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Michael Vick: The Road To Redemption?

August 16, 2009 5:00 PM

Speaking at an event for The Humane Society, Vick addresses his past, present and future.

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by alove4her September 8, 2009 9:15 PM EDT
HATERS
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by Chellianne September 6, 2009 6:13 PM EDT
Michael Vick was punished with the "high society" sentence. Unfortunately, money rules this world and society has turned into the "Modern Roman Empire". Society idolizes sports and entertainment and it does not matter if these "stars" are not positive role models. Only our "high society" can get away with crime and are not judged the same way that regular society is judged. I don't think that a member of regular society would be re-hired after being convicted of felonies or some misdemeanors. I definitely agree that our corrupt system does not punish pedophilia, murder, rape, kidnapping, drug dealing, robbery, embezzlement, fraud, etc with appropriate justice.
I think that our government should be drug tested daily, because the laws and the decisions they have drawn up are inconceivable. Also, I feel strongly that EVERYONE who participates in dog fighting should be punished appropriately. Unfortunately, this society fails to think that many human murderers begin with cruelty and killing animals. It has been proven that dogs and many other animals benefit society in many ways such as working dogs that allow the disabled to live independently, improving health and lifespan of humans, assisting with rehabilitation of injured victims, and even rehabilitating prisoners. Animals have strong instinct and alert people of danger and have even detected cancer in their owners. Therefore, my point is that we have an extremely sick society and it is no surprise that every generation progressively declines morally. There is no justice for victims human or animal, and unfortunately there are too many people who are closed minded. Society has a moral obligation to take care of the earth (environment and all living creatures), but unfortunately this has been ignored. All living things must support each other to sustain life.
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by Chellianne September 6, 2009 6:03 PM EDT
Michael Vick was punished with the "high society" sentence. Unfortunately, money rules this world and society has turned into the "Modern Roman Empire". Society idolizes sports and entertainment and it does not matter if these "stars" are not positive role models. I definitely agree that our corrupt system does not punish pedophilia, murder, rape, kidnapping, drug dealing, robbery, embezzlement, fraud, etc with appropriate justice.
I think that our government should be drug tested daily, because the laws and the decisions they have drawn up are inconceivable. Also, I feel strongly that EVERYONE who participates in dog fighting should be punished appropriately. Unfortunately, this society fails to think that many human murderers begin with cruelty and killing animals. It has been proven that dogs and many other animals benefit society in many ways such as working dogs that allow the disabled to live independently, improving health and lifespan of humans, assisting with rehabilitation of injured victims, and even rehabilitating prisoners. Animals have strong instinct and alert people of danger and have even detected cancer in their owners. Therefore, my point is that we have an extremely sick society and it is no surprise that every generation progressively declines morally. There is no justice for victims human or animal, and unfortunately there are too many people who are closed minded. Society has a moral obligation to take care of the earth (environment and all living creatures), but unfortunately this has been ignored. All living things must support each other to sustain life.
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by schulte1232003 August 18, 2009 1:55 AM EDT
What Michael VIck did was wrong.

HOWEVER, why is it that people care more about dogs than humans?

