Vick Reaches Plea Agreement On Dogfighting

[Hosnon]

Source: MSNBC.com

RICHMOND, Va. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal — and a likely prison sentence — to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of Vick's attorneys said, the Virginian-Pilot reported Monday.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Monday, WXIA reported.

Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20350573/

[tularetom]

1. Does that include selling the dogs on ebay

and using the money to buy missiles for al qaeda?

Apparently somebody on fox noise reported that this morning with a straight face.

[jobycom]

20. It wasn't exactly a straight face

The anchor seemed a bit upset, to me, that he had to read it, though this is the only Fox News clip I've watched in many months.

There's a video here: http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Fox_News_reports_but_cant_confirm_0820.html

[rocktivity]

105. RawStory also points out that "Fox's story...comes more than three weeks AFTER

the...court papers were filed on July 23" and that the story has beeen "well-covered by bloggers" since July 27. Even then, Fox should have been given a lighter-side-of-the-news, let's-play-oddball sort of spin.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I've got that on, as well...

They reported that he said he'll "do anything to make this right." It's a little late for that, sick bastard...:grr:

Now CNN is reporting this. They got scooped...:-)

[pokercat999]

126. Anything? OK Mr. Vick here's a rope there's a tree. Do

unto yourself as you have done unto others............

[Myrina]

3. why is it ...

... that thugs who swagger around like the biggest baddest meanest mo-fo's piss themselves and cry for their mama's when they face prison time for the shit they were so brazen about doing?

C'mon big man ... take it to trial ... serve your time in prison ... you pansy ass prick. :mad:

[BadgerLaw2010]

6. Federal prosecutors are a notoriously ferocious and intimidating species.

They also have the perfectionist trait of doing all the work they need to for the trial in order to get the indictment - hence why they almost never lose.

[Myrina]

15. So a puffed up Wanker like Vick ...

... couldn't get the testosterone rush from having an unfair advantage to intimidate, brutalize and kill a Prosecutor the same way he did those dogs. Sounds like a fair fight to me.


On a personal note, I can't wait for the 2018 version of "Bum Fights" to come out to see a broke, alcoholic Vick - living on a street corner in a cardboard box - paid $3 to get the shit kicked out of him. Poetic justice.

[idgiehkt]

49. apparently so

bless them for not making the taxpayers fund a trial for Mr. pondscum.

[rollin74]

4. I'm hoping the POS gets AT LEAST a year

though he deserves a hell of a lot more than that

[n2doc]

8. Earlier they were saying 18-36 months was being "offered" by the Feds.

I am with you, though. :grr:

[TankLV]

95. and that's the BEST he can do in a PLEA BARGAIN...

god he must be a real sick degenerate fucking gangsta fuckwad...

[Roland99]

9. Nephew told me that it looks like he's trying to deal to 18-36 months.

[flvegan]

5. *happy dance*

Better hope the judge accepts it, asshole.

[underpants]

7. GOOD NEWS! he may face state charges too!!!!

Bury that scum.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2979518

While Michael Vick and his lawyers are pondering a possible plea deal on federal charges related to an alleged dogfighting ring, the state of Virginia plans to go ahead with separate charges as a result of their own investigation, according to a published report.

Virginia Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday that "yes, indeed, we will prosecute" Vick and others on possible animal cruelty and dogfighting charges.

Poindexter said a grand jury is set to convene on Sept. 25 and the case would probably be submitted at that time.

[LiberalFighter]

72. I wonder how much the county prosecutor knew and if he was involved

[acmavm]

10. Does this shut down the other investigations into the gambling

'ring' or whatever that supposedly the feds were conducting? And today someone posted here that they were looking into ties with organized crime, is that gone too?

[BadgerLaw2010]

13. Part of any plea deal is that you cooperate.

Would not be good to be an unindicted "friend" of Mr. Vick right now.

[Virginia Dare]

27. They were trying to get his cousin on drug charges..

not sure how that fits into all of this, and one of his co-defendants tested positive for drugs after the arrest.

