Vick: A new dog could help my rehabilitation

[Packgator]

I also think he is a changed man. He is carrying himself differently than he use too. He speaks differently and just has an aura that hey, he learned his lesson.

Or....he could be a guy with massive debt who is saying all the right things in an attempt to get one last big contract. I guess only he knows for sure. With or without a dog....I just hope he doesn't end up with the Vikings.

[th87]

Do we know whether Vick actually personally tortured dogs? All we have is the testimony of a felon looking for a plea deal. Not to say that absolves him or anything, though.

However, he grew up in a culture where this was considered normal. Therefore, he was conditioned not to care about dogs like we don't care about rats.

I think his time to think about it may have deconditioned that sentiment. I'm happy for him and hope he continues on his positive path. He paid his dues and appears humbled.

[Gunakor]

It doesn't matter whether Vick was personally torturing and killing dogs or not. All that matters is the sentence handed down by the judge, and the efforts Vick has made to change his ways.

People really need to drop this already. Seriously. He wasn't handed a life sentence.

Suppose Vick were to get a new dog. I don't know whether he'd even be allowed to by law or not given the nature of the crimes he was convicted of, but suppose he did and he treated that new dog with all the love and care we'd treat our pets with. Suppose he really has changed his ways. Suppose he's really NOT a criminal.

He hasn't blown his second chance, yet society is quick to accuse him of additional crimes he hasn't committed and convict him of those crimes based on a history that may or may not be relevant to the present. If he ain't dogfighting anymore, he ain't a dogfighter anymore. If he is no longer committing crimes, perhaps he's no longer a criminal. That is the goal of our prison system when releasing an inmate. We should be proud.

When it comes to ourselves we demand that second chance to prove that we can change. But when it comes to other people, people we can't relate to, they are what they are and could never change. Their past will always loom larger than their present. True redemption is impossible to achieve. For others, but not for ourselves. Maybe that's the problem.

[SlimPickens]

Do we know whether Vick actually personally tortured dogs? All we have is the testimony of a felon looking for a plea deal. Not to say that absolves him or anything, though.

However, he grew up in a culture where this was considered normal. Therefore, he was conditioned not to care about dogs like we don't care about rats.

I think his time to think about it may have deconditioned that sentiment. I'm happy for him and hope he continues on his positive path. He paid his dues and appears humbled.

Of course this same felon was involved in a shooting this past June at Vick's birthday party. Changed man my ass! Same playground, same playmates you know, actions speak louder than words.

[SlimPickens]

Do we know whether Vick actually personally tortured dogs? All we have is the testimony of a felon looking for a plea deal. Not to say that absolves him or anything, though.

However, he grew up in a culture where this was considered normal. Therefore, he was conditioned not to care about dogs like we don't care about rats.

I think his time to think about it may have deconditioned that sentiment. I'm happy for him and hope he continues on his positive path. He paid his dues and appears humbled.

Do we know whether Hitler actually personally tortured and murdered anyone?

[Scott Campbell]

People really need to drop this already. Seriously. He wasn't handed a life sentence.

He won't be dog sitting for me, but the guy paid his debt to society. I'm a believer in redemption and hope he makes good on the opportunity he is getting. His issues obviously reached a lot further than just the dog fighting.

But other people are free to feel and say what they want about him.

[sheepshead]

Would you let Charlie Sheen date your daughter?

[mraynrand]

l. Therefore, he was conditioned not to care about dogs like we don't care about rats.

Shouldn't this be grounds for banning from the forum or something?

[mraynrand]

Would you let Charlie Sheen date your daughter?

The real question is would I let my daughter date Charlie Sheen. I thought people were generally against torture here. Hasn't Charlie suffered enough?

[Scott Campbell]

Would you let Charlie Sheen date your daughter?

I wouldn't let anybody date my daughters.

[Kiwon]

Vick was convicted and did his time. He also got himself ready and is playing pro football again. That's all good.

That said, he and his teammates need to get a clue and stop making all public comments relating to dogs. "I would love to get another dog in the future"......"Let Michael Vick off his leash".....etc. These are stupid things to say.

Yeah, certain groups conduct dog fights in America. Yeah, certain groups tend to excuse and forgive criminal activity, like cruelty to animals, more easily than others. However, at this time in society, the majority of people find Vick’s actions reprehensible and can't help but believe that those actions reflect upon the true character of the person who did them.

People are hypocritical and fickle. Vick's recent success and popularity can vanish in an instant. He should realize this, ignore all the reporters' questions and keep everything publicly on the field. Vick, a.k.a. Ron Mexico, was a jerk in many people's eyes BEFORE the dog scandal broke. He was an arrogant, bird-flipping SOB who was an expert at playing the excuse and victim cards. The Virginia locals were going to let the dog fighting and drug charges float away. Once again, he was going to get away with something. Vick only got serious when the Feds got involved and exposed a multistate dog fighting and gambling operation. It took blowing his big contract and doing prison time to finally deflate his enormous ego.

