Obama thanks Philadelphia Eagles owner for giving Michael Vick a second chance

[alp227]

Reports are out stating that President Obama called Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the NFL team Philadelphia Eagles, this weekend to thank Lurie for giving Michael Vick a second chance. As this NBC Sports blog linked by Alan Colmes reports:

President Obama explained that a level playing field rarely exists for prisoners who have completed their sentences. Vick’s success gives all of them hope.

In our view, Obama’s gesture also provides Vick with the kind of positive reinforcement that will help keep him out of any trouble during the 2011 offseason, once he is left to his own devices.

Vick was incarcerated from 2007 to 2009 for participating in a dog-fighting ring and lying about it. Since then, he was cut by his original team Atlanta Falcons, joined the Eagles in 2009, and spoke at schools on behalf of the Humane Society.

[DrDan]

1. we ought to have some of those dogs weigh in on this - not sure they would agree

[CreekDog]

2. if only Van Jones could've been more like Michael Vick

one got fired, one got praised.

[phleshdef]

6. Van Jones himself says that is complete bullshit.

He is the one that decided he should go so he wouldn't become a political baseball bat. I'll take his word on the situation over yours. His has credibility.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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

[CreekDog]

Well lauding Michael Vick is more shameless than anything I've done

obviously i'm no angel...but i don't give Vick credit for not killing dogs anymore.

[impik]

11. No one id "lauding" Vick. He paid his debt. Why can't he get a second chance?

No, i'm sure it's not racism, right?

[CreekDog]

14. i didn't deny him a second chance, i'm arguing with lauding him --which people *are* doing

and as far as heroes, yes, you can call people racist for having heroes like Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Jerry Rice and yes, Barack Obama, and still not liking Michael Vick on the basis of what he did and what he did not do (like taking responsibility for his animals that are still living in shelters now).

[muffin1]

23. Yeah...

most DUers would be fine with the situation if a white guy had tortured and slaughtered dogs for a few dollars. :eyes:

You need a new song. This one's getting mighty old.

[woo me with science]

33. Of course he was lauded.

When the President of the United States takes it upon himself to personally congratulate someone for hiring you, you have been lauded.

[montanacowboy]

3. I am going to be sick

I have no words - sickening, just sickening

[Gman]

7. Vick paid his debt to society

so what's the problem? Mark him like a sex offender or something?

[CreekDog]

9. he paid his debt --his dogs are still suffering (those that weren't euthanized)

i'm not celebrating him.

there are real heroes out there that deserve even half the recognition he's received for simply not killing dogs anymore.

[impik]

12. Who's "celebrating" him? You just keep spinning this thing. Amazing.

[CreekDog]

15. I saw the panel on CNN's NFL coverage a week ago

and they kept referring to Vick in laudatory terms and talking of his "redemption". that's "lauding" Vick, there's no other way around it.

and no, their praise of him was not limited to his quarterbacking but also referred to his speaking engagements, etc.

[truedelphi]

59. + My household. n/t

[Gman]

22. Anyway, again, he's paid his debt to society

Why is it a problem?

[CreekDog]

24. and not to his dogs

you feel better, but you weren't a tortured dog.

some of his dogs are permanently afraid of people because of Vick.

answer that!

[AndrewP]

34. But he throws a football far, and the President loves football

so all is good with the world. :puke:

[Gman]

63. The dogs are only dogs. They're animals. His crime was against society

Human society and dogs are not the same thing. Yes he hurt animals that society is entrusted to protect. But the penalty can only be imposed by people, not dogs. He did was was required by society. It was not a life sentence. It is a great benefit to society to allow him to reenter and testify to what he did and why it was wrong and maybe inhibit others from doing the same thing.

[LiberalFighter]

27. When does a man pay his debt if he killed a dozen people?

[Gman]

64. You're mixing things up

people are not animals. You're sadly confused.