[AngryAmish]

11. Oh, and to all you saying he had the presumption of innocence...

TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[atreides1]

28. Everyone should be presumed innocent

Until the evidence, or the defendant prove otherwise!

[Hosnon]

29. Right. Vick has effectively silenced his defenders with this plea.

Of course, it is not implausible that defendants get pressured into taking plea deals. However, those circumstances probably usually involve defendants with little or no resources.

[LiberalFighter]

73. I wonder what Deion Sanders and the other one have to say now

Will they still say that it is a cultural thing and therefore not a bad thing?

[AngryAmish]

30. By the courts and the jury

I can hold whatever opinion I want.

[FredScuttle]

43. So presuming innocence of someone accused is.....bad?

Did you have anything to do with writing the Patriot Act?

[Hosnon]

46. Not bad - just not required. The judgments of laypersons carry no deprivation

of life, liberty or property.

I usually presume innocence but certainly don't apply a "reasonable doubt" standard when it comes to evidence. I'd like to think mine is a bit higher than preponderance.

[FredScuttle]

50. "the judgements of laypersons carry no deprivation of life, liberty or property..."

that must be why OJ is raking in the dough continuing to make Hertz commercials, appearing in movies and broadcasting NFL games on NBC. Oh, wait a minute....

[Hosnon]

56. Our judgments are not legally enforceable. That is the important distinction. NT.

[LanternWaste]

57. Consequence of market pressure, not consequence of my opinion...

Also, probably because he lost the civil liability case.

"Oh, wait a minute...." No waiting necessary. He lost.

[AngryAmish]

69. One more thing, my constitutionally challenged friend,

The Bill of Rights enumerates things the government can't do against people, not what people can't do against each other. Since I am not the government, the 5th Amendment does not apply to me.

May I repeat:


I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!

[FredScuttle]

78. Told me what?

If you must do a victory dance, have at it, but I'm not sure what you're celebrating.

[TankLV]

97. How about the fact that a piece of SCUM is finally getting partially what he deserves?!

I am so goddamn HAPPY and GLAD this gangsta scumbag is finally getting PUNISHED...

[FredScuttle]

110. You're not celebrating his conviction....you're rubbing it in the face of people

who were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt before he went to trial.

I'd say that's a level of gracelessness more befitting a "scumbag" like Michael Vick that a fellow DU'er, but that's me.

[idgiehkt]

51. damn straight

Until proven guilty in a court of law. I'll make use of my first amendment rights to talk about this or anyone else charged.

[Marnieworld]

33. Precisely

Told you so! 10,000 times!

[TankLV]

96. THANK YOU.

But I am still one of them - even tho he looked guilty as hell...

God what a piece of trash he has proved to be...

[Forkboy]

102. To those of you saying I told you so....

There's a reason we have "innocent until proven guilty",something you'll be damned grateful for when it's YOU who gets busted for something.

Going to say "neener neener neener" next? :eyes:

[Tempest]

12. So much for vigorously defending himself

I guess having your co-conspirators turn over on you changes your mind.

[idgiehkt]

64. they know he'd have done the same had he been in their shoes

and let them take the rap for all of it. They probably knew that some of his defenders were hanging it all on them anyway, which probably pissed them off.

[Dr.Phool]

14. And after his prison term, he should be ordered to perform community service.

Something like 2 years working at the humane society.

[Myrina]

18. ... how 'bout LIVING AT the Humane Society ...

... in a 3x3 metal cage with a cement floor.

[idgiehkt]

54. I disagree

People who have a history of cruelty to animals don't need to be working around animals. That is like giving a pedophile a job in a daycare.

[rocktivity]

16. What choice did he have?

Even if he had decided to go to trial and gotten acquitted, the NFL would never have forgiven him for the resulting scandal. At least this way he has a ghost of a chance of making a comeback.

:headbang:
rocknation

[bluestateguy]

19. Well, hopefully other players will refuse to take the field with him

At least that's what I hope happens.

