The Smokin' Sports Gun

  The allegations invovling the Atlanta Falcons star quarterback are obviously serious. The first thing we have to remember is simply that they are allegations. From what I could the absolute media circus surroudning this was out of control. This is was not just sports news this a top story on every general news station, hell it was on Nancy Grace! Which is the first proof that the idea of athlete with the name and the stature of Michael Vick going down to the law in a case this is so mind blowing that people hope it's true just for the gasps and the oohs and aahs of it. This huge athlete in American sports goes to jail for dog fighting, just the sheer backlash and reaction to be a media bombshell which it turned out being should tell you something. All that aside you do have to look at this from the perspective of a human being because this hits a variey of issues that it needs to be hit with America as a whole. The first you have to do to make a judgement, is actually look at the case itself.  

You look at the evidence itself and it does not look too good for Mike Vick, but there huge difference between being liable because illegal activity was done on his property and being involved in the actual dog fighting business and cruelty to the dogs. The charges themselve say that Vick was involved with the dog fighting, he attended fights, and he was involved in the cruel, punishing of dogs that weren't able to put out. Now I do not have a degree in crime, or law of anything of the sorts, but I can tell you as most people who can sit back, and ignore that it's big name cantell you, so far the government has more circumstancial evidence than anything connecting him. And in the court of law or in general really circumstancial evidence shouldn't mean a damn thing because it's just that, circumstancial.

Personally, I have to tell you, if it was determined that Mike Vick was responsible for all that he was accused of you, the media or a person in general is going to throw down the guantlet you will, but you cannot let the prospect of such an event lead you to judge, jure, and execute before him anything has happened. The main problem with this is that people in general consciously or in probably more subconciously want the conviction because it would be such a landmark case if he were convicted and because the general idea that their sick of these spoiled athletes and their bullshit, quite simply put.  

Just look one of those alledged in the dogfighting case Tony Taylor changed his plea to guilty and signed a statement saying vick supplied almost all of the money for the operation. Though, he was not guaranteed a lighter sentence, I don't see how if from pleading not guilty, to guilty and outing his supposed partner. There was some incentive from some source because first of all Mr. Taylor was facing less than anyone else implicated, and the authorities, and everyone involved pulling to as PETA said "Sack Vick" are more than willing to give up something to Taylor, to take down Vick because what it would mean. And the attitudes like that of PETA is what greatly contributing to the veering off of the Amercan vantage point of this thing.

More than anything else the thing that has turned my stomach other than the damage done to the dogs, was the signs sponsored by PETA reading "NFL SACK VICK". I understand organizations like that work hard countless hours for the cause so it can grow. And for an organization such a PETA this was a golden oppertunity, but if you're fighting for treatment of animals don't comprimise the fair treatment of human beings. Because what they did (PETA) was saw that dogs were disgustingly persecuted and saw big name attached to it, and decided they wanted to take that person down regardless of anything else, but if the effect it would have for animal rights. Sure it would have affect for animal rights but if the big name guy wasn't the one responisble don't decided you want takehim anyway because the great effect it would have on your organization, that's exactly what PETA has selfishly done. That entire organization is out of control right now and went to the point to slander companies such as Nike who Vick has endorsement with just so they would drop his endorsements. 

Mike Vick has been a victim of his own celebrity in this. And it's not just oppertunities for animal rights organizations. Put it this way there are many dog fighting moguls much more powerful in this business the Michael Vick ever alledgedly was with Bad Newz Kennels, some of them who have helped with the bring down of Vick to save themselves. That being said, there's no way in hell that if this particular investigation didn't have the name Mike Vick attached to it that it would jump from a Surry County investigation to a Federal Investigation. The name Vick is what make this case so high profile, and that's the only name that's going to matter at the end of this.

And from a fans point of view, I totally understand the attitude of being sick of these acting like the rules don't apply to them (though they really don't to any other kind of celebrity) and it's time they put away. And it's not that Ameirca as a whole is blatantly predjudice, but subconsciously they see Vick as another one these black athletes, not knowing how to act with money. They see him with the conrows and doo-rag and that's America think.

And not  to turn this into a race issue, because though race may not be a forefront it defintely plays a bit of a role. Jack McCullum of Sports Illustrated put it best when talking how two white sports fans from Boston no less, came down to support an African-American from the south when the majority of America does not, how it should be a kumbaya moment for America. And that Ameirca should stop and think for a second that if two white Bostonians came all the way to Virginia to support Mike Vick that we should step and look into this before making rushed judgements. With already seen the negative effects of that from the Duke Lacrosse case.

THE NAMES OF THESE DUKE LACROSSE PLAYERS WERE PERMANANTLY MAMED BECAUSE THE PRESS JUMPING THE GUN

And also as sports fans you should remember that this is not TerrellOwens being accused or someone not generally liked by the fans or media, this Michael Vick. Someone liked throughout the league and all of sports but that's easy to forget because put it like this. If it were another well-liked, well-respected quarterback named Peyton Manning whose only significant difference from Vick is background and race being was accused of this, would the reaction be the same and would the media and fans be so quick to condemn him? I don't have answer that question, reading this you know the answer to that question. And that's becuase when you look you see basically the steroe-type of a black athlete that people consciously and subconsciously possess, and predjudices in general almost everyone subcounsciously possesses. Peyton Manning would get the benefit of the doubt and Michael Vick obviously has not.  

May I also remind you that it has been less than 40 years since the Civil Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson, giving all equal rights in America. So although that seems like a long time ago it really wasn't and most people with power an assets to have an affect on this wanting Michael Vick convicted including writers, are over the age of 40. Also consider the fact that in Virginia pass the Mason-Dixon line racism is still prevelant especially in older people (like people over 40) so defintely are people who want Vick locked up regardless especially with the history of African-American men on trial in th esouth. And on the heels of incidents with  Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson and others, this was an oppertune with fans sick of athletes off-field behaviour for the media and people in powerto give America an unfavorable perspective towards Vick.

Understand, I am in no way saying Vick didn't do what he's accused of because there's obviously a legit chance he did. But before you personally in your mind put Vick in a jumpsuit and haul him off to San Quentin, think about everything involved, and not just be pissed causing a knee jerk reaction. And think about before you make anymore judgements like this, because the more stereo-types are removed, and everyone is given their fair shake, the better off EVERYONE will be.   

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• #1 Comment from monponsett 
  11/19/07 11:25 PM | Permalink

  They should let him play, but drown him when he loses.