Yes! Michael Vick Indicted

[Zippa D Doodah]

Seriously, the charges Vick is indicted on are horrible. I am in no way making excuses for him. But are they "worse" than brutally assaulting another person (breaking bones in his face and leading to the end of the victim's career), killing someone while driving drunk, or being involved in a shooting?

 

[Snoopymom]

Seriously, the charges Vick is indicted on are horrible. I am in no way making excuses for him. But are they "worse" than brutally assaulting another person (breaking bones in his face and leading to the end of the victim's career), killing someone while driving drunk, or being involved in a shooting?

Maybe because he was such a "star", the highest paid player in the NFL with huge endorsements?

and as a foster-to-adopt mom, I've seen how people who abuse pets get more punishment than people who abuse children, but no one wants to admit that our society is that screwed up

 

[Fitswimmer]

Seriously, the charges Vick is indicted on are horrible. I am in no way making excuses for him. But are they "worse" than brutally assaulting another person (breaking bones in his face and leading to the end of the victim's career), killing someone while driving drunk, or being involved in a shooting?

I think what has generated the outrage is that these were animals, dogs whose only aim in life is to please their masters and be loved. I don't think anyone was rating it on a scale with those other incidents, it's just that people get more upset when things happen to animals and children.

My hope is that this incident will be the catalyst for change and that fans will no longer accept the type of behavior you have described above EITHER.

 

[disneyfan67]

Seriously, the charges Vick is indicted on are horrible. I am in no way making excuses for him. But are they "worse" than brutally assaulting another person (breaking bones in his face and leading to the end of the victim's career), killing someone while driving drunk, or being involved in a shooting?

I don't put the welfare of animals over humans, even though there are some humans that I would be hard pressed to save over my dog.

I have such a strong dislike over the dog fighting issue because animals fit into the category like severely handicapped children or the elderly. Much like those groups I mentioned, they can't help themselves or fight back when abused. If there's no one to protect them and make decisions for their welfare, they usually meet terrible, horrific fates. Dogs for the most part work so hard for your affection and give so much, yet receive so little in return and don't seem to mind. The tail always wags and the unconditional love they offer makes our lives so much better. They can't tell us when their thirsty, tired, or hungry and it's our job as sentient, educated human beings to provide care for them.

They can't stop and reason why they're in a fight with another animal and they're just following basic instincts from their days as wild animals. As human caretakers it's our job and duty to intervene and make judgments and decisions that they aren't able to do. Anyone who willingly puts two animals in the position to fight to the death for sport or entertainment, is someone who is capable of doing far worse things to his fellow human beings. Those people need to be removed from civilized society for a while and shown their behavior and cruelty will not be tolerated by any means. Abusing defenseless animals is only a few steps away from doing the same to human beings and history has shown how brutal we can be. That's why it's important to nip this in the bud and to treat it as serious as we possibly can.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Again... I can't stand what Vick is accused of doing to those poor animals , but isn't it strange how our society equates harm done to animals with harm done to children?
This reminds me of some survey I read a while back in which college students (IIRC) were asked if they would choose to save their pet dog or a human stranger if they could only save one from death. The majority said they would choose the dog.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I don't put the welfare of animals over humans, even though there are some humans that I would be hard pressed to save over my dog.

I have such a strong dislike over the dog fighting issue because animals fit into the category like severely handicapped children or the elderly. Much like those groups I mentioned, they can't help themselves or fight back when abused. If there's no one to protect them and make decisions for their welfare, they usually meet terrible, horrific fates. Dogs for the most part work so hard for your affection and give so much, yet receive so little in return and don't seem to mind. The tail always wags and the unconditional love they offer makes our lives so much better. They can't tell us when their thirsty, tired, or hungry and it's our job as sentient, educated human beings to provide care for them.

They can't stop and reason why they're in a fight with another animal and they're just following basic instincts from their days as wild animals. As human caretakers it's our job and duty to intervene and make judgments and decisions that they aren't able to do. Anyone who willingly puts two animals in the position to fight to the death for sport or entertainment, is someone who is capable of doing far worse things to his fellow human beings. Those people need to be removed from civilized society for a while and shown their behavior and cruelty will not be tolerated by any means. Abusing defenseless animals is only a few steps away from doing the same to human beings and history has shown how brutal we can be. That's why it's important to nip this in the bud and to treat it as serious as we possibly can.