[idgiehkt]

59. I wonder how many are into it themselves?

Kind of makes me wonder. :(

[bluestateguy]

17. He should never play football again

When this is all over, he should never be allowed near an NFL field again, in any capacity, as a player, coach, front office person, broadcaster, etc.

I hope he ends up stocking shelves at Wal-Mart when he gets out.

[Kagemusha]

21. I am hopeful the gambling angle seals his fate.

Yes, in a just world, what he did to dogs would be more than enough, but the gambling aspect helps cement the deal.

[Dr.Phool]

22. He could get a job he's better qualified for.

Like being a baby seal hunter or something.

:sarcasm:

[MaineDem]

24. The little remaining respect I have for the NFL will go completely if he returns

It's all about the money, though. Some people will pay to see him play.

Sad.

[LiberalFighter]

74. And others will shun the NFL or at least the Atlanta Falcons or

any team that decides to trade for him.

What are the possibilities?

Opposing players will give Vick a few more licks and anything that they can get away with underneath the pile.

At away games the home fans will provide more distraction during his time on the field.

[jobycom]

25. Don't worry, he'll be effectively lynched over this.

If he ever plays again, it will be Arena League stuff, more than likely. Or Extreme Fist Pummeling, or whatever all that nonsense is called. Or else he'll just start up the dog fighting when he gets out, since it's the only other job he knows.

Sad, in a lot of ways. The worst aspect is the cruelty and slaughter of these poor animals. But it's sad to see someone fall so hard, for something he doesn't really seem to understand was so bad. He's a good guy, otherwise--heavy into charities, goes out of his way to volunteer--far beyond the average NFL player, supposedly. This isn't a sociopath, just someone with too little respect for the law and with screwed-up values when it comes to animals. Not saying he doesn't deserve his fate, just saying I can't celebrate it.

[GeniusLib]

44. Vick is not a "good guy otherwise"

Besides this sociopathic behavior he is known for settling a suit for knowingly giving a woman herpes, flicking off fans, and being a coach kiiller and horrible teammate. Not to mention the shady situation with his water bottle full of marijuana residue at the airport.

[Donnachaidh]

52. too bad he couldn't be *charitable* to the dead dogs

Oh please -- his charitable acts probably were to cut his TAXES. Same with the volunteering.

No one should be celebrating this. But this cretin doesn't deserve the second chance the dogs (living or dead) will never have. The ones that survived will never be the same. Why should he? :grr:

[idgiehkt]

58. he tortured animals to death

not a "good guy" in any way, shape or form.

[Critters2]

82. A good guy?!!

He electrocuted, drowned, and body slammed living creatures to death. What qualifies as a bad guy in your world?!

[BronxBoy]

34. No he won't

I betcha a dime to a dollar that Wal-Mart doesn't hire felons.

Ironic isn't it. A normal felon has a hell of a time getting a job after they get out and here this guy is worried that he might not be able to get another multi-million dollar contract after he gets out.

[Tansy_Gold]

67. Wal-Mart **used to** hire felons, under certain circumstances

But only because they got some kind of tax credit for showing they were helping to rehabilitate ex-cons.

I have no problem with an employer giving a chance -- second, third, or otherwise -- to someone who can prove they are worthy of it. I'm not carving the evidence of worthiness in stone. Otherwise, we might as well lock everyone up for life.

But again, that's the idealist in me. I guess it's to counter some of the negativity today.



Tansy Gold, who can be negative herself at times

[BronxBoy]

100. I agree with you

People should get a second chance.

I just find it interesting that a lot of his plea negotiations are centered aroud when he will be able to play football again. Contrast that with your average felon, who is convicted or cops a plea, does his time and then has to worry about finding work.

And keep on being an idealist!

[jeffrey_X]

133. There is a player who killed another person yet continues to play each year.

It's amazing how scrutinized this whole dog fighting thing has been blown out of proportion compared to other crimes of NFL players. Leonard Little killed another human being drunk driving and he plays ever Sunday. There are players who beat women that play every Sunday.

