This is how Vick makes it back to the NFL

[Muze]

So you think that crimes against animals should be more harshly punished that murdering a human?

& how did you arrive at that conclusion? That was absolutely not what I wrote. I would like crimes against animals to be recognized with more importance than they are now (which is with very little importance). I'm not sure how this thread became an argument about how the punishment does/does not fit the crime when the OP posted about how Vick is able to make it back into the NFL after what he did. It has nothing to do with the law. It has to do with how some members of society seem to think it is so important for this man to play football that they can forget how he made these animals suffer.

I will repeat this again, I am not arguing about the law. But about society's perception of animal abuse.

[wolfy-hound]

For myself, I think Vick might now realize that it's LEGALLY wrong to murder and torture dogs, but he will most likely never think it's MORALLY wrong to do so. He argued he was innocent, until he realized they had enough proof against him.
I don't think he should still be punished per se.. but I would want to think that the NFL and teams would not want such a scumbag as a star in their organization. There will probably be a team that takes him on, and in a few years no one will remember his atrocious actions.
That's the truely sad part. Other than a few dead dogs, and a few people who had to deal with the aftermath first-hand.. no one will think about it after a while.
Still means he's a scumbag.

[Muze]

For myself, I think Vick might now realize that it's LEGALLY wrong to murder and torture dogs, but he will most likely never think it's MORALLY wrong to do so. He argued he was innocent, until he realized they had enough proof against him.
I don't think he should still be punished per se.. but I would want to think that the NFL and teams would not want such a scumbag as a star in their organization. There will probably be a team that takes him on, and in a few years no one will remember his atrocious actions.
That's the truely sad part. Other than a few dead dogs, and a few people who had to deal with the aftermath first-hand.. no one will think about it after a while.
Still means he's a scumbag.

Thank you so much for saying what I've been trying to say so clearly. It is not whether or not the man should continue to be punished, but how he might still be revered as a football hero by some. I honestly think that many members of society are so desensitized to others pain and suffering (whether animal or human) that they might not look at this man and be totally disgusted at what he did.

[BMorrison]

Sorry to any Vick fans in advance being that I used to think he was 1/2 decent but playing the wrong position. Here's 3 reasons he shouldn't be allowed to play again IMO.

1. I don't think he should be allowed back in the league to make MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of dollars every year when he already had the chance and pissed it away.

2. Vick was a crap quarterback. He'd be a better back or a receiver.

3. Apologize all you want and yeah I think he deserves a second chance and now he's getting that second chance which I call "Getting out of Prison" on a 3 year sentence or whatever it was when most people would do 5 minimum.

[hoax]

Sorry, I wouldn't support any team that hired him. Just because he's a quarterback, he should have the "Aww he's real sorry" card played?
If he had been a reptile seller, who was caught stomping snakes to death when they didn't sell at a show, and was put in prison for 2 years.. would you then say "Well, he's better now! Of course he should attend herp shows again!"
Why should he have any opportunity to rise up in the public eye? To tell folks that as long as you have a good PR team you can do whatever you like? To tell kids that if you have a stupid talant to play a game, you can get away with immoral acts?
I'd be terribly disappointed if the Bears did hire him, or the Falcons took him back. Let him go drag around in the indoor football arenas or better yet.. go get a JOB and work at a regular real life job.
He paid his debt by the penal code, but I don't think anything he does would erase the moral debt he's incurred by glorifying dog fighting. Tons of kids that idolized Vick now will boldly state that dog fighting isn't that bad. IF he manages to leap into animal causes with both feet, and not behave like a spoiled prima donna when he gets out, then eventually maybe... but right out of prison? No way, IMHO.

I think he is a sleaze ball. He is arrogant and I think he has not changed.

So what you went to prison boo hoo cry me a friggen river. He was an idol to many children. When you have status like that you should do what is morally and legally right. Even if at one time he thought dog fighting was right or OK society obviously taught him it was not acceptable, or he would have talked about it publicly at some point or another.

He knew it was wrong and he should not be let off the hook because he did some time.

To heck with him.

[Emilio]

I think he did his time and should be given one more chance, the bears would be a great fit the guy is amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing him play again. Let me make one thing clear I was disgusted with what he was doing, but if you objectively look at his punishment and everything he lost he paid big time.

[Purrrfect9]

We do as a society recognize that animals have rights, and I agree that some of the punishments do not fit the crimes. However, right now, the letter of the law states.

(2) Any person found guilty of a violation of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony and punished by incarceration not exceeding two (2) years or a fine of not more than fifteen thousand dollars (15,000), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Statistically, those convicted of a felony serve about 45% of the max, and a majority of people convicted of the same crime Vick was, end up having time served and the maximum fine. So he was in fact punished more harshly than a majority of those others that have been convicted of the same crime.

He will be getting out, will be a felon for life, and numerous other repercussions.

These so called 'animal rights' also vary from state to state as well. I'm ashamed to say it, but we still have puppy mills, and Oklahoma statistically has the highest amount of puppy mills in the united states. It is my opinion that we have THE WORST animal rights laws in the States. I know of an exotic zoo here that houses tropical birds and reptiles in an indoor barn that has no heat or air conditioning. This is a HUGE building, so these tropical birds are all but freezing to death. But the owner is not punished because he provides food, water, and shelter (the barn) from the elements. No where in our state laws state that he has to provide additional heating... The same thing goes with his reptiles. Apparently some animals have more rights than others in the good ol U.S. of A.

[firehop]

Sorry, I'm a life long bears fan and i will stop watching if they make a stupid move like that. McNabb is available and rumor has it he is thinking that the bears would be a good fit. Yea maybe he doesnt know the overtime rules but at least he hasnt been playing for the California penal(SP?) league.

[juddb]

Im not a football fan so i could care less if he ever played again, but i still think what he was a part of was horrible. I doubt he has turned a new leaf, or really feels any remorse for what he's done, so i dont think he should get what he wants.

[stangs13]

Coming from a Bears fan, I hope they don't scout him. It would be a media nightmare for the Bears and I think would be more detrimental than good. Vick would spend more time interviewing than practicing.

Yes, they need an accomplished QB to help out the team, but I say look somewhere else.

And personally, I don't think he's repented for his crimes. All his punishments were court ordered...yes he may have realized after a bit of jail time what he did wasn't exactly right, but I don't believe he thinks what he did was entirely wrong. Inexcusable.

I can agree..I am a huge bears fan, and I am not liking this one bit! He is a great QB though.