This comment of yours hits the spot; "Dogs for the most part work so hard for your affection and give so much, yet receive so little in return and don't seem to mind. The tail always wags and the unconditional love they offer makes our lives so much better. They can't tell us when their thirsty, tired, or hungry and it's our job as sentient, educated human beings to provide care for them."

Bear in mind that this betting "sport" practiced by Mr. Vick is also fairly widespread among NFL players, according to an interview on ESPN with Ladainian Tomilson. BTW, he was one of the big winners on the recent ESPY show. He won 4 trophies at the show. He did not actually support Mr. Vick but he did mention that the practice of dog fighting is known to players in the league. Who else is involved in this?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Bear in mind that this betting "sport" practiced by Mr. Vick is also fairly widespread among NFL players, according to an interview on ESPN with Ladainian Tomilson. BTW, he was one of the big winners on the recent ESPY show. He won 4 trophies at the show. He did not actually support Mr. Vick but he did mention that the practice of dog fighting is known to players in the league. Who else is involved in this?

I hope they are all exposed and duly punished. As someone mentioned upthread, if widespread this could threaten the whole NFL cash machine -and perhaps rightfully so if this is the kind of stuff it spits up as a byproduct.

 

[eclectics]

Again... I can't stand what Vick is accused of doing to those poor animals , but isn't it strange how our society equates harm done to animals with harm done to children?
This reminds me of some survey I read a while back in which college students (IIRC) were asked if they would choose to save their pet dog or a human stranger if they could only save one from death. The majority said they would choose the dog.

Not saying animals are more important than children but maybe we as a society equate the two because BOTH are basically defenseless and neither can fight back from abuse.

 

[agnes!]

People, people, people...
Michael Vick's *real* problem is that these heinous and disgusting acts were TAPED. There is now a visual record and those pictures are worth a thousand words and worth millions of dollars in endorsements. Those tapes will be played over and over and over...from now until the pre-trial, during the pre-trial, during the trial, etc. If Kobe Bryant's accuser had tape of the actual incident, if there were tapes/pictures of all the convicted NFL criminals' committing their various crimes...
No amount of 'spin' will ever be able to wash away those images from my mind. His advisors wil not *ever* be able to erase these acts from the public memory. This evidence of his misdeeds will live on forever in cyberspace.

And what's really bad is I am sure that what has been played on TV and the Internet isn't even the worst of it.

agnes!
PS - Does anyone else wonder what is wrong with the Vick brothers?

 

[linda0706]

That's more than I got. My email wasn't acknowledged at all. Ironically, I DO need a new pair of running shoes and my last pair was Nike. I think I'll send a copy of my receipt from my new non-Nike shoes to their headquarters along with an explanation of why I chose to buy another brand.

Hold the phone...Nike's made a move. Vick's new shoe was supposed to come out in August but Nike announced it's been suspended. They haven't actually cancelled his contract yet but I bet it's coming!

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/s...cknike_0719.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

 

[hiwaygal]

agnes!
PS - Does anyone else wonder what is wrong with the Vick brothers?

Yes.

There are stories here and there about Marcus' escapades with local law enforcement. It's pretty well known that he's not any kind of "role model". But I think a lot of locals really hoped Michael was better than that. I remember when there was all kinds of bad press/trouble for Marcus and lots of people were saying he should be more like his brother. Hmmm...guess we're thinking maybe they weren't so different after all.

 

[gris gris]

I don't put the welfare of animals over humans, even though there are some humans that I would be hard pressed to save over my dog.

I have such a strong dislike over the dog fighting issue because animals fit into the category like severely handicapped children or the elderly. Much like those groups I mentioned, they can't help themselves or fight back when abused. If there's no one to protect them and make decisions for their welfare, they usually meet terrible, horrific fates. Dogs for the most part work so hard for your affection and give so much, yet receive so little in return and don't seem to mind. The tail always wags and the unconditional love they offer makes our lives so much better. They can't tell us when their thirsty, tired, or hungry and it's our job as sentient, educated human beings to provide care for them.