Why should Vick never play again, but these guys continue to see the field???? It's amazing how the media and conservative white america have put on the full scale witch hunt against Vick.

I don't get it.

[bluestateguy]

134. Fine, kick out Leonard Little too.

He should not play again if he killed someone drunk driving. Is that what you want to hear? Fine, I said it.

This thread is about Michael Vick. So lets get back to that now.

[dropkickpa]

23. Fan-fucking-tastic

Dumb motherfucker. I hope he rots. Yes, I take much pleasure in this monsters misery, and I don't care if it makes me a bad person.

[Burma Jones]

26. On the plus side for Vick

He'll be Prison Royalty.......

Now, a lifetime Ban from the NFL would be the REAL punishment here.......

[Sukie1941]

31. Lifetime ban?

That would be appropriate for Vick, in my opinion.

Those dogs didn't have any choice being Pitbulls or being bred to fight. And they had nothing to say about how they died.

Michael Vick should know without thinking about it too much that those animals got no more chances than his own ancestors did who came as slaves to the Americas.

I hope the football league never lets him play on any team. Otherwise, it is yet another message to our kids that they can get by with just about anything.

[Burma Jones]

38. Absolute Lifetime Ban

Good enough for Pete Rose and Art Schlichter.

Even if you have no problem with animal cruelty (and there are many "people" that don't), Dog Fighting is Gambling.....and that should be enough to buy him a lifetime Ban.

[depakid]

70. I assume then you'd support a "lifetime ban" for domestic violence

or are you just concerned with cruelty to animals?

Why not let the guy come back after his sentence is served and see what someone will pay him to practice his profession?

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[depakid]

79. Spoken like an all too typical American

Gotta give in to those base emotions- gotta have that pound of flesh.

[idgiehkt]

85. gotta slam that dog into the ground, gotta wet it down then electrocute it

NFL is a brand and it's unlikely they want their brand, which is marketed to kids, associated with this kind of horrendous cruelty. In the end the decision will come down to marketing.

[populistdriven]

87. its all about the benjamins here in america

We even have our own Julius W. Caesar and his Lions

[idgiehkt]

88. fraid so

the NFL will have to look at the long term impact it could have associating themselves with the whole dog-fighting subculture publicly. I don't think it will be worth it for them in the end but I could be wrong. I don't know what the reference to Julias Ceaser, lions is about though...I am not up on Roman history.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

104. Clowns on ESPN suggested he had to make major contribution to PETA to buy a new image.

Chris Berman and his stooges were trying to work the numbers with the hope to see Vick back on the field as early as 2009. They suggested he needs to start gaming the public right now with a PR blitz. Sick shit, the hustle is on, he lied the whole way through this debacle and people should believe his BS now. Just another street hood that has athletic ability but can't overcome his criminal proclivities and isn't smart enough to control or hide his sick behavior from the public.

[populistdriven]

131. If they take him back I am burning my NFL gear

My entire collection consists of only one old Warren Sapp shirt :rofl:

[depakid]

89. "the decision will come down to marketing."

Agreed.

Let Mr. Vick try to market his skills and image. See how far that will get him.

Far be it for me to stand up for anyone who behaves like that- yet on the other hand, it saddens me to see people going off the deep end. Let the law- and then the sports marketplace take its course.

[idgiehkt]

90. I'm not saying it's a good thing

I'm just saying that is how it is. I don't think people are going off the deep end, it's just that almost all animal cruelty goes on without the perps ever being held accountable or serving time. It's a tremendous relief to see someone go to jail for this...but you have to know what gets reported everyday, and then realize that is way less than one percent of the actual cruelty, to appreciate it.

cases as they are reported:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/

[TankLV]

98. Umm - we can multi-task - unlike aparently you...

And the TOPIC of this THREAD is that fucking LYING gangsta INHUMAN bastard VIC THE PRICK...

And, I would wager, that this is but the tip of the iceberg - I bet there are more than a few women he has battered, too...

So, you see, it probably WILL be about "domestic violence" after all...

People who abuse animals usually don't just stop at the animals...