[LiberalFighter]

77. Then you don't know your biology.

And from your response you must think that it is okay to beat and torture animals until they are dead because they are not people. I am not sadly confused. Animals have a place in our society and it is not be abused, tortured and killed by scumbags like Vick.

[COLGATE4]

99. And you don't know your law. People are legally treated different

than animals. Vick didn't kill 12 people, so your argument is moot. He did commit a serious crime, for which he was tried, convicted and served his punishment as determined by law. He is as entitled as any other convicted felon to try and rehabilitate himself.

[martymar64]

116. Dog Killer is not entitled to our praise or even our respect

He is a sadist that tortured and killed innocent creatures because HE ENJOYED IT!

He likes killing and torturing animals. 2 years in a country club jail will not change that.

He laughed about throwing people's pets into rings with vicious dogs.

If you think sadistic people like that can be rehabilitated, have at it, Hoss.

Just don't get your panties in a twist when the rest of us don't go along.

[pnwmom]

106. He's not being celebrated. Obama was thanking the TEAM

for giving an ex-con a chance to turn his life around.

[martymar64]

117. He's still a Dog Killer and always will be. Sadists like that don't change.

He'll probably switch to torturing and killing hookers now that he can't have dogs anymore.

Sadists like that don't change.

[earth mom]

110. Did you even read what Vick did to those dogs?! Obama was praising a SOCIOPATH! nt

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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

[phleshdef]

16. So called liberals are quick to forgive some of our favorite Presidents for much, much worse.

Like that time FDR put a bunch of Japanese people in internment camps or that time LBJ started one of the bloodiest wars of all time or that time that Truman nuked a bunch of people.

Its not that I don't understand the reasoning behind at least 2 of those decisions above, nor am I stating them to come down on any of those Presidents mentioned, I'm not. And before anyone says it, no I'm not comparing Michael Vick to FDR.

But what I'm saying is that there has definately been a double standard on this Vick thing coming from a lot of so called liberals who will go around touting other men who have done far worse things as their heroes. I'm a dog owner and what Vick did was disgusting. Its so disgusting that he should have been locked up for it. And he was. And he served his time. Its over. Once you have paid your debt for a crime, you have every RIGHT to re-enter society and make the most of it. Michael Vick has the RIGHT to go on about his life.

If every former convict that was sentenced for more than just a petty crime were treated with the same standard that some are reserving for Michael Vick, we'd have an entire society stunted by persecution.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

31. Yep. Just like they want Obama to be more like LBJ, the same man who lied

about the Gulf of Tonkin. Yes, that one. A great president who did a horrific thing. So horrific that he vowed not to run for reelection.

He is forgiven, you see, well, because...well...he's NOT Barack Obama!

[MissDeeds]

17. I agree

It's sickening, but not unexpected. Warring, killing and torture that were condemned under * are now just dandy. Gotta love this new world order.

:thumbsdown:

[AndrewP]

29. The hero worship is amazing

[11 Bravo]

Oh, this should go well.

:popcorn:

[LeftyAndProud60]

4. He's right, and I love this. i hope he doesn't backtrack. NT

[martymar64]

119. You love dog killers too?

[hlthe2b]

5. This was discussed earlier...until it flamed out...

I'm not sure much is to be gained by rehashing... but here's the link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x73949

[Aramchek]

13. is this really the best you've got?? pathetic.

[woo me with science]

18. I am so fucking sick of being angry.

I am outraged. I am depressed. I am devastated. I am tired.

Every fucking time I read the news there is one more thing. One more thing. One more thing.

I have had it.

[MissDeeds]

19. +1000

I'm right there with you, friend.

[Teaser]

21. here's your solution

stop being angry.

You're in charge of your emotions.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

32. And that's exactly what the Corporate Media wants.

Get angry. But channel that anger at working to get more progressives elected to lower office?

[Aramchek]

39. you know you like it. you thrive on controversy.

