from Vick. He didn't have that money, he had the opportunity to make that money if he took advantage of his situation. He didn't. Third, in case you haven't noticed, Goodell has put up with nothing. Have you been watching the flurry of suspensions he's handed out over the last couple of months? He is not singling out Vick by any means. And keep this in mind: Vick would have a contract to come back to if he had not lied to and disrespected the owner of the Falcons, Arthur Blank. Blank treated Vick better than any Athelete in America is treated by their organization. He made a Quarterback with questionable passing skills the highest paid player in the NFL. For all his trouble, Blank was left with no chance for a contender in the forseeable future and a stadium that won't be sold out any more. Vicks carlessness was a betrayal on a personal and financial level to a man who had treated him like a prince. And this wasn't a like a DUI, it wasn't a single event. It was an illegal gambling operation that lasted years and violated several laws. I have a hard time feeling sorry for vick.

Answer 4

If the Gov. would have taxed the fighting, we would not be having this conversation right now. I guess when two people beat on each other make 15 million a piece and we bet on them its OK (how much money did the DeLahoya/Mayweather farce make). These dogs were only doing what they would by nature they are beasts nothing more nothing less no soul, nothing. Do you get mad when a police officer rides a horse or when the Military uses a dog to find a land mine? I don't think so. if you hunt, fish, spray insecticide. If any of you have bet on a horse race or a greyhound race you are no better than Michael Vick. and to the person that tried to justify a DUI,IF YOU DRINK AND THEN DRIVE YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WERE DOING.

Babies can't call 911 either and they are killed everyday, and if any of you are from PETA you had better be vegans if not you are hypocrite's.


So before any of you try to judge some one look at yourselves first, you may not like what you see.

Answer 5

If you know anything at all about dogfighting then you know these dogs are trained by using other animals as bait. This could include anything from KITTENS, rabbits, ferrets, you name it! There have been cases of these dogs mistaking a small child as bait and attacking. There are worse crimes. But this particular one was carried out in a brutal and despicable manner. And it was for personal gain and enjoyment. I am currently facing a DUI charge but I can promise you I am not gaining from it nor does it bring me personal enjoyment. Thank God I didnt kill anyone OR any defenseless dog

Answer 6

I do not know. I think it is bizarre and cruel behavior to harm dogs. I like eating McNuggets at McDonalds. Is that animal cruelty?

Michael Vick is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. If an athlete of Vick's popularity misbehaves then it will be headline news.

Kobe Bryant wasn't even tried in court and look at the publicity he received.

Answer 7

They should all be punished with him. Point blank.

But it was his Bank-rolling a gambling ring that sets him apart from the others.

Not to mention, he got caught. Most of the others, weren't exactly caught red handed like Vick was. They lucked out, and got away with crap, kinda like OJ did.

Answer 8

BUT NOTHING... He's a lying dog killing coward. If you owned a pit bull or cared for animals at all they wouldn't be "FREAKIN" ANIMALS". Animals save lives everyday, through cancer detection, yes, there is actually a dog that can find cancer, that doctors miss. Therapy dogs for handicapped children and adults, dogs that lead the blind. Dogs that find bombs and drugs, HUMAN BEINGS damn sure can't detect them. The #1 drug dog in the U.S is a rescued pit bull.
So... Freak you jerk off =)

Answer 9

A lot of it has to do with the gambling more then the stupid dogs, also don't tell those peta people that humans are more important then animals, they may take you out to one of their slaughter houses, where they make the videos, that they claim happen in actual meat packing plants, and torture you to death.

Answer 10

I totaly agree with you, I think this is blown up because its Vick. Dogfighting is bad but there are worse crimes that result in slap on hand punishments. I dont even like the way it was all handled. They basically called him out and made him seem like a murderer. Honestly, y was this blown out of proportion? Goodell suspends Tank Johnson for only 8 games? But Vick indefinately? Tank Johnson's crime was probably worse