[BigDDem]

32. Dear Michael,

Enjoy your toasty 'lil corner of hell you sick fuck.

[IndianaJones]

35. a sad turn of events for Vick. I hope to see him back in the NFL in a few seasons. nt.

[BigDDem]

37. I hope to see him

face down in a ditch being attacked by pit bulls.

[Burma Jones]

40. Not if there's Gambling involved

and I just can't imagine there isn't.

[IndianaJones]

41. I had heard that was one reason for the plea...to avoid gambling charges. nt.

[Burma Jones]

42. Gambling is a Death Sentence

And just avoiding Federal Charges isn't going to satisfy the NFL. This guy is toast.

[IndianaJones]

45. gambling can be a death sentence, however the man conducting the investigation for...

the NFL said that he is relying only on public record material and will not receive sealed evidence. Perhaps a condition for Vicks plea that any gambling allegations remain sealed.

[Burma Jones]

47. Vick can afford good Lawyers

you may be onto something there......

[IndianaJones]

53. the odds are stacked against him certainly. Just conjecture on my part. nt.

[Bacchus39]

132. if he bet on NFL football probably

not sure how betting on dog fights makes a difference since I assume that is why they do it in the first place. might have been an additional charge in the case. is there an attorney who specializes in dog fighting law here?

[idgiehkt]

63. ALL animal fighting is about gambling.

gambling/drugs/weapons seem to always be tied to dog-fighting in particular.

[IndianaJones]

108. agreed, but all gambling is not a death sentence in sports. nt.

[MadHound]

48. Oh da po' widdle multi millionaire jock, having to face the music for his crimes

Frankly I think that a plea deal, with or without a lifetime ban from the NFL, is too damn good for this sick fuck. I'm of the same opinion as Olberman on this one, smear the asshole in liver, set him loose in front of a big pack of big dogs and let's see how fast and nimble the little shit is.

I have absolutely zero sympathy for any motherfucker who fights dogs. To do so only shows what sick, twisted fucks these so called humans are, goading innocent animals into fighting each other to get their own jollies off. I've seen way to much of the results of dog fighting, and thus I have a special hatred for anybody who participates in dogfighting, no matter who he is.

At the very least, I want to see this man get a year in jail, general population, and a lifetime ban from the NFL. Sorry, but excusing somebody due to their athletic talent is simply wrong.

[TankLV]

99. And, I would bet dollars to donuts that this is an indication of how he treats women, too.,..

Animal abusers are pretty sick fucks, and I would bet a bundle that he has battered women, too...

[Binka]

116. I had to log out to see who you were talking to

I put the jerk on ignore a few weeks back. Must be pretty lonely in his Mommies basement racking up over 1200 posts in 2 months on DU and being a complete FOOL 99.9% of the time. I think the Mods must be on vacation. This one is as transparent as GLASS.

[LanternWaste]

66. it's a great turn of events...

Might be a sad turn of event for Vick, but I'm sure there are a lot of dog owners for whom it's a great turn of events...

Just out of curiosity, why would you like to watch him play pro ball after he serves his time?

[IndianaJones]

109. Because I happen to like the guy, and think he should not have his career ended. nt.

[plasticsundance]

113. Wow.

You should be a lawyer. That would go well with a jury. Better yet, perhaps you can set a moral compass for are society. How about this? Try this on for size. "Sociopaths have not gotten a fair break/shake in our society."

http://www.secondopinionradio.com/

BTW, what other sociopaths meet your fancy?

[IndianaJones]

114. hehe. false outrage is funny. nt.

[plasticsundance]

124. And you addressed my post ... um ... how?

[LanternWaste]

117. You like him?

You like him? Then may I assume you've met him and maybe had a few beers with the guy? Or (more likely) you simply like the managed image he and his handlers have advertised to the consumer...?

[Jokerman]

115. A sad turn of events for the dogs he killed. I hope he never plays again. n/t

[natrat]

119. wtf? this man drowns and electrocutes dogs and its sad for him--wake up idiot

[ehrnst]

122. I hope the NFL has no place for sociopaths.

I think that's what his behavior indicates, IMHO.

