Sports Blog
By

Joshua Norman /

CBS News/ December 29, 2010, 1:54 PM

Tucker Carlson: Michael Vick Deserves to Die

Michael Vick

Not everyone believes Michael Vick is deserving of the second chance the Philadelphia Eagles gave him.

/ AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Political commentator Tucker Carlson, filling in for Fox News host Sean Hannity Tuesday, told a news panel that he believes Michael Vick is not only undeserving of a second chance after being convicted on dog fighting charges, but that he deserves to die.

The panel had been discussing President Barack Obama's praise of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving Vick a second chance to start at quarterback. Mr. Obama has said that while he believes Vick's crimes are bad, it is important to give felons a second chance in a society that normally rejects them.

In response to Obama's praise of the Eagles, Carlson said:

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale."

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said over the weekend that Mr. Obama called him and told him: "So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance."

Lurie said Mr. Obama was "passionate about it," adding that the president said "it's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail. And he was happy that we did something on such a national stage that showed our faith in giving someone a second chance after such a major downfall."

Vick served 18 months in federal prison after getting convicted in federal court on dog fighting charges.

Vick joined the Eagles last year following his release from prison, but didn't play much. But he took the starting quarterback job early this year, and has led the team to the playoffs while compiling numbers some think are worthy of him winning the league's MVP award.

However, he has continued to spark controversy over his past, especially when he recently said in an interview that he would like to own a dog again.

© 2010 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
219 Comments Add a Comment
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whor42walk says:
Thank God we serve a forgiving and merciful God, each time i hear your comments , i want to just punch you in the face!!!!!! You give true Christianity a awful name,and you do not speak for us, who are truly God's children.How about we execute you for the wrongs you have done;te world would be a far much better place totally!!!!! It is unfortunate you have a platform to make ignorant comments because you are an ignorant man!!!! Just like you said Obama needs to be quiet,do us a favor and take your own advice!!!!!! SHUT UP!!!!!!! YOU SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!! You self righteous egghead!!!!!!!
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whor42walk says:
it was peaple like tucker that jesus had a problem with, you take the publican and the sinner who went to the temple to pray and the publican in his self righteaousness would look at the sinner procliaming to god that he is not like him but better because he goes to church, better because he pay his tithes, better because he weres a suit and tie and went to harvard but in the end jesus said that it was the sinner that went to god beating his chest before god went down justified, maybe , just maybe a supposedly christian like tucker can't stand the authenticity of god justifying vicks pardon through an obama and don't know it. i'm sure that's what that publican couldn't understand after it was all said and done by the loving act of god for genuine humbleness rather that self rightousness that tucker purposes which only makes things worse wich i believe jesus understood about those types, you may want to look a little closer at vick without criticism you might find true christianity
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tweetc40 says:
Tucker Carlson, u hav 2b one ingorant Christian to wish death on any person...by saying u a Christian doesn't make us look at u different..ur actions and remarks shows who u r...u don't have 2 tell anyone...its just like saying I'm not racist but all white people should be executed 4 killing not 40 dogs over millions of blacks...so Mr.Carlson does that make sense..the reason for my texting cuz I'm a prime example of having a second chance and being successful after learning my responsibilities n life and being a husband and father to my daughter.....so don't take this to the heart cuz I love and treasure life and cbsnews..love to all
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yingster says:
Michael Vick is a disgusting human being. He organized a well thought out crime and continued it for many years before getting caught. Now because he can throw a ball and run he is some sort of hero given a second chance? He is and always will be a slime and someday maybe he will be out on a run and get slowly killed by a pitbull :)
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HERE_ME_NOW says:
So, this would be a first, Tucker is a Christian who wants to kill. Or lead masses to want to kill. I think he talks out of his tiny ******. Obviously this boy feels less of the man that he is supposed to be. Hey, I tell you what, why don't you get in the boxing ring and go toe to toe with Mike Vick. Naww, I would think you couldn't talk your way outta that. Tucker Carlson, your insecurites, ignorance, envy, and fear, which equal hate, are showing. You don't measure up to being a whole man so you sit behind glass and talk ****. You use excuses that you are a christian. You can't be. You're a heathen and a fake. I don't recall this intense fear and hate for Sarah Palin while she is in Alaska shooting innocent animals for the sport of it. No death penalty headlines for her killings. But I guess you guys at Fox are just so excited to have her sit across from you as eye candy so can get your desperate jollies off while talking to this airhead. What a bunch.
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yingster replies:
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Why don't you read the case files of what he actually did to these dogs. You do realize that when people treat animals with cruelty, they are easily capable of doing the same killing to humans. Michael Vick is void of emotion, therefore, he needs to be locked up permanently.
doctordoc3 replies:
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Your judgment of Tucker Carlson are most disrespectful and you sound as if you live with hatred within your heart. Tucker hit the nail square on the head and until this country gets back to basics, people such as you will eventualy harm someone badly. Who are you to call anyone less a man? I sure did NOT see your name Posted as GOD. I am also aware the Palin family EAT what WILDLIFE they kill. Fellow, i'm crippled with parkinson's disease, and other severe health issues, but I asure you i'll put the damn gloves on with you any time, any day. Seems to me you are all mouth.
Dr Doc dlcs
http://www.foxnewsmagazine.com/
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AlanW3225 says:
I normally love Carlson, but execution for Vick, for animal cruelty, is over-the-top. Our prisons are filled with inmates who have ciommitted far worse crimes against PEOPLE, yet they are only receiving jail time. Last time I checked a person doesnt get the death penalty for any kind of crime against animals.

I do agree that Obama should stay silent re Vick; the Prez has no place injecting an opinion re a felon such as Vick, and doing so just makes him seem un-presidential.

Vick has done a great job in trying to fix his image on the field, and I wish him best of luck.
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crawdad49 says:
vick is a low life. he should be tied to a post and let a pissed off pit bull at him - rip him some and then hook his nuts up to 220 volts give him 10 15 good shots and then see if he can play ball.
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puldr says:
I hope Tucker Carlson receives the same kind of punishments for his mistakes and sins as he is ready to give Michael Vick! Carlson does not show that he understands the love and grace of God!
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bobnjersey says:
["I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale."]
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strangely ... it's not really about mr. vick ... but rather mr. obama. they obviously told him if he wanted to fill in for the authoritarian hannity ... he had to have hatred for everything obama like sean does.

they're both idiots ... and deserve each other. he's just bucking for the auth following of hannity ... and they'll all march in line like expected.
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mountainstates1 says:
Vick underscores the lack of character required to make millions in the NFL. His horrid and very sick behavior towards those dogs is all forgiven in the NFL if you can still throw a football. (For that matter you could be a grandma rapist and still be a superstar in the NFL). Vick is a worthless piece of trash who will take to his grave his demented reputation.
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