If you haven’t heard, President Obama called the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jeffrey Lurie, this week and praised him for giving Michael Vick a “second chance” by signing him after he spent time in jail for running an interstate dog fighting ring.As an animal lover and advocate, I find myself conflicted with this praise.
On the one hand, I despise what Michael Vick represents on so many levels. Excess. Ego. Celebrity in America. As a Southwest Virginia native, I also had the added annoyance of hearing about Michael Vick constantly while he played for Virginia Tech (ugh!), so I am somewhat predisposed to dislike him anyways.
And as if I didn’t dislike him enough, Vick made sure to solidify my distaste for him with his dog fighting operation. Quite clearly I despise Vick's treatment of animals. I believe a human that can be cruel to an animal is likely capable of being just as cruel to another human being. So as a person, I believe Michael Vick is pretty low.
But on the other hand, he did his time and paid for his crime (at least according to the law), and now speaks out against animal cruelty. Part of me just wonders how sincere can he really be in his advocacy. It all seems to me that Vick is just trying to save his reputation and return to his former glory by making nice with animal rights advocates.
As a person who believes in redemption, I am pleased with President Obama’s faith in humanity and the possibility of redemption after such a fall. Also, having grown up with a father working in the judicial system and now a husband who works in corrections, I would like to believe that there can be rehabilitation for offenders, that they can truly have a second chance at life and become positive, contributing members of society. I find blogger Anne Althouse’s thoughts and perspective interesting:
“How inspiring is the return of Michael Vick? Will it hearten those who are attempting to return to society after serving time and make the rest of us more likely to welcome them back? Or will it make us more likely to think cynically that the rich and famous get special exceptions from the rules? Does Vick make the field look more level or less level?"
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has deemed President Obama’s praise for vick as “appropriate,” stating that “We all want a president who can lift us up and move us forward when ugly things happen, but that cannot let us forget and remain watchful to avoid future abuses.”
I’d like to know, what do you think about Obama’s praise of Michael Vick?
I just can't decide.... Dog fighting is really almost unforgivable! Would he have ever stopped had he not been caught?! As for Obamma's praise,... aren't politicians involved in enough already that adding opinions about sports just waters them down all the more! I'd have more interest and respect in the opinion of Ceasar Milan or even Snoopy for that matter!
ReplyDeleteI believe that he is not really sincere and it just feels like he is laughing at us. I don't trust him with his little smirk on his face every time you see him on TV. I think if he hadn't been caught, he would have continued with the dog fights because that's the kind of low life person he is.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I totally agree with dogfighting being almost unforgivable. I just imagine if someone were to hurt my own dog and they would most definitely have to answer to me. As for Obama, that's an interesting perspective. While it's nice to hear a leader trying to be positive and forward-looking, rather than the usual negativity associated with politics, I think you are right - it would have been very interesting to hear what Cesar Milan might have said! I think I agree with what PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said.
ReplyDeleteClark, I think you are absolutely right - I don't think Vick would have ever stopped had he not been caught. It's an interesting case since it has been so public, because I doubt any regular Joe in Vick's shoes would get the kind of second chance that Vick has. I just can't believe Vick still has fans. I personally don't trust the guy one bit, so I find it fascinating that people are so quick to forgive and forget what he did. Forgiveness needs to be earned, and as far as I'm concerned Vick has not been sincere in his animal advocacy.