It's not like he needed the money (not that it's a justification).

There was no financial reason or motivation to run this racket. The torture and brutal killing of animals was a HOBBY for this man.

Cruelty to animals is often a sign of deeper problems, and a precursor to violence against people (look at his profession) and children. I would fear for any children someone with that sort of "hobby" raises.

Professional boxing and football make profit of those with a talent for violence, and according to the Washington Post article today, they have covered for their "investment" when he and his buddies have gotten into trouble before.

I think that the NFL contributed to his arrogance, and enabled his sociopathic hobby.

[rateyes]

36. He's getting off easy...

think of all the gambling winnings, etc. that never got reported to the IRS. He could have been charged with RICO crimes and spent 25 years in prison. I doubt, if any of us had done this if there would have been a deal. They had him dead to rights. This is more mercy than justice.

[idgiehkt]

60. Very very good point

though it really makes me sad. I sincerely hope they are going after people higher up the ladder than him after this.

[colorado_ufo]

80. Higher up the ladder?

The guy owned the kennel, arranged the fights, hired/fired the help, had a fight ring on his property, was the freakin' OWNER, etc.

Agree this plea deal was more mercy than justice, and I never would get any pleasure out of watching this guy play again - even if he had John Elway's arm cloned onto him as an extra appendage.

[idgiehkt]

83. yeah but I'm not talking about

what goes on on his property, talking about breeders and kennels who have been doing this for decades. I was reading an article recently about a town who'd formed a committee to look at whether to pass an ordinance on outlawing dogs to be chained out, and one of the committee members ends up having ties to dog fighting. She has a doctorate in zoology, very educated degreed person who insinuated herself onto this board to try to derail this law. And she has ties to another very well known breeder of figthing dogs, etc, etc.

[Baclava]

39. Think he'll turn snitch now? Rat out his buddies for a lighter sentence?

He copped a plea, right? That means that in order to receive a lighter sentence, he will cooperate with the authorities....right?

That means he could roll over on every dog fighter in the NFL, NBA and hip hop community.

Interesting.

[rateyes]

65. He won't roll over on those guys....

he wants to play football again.

[Blue_Tires]

55. one of the big ironies is

Vick, like a lot of pro athletes, grew up in a place where there is enormous pressure to adhere to a 'code'...you know the one; "always stick by your boys from the block," "spread around some love (or money) to the friends/relatives from before you were famous," "keep your mouth shut," "don't forget where you came from" and so on...Rightly or wrongly, Vick stuck by the 'code' by putting his leeches (ERRR... i mean 'friends') up in a furnished house where they didn't have to do shit but lay around and spend his money, he financed and was a willing participant in their illegal and heinous enterprises, and lent his formerly good name to it...

and of course, at the first sign of trouble for these leeches and professional hangers-on, the goddamned 'code' which they demanded Vick live by goes out the window and they all turn on him to save their own skins...Goodbye NFL career and $130 million...At least Vick will have plenty of time to think about his choice of 'boys' during his suspension and sentence...I've always been proud of and kept close track of pro athletes from Virginia, and Vick will go down as the poster boy for wasted potential.

That other sounds you hear are the hundreds of OTHER pro athletes quietly dismantling their own dogfighting operations, burning records, severing ties with organizers, and letting loose their dogs in an empty field somewhere...

[idgiehkt]

61. I hope this does send a message

I don't understand, really, the desire to continue dog-fighting when one is a multi-millionaire. I can't quite understand how depraved one must be to continue that kind of cruetly when one doesn't need to gamble to make money to buy drugs or guns or whatever it's done on the streets for. I don't think it's entirely fair to say that Vick was 'dragged down' by his associates, because they know that he has money to buy high-priced attornies whereas they don't, so I kind of can't blame them for saving their own skin. There was a similar controversy with the L'il Kim trial where the feds supoena'd lil Cease and he testified, he was given hell about the "code" so to speak, but he explained his back was against the wall.

