Michael Vick: Why He Lied
August 16, 2009 5:00 PM
His changing stories before NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
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See all 23 CommentsI think that Michael Vick is one of these people. It is clear that he is sorry to have jepordized his career and he is sorry to have gone to prison and he is sorry that his friends and supporters have been disappointed.
He regrets the various outcomes of his behavior but he doesn't really know what he's done wrong. And neither do many of his fans.
But generally, I would like to think, we can hold people accountable for their behavior.
For example, Michael Vick repeatedly lied to fans, football officials, judges, and anyone else who would listen. Only when confronted with irrefutable and damning evidence did he admit to his crimes. And yet, in interviews with Michael Vick, CBS News 60 Minutes unequivocally takes him at his word. How can this be?
Michael Vick beat, drowned, electrocuted and otherwise savagely tortured and killed many defenseless animals. CBS News 60 Minutes is well aware of the facts. But in their interviews with him, CBS worked with Michael Vick to obscure the facts of his participation in and the savage nature of his crimes. Why is this?
I think it is of very little use to ask Michael Vick about his ethics or his reasoning or his motives. But, why would an organization like CBS News 60 Minutes so eagerly partner with him and his handlers in their efforts to restore his reputation?
1. To give the man a second chance at life.
2. TO win a super bowl.
I said it in an earlier post, both Reid and Lurie are active int he animal rights community.
My name is Kip Whitfield and have been a fan of Michael Vick for along time both in college and the NFL. With the tragedy that happen at Virginia Tech, I saw a sadden Michael Vick that gave his respects and money to the families who lost there loved ones. I can sense he has and will continue to do the same for the people who are dog lovers and the people around the world. We as a people are not perfect and need to stop looking at athletes as our only role models. There are other important people close and from a distance we can look up to. I thank the NFL Commssioner and the Philadelphia Eagles organization for giving Michael Vick another chance. I pray and hope Michael Vick can help others follow in the right direction by visiting communities that can really use his service.
Unless I have missed his quote, which is of course possible as there has been so much said about this, I have not heard Vick say something like, "Dog fighting and what I have done to dogs, what my friends have done and may still be doing to dogs and what those who still dog fight are doing is wrong. Despite the thrill and cultural machismo involved there is no redemption or reason for dog fighting, **** fighting, etc. in America or anywhere. Everyone who does is a bully and a coward driven by peer pressure." Haven't heard such a strong denunciation, only heard something that sounds close - but no cigar. Vick did say on 60 Minutes that he rationalized dog fighting because cops in his neighborhood turned a blind eye and he had seen the blood sport practiced by adults and others ever since he was a kid.
I have covered dog fighting and **** fighting stories as a reporter in Colorado and have some first hand insight into this sick shadow world. Vick has taken a baby step by promising the Humane Society, the court and the NFL he will continue to lecture kids but I don't think that is enough and not enough to make a substantial difference. These are safe actions.
Did he lecture against dog fighting while he was in prison and try to convince the hard core fellow inmates about his change of heart - haven't heard. Would he do that in prisons or on the street where it would take real guts and might be seen as his being soft - don't know. Is he testifying against other dog fighters or planning to be an expert court witness on the matter - don't know. Will he talk to other athletes and especially NFL players who didn't seem so ruffled by Vick's actions until after their advisors told them to shut up - don't know.
As mentioned, if you are going to play the system in this case and other crisis' by taking the safest road you should consider redemptive behavior that really makes a difference and truly can win over most audiences. In order for that to happen you have to put your own skin in the game and be very clear about why you changed your actions and your mind. Maybe Michael Vick has changed and truly wants to help others. I hope so. Maybe he has received some pretty good but not great advice, which leaves questions hanging out there about whether a party is sorry or just sorry they were caught.
All that said, everyone should get a second chance, especially after they've served prison time. But society and all of our systems should take the opportunity to push that person to not only change their actions in the future but take all, and I mean all steps, to correct a situation, a culture that they had been part of. Or else, there is a much better chance that nothing or very little will change and the public will not be fooled by those baby steps.
ssobel@macstrategies.com
Look, if you don't get what I'm saying.... then look at your life. Ask yourself, was your life great and perfect growing up with one or both parents? Did you have to worry about getting shot in you neighborhood? Did you have drugs and thugs all around you. This is the by product of society. No child ask for this.
At the end of the day, Mr.Vick he made a big mistake. Don't tell me, Oh... he's sorry because he got caught...NO...YOUR WRONG! Every heard the saying... God will never give too much you can't handle? Unlike like you, I believe God is using Mr.Vick to change himself and maybe a child somewhere out there he can reach before its too late.
I have been blessed by my parents and by most of all God! All I can say, I will pray for Mr.Vick and all you naysayers that don't have God in your lives. Judgment Day will come for all of us. Mr.Vick will have to answer to God, not us. I believe he will do the right thing and I believe you will think about yourself to see what you can do to love and help thy neighbor.
God Bless!
I've read many comments on numerous sites crucifying Vick, calling for his head and "an eye for an eye" These are animal lovers and so called life lovers. If this is what these people really believe in, than shame on this country and our society. Comments and harsh words wishing the worst for a man who has paid his debt to society just shows how far we have fallen. People wishing these horrible things endorse the type of lifestyle that is ripping us apart, a continuous cycle of violence.
As I stated earlier, what Vick did disgusts me. I own a beautiful black lab of my own and love it to death. TO imagine these tytpes of things being done to a being of god apall me, which is what Vick did. But again as I've already said, we need to move on, forgive. Do the christian thing, help him heal as an individual instead of crucifying him. Doing to Vick what he did to those poor dogs is also sending the wrong message to our children. What if they asked "Mommy, why was Mr. Vick electocuted?"what message are we sending to that child by saying "Because he did that to a poor dog". Think people. Giving Mike Vick a second chance at his life is the right thing to do. Would you like your child to be given a second chance at life for making an awful decision?
If you disagree with the NFL's decision to reinstate him and the Eagles decision to sign him, that's your opinion. But don't say they should be ashamed for what they are doing. Jeff Lurie is an avid activist for Animal Rights, as is Andy Reid. They are simply giving a man hwo has errd from his path a second chance, a final chance.
What is also disgusting is how repeat offenders like Donte Stallworth and Leonard little with a past of DUI's and poor decisions saw little jail time for their wrongs. Little sered 90 days in jail for DUI manslaughter and Stallworth served a meager 24 days. They are REPEAT OFFENDERS who served VERY WEAK SENTENCES. Yet you hear nobody speaking out against them.
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