[woo me with science]

69. Follow my posts, do you?

Wow! I follow yours, too!:loveya: ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JVhbusBDi4

[Enrique]

20. I liked this comment

jebdamone says:

Dec 26, 2010 10:50 PM

“President Obama explained that a level playing field rarely exists for prisoners who have completed their sentences. Vick’s success gives all of them hope.”

yeah, because every man in prison is 6’3, runs a 4.3 forty and can throw a football 60 yards on the money.

[tishaLA]

25. Of course that's not true for everyone in prison, but

the important point--one Cory Booker talks about all the time--is that giving former prisoners a chance is necessary if only because giving them a chance keeps recidivism low. Booker has programs in Newark for ex-cons and has an incredible success rate: 2% recidivism.

I may not like that Vick is in the NFL and has gotten plaudits from so many people who believe his tale of "redemption" makes him a role model, but we either believe that we send people to prison to pay for crimes or we don't. And if we don't, we may as well just lock them up forever.

[Critters2]

55. Yep. That may be the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. nt

[Safetykitten]

26. Did he REALLY have to go there? Did he really have to bring that up?

Why? was there a great cry across the nation for this to be said?

WTF?

[AndrewP]

28. Vick is a POS

:puke:

[Pirate Smile]

30. First Read: Obama praises Eagles for giving Vick second chance, use of alternate energy

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was surprised to hear the president's voice on the phone. Barack Obama had two things to discuss with Lurie: the redemption of Michael Vick and the alternative-energy plans Lurie unveiled this fall for Lincoln Financial Field. I talked about the Vick story on NBC last night.

"The president wanted to talk about two things, but the first was Michael,'' Lurie told me. "He said, 'So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance. He was ... passionate about it. He said it's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall.''
Lurie said Obama and he talked football. "He's a real football fan,'' Lurie said. "He loves his Bears. He really follows it. He knew how Michael was doing. It was really interesting to hear.''

The Eagles announced last month they would run the first self-sufficient alternative-energy sports stadium in the country. They'll install 80 spiral wind turbines to the stadium and mount 2,500 solar panels. Together, those devices will power about 30 percent of the stadium's energy needs. In addition, a biodiesel plant will be built nearby and that alternative energy source will help power (along with natural gas) the remaining 70 percent of the stadium's power needs. In addition, the project to install all the devices will employ 200 people for a year in, obviously, a down economy.

Over the course of the stadium's life, the team believes it can save $60 million in energy costs. That was big to Lurie, who's aggressively conservation-minded. He told Obama he was happy to put a plan like this in place, but he wouldn't have done it unless it made some financial sense. "It's good business for us, which is the point,'' Lurie said. "We talked about policy and what he hopes can happen with alternative energy, and he raved about us being the first to put a plan like this in place.''

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/12/27/5720751-obama-praises-eagles-for-giving-vick-second-chance-use-of-alternate-energy

[vaberella]

35. I'm okay with this. Everyone needs a second chance. n/t

[handmade34]

37. exactly...

that is why on its face I am angry; EVERYONE needs a second chance, not just good football players!

[vaberella]

81. Why would it make you angry?

I think the reason behind this is because he's such a popular figure and it's loud. I don't see Obama really making a difference. If I was asked about this on the fly I probably would have said the same thing. It looks like a sort of pop culture question. Nothing more. That's why I don't get the big debate here. I just think people want to be angry or frustrated for no reason. This is a sort of rather silly issue in effect. Prison is to pay for a crime. He did his time, paid his crime, so I don't see the problem with reintegration. I think people want to see him pay the same as other prisoners who are "forever shunned in society" or want the others who've been in prison for the same crime and get out to have the same opportunities. I agree with the latter. In some cases people are lucky and able to make it even with a rap sheet, others are not. And those others dominate. However, I think it's still unfair to make this correlation and to malign the issue of Michael Vick. I think you're anger is unnecessary---mainly unnecessary energy. I want the same opportunity for everyone and it's society that will have to change in order for that to go on all the time. No one makes any comments when the stars run in and out of prison. Robert Downey Jr. was living in prison and taking time off from paying for his crime to play movies. I'd feel that should get more attention, however that never did. The rules weren't bent for Vick as they were for so many other celebrities and I felt his debt was paid.

