Every dog has its day.
And the Michael Vick haters intend to make sure that the Eagles quarterback continues to have his. Of course, what they have in mind is more a day of infamy. And they have no intention of letting Vick forget it.
Vick has cancelled a promotional tour to talk about his new book, titled “Finally Free,” because of threats made against him. You can read about it here. One of the stops was set for a bookstore in Exton.
Free at last? Not exactly. Forgiven? Not if what you've done involves animals. In this case, dogs. We routinely embrace people who do bad things. They do their time, repay society and then are welcomed back into our communities.
Unless, apparently, you harm animals.
Vick’s past is not a secret. He spent two years in a federal prison for his role in bankrolling a vicious dogfighting ring.
He lost everything, his job as an elite quarterback in the NFL, his multi-million dollar endorsement deals, and his freedom.
But for some, it’s still not enough. They will never forgive Vick.
That is their right. I will not try to change their mind. I know people who were hard-core, longtime passionate Eagles fans who now will have nothing to do with the team because of their decision to employ Vick. Again, I have no quarrel with their decision.
I do, however, find it a bit puzzling how anyone could not be impressed with the way Vick has gone about his business since leaving prison and joining the Eagles. He has been a model citizen and teammate.
He has talked plainly about the brutality involved in his past actions. He hasn’t ducked a single question. He’s worked with animal rights groups. He has said and done all the right things.
And still it is not enough.
The threats made against Vick, his family and even store employees in connection with the book tour are little better than the actions Vick and others in the dogfighting ring took part in. They're despicable.
The cornerstone of our justice system is rehabilitation and restitution.
I challenge anyone to say that the Michael Vick who exited that prison, that the Michael Vick who has been at the center of the media maelstrom that comes with being quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, is not a changed, rehabilitated man. He paid a horrific price for his admittedly heinous acts.
Forgiveness, it seems, remains outside his reach.
Finally Free? Not exactly. Michael Vick continues to be dogged by his past.
Comments
Had he done to people what he did to dogs, he would not be 'finally free'. He would have got either life in prison or even death row. But innocent animals who have absolutely no way to defend themselves, and have done nothing to deserve such treatment he gets two years and expects to be forgiven?
Shame on you for not understanding why so many will never forgive him, and not have anything to do with the Eagles as long as he is on their payroll. The man is pure evil in my mind, as in many.