Okay, I'm Going to Say Something Controversial ...
... Imagine that. Me? Say something controversial?
Well, here goes:
I do not believe that Michael Vick, disgusting and inhumane as his actions were, should get any prison time. An 18-month suspended sentence with probation, a hefty fine, and something like 1000 hours of community service in a local animal shelter seems to me to be an appropriate penalty.
And frankly, I can't justify a prison sentence for Michael Vick while that thug Ray Lewis is walking around a free man.
posted by Pro Ecclesia 8:27 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
And frankly, I can't justify a prison sentence for Michael Vick while that thug Ray Lewis is walking around a free man.
What does one have to do with the other? Just because somone unjustifiably gets away with something doesn't mean that someone else should avoid punishment for their crimes. And I'm sorry - I'm no fan of PETA, and I have wanted to go hunting for most of my life, but when you electrocute and kill dogs, I think jailtime is perfectly appropriate.
I don't know about no prison time, but I at least think the time should be short at best however with steep fines and plenty of community service. The gambling violations should weigh heavier than the animal cruelty. I definitely think the media and society have blown this way overboard!
I know too many people who treat their dogs as if they were children, or try and act like taking care of a dog is equal work and responsibility to taking care of a child! It’s one of the things that really bothers me and has tainted my impression of pets in general. What gets me wondering it has been mentioned several times that all the pit bulls were taken from his estate and “had to be destroyed” by the humane society, isn’t that what he was doing to the dogs, just in more of an inhumane manor?
I don't think Vick should "avoid punishment" for his crimes. But my gut reaction is that I just don't think a prison sentence is the appropriate punishment here.
I'm certainly no liberal when it comes to matters of crime and punishment. Nor am I a fan of Michael Vick (remember: I went to UVa).
But, in this instance, I think a prison sentence will actually do more to destroy this young man's life than rehabilitate him. He's basically lost everything after having been tried and found wanting in the court of public opinion. I don't see how a prison sentence is going to further serve the ends of justice.
In addition to about 1000 hours of public service at a local animal shelter as well as a hefty fine, I do think he should receive a 3 to 5 year ban from the NFL. And if it comes to light that he was involved in gambling, that ban should become a lifetime ban.
I should say "directly involved" in gambling. It's already come to light that he was at least indirectly involved in gambling.
Ok. I'll agree to disagree about the prison time, but you make some fair points. I don't think Vick necessarily deserves five years of hard labor for his crimes, but I still think what he did reaches the point where he should go to prison. And he did dig his own grave, so I won't shed a tear for him destroying his life.
The sportscasters on the radio here made a good observation. Let's say Vick comes back. How many offensive linemen own dogs? Probably most, so it wouldn't be out of the question to suppose that one or more of his linemen might "accidentally" miss their coverage and let Vick get pummelled by a defensive end.
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