[Blue_Tires]

77. i agree

and i'm not saying Vick was a completely innocent bystander that was taken advantage of by friends---Clearly he was a willing participant, and should face consequences of his choices...But I do have a hatred for the 'entourage' members that are quick to say Vick (or any other athlete) is no longer "real" enough because he wouldn't play or finance various ghetto/country hustles...

I'm reminded of Jamal Lewis, who was convicted of using his cell phone to set up a cocaine deal for a childhood friend (and almost certainly had the financial backing behind it)...Lewis should have told his friend to take the money and go to school to learn a fucking trade, instead of re-enacting Scarface...

But as we know, the 'code' usually trumps common sense, especially when athletes (mainly NBA) are trying to maintain that ever-ethereal "street cred" to keep up the marketing hype (see: Anthony, Carmelo).

But i do think things will change in the pro sports world, because even the most ignorant pro athlete understands what it means to lose millions...No one will want to follow Vick's path from the penthouse to the jailhouse just because of some gravy-training, fairweather 'friends'

[colorado_ufo]

81. One word: Sadism.

That is why the poorly performing dogs were executed the way they were. They could have simply been shot or given a lethal injection. But hey - if they wouldn't/couldn't cut it in the fight ring, might as well get some fun out of 'em, right? After all, Vick paid for the dog food and so on. Them dogs OWED him something!

This is why there is a very short jump from animal cruelty (like putting firecrackers into frogs) to cruelty to human beings. Especially the more helpless variety - like children, the elderly, and women. Sadism comes in one flavor.

[idgiehkt]

84. I take it a little further

because I don't think sadism is inherent in humans, at least not in the majority. I think it's a combination of what a kid identifies with, how he is victimized and what he compartmentalizes. If one is victimized/terrorized enough sometimes the only escape is to identify with the perpetrator of abuse, and to shut down the empathetic side of oneself, because to feel empathy with the suffering is too painful. And a lot of kids are indoctrinated into animal cruelty *with* animal cruelty, they are around when animals are tortured/abused and compartmentalize the empathetic side of themselves right out of existence in order to avoid experiencing the horror of what they are seeing . Same is true of watching other children or a parent being abused. It's a perfect formula for the creation of a 'sadistic' adult, how the cycle perpetuates. Which is why one can't leave that part of themselves behind despite being given a $130 mil contract...one must continue to murder that part of the self.

[Thothmes]

103. sadism

The area that Vick's operation was located in was a semi rural area of south Western Virginia. Large new homes on 10-15 acre lots all over that area. If you are running a patently illegal operation, the last think that you want to do is attract the attention of the neighbors. IMO that they chose the rather drastic means of killing the dogs rather than shooting them to avoid attracting attention from the neighbors or the County Sheriff.

[idgiehkt]

127. I think some of this happened at other locations

believe me, gun shots are common in rural Virginia, I grew up there, and, same as where I live now, you hear them all the time, particularly on weekends.

No one would give it a second thought to hear a gun shot out there where he lived. They did this to be cruel, electrocution is cruel, beating is cruel. Read "Off The Chain" which is about dog-fighting...the non-fighters are typicall executed in cruel ways...it is PUNISHMENT.

[CountAllVotes]

62. Vick is getting off easy!

:mad:

This man makes me absolutely sick!

What a disgusting excuse for a human!

I hope he gets the maximum sentence!!



:argh: :argh:

[ileus]

68. Now let's get back to football...

[G Gordon Libby]

71. Unfortunately,

...the NAACP has a load of egg on its face the size of Al Sharpton's hair on this one

[alcibiades_mystery]

75. How so?

:shrug:

[BronxBoy]

101. The local chapter

came out and publicly supported him. I didn't have a problem with that. I did have a problem with the way they did it. Started whining about how the sponsors and other people were being unfair in giving in to pressure and canceling their endorsement deals. Said no one had a right to endanger his livelihood until he was convicted. Of course they had no such qualms when it came to pressuring advertisers to drop Imus.

