Philadelphia Eagles meet with animal rights groups
Published: August 25, 2009
PHILADELPHIA — Animal rights groups and the Philadelphia Eagles are looking at ways they can join forces to combat dogfighting.
The team drew criticism after hiring convicted dogfighting ringleader Michael Vick. He wasn’t in attendance at Monday’s meeting.
Tom Hickey of DogPAC says he believes the upshot of the meeting was that the Eagles have a responsibility to battle dogfighting because of the Vick hire.
Eagles spokeswoman Pamela Browner-Crawley called the conversation a tough but constructive beginning.
She says the team has an obligation to the community and work with kids particularly, to discourage them from engaging in dog fighting or any animal abuse. A second meeting may be scheduled.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Who said anything about child abusers or pedophiles? I’m talking about people who have no problem with ending a life - human or not.
Ok so child abusers and pedophiles are ok to have a 2nd chance, please help me undestand because you’re comments are quite confusing. I think that you hate Michael Vick not really for what he did but the fact that he’s going to earn MILLIONS, money is really what it comes down to and envy of money. If you’re hatred of ALL animal killers is so BIG then I would venture to say that we should see you and yours at every trial and conviction for dog fighting and other animal abuse and killing not just on here. As recently as last week there were 2 arrests for dog fighting and abuse of animals hope you hate those people as much as you hate Vick. If anything you’re the driving force behind Vick staying clean and away from any DOGS or criminal activity. You’re actually probably doing him a favor by keeping the story alive and well in the media and he’s laughing all the way to the bank while you’re stewing in your hate for him.
What individuals are convicted of aren’t always reflective of their actions. Let me help you…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3148549
Who said anything about child abusers or pedophiles? I’m talking about people who have no problem with ending a life - human or not.
Posted by ( GuessWhoRichVA ) on August 25, 2009 at 11:08 am
I guess I am trying to wrap my head around how any human being can hold an animal under water and drown it with his bare hands, or how someone can pick an animal up by the hind legs and repeatedly smash it agasist the ground until it is dead? If someone has such little respect for life in general, what makes anyone think this person is fit to be a part of society?
First Vick wasn’t convicted of doing any of these things. He was convicted for bankrolling the kennell and the dog fightng. 2nd, according to your comment this means about 85% of society would have to be put away for some kind of abuse to human life at some point. Rapists, pedophiles,murderers,child abusers,etc. get out of prison everyday and live among you and are your neighbors and even your friends or family members so please don’t act like you lead such an unblemished life and only associate with the same.
I have been saying for some time that giving Michael Vick a second chance means someone else who is equally talented and looking for a FIRST chance won’t get one. Why? Because we chose to allow a convicted felon back into the game. So the poor other guy who is just out of college, who has NO record and lived a decent life, doesn’t get his shot. Real fair.
Clearly you’re old enough to know that life isn’t ‘fair.‘ Since he’s cleared to play and the Eagles think he can help their team, I fail to see any unfairness.
Who is this ‘we’ you speak of? I think your ire should be directed at the commissioner.
I guess I am trying to wrap my head around how any human being can hold an animal under water and drown it with his bare hands, or how someone can pick an animal up by the hind legs and repeatedly smash it agasist the ground until it is dead? If someone has such little respect for life in general, what makes anyone think this person is fit to be a part of society?
Anonymous -
You say “many” felons who enjoy their lives unencumbered. That may be. But as a percentage of those convicted, they are few. Especially today.
I’m sure the people who were conviceted of dogfighting before Vick are leading REAL productive lives (rolls eyes).
Yes - I HAVE been given second chances in life. But those didn’t follow felony convictions. They followed minor infractions that came with the ignorance of youth. They didn’t follw actions I committed as a grown man! Your argument is very weak. You compare my maturity at 12 years old to what I have today. How is the even relevant to the maturity of a grown man from one year to the next?! It ISN’T.
And you conveniently ignored the issue of giving others a first chance, which someone isn’t getting because of his second chance. I say let the guys in whose records are clean and give them a first chance. Let Vick find another job for his second chance. He paid his dues? Fine. But without the venue of pro football, he is just another convicted thug. I saw his media conference. I didn’t see much contrition on his face or in his voice. It was just words spoken very matter-of-fact-ly.
And to paperlady, yes, I have done things wrong, but I have not been convicted of FELONIES. And if I had been, I wouldn’t expect the world to welcome me back. Nor would I have that opportunity. Obviously you place no value on the suffering of an animal. I bet if it were you he had harmed, you wouldn’t be so dismissive, hmm?
I didn’t know the Eagles had decided to become an encounter group. Vick’s paid his dues, and he has to prove himself, but why the Eagles have to slobber all over themselves is beyond me. This is a distraction and I suspect their performance will reflect it this season.
Vick deserves more scorn and shuold have spent more time in jail.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/08/dogfighting.charges/index.html?iref=newssearch
no justice: I beg to differ. There are many felons who can enjoy their livelihoods without being encumbered. For example, I recently saw a documentary (Dateline or something like that) that talked about the company US Fidelis—the one that says they will fix your car at no cost to you. According to the show, the President of that company is a convicted felon.
Many felons, who committed their crimes prior to the inception of background checks are working among us without detection. For example, remember when DUI was not such a big deal?? Or what about all of the child sex offenders who committed their crimes prior to the registration requirement? How about all of the people who were involved in dog fighting BEFORE Michael Vick—do you think they returned to their lifestyles (if they got any time at all)? They are in many cases model citizens.
Where you and I disagree is that I do believe that people can change. As a matter of fact, I would venture to say that you have changed over your lifetime and do not think now the way you did at say 12 years old—at least I hope you don’t anyway. Young kids do things as teens and early adults that they would not EVER do at middle age. I hope that we all grow in our maturity as we get older. FYI: in criminal justice they say that people “age out” of crime - as you get older the less likely you are to commit a crime.
As for Vick - rest assured, time will tell if he has really changed. And if he has, doesn’t he - like all of us—deserve a second chance? I am really glad that others (parents, teachers, friends, etc.) gave me a second chance throughout my life—b/c even though I have never committed a crime, I am not perfect and I have done things that require that others give me a second chance. What about you??
Thanks PBurg…I agree 100%. All those who don’t like the way it’s going, make a donation of your own money to PETA or some other agency that helps animals. Let the man make a living please and stop being so judgemental. Before you try to get the speck out of Vick’s eye, get the plank out of your own. So NoJustice, let me get this straight, you don’t think Vick ever deserves another chance because he hurt a dog…WOW, have you ever done anything wrong that you needed forgiveness for? I guess not, please give seminars so that we can all attend to find out how you have lived such an unblemished life.
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement