Bush Should Commute Michael Vick's Sentence

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I am a dog lover and have adopted and rescued abused dogs. I believe that inhumane treatment to animals is counter to the best interests of our society. On the other hand, I do believe in proportionate justice and the Michael Vick case is a horrible example of disproportionate justice against blacks and its consequences could be profound.

There are many cultures in the world that accept and promote cruelty to animals. In some countries of Hispanic origin, bullfighting is promoted as a national sport. And dogs are eaten in some Asian countries. It is my understanding that dog fighting is part of the African-American culture despite the fact that it is a federal crime. That does not make it right, but it does explain in part Vick's participation in this event.

President Bush commuted the sentence of Irving "Scooter" Libby for crimes he committed knowingly which compromised our national security. Surely he could find it in his heart to use the same rationalization for commuting Libby's sentence. If Libby paid enough of a price for his crime, surely Vick should be given the same consideration since he has lost his over $125 million and his career.

 
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- nyquist27 I'm a Fan of nyquist27 2 fans permalink

It appears in the second paragraph you are claiming Asian countries are "cruel" by eating dogs.. is America vegan by chance? =:]

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:49 PM on 08/29/2007
- cinemaven I'm a Fan of cinemaven 22 fans permalink
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"It is my understanding that dog fighting is part of the African-American culture despite the fact that it is a federal crime. That does not make it right, but it does explain in part Vick's participation in this event."

I would love to see the evidence for this statement since I had never heard of it being "part of the African-American culture" until this story.

This weekend, I spoke with the head of our local humane society and she was also surprised that seemed to be a consensus in the press since in the past 10 years, the dog fighting rings in our areas have been run predominantly by caucasian or hispanic people. (in Canada, bike gangs are the number 1 offenders)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:49 AM on 08/29/2007
- steamboat I'm a Fan of steamboat 45 fans permalink

Its the white LIBERAL media saying its part of the Black culture. They actually thing by saying that there doing the African-American a favor, making excuses for them. Trying to hint black people can't be held accountable for any self-respo­nsibility. Its the arrogance of the elitists liberal thinking in America.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:47 PM on 08/29/2007

What is the disproportionate justice? So far he's only pled guilty, no sentence. Is the fact he was charged disproportionate?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:38 AM on 08/29/2007

Where did Sheldon Drobny get this idea that dogfighting is a "Black Thing?" I grew up in the heart of the 'hood and never experienced a dogfight. Lots of people I knew had "mean dogs" but they were not used for fighting. While I didn't participate in dogfighting, there were many things I did with the homies back in the day I don't do anymore, mainly because most of the homies I know are behind bars, and I would be there too if I continued to hang with them. When Vick signed his multi-million dollar contracts, he should have realized that he had to cut loose homies and activities that could land him on the wrong side of the law. A good example are immigrants who practiced female circumcision back at home. When caught doing it here, these immigrants say it's part of their culture, but the courts have sentenced these folks to the max jail time and deportation when the jail term is up. Culture or not, other folks in the immigrant community have gotten the message that if they engage in female circumcision, they'll be jailed and deported too.
Also folks are assuming that Vick's jail term is strictly for the dogfightin­g...the reality is that the feds had evidence to charge Vick with tax evasion, violating RICO statutes and interstate gambling charges that could have put him behind bars for at least ten years plus seizure of assets (his home, savings, cars etc.) so the deal to drop the RICO, tax and gambling charges in exchange for jail time in the dogfighting case is a generous deal.
Comparing Scooter to Vick makes no sense. Scooter got pardoned to prevent him from making a deal like Vick made. If Scooter was offered a deal for little or no jail time in exchange for the impeachable dirt on Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Rove etc. he would have sung like a bird. Vick has nothing to offer Bush to garner a pardon. Finally, Vick's deal to avoid big jail time blows big holes in the "no snitching" philosophy.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:54 PM on 08/28/2007

"no snitching philosophy"

I suppose you mean myth, and yes it needs big holes.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:52 PM on 08/28/2007
- steamboat I'm a Fan of steamboat 45 fans permalink

It was Vick's three friends who snitched on him, or as they say, "squealed like pigs" (whups, I'm sorry PETA), I mean "sung like canaries" (whups, I'm sorry again PETA).

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:41 PM on 08/29/2007

All you needed was the third paragraph. It is not and has never been about race. Please search the Huffington Post website for Ofari Hutchinson and his article on Boudreaux of Louisiana.

Yes, give Vick a 'Scooter deal.' Besides think of the tax revenue Virginia is loosing on his salary.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:43 PM on 08/28/2007
- KenTao I'm a Fan of KenTao 12 fans permalink
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Apparently recent news stories about urban gangs engaging in dog fighting is enough to declare that it's part of the African American culture. In fact the history of dog fighting traces back to ancient Rome and was enthusiastically "perfected" by the British. The English Bulldog (now unsurprisingly extinct) was specially breed for just such barbarity.

Cruelty to animals crosses all race lines. It is not a black, or any other color, issue. It is an humanity issue. I find it shocking that some people seem to be saying that cruelty to animals is okay if done by a black NFL quarterback.

Furthermore, Bush's commutation of Libby's sentence is one of the most clear miscarriages of justice our nation has ever witnessed. How anyone can think that we should apply the same unAmerican tactics to the Vick case is patently insane.

I don't particularly feel that Vick should go to prison. What should happen instead is actual rehabilitation whereby Mr. Vick comes to deeply understand just how sick, unhealthy and perverse is dog fighting.

Earthlings Unite!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:08 PM on 08/28/2007
- Doofus I'm a Fan of Doofus 25 fans permalink
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He better not, not til he's pardoned
Paris & Nicole. The public will not
stand for it otherwise. Expect riots!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:45 PM on 08/28/2007

Not that I would mind Bush commuting Vick's sentence, but dogfighting is NOT, NOT, NOT a "black thang," I assure you!

NOT A PART OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:04 PM on 08/28/2007
- steamboat I'm a Fan of steamboat 45 fans permalink

Thats your white liberal media telling you what your culture is (LOL) (LOL) (LOL).....­....

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:57 AM on 08/29/2