They can't stop and reason why they're in a fight with another animal and they're just following basic instincts from their days as wild animals. As human caretakers it's our job and duty to intervene and make judgments and decisions that they aren't able to do. Anyone who willingly puts two animals in the position to fight to the death for sport or entertainment, is someone who is capable of doing far worse things to his fellow human beings. Those people need to be removed from civilized society for a while and shown their behavior and cruelty will not be tolerated by any means. Abusing defenseless animals is only a few steps away from doing the same to human beings and history has shown how brutal we can be. That's why it's important to nip this in the bud and to treat it as serious as we possibly can.

Very well said!! I made a comment on this board about a year ago something to the effect of when cruelty happens to a dog it hits me harder than when it happens to an adult. Boy did I get flamed for that. But what you said above, is what I meant to say then, but it didn't come out as eloquently as your words.

People, people, people...
Michael Vick's *real* problem is that these heinous and disgusting acts were TAPED. There is now a visual record and those pictures are worth a thousand words and worth millions of dollars in endorsements. Those tapes will be played over and over and over...from now until the pre-trial, during the pre-trial, during the trial, etc. If Kobe Bryant's accuser had tape of the actual incident, if there were tapes/pictures of all the convicted NFL criminals' committing their various crimes...
No amount of 'spin' will ever be able to wash away those images from my mind. His advisors wil not *ever* be able to erase these acts from the public memory. This evidence of his misdeeds will live on forever in cyberspace.

And what's really bad is I am sure that what has been played on TV and the Internet isn't even the worst of it.

agnes!
PS - Does anyone else wonder what is wrong with the Vick brothers?

I'm glad I haven't watched the news in a couple days - I didn't realize there was video of this stuff. I guess the Feds don't mess around.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Not saying animals are more important than children but maybe we as a society equate the two because BOTH are basically defenseless and neither can fight back from abuse.

...and that just fascinates the bejeebers out of me. I am so tenderhearted when it comes to animals. For example, I let one of our house cats out this morning and she killed a baby mockingbird. I saw the poor little thing and actually sniffled out a few tears on the way to the gym this morning. But I just can't seem to work up as much indignation about the life of any animal as I do a human being.

 

[disneyfan67]

...and that just fascinates the bejeebers out of me. I am so tenderhearted when it comes to animals. For example, I let one of our house cats out this morning and she killed a baby mockingbird. I saw the poor little thing and actually sniffled out a few tears on the way to the gym this morning. But I just can't seem to work up as much indignation about the life of any animal as I do a human being.

Your house cat was doing what it instincts tell it to and cats are natural hunters. In that instance it was following the path of what nature intended it to. I have no problem with that and feel no anger or sorrow over natures choice.

Now specifically breeding certain dogs and bringing out the violent tendencies through inbreeding and brutal behavior techniques is a completely different story. Those dogs didn't happen that way by nature and their training and being put in a fighting ring, was a choice made by man. Same goes with the terrible abuse and death that follows from being a loser in that contest, it was choice made by man. That's why I get so hot when I see stories about dog fighting.

Did you know that dogs have a rich history of serving this country during wartime? There's many monuments dedicated to dogs in the military that served as well and heroicly as any soldier ever did. In fact on Guam there's a memorial and a official cemetery for the Doberman Pincher's who served in the Marines. They were called Devil Dogs and earned the respect of even the most battle harden Marine. Here's a link below. How ironic that Mike Vick and his buddies were cruelly abusing animals that just a few generations ago were willingly helping in the war effort and giving their all, so Vick and others like him, could have the freedom that they enjoy today. Vick deserves no mercy or sympathy from me.

http://www.doberman.ws/ww2.php

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/7109/wardogs.html

Here's a even better site cover all dogs who have served.

http://www.eagleid.com/veterans/dogs.htm

It makes me choke up when you read what those animals did for us.

 

[goldneye]

Hi, I've been reading and watching this horrifying stuff and found The Humane Society website. http://www.hsus.org/

It has a link "Tell the NFL to act", it's a pre-filled email that you are able to add your comments to.
Here is the email that was created, the bold paragraphs are MY $0.02!

