Johnson: Michael Vick deserves a shot at redemption

When former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released last week after serving the majority of his 23-month sentence in the Leavenworth, Kan., federal prison for sponsoring a dogfighting ring, the battle lines were rigidly drawn between his supporters and animal rights activists concerning his possible return to the NFL.

[Kate]

Hi haters!

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[New York]

The author writes, "I realize Vick's track record is horrible, not just his treatment of dogs but also regarding past treatment of fans. Yet he deserves the chance to redeem himself and reform his ways". She knows he's garbage but still believes he DESERVES something. He can redeem himself. He's still alive. He doesn't have to play football to acomplish that. You get what you give in this life. He gave misery and now he's getting it back. Too bad.

[STEELCURTAIN]

New York wrote:

The author writes, "I realize Vick's track record is horrible, not just his treatment of dogs but also regarding past treatment of fans. Yet he deserves the chance to redeem himself and reform his ways". She knows he's garbage but still believes he DESERVES something. He can redeem himself. He's still alive. He doesn't have to play football to acomplish that. You get what you give in this life. He gave misery and now he's getting it back. Too bad.

That "something" that she believes he deserves is a chance at redemption. She never stated he had to play football to accomplish redemption. In fact this is her quote.

I, however, am rooting for the major plays that Vick can make off the field in the game of life.

[langford trust]

he deserves a firing squad.

[New York]

STEELCURTAIN wrote:

<quoted text>
That "something" that she believes he deserves is a chance at redemption. She never stated he had to play football to accomplish redemption. In fact this is her quote.
I, however, am rooting for the major plays that Vick can make off the field in the game of life.

He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

[Barbara Hathaway]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

Which is one reason I continue to be against his return to the NFL. Vick's only visible concern, to me, has been limited to his career and the loss of his income.

[STEELCURTAIN]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

So if he was to go back to the NFL, provide for his family, and never committ another crime, would that not constitute being an upstanding citizen?? Cause if not I would like to know what your take on upstanding citezen should act.

[STEELCURTAIN]

Barbara Hathaway wrote:

<quoted text>
Which is one reason I continue to be against his return to the NFL. Vick's only visible concern, to me, has been limited to his career and the loss of his income.

Barb, the loss of ones income is a concern to all who provide for a family. If you were to loose your job due to any reason wouldn't your main concern be to provide for your family??

[Queen of Hearts]

Barbara Hathaway wrote:

<quoted text>
Which is one reason I continue to be against his return to the NFL. Vick's only visible concern, to me, has been limited to his career and the loss of his income.

Unless I see monumental change in a "short"amount of time, no. By the time i forgive him,he'll be dead.

[Queen of Hearts]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

exactly NY
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-nfl-for-m...

[New York]

STEELCURTAIN wrote:

<quoted text>
So if he was to go back to the NFL, provide for his family, and never committ another crime, would that not constitute being an upstanding citizen?? Cause if not I would like to know what your take on upstanding citezen should act.

Yeah it would however that would take years and in the meantime he reaps the benefit of restored fame that he tossed in the garbage, that he didn't care enough about to protect or that he didn't believe could ever be taken from him. When you throw something in the trash and it's removed, it's gone. Forever.

[que]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

Of course he does because that's how he made his living. He has paid his debt to society now leave this man alone. Too Many self-righteous people that has never done anything wrong. oops, there was this guy on the news the other day busted for DUI wearing a PETA shirt. Whose commited the worst crime, this guy driving drunk that could have possibly killed another human, or Mike Vick's dog fighting. You guys act as if a dogs life is more valuable than a humans life. And if that's the case then march down to the humane society and ask them why the put dogs to sleep if they aren't picked up in a certain time frame.

[que]

Barbara Hathaway wrote:

<quoted text>
Which is one reason I continue to be against his return to the NFL. Vick's only visible concern, to me, has been limited to his career and the loss of his income.

You are what they call a moron..You can't be mad cause he's still rich and you're busted..

[que]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>Yeah it would however that would take years and in the meantime he reaps the benefit of restored fame that he tossed in the garbage, that he didn't care enough about to protect or that he didn't believe could ever be taken from him. When you throw something in the trash and it's removed, it's gone. Forever.