Now that Vick is back in the limelight he should wise up and shut up and remember that popular culture loves to create heroes and then loves to watch them crash and burn. Any insinuation by Vick or anyone else that he is a victim is BS. He's used to playing that card and he better learn to avoid those who want to suddenly make him into "St. Michael."

[th87]

It doesn't matter whether Vick was personally torturing and killing dogs or not. All that matters is the sentence handed down by the judge, and the efforts Vick has made to change his ways.

People really need to drop this already. Seriously. He wasn't handed a life sentence.

Suppose Vick were to get a new dog. I don't know whether he'd even be allowed to by law or not given the nature of the crimes he was convicted of, but suppose he did and he treated that new dog with all the love and care we'd treat our pets with. Suppose he really has changed his ways. Suppose he's really NOT a criminal.

He hasn't blown his second chance, yet society is quick to accuse him of additional crimes he hasn't committed and convict him of those crimes based on a history that may or may not be relevant to the present. If he ain't dogfighting anymore, he ain't a dogfighter anymore. If he is no longer committing crimes, perhaps he's no longer a criminal. That is the goal of our prison system when releasing an inmate. We should be proud.

When it comes to ourselves we demand that second chance to prove that we can change. But when it comes to other people, people we can't relate to, they are what they are and could never change. Their past will always loom larger than their present. True redemption is impossible to achieve. For others, but not for ourselves. Maybe that's the problem.

Excellent post, man. I hope he stays humble.

[th87]

Of course this same felon was involved in a shooting this past June at Vick's birthday party. Changed man my ass! Same playground, same playmates you know, actions speak louder than words.

What actions since prison? Going out for his birthday? How can he control who shows up?

And wow, I don't consider a bloodsport and the Holocaust to be anywhere near comparable.

Where was your outrage when Leonard Little killed a woman and drove drunk again?

[sheepshead]

I wouldn't let anybody date my daughters.

Thats right, that whisper when you meet them "I can make this look like an accident" usually does the trick

[MichiganPackerFan]

...

I also think he is a changed man. He is carrying himself differently than he use too. He speaks differently and just has an aura that hey, he learned his lesson. COuld be wrong, but so what if he wants a pet dog? Sometimes the best way to deal with your demons is to face it head on. He had a problem with dog abuse and fighting. Own up to it, get a new dog, and test your self control. Test your resolve and see if the urges for the old life are truly gone. I think it's a good move really. He should get a dog.

Completely agree. The man has paid his debt (and then some) its' time to heal, grow and move the fuck on.

...

I think his time to think about it may have deconditioned that sentiment. I'm happy for him and hope he continues on his positive path. He paid his dues and appears humbled.

Bingo

It doesn't matter whether Vick was personally torturing and killing dogs or not. All that matters is the sentence handed down by the judge, and the efforts Vick has made to change his ways.

People really need to drop this already. Seriously. He wasn't handed a life sentence.

Suppose Vick were to get a new dog. I don't know whether he'd even be allowed to by law or not given the nature of the crimes he was convicted of, but suppose he did and he treated that new dog with all the love and care we'd treat our pets with. Suppose he really has changed his ways. Suppose he's really NOT a criminal.

He hasn't blown his second chance, yet society is quick to accuse him of additional crimes he hasn't committed and convict him of those crimes based on a history that may or may not be relevant to the present. If he ain't dogfighting anymore, he ain't a dogfighter anymore. If he is no longer committing crimes, perhaps he's no longer a criminal. That is the goal of our prison system when releasing an inmate. We should be proud.

When it comes to ourselves we demand that second chance to prove that we can change. But when it comes to other people, people we can't relate to, they are what they are and could never change. Their past will always loom larger than their present. True redemption is impossible to achieve. For others, but not for ourselves. Maybe that's the problem.

Excellent post. The man did his time and has been on his best behavior.

Of course this same felon was involved in a shooting this past June at Vick's birthday party. Changed man my ass! Same playground, same playmates you know, actions speak louder than words.

Wasn't this shooting WELL AFTER Vick had left the club? Vick was guilty of coincidental bad timing. Nothing more. Move on. Nothing to see here.

I have no problem with Vick getting a dog. I hope the Judge removes the lifelong ban of dog ownership. Vick's comments on owning a dog were from the perspective of playing with it and his kids. Dogs tend to appeal to the soft spot one's heart and I believe Vick has been examining that part for the last few years and is ready to excercise it. Let the growth happen.