[handmade34]

86. understood

that is why I included "on its face" I am angry... I am angry at my society that deals in double standards and my anger is not unnecessary.

It is our anger and dissatisfaction that will cause us to act to make the necessary changes to make living here more equitable for everyone...

(unfortunate analogy between Michael Vick and Robert Downey Jr , but I get your point - again double standards; my point of anger)

[martymar64]

121. Robert Downey Jr didn't torture and kill dogs for fun

Dog Killer got off easy. He should've done at least another 5-10 years.

[pnwmom]

108. Which is exactly the point Obama was making. He was commending

the team for doing what more employers should do -- give an ex-con a second chance.

[martymar64]

120. Especially millionaire football players that torture and kill dogs for fun and profit.

Have you explained to your kids what a rape rack is yet?

[Cali_Democrat]

36. Vick deserved a second chance and got one

He has served his time in prison.

He seems like he's very sorry for what he did and he appears to be rehabilitated.

I'm happy for him.

[Critters2]

53. Why did he deserve a second chance? He got one, but does that mean he deserved one? nt

[vaberella]

80. I thought everyone deserved a second chance unless they were a mass murderer. n/t

[northernlights]

82. Vick is a mass murderer. but then, so are Bush and Cheney

at least Obama spreads his forgiveness and 2nd chances and empty claims of "redemption" around to many celebrities. :puke: :puke: :puke:

He's an equal opportunity forgiver of torturers and mass murderers. Wonderful. Just mother fucking wonderful.

[vaberella]

85. Last I heard he did do his time.

Yes, he killed dogs. But there is something as punishment for the crime. He went to prison, he payed fines, he was under house arrest. You're acting like he didn't do any time or pay any crime. You're a joke.

[fatbuckel]

94. You do realize that killing dogs is NOT murder,don`t you? It`s not nice or good ,but NOT murder.

[pnwmom]

107. No, he's not. n/t

[martymar64]

123. Just because it's not your dog he killed.

[earth mom]

111. Disgusting ain't it?!

:puke: :puke: :puke:

[martymar64]

122. And you believe him?

You believe OJ too?

Chump.

[BeyondGeography]

38. Hooray for Vick, but the President's statement is absurd

Vick is an out-of-this-world athlete. His appeal to potential employers post-incarceration couldn't be more unique.

[flvegan]

40. Our president is human, and will err in judgment.

Like this time, IMO.

[Union Scribe]

42. And if to err is human, the President is very, very, very, very human.

[vaberella]

79. In what other cases has he "erred"? n/t

[mtnsnake]

41. The only NFL owner Obama should have thanked is Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blank

who did not want Vick on his team after what Vick did to those dogs.

After the dog thing went down, Arthur Blank tried to trade Vick from the Falcons, and when nobody else wanted to trade anyone for him, Blank released Vick from his team, period. Kudos to Arthur Blank and his Atlanta Falcons for doing the right thing in getting rid of that piece of slime.

As far as getting second chances, yes, most people do deserve second chances, but for President Obama to highlight a millionaire NFL dog-torturing bum as his "second chance" example is simply a bad bad choice.

This year, my favorite NFL team is whoever is playing against the Eagles on any given Sunday.

[Teaser]

48. "This year, my favorite NFL team is whoever is playing against the Eagles on any given Sunday."

having a crappy football year, aren't you?

[Union Scribe]

73. Is this about Vick or Obama for you?

Just curious whose water you're trying to carry here.

[pettypace]

43. I've been on the fence about Mike Vick

I mean he is and has always been the most electrifying player in the NFL, but then he is a convicted felon.

However, with Obama coming out and advocating for him, I think that's good enough for me to side with Vick going forward.