The SCLC was also going to publicly support him during the opening night of their annual conference but thought better of it.

We got an outside shot at another subway series this year!

[idgiehkt]

86. Al Sharpton sided with PETA and HSUS on this one

don't know if that was a direct reference to him or not, but he signed Russell Simmons letter along with the other two parties against dog-fighting/animal cruelty,

[judaspriestess]

92. russell simmons? his wife uses fur in her clothing

line talk about a double standard.

on edit: unless she doesn't anymore.

[idgiehkt]

93. he is a vegan and has been for a while

they are aparently separated, officially last year but haven't divorced yet. With differences like that it's understandable.

[judaspriestess]

91. fuck you Tiki Barber

basically said vick was left no choice but to plead guilty cause his friends "threw him under the bus" and this was about friendships. vicks friends let him down.

[Name removed]

106. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

107. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Myrina]

111. how nice of you to make moral judgements ...

.... based on one post.

I didn't say anything about being pro-rape. That was your own insinuation.

[alcibiades_mystery]

112. Oh please

Don't try to slip out of it now. Everybody knows what "huge, muscular, lonley ones named Bubba" means in a prison context. Don't try to pretend that you didn't mean rape after the fact, compounding your atrocious views on punishment with outright dishonesty. Just own it. You hope Michael Vick gets raped in prison as a punishment for his dog fighting. You know it, and so does everybody else. That such a position is morally disgusting is obvious (which is why you're trying to weasel out of it now). Have the courage of your (despicable) convictions, at the very least. And don't try to pretend that you just meant you hope he gets "beat up" (which would be almost equally disgusting), since you threw in that little qualifier "lonely," the meaning of which is clear.

[TankLV]

94. So - Vick the fucking lying PRICK is GUILTIER than we have been told...what a fucking surprise - not

Fucking scumbag.

He should be stripped nude and doused with gravy and set in a ring of his "beloved" dogs...

THAT's the justice I wish for this cocksucker....

[natrat]

121. i hope he is violently raped in prison

[gatlingforme]

130. I agree and then some. I hope they kill him after

[classysassy]

118. Animal/Human life

I too love my dogs,but I am also concerned about the people all over the world that are slaughtered everyday by greedy,pridefull,men,lets hold them to the same standards as Vick.

[idgiehkt]

129. I'm not sure that they aren't being held to those same standards

just because people remark about animal cruelty and are vocal about being offended by torture of animals doesn't mean they aren't concerned about humans. Some of us are concerned about ALL cruelty/suffering in the world.

[lastliberalintexas]

120. This thread is sad in so many ways

"Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one." -Friedrich Nietzsche

[napsi]

123. Vick is a thug

Mike was a thug when he was at VT. He was a thug when he came to Atlanta. He has a brother (Marcus) who is a thug. People and corporations paid him millions while overlooking the fact he was a thug. Now we're shocked he is going to jail? Give me a break. The people who say he hung out with the wrong people are morons. Mike was the wrong "people". He had the money and the ability to navigate under the radar. His "friends" couldn't have bought the property, set it up and funded the operation. They didn't have any money! While I am sure these guys (his "friends") were bloodsucking gold diggers who were all too happy to hang with Mike Vick they were not the main people in this investigation.

I feel sorry for the dogs and the fans in Atlanta. The fans had to anted up their season ticket money before Vick was indicted and before Matt Shaub was traded to The Texans. Vick killed more than dogs. He killed the hopes of an entire city with regard to the 07-08 NFL season.

Does he deserve a 2nd chance? I don't know. Did Steve Howe deserve 6 chances? Did Dwight Gooden deserve 3 chances? If he gets a 2nd chance I hope it also involves psychological help. You can not drown, electrocute or pummel a dog to death without having a serious mental issue.

[mitchum]

125. Vick is a sadistic thug who is soon to also be a snitch...maybe snitching...

will soon be called "vicking" in da hood?

[idgiehkt]

128. I wonder

I don't think they like snitches very much in prison though...of course he has the football thing going for him.