A study by Jeff Benedict and Don Yaeger showed that 21% of active NFL players are CONVICTED FELONS, and have committed crimes that have hurt countless people. However, the vast majority of this never makes the news. This past year Donte Stallworth killed another human being, and he spent 24 DAYS in jail while Michael Vick spent 23 MONTHS. I am not saying that what Michael Vick did was right because other people have committed crimes too, but I am saying that the sick people who care more about the lives of dogs than the lives of humans are wrong, despicable, and disgusting. What he did was wrong, but how crazy does one have to be to think fighting dogs is more wrong than murder, rape, kidnapping, drug dealing, robbery, assualt, etc (other crimes committed by both professional athletes, celebrities, and common citizens)? Michael Vick deserves a second chance because he has already been punished more than he deserved, and has NEVER HURT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, murder is "the unlawful killing of one human being by anoth." Therefore, Michael Vick is not a murderer, he's a man with a troubled past, who has made some terrible mistakes, has paid for them, and is ready to move on to a better life.
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by f_natural August 17, 2009 4:04 PM EDT
It is sad that there is a more conserted effort behind the support animals, but not the same support, outrage, and organization behind cruelty to children, hunger and homelessness. I'd, for once, like to see all the angry PETA protesters leave their suburban comfort and pampered pets to help feed people in a soup kitchen. Or spend time in an orphanage or shelter. Maybe then we would not have as many misguided youths. But misguided adults can't help misguided kids. So they all continue to contribute to this misguided society.
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by stop_hating_Vick August 17, 2009 3:34 PM EDT
How many people here have never done anything wrong in their life? You may not be a convicted felon, but how many have broken the law but didn't get caught? If you aren't in Mike Vick's shoes how can you be one to say how he truely feels? If you want to know how he feels go lock yourself up in a prison for 18 months, with nothing, then come back and say how your experience was. People are so quick to judge others, maybe you should judge yourself sometime. Why not give Mike Vick a chance to prove himself? I hope Mike Vick makes the most of his second chance. HE will be a NFL star again and then all of you haters will be wearing #7's jersey again, talking about how awesome he is.

Busbytoo, get your facts straight before you publish them, Mike Vick worked construction for $10 an hour when he was released from prison.
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by Busbytoo August 17, 2009 10:18 AM EDT
As human beings we all have a choice in how we live our lives. Part of how we make choices is in what we observe. If a helpless animal is screaming and bleeding we should understand that they have the same feelings of pain and fear that we do. If we can't understand that, that is not cultural, that is lack of conscience and compassion, and that goes to the character of the man, not the culture he blames. a staged interview and a few speeches won't change a thing. Cooperation with the HSUS was not voluntary, it was a part of his reinstatement. Real contrition would have been taking a low paying job or volunteering at an animal welfare group and not running back to the NFL to regain what he "lost". Sorry, just a publicity stunt for a "STAR" that can make money for his team and himself. He's got a long way to go.
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by mrtarge August 17, 2009 7:42 AM EDT
i hate you people MORE than you hate Vick. You have no forgiveness in your heart and no compassion. F all of you. The man is pouring his heart out. Asking for forgiveness. I hope that none of you even attempt to say that you're Christians.
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by winepic August 17, 2009 1:44 AM EDT
He is sill a lying son-of- a- *****!He is a dog killer that makes millions of dollars and that is his only remorse. How much are those being paid to stand by him. He only had remorse after he lost 130 million dollars.Electrodes should be hooked-up to his balls so he really understands.
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by nice_24 August 17, 2009 12:02 AM EDT
no will see the true redemption of the dogs because you will expose the dogs they killed. You will have to expose where and how the money has been spent. Guess what 1 mil for 66 dogs is ridiculous. If anyone thinks that money went to those dogs your kidding yourself and you need to go crash your head through a window. Because its idiotic. 150K would buy enough dog food for the rest of those dogs lives...stupids! Thats 1086 bags of a $23 50lbs of dog food for each dog. If your wondering. So where did the rest of this money go...someone please tell me.
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by ssjc1111 August 16, 2009 11:55 PM EDT
I watched the Vick press conference on NFL.com and I watched the 60 minutes interview. Sure he's saying all the right things. I am very surprised the Eagles signed him, but really it was only a matter of time before he signed with some team.
He's right, his actions will speak louder than words - - is he working in the community and with the Humane Society to be better? Why aren't we seeing this? This should be televised more.
And he's right - - it is a normal practice all over the US for dogfighting. But he wasn't the only kennel fighting dogs - - his dogs were fighting other dogs from other kennels in the neighbourhood, state, and across state lines. Why is he not helping authorities bring these other kennel/dog owners to justice? If Vick really wants us to believe him he really needs to step up to the plate and start pointing fingers and bringing these other people to the police so we can really stop this horrific "cultural thang".
We will be watching - every move he makes - - and talking to under age kids is not going to stop this horrific activity...he needs to go into communities and tell the authorities who, what and where these people are.
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by Fayclis August 16, 2009 11:11 PM EDT
I would have liked to see the REDEMPTON of his dogs instead. THERE is a true story.
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by noald August 16, 2009 9:36 PM EDT
why are people still on this mans back...he sat in prison, he is doing the right thing by speaking for this animal rights group, why can't the man have a second chance?
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by newmar05 August 16, 2009 9:29 PM EDT
I wish some of You that are so appalled by Mr. Vick & his actions involving animals would also ferverently express Your outrage at the high school drop out rate,both in the inner city as well as places like Appalachia.Or the lives & money wasted in these dispicable conflicts My country is involved in in Afghanistan & Iraq.Where was all this emotion when it was revealed that there were weapons od mass destruction in Iraq?
Why arent those who pledge to boycott the Philadelphia Eagles & their sponsors doing the the same against the financial organizations that have raped so many consumers through their actions in the mortgage industry.Yet intelligent americans are supposed to believe that race & class are irrelavant in this & many other issues.
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by Georgia_ATL August 16, 2009 8:45 PM EDT
When is Vick going to testify against all the other dog fighters he was involved with? If he truly thinks dog fighting is wrong, then why hasn't he cooperated with the Feds to stop all the other dog fighting rings he knows about? Actions speak louder than words.