We shouldn't be too hard on Barack. It's not like he's gonna pick Mike Vick as his running mate in 2012. Obama/Vick 2012 bumper stickers are aleady forming on the right.

[Safetykitten]

44. Maybe if you hung a dog from the fence, that would help you decide.

[pettypace]

45. I can understand your frustration

but just remember that the man you voted into the Oval Office has forgiven Mike Vick.

If the president has the courage to do that, we should all follow suit.

[flvegan]

47. (facepalm)

[Safetykitten]

49. Double facepalm

[Robeson]

58. Triple facepalm.

[Critters2]

51. WTF?! He's not God, you know! Or do you? nt

[Safetykitten]

52. Jesus, Does Charlie Sheen know about this special dispensation?

[Hello_Kitty]

91. LOL!

[bahrbearian]

92. He has forgiven many

You know, logically, he pretty much has forgiven Bush and Cheney (as if he had a beef with them to begin with it) by looking the other way when it comes to the mountain of evidence of premeditated war crimes ... so I guess according to you, pettypace, we should to?

[pettypace]

102. Yes. Yes! Yes!!

This is Obama, my man. The Barack is special. He's truly the one we've all been waiting for.

Start chanting with me now - O-ba-ma! O-ba-ma!

[displacedvermoter]

93. He has also forgiven Cheney, Shrub, Gonzo and a bunch of

other folks as well, and showed an absolute lack of courage in doing so!

The man I voted into the Oval Office is not the man who was campaigning for the gig.

Christ!!!

[earth mom]

112. Are you fucking kidding me?! Obama has praised a SOCIOPATH!

That is NOT ok with me nor is ok that Obama allowed SOCIOPATHS Bush, Cheney and the gang off scot free!

NO WAY IN HELL!!!! :grr:



I thought I'd seen it all on DU, but this Unfuckingbelievable!!!!

[alp227]

46. oh yeah Obama also treated BUSH with kid gloves when announcing the end of the Iraq War

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4524268
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/31/remarks-president-address-nation-end-combat-operations-iraq

"This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one can doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security."

Even if the War was started on false pretenses? And as Senator, Obama called on President Bush to admit Iraq errors.

[butterfly77]

50. And...

[Critters2]

54. Good! Dems will take the dog-torturer voting bloc in 2012! nt

[Safetykitten]

56. I want to see felons in Rendell's suite at the game, Fresh out of prison ones.

[jenmito]

57. And what would you be saying if Obama said that a guy who served his time in prison should NOT

be allowed to have his freedom now? Would you be calling him a Conservative? Sure you would. He can't win.

[CakeGrrl]

60. Yes, you KNOW someone here would lambaste him for

a lack of compassion, cementing their "theory" that the President is merely a figurehead tool of the Republican party.

:eyes:

[jenmito]

62. Exactly...

he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

[martymar64]

125. If he's lauding dog killer's he deserves every bit of it.

Watch next, Barack will pardon OJ, stating "Bitch had it coming".

[frylock]

70. obama couldn't find a parolee working in a machine shop somewhere?!

just a dumbass move on his part. it would be refreshing to at least see people acknowledge that.

[Safetykitten]

104. You Sir, are one of the most intelligent persons in this thread. REALLY.

No sarcasm. You would think they would get it.

[Union Scribe]

74. I'm going to ask you the same thing

I asked another poster: are you defending Vick to defend Obama, or do you actually give a shit about Vick? I find it funny how Obama's most ardent supporters find it necessary to take on defending other people they otherwise don't say boo about, but once Obama becomes involved then the banner of righteousness comes flying.

[jenmito]

87. I couldn't care less about Vick. The point is the guy did his time and Obama is happy to see that

someone who did his time in prison got hired afterward, which is a LIBERAL position. I ask YOU-if Obama were to come out AGAINST someone getting hired after serving his time in prison, would you say it's just more proof that he's NOT a liberal/progressive?

[martymar64]

126. torturing and killing dogs for fun is NOT a liberal position, no matter how much you spin it.