*****************************

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Commissioner Goodell,

Please immediately suspend Michael Vick from the NFL for his
alleged involvement in dogfighting. Vick's recent indictment by
a federal grand jury for crimes related to dogfighting is a
certain sign that you must treat this matter seriously. Reports
of extreme cruelty to dogs who didn't "perform" to the fighters'
satisfaction only add to the disgrace Vick brings to the NFL.

Dogfighting is cruel and criminal, and football players must be
held accountable like anyone else. Please suspend Vick
immediately--anything less would reflect very badly on your
judgment, and on the league.

If no action is taken, it gives Americans the belief that it's
"alright" to do it because a "big-shot" like Vick got caught and
isn't being punished for it!

Playing on a major NFL team is a PRIVILEDGE. He forfeit that
priviledge when he deemed those animals his property to make him
even more outrageous money.

Sincerely,

*****************************

There's also a link to add email addresses to so you can send the HSUS link to your friends.

I sincerely hope everyone that is subscribed to this thread and who reads this thread goes over to The Humane Society website and sends the email. http://www.hsus.org/

Speak for the one's that can't speak.

~~~even though I keep telling my little Barkly, "How can someone that doesn't say a word, say so much?"~~~~

 

[TinkerbellMama]

It takes a special kind of worthless, lowlife trash to abuse animals that way. I hope he rots in jail for a long time, but somehow I don't expect that to happen. What a sick world we live in, where this isn't considered a MAJOR crime.

 

[wishuponastarforever]

http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml#l=nikehome&re=US&co=US&la=EN

click customer service down at the bottom of the page.

click contact us (top left)

click email us

I used General Product information for the subject and football for the sub-topic.

Then add your message.

It does ask for your email and name before accepting.

Thank you - my email has been sent.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Hi, I've been reading and watching this horrifying stuff and found The Humane Society website. http://www.hsus.org/

It has a link "Tell the NFL to act", it's a pre-filled email that you are able to add your comments to.
Here is the email that was created, the bold paragraphs are MY $0.02!

*****************************

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Commissioner Goodell,

Please immediately suspend Michael Vick from the NFL for his
alleged involvement in dogfighting. Vick's recent indictment by
a federal grand jury for crimes related to dogfighting is a
certain sign that you must treat this matter seriously. Reports
of extreme cruelty to dogs who didn't "perform" to the fighters'
satisfaction only add to the disgrace Vick brings to the NFL.

Dogfighting is cruel and criminal, and football players must be
held accountable like anyone else. Please suspend Vick
immediately--anything less would reflect very badly on your
judgment, and on the league.

If no action is taken, it gives Americans the belief that it's
"alright" to do it because a "big-shot" like Vick got caught and
isn't being punished for it!

Playing on a major NFL team is a PRIVILEDGE. He forfeit that
priviledge when he deemed those animals his property to make him
even more outrageous money.

Sincerely,

*****************************

There's also a link to add email addresses to so you can send the HSUS link to your friends.

I sincerely hope everyone that is subscribed to this thread and who reads this thread goes over to The Humane Society website and sends the email. http://www.hsus.org/

Speak for the one's that can't speak.

~~~even though I keep telling my little Barkly, "How can someone that doesn't say a word, say so much?"~~~~

Just sent mine-thanks for the link!!

 

[LouDisney]

I hope this low life rots in jail...if not I totally believe in karma and he will regret the day he ever met her. I can tolerate and put up with a lot in life but animal cruelty is NOT one of them. I can't tolerate cruelty of any kind, animal or humans. I would turn my own mother in to the police if I caught her abusing an animal (she would never) and I would not think twice about turning a totaly stranger in.
What goes around comes around...and I hope we see him get his.

 

[Laura]

I am so tenderhearted when it comes to animals. For example, I let one of our house cats out this morning and she killed a baby mockingbird. I saw the poor little thing and actually sniffled out a few tears on the way to the gym this morning. But I just can't seem to work up as much indignation about the life of any animal as I do a human being.

Off topic: pet cats should stay indoors. Then that sort of thing won't happen (among other things like diseases and fights and nasty neighbors hurting your pet). It's better for the kitties that way.