Sick with Vick
You probably know my feelings regarding quarterback Michael Vick already.
I think the Falcons should cut him at the first opportunity and unburden themselves of the $130 million contract and the embarrassment he’s heaped upon the franchise since last fall.
The Falcons will pay a price far higher than the $130 million if he stays.
Too many fans have been alienated by the details of the 18-page federal indictment.
While Vick has been told to stay away from training camp, the NFL has yet to decide if it will take any disciplinary action. Commissioner Roger Goodell has the discretion to punish as he sees fit for violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
Atlanta owner Arthur Blank has been told by Goodell that the franchise should not take any disciplinary action against Vick for the moment.
We'll be hearing more from the Falcons today at a 4 p.m. press conference.
Do you think the league has handled the Vick case wisely thus far?
What would you consider an appropriate level of punishment for Vick?
3 comments:
It’s easy to play hangman when your views are supported by popular opinion but they do nothing but disservice to our system of justice, especially when presented from the comfort of an office desk chair.
If he’s guilty, he will lose his job, his public standing, his stardom, millions of dollars and likely too his freedom. But if he’s not guilty… and we’ve seen this happen in a recent case of a DA who was hell bent to convict a group of Duke University lacrosse players, what then? Where’s the justice? Will you and a thousand other sports pundits and booth apes stand to apologize for your rush to judgment?
I think not.
Quite honestly, I also feel there is a high likelihood that Mr. Vick is guilty of being involved in the dog fighting racket. He’s probably already suited up for the last time in Falcons’ red and black. But even so, I won’t deny him the same thing you or I would expect from our system of justice… that being, a day in court and belief that we are all innocent until proven guilty of anything… even patronizing the lynch mob.
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Redoubt,
I appreciate your views and the manner in which you expressed yourself.
I think there are a couple of reasons why the Vick case has evoked such passionate response and quick condemnation.
A lot of us own pets. A lot of us could never imagine hurting them.
And when you read the indictment, it hits you: Even if he didn't execute the dogs or arrange the fights, as the indictment claims, animals were killed on his property. It's tough to get past that.
If he is acquitted, I wonder whether perceptions of him will really be changed. Some athletes have been able to return to their normal routines (ie. Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant). Others have become pariahs (O.J. Simpson) in spite of acquittal.
I would also like to initiate discussion about why Vick represents a lightning rod for so many of us. My interest stems from the fact that he's the Falcons quarterback, he received a $130 million and he's been implicated in a disgusting crime.
Unfortunately, so much of the discussion on our newspaper's message board invariably degenerates into race-baiting.
Will our society ever evolve to the point that we can discuss race without resorting to insults?
Whether or not this particular issue has any racial connections elsewhere, I cannot say. Speaking for myself, I see none. What I do see is that there are a lot of people who, for various reasons, would like to see Vick on the end of a rope and most any reason would be a good one.
Now do note that this is a figurative term… like lynch mobs and the rest. We both know there are no mobs carrying torches up to this guy’s house. The race card, if there’s one being played anywhere, would seem to be a personal issue for those who are playing it. My feeling is that it is localized to individuals and not representative of the majority of those speaking to the subject.
Now then, the real issue here is whether Mr. Vick was personally engaged in a dog-fighting racket. You base you judgment on the only evidence currently available to the public: The Indictment.
Indictments are not trials. They are a collection of articles of evidence that is presented to a Grand Jury to determine whether a trial is warranted. The Grand Jury, in this case, said yes. They said there was enough evidence to have said trial.
Here’s another thing… the indictment did NOT present anything but the evidence ‘against’ Mr. Vick. His defense and all the evidence in his favor will have to wait for that trial.
So, you have rendered your verdict based on only one side of the story but… don’t fret, so has most every other keyboard jock in America.
Like I said… the evidence is fairly convincing and IF he is found guilty, he will pay dearly. I would not be at all surprised…
My recommendation, for what it’s worth to you, would be to wait the actual verdict. It will save you a ton of explaining if he is found Not Guilty and it will give you some practice just in case you are ever called to jury duty.
Above all, it’s just the right thing to do.
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