Now I see New York, U are Jealous. This isn't about animals, this is about him being famous and making a mistake in which you'll never forgive him for(as if it matters what you think anyway)

[Pleasure Beach Lover]

New York wrote:

<quoted text>He can attempt to redeem himself but that's not what he's after. He wants to return to the NFL and has not shown any interest in becoming an upstanding citizen. His only concern is football and being back on the field.

His only concern is MONEY.

[Pleasure Beach Lover]

STEELCURTAIN wrote:

<quoted text>
Barb, the loss of ones income is a concern to all who provide for a family. If you were to loose your job due to any reason wouldn't your main concern be to provide for your family??

He can get a regular job instead of playing a game for a living.

[Pleasure Beach Lover]

que wrote:

<quoted text>
Of course he does because that's how he made his living. He has paid his debt to society now leave this man alone. Too Many self-righteous people that has never done anything wrong. oops, there was this guy on the news the other day busted for DUI wearing a PETA shirt. Whose commited the worst crime, this guy driving drunk that could have possibly killed another human, or Mike Vick's dog fighting. You guys act as if a dogs life is more valuable than a humans life. And if that's the case then march down to the humane society and ask them why the put dogs to sleep if they aren't picked up in a certain time frame.

How in the world could animal shelters house all of the unwanted dogs?
I wish they could, but it's impossible. They are euthanized in a humane
manner. They are not electrocuted or beaten to death like Vick's dogs
were. You Vick lovers always go back to the animal vs. human thing.
It's not about that. Anyone who can do what he did to animals is a sick
individual who needs psychiatric help.

[Pleasure Beach Lover]

que wrote:

<quoted text>
Now I see New York, U are Jealous. This isn't about animals, this is about him being famous and making a mistake in which you'll never forgive him for(as if it matters what you think anyway)

JEALOUS????? Personally I'd rather be financially where I am now
and be a loving, decent human being than to be a rich, sick bastard
with no regard for life.

[Alex]

que wrote:

<quoted text>
You are what they call a moron..You can't be mad cause he's still rich and you're busted..

why of course we are it's just normal everyday behavior to do things like this
The details that got to me then and stay with me today involve the swimming pool that was used to kill some of the dogs. Jumper cables were clipped onto the ears of underperforming dogs, then, just like with a car, the cables were connected to the terminals of car batteries before lifting and tossing the shamed dogs into the water. Most of Vick’s dogs were small - 40lbs or so - so tossing them in would’ve been fast and easy work for thick athlete arms. We don’t know how many suffered this premeditated murder, but the damage to the pool walls tells a story. It seems that while they were scrambling to escape, they scratched and clawed at the pool liner and bit at the dented aluminum sides like a hungry dog on a tin can.
I wear some pretty thick skin during our work with dogs, but I can’t shake my minds-eye image of a little black dog splashing frantically in bloody water … screaming in pain and terror … brown eyes saucer wide and tiny black white-toed feet clawing at anything, desperate to get a hold. This death did not come quickly. The rescuer in me keeps trying to think of a way to go back in time and somehow stop this torture and pull the little dog to safety. I think I’ll be looking for ways to pull that dog out for the rest of my life.
So that’s where I’m at. A second chance for Vick? An HSUS sponsored spokesman for ending torture? In my mind’s eye Vick is still in the shadows at the side of that pool. As many times as this scene plays out my head, he hasn’t yet moved towards that dog to pull him out. Not there yet.

from Bad Rap

[que]

Pleasure Beach Lover wrote:

<quoted text>
How in the world could animal shelters house all of the unwanted dogs?
I wish they could, but it's impossible. They are euthanized in a humane
manner. They are not electrocuted or beaten to death like Vick's dogs
were. You Vick lovers always go back to the animal vs. human thing.
It's not about that. Anyone who can do what he did to animals is a sick
individual who needs psychiatric help.

They should figure it out before killing all of those innocent unwanted dogs. He's a suggestion why don't you and all of your buddies and their buddies line up and give them somewhere to live. Bet you want do that though. Like I said Self righteous!!