It’s About The Humanity, Stupid
Michael Vick’s in court right now pleading not guilty* to conspiracy charges over the bloody, vicious dogfighting operation at his home. I caught the coverage just now on CNN’s Headline News, and couldn’t stop myself from screaming at the TV set when the talking head announced “I think I hear some ‘Boo’s’ as Vick enters the courthouse. There’s a lot of animal right protestors here, and they’re not happy with Vick.”
Idiot.
You don’t have to be an animal rights protestor to be disgusted by this story. I’m not a pit bull fan — as I’ve previously mentioned — and yet I could never, EVER condone the stomach-churning inhumanity of the setup police found at the Atlanta Falcons quarterback’s home:
The case began April 25 when investigators conducting a drug search at the home found 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment typically used in dogfighting. Items such as a “rape stand” that holds aggressive dogs in place for mating and a “breakstick” used to pry open a dog’s mouth in a fight were seized. […]
According to the indictment filed July 17, dogs not killed in the fighting pit were often shot, hanged, drowned or, in one case, slammed to the ground. The document alleges that Vick was consulted before one losing dog was wet down and electrocuted.
Interesting, isn’t it, how Vick went from claiming complete ignorance of the dogfighting operation at his house — blaming it on relatives living at his home — to now pleading guilty? (See Update)
The one thing I don’t understand — not that I could ever understand such inhumane, un-human behavior — is why someone with a contract worth $130 million, who was due to earn $6 million this year — would be tempted to such despicable behavior by $20,000 “prizes” for the humans forcing these animals through such torture.
The whole thing disgusts me, including the fact that it’s being phrased as an “animal rights” issue. It’s not. It’s about how humans ought to behave — and what we should never, ever do. It’s about not committing atrocities. It’s about knowing there are certain boundaries beyond which we do not step. It’s about deserving the title of “human” in the first place: something Michael Vick should no longer be accepted as.
Michael Vick is worse than an animal: he’s a human who surrendered his humanity in exchange for a bloody prize purse.
UPDATE: MSM expected Vick would be pleading guilty, considering the evidence found at his house and suspicions of his involvement in dog fighting in Arizona. Now the question remains whether his plea has any slight smidgen of truth to it, or is it just a ploy to try holding on to his job.
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I live in his hometown area ~ omg are people here in an uproar. You know kids that go to Warwick highschool all wanted to be like Michael Vick, including my teenage nephew. Now their dreams are shattered.
You want disturbing…this was the headline from the Roanoke Times this morning…”Vick seen an savior by those at home” with the following quote, “There should be more role models like him,” one Newport News resident said. Ugh!
Vick should be castrated so he cannot reproduce, right before the POS goes to prison. You are right, Kate, this is not an “animal rights” issue, but one of subhuman behavior.
I love dogs and cannot conceive of doing this to them, or any other cruelty to animals. I hunt and enjoy it greatly, but torturing animals? There is a huge difference - no way is abuse acceptable. What next, gladiators?
I’m still in a confused daze after spending all day looking at ditzy little details at work. I haven’t followed any of the Vick stuff, haven’t read the indictment, or anything else… but I do wonder. When did we throw out the trial by jury and move to trial by media?
I’ll have to remember that if I’m ever on the receiving end of an indictment, I should just plead guilty and get it over with. That’s very helpful to know.
*** disclaimer - I do not condone animal abuse and anyone convicted should be drawn and quartered at the very least. OTOH - we have a system in place for a reason. Or at least I thought we did. Silly me.
Not guilty lets him plea to a lesser charge, guilty gets him maximum penalty as an example.
I hope they don’t cop a plea and nail him to the full extent.