[martymar64]

124. He's saying that about plenty of guys in Gitmo.

He only praises sadist dog killing football players.
Pot smokers? "Lock 'em up and throw away the key!" sez Barack the Dog Killer's new BFF.

[BlueIris]

61. Ugly.

Not shocking, but an ugly and inexcusable comment none the less.

[CakeGrrl]

65. So now it's "ugly and inexcusable" to

thank an organization for giving a person who completed a jail sentence another chance?

Where is the ugliness in that statement? What is inexcusable about it?

Some of you seem to have a problem separating the general concept behind the President's statement from the actions that landed Vick in jail in the first place.

Unfortunately for you, the President is not guilty by association, nor can you tag him for supporting a heinous crime.

[jenmito]

66. Obama took the liberal position on this...

but from those who claim to be real liberals, they want to continue to be against Obama so badly that they're suddenly taking the CONSERVATIVE side of an issue.

[Safetykitten]

67. Hmmm. It seems the tag line du jour is "liberal position".

[jenmito]

68. That's because it IS a liberal position.

[CakeGrrl]

72. I agree. This is willful ignorance of the President's intent

so there's an excuse to keep on hating on him: "Now he coddles dog murderers! I KNEW he was scum!"

This place continues to tilt over the deep end.

[earth mom]

113. It's YOU who can't seperate Obama from the pedestal you have him on.

Your back must hurt from all that genuflecting! :eyes:

[frylock]

71. it's fascinating that the people going to the mat for vick are the most ardent of obama supporters..

which really tells me their concern probably isn't really for vick or ex-cons in general.

[CakeGrrl]

75. Who do you hate more? The President or Vick?

There's a flipside to your assertion.

I, for one, have maintained well before today that Vick served the time they handed down for his crime, so good on the Eagles for giving him the chance to rebuild.

What the HELL else do people want?

As for today, there's nothing wrong in what the President said. Except what...now liberals would prefer that he tell organizations NOT to give convicted persons ANY chance of employment? Going back to my first sentence, what is this about? Another excuse to complain about Obama AGAIN, or a chance to vent about Vick?

That really tells me that some people have difficulty separating the concept of compassion, evidenced by the President's statement, from the actions that landed Vick in jail.

[frylock]

76. i don't hate either one of them..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=578503&mesg_id=578989

[vaberella]

78. Really? I thought most liberals supported the reintergration of cons.

If they try to make amends. Or maybe not. Dunno. I don't see this crime akin to murder to even garner this much discussion on this board.

[frylock]

83. well he did murder those dogs..

and i've already addressed the reintegration of ex-cons:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=578503&mesg_id=578989

[vaberella]

84. You say it as though he didn't pay for the crime.

I figured he payed his sentence. The way your speaking it's as though he did not pay enough. Which is absurd.

[frylock]

88. you're putting words in my mouth..

i don't begrudge vick. this is about obama's dumbass gaffe. you didn't even bother to address the post i linked to.

[CakeGrrl]

89. Obama did not commit a "dumbass gaffe"

You just think he picked the wrong example.

Blame it on the high visibility of the NFL playoff season, and for Vick being a key player in getting the Eagles this far in the playoffs. It's a very obvious example of someone who is making the most of a second chance, and a very obvious choice of someone who served their prison sentence and has come back to succeed at their profession.

You just can't stand the choice.

[frylock]

90. still waiting for you or someone to answer me this..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=578503&mesg_id=578989

moreover, where was obama 16 months ago when the eagles initially hired vick? and do you really think that the eagles hired vick out of the kindness of their hearts?! you know that talented athletes commonly get second, third, fourth chances? this isn't some fucking cinderella story. but you keep digging that hole.

[CakeGrrl]

95. I did answer it - it was a timely, prominent opportunity

Lots of Americans watch the NFL playoffs. They're starting soon. Lots of public attention.

The Philadelphia Eagles hired a player who completed a jail sentence and was looking to work again.