This 'interview' was not done by a regular 60 Minutes correspondant. Why not? JB is not the same caliber as Anderson Cooper, and there were no probing questions. For millions of dog lovers, the most burning question that Vick never answers is why did he chose hanging, drowniing, electrocution, and beating to death these dogs? Vick could have just shot them in the head, and been quick. He blames his love of dog fighting on 'culture' but it sounds like the methods of killing losing dogs was optional. Why did Vick choose the most heinous methods? I don't believe Vick is sorry, he can't even really understand why he should be sorry. What about the reports that he threw family pets in with the fighting dogs for fun? Whose pets? His family's or the family dogs of neighbors? Where did he get them?

I am disgusted that the NFL has such a low 'code of conduct' that a convicted felon like Vick can still play. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens when there is a convicted felon that has raped or abused a child, and 'served their time'. Will they be allowed to have their NFL jobs back too? How low will the NFL and the Eagles go to make money?

Did Vick have a teleprompter to read while he was talking to JB? Every question by JB seemed pre-approved by the Vick PR group. Nothing Vick said sounded sincere in the least, except when he was smiling about how he was the laziest QB. Watching that man smile in his shiny suit made me sick to my stomach. 60 Minutes, I am very disappointed by your choice of JB for the interview. This reminds me of when only Fox was allowed to interview Palin.
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by smallz7468 August 16, 2009 8:42 PM EDT
yeah the many of you who never did anything in your life either right its funny about a country who holds such a disgust for people who make mistakes at least be consistent because if this was say a famous hollywood actor or actress it would probably be smoother the U.S. lives on a double standard for people if you are an average citizen this would be a problem but for anybody famous its not so lets not be naive about this i could not get caught with a controlled substance and get rehab but a actor or actress can and become ironman lets face it we give lighter sentences for people deemed more valuable in society head of corporations get away with stealing millions of average people savings and retirement money and get less of a hassle than vick is lets put things in perspective if dogs were not domesticated they would be another animal in the long line of hunting for sport lets be honest
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by ladyfromville August 16, 2009 8:11 PM EDT
Watched the interview. What discepancies! He raised these dogs to fight for 6 years? He said he had seen it since he was aged 8? Then someone comments that he is smart....did he not get it at some point? He could not discern between right and wrong? And now the NFL has rewarded him again with an expensive contract. He has no business trying to be a leader. What a terrible role model for kids, and doubt that prison really reformed him as he is after the almighty dollar! He mentions that he will talk to kids...what about the many adults who do this and haven't been caught! This is all a bunch of rhetoric from the PR people...but there are many of us who can see thru this!!! Shame on Vick and the NFL!
And I am curious about HSUS role in this interview.
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