The Eagles are now in playoff contention in large part due to the contributions of this player. Lots of people know this, since NFL playoffs are watched by a lot of people.

The math is not that difficult. The example is front and center.

[martymar64]

130. And now I will hate the Eagles forever. Philadelphia Loves Dog Killer

[martymar64]

129. We get it. You love Dog Killer because he is a good football player.

Football trumps decency.

[vaberella]

101. I didn't address it because it made no sense to me.

I don't see how it was a gaffe. All he did was praise the Eagles for taking a chance on an ex-con. End of story. Where did he commit a gaffe? My mind doesn't seem to really see where the problem is here.

[frylock]

103. clearly it's a divisive issue that he would have been wise to steer clear of

[martymar64]

128. You call less than two years in a country club jail punishment?

He probably had all the hookers and blow the guards could procure for him.

Dog Killer's reputation among civilized people is ruined as it rightly should be.

He is a savage killer and deserves to be seen as such for the rest of his life.

If you think he has truly repented then you are a fool.

[AtomicKitten]

97. You are correct. Some here are conflating the crime with rehabilitation.

Vick's crimes were horrible; on that I'm sure we all agree.

[martymar64]

127. If you believe that, what about hosting an ex-felon in your home?

You are a lberal and you believe in second chances right?

Why not open your home to an ex-murderer or rapist?

He's really sorry and said he won't do it again.

And he promises he won't torture or kill your pets or family.

Won't you look into your heart and give him a second chance?

[bigwillq]

96. I am not a huge Obama supporter

but I don't find anything wrong with Obama's statement regarding Vick. I actually tend to agree with Obama in this case.

[earth mom]

114. In their eyes Obama can do no wrong. Even when he defends a murderous sociopath!

:puke:

[Fruittree]

98. What Michael Vick did was horrible and very wrong -

This, however, is not the issue. The point is that in the circumstance in which he grew up, what he did was not considered wrong - He was caught and has paid a price, not just in terms of jail time but financially and for the rest of his life, many will hate him for what he did. He has since, spoken on behalf of the Humane Society and is hopefully making a difference not just for dogs but for some of the young people who grew up believing as he did that dog fighting is just another sport and o.k. to engage in. Everyone who is genuinely ready to turn their life around deserves that chance and I believe that was Pres. Obama's message.

[martymar64]

131. And you believe Dog Killer?

It's society's fault that he enjoyed torturing and killing dogs.

I'm sure he will be remorseful until the court order expires, then it's back to hanging and electrocuting dogs and pulling out there teeth with pliers.


Sorry, not buying it. Sadists don't change.

[WiffenPoof]

100. Maybe...

those who are so angry with Vick ought to be angry with the judicial system. The man did his time the way it currently stands. Now, if you feel that Vick did not get punished enough (I certainly think he deserved more), then you should fight for changes in the laws that dictate punishment. If you feel really strongly about it, then you should fight for the death penalty for Vicks actions.

-PLA

PS - What I find interesting here is that so many see the issue as "black or white." "There is no forgiveness for Michael Vick." Seeing the world in such black and white terms sounds more like the kind of thinking you see from the Right.

-PLA

[Safetykitten]

105. Holy cow (sorry PETA), but this is a new line of defense. Taking it out for a spin?

[DividedWeAre]

109. Why

OK, second chance, yada yada... Does BO feel so good about himself now that he can pick THIS subject for publicity or pick Vick as a real example of a criminal who has turned a corner ? Really ??!! No better examples out there ?

[martymar64]

115. What Dog Killer tells school kids "Don't get caught"

After that he describes to the kiddies the proper way to use a Genuine Michael Vick Brand Deluxe Rape Rack.

[Paladin]

118. So---PETA Is OK With This, But Tucker Carlson Wants Vick Executed?

The head of the militant animal rights group is alright with Obama's actions, but right-wing shithook Tucker Carlson wants Vick executed? This issue has officially careened off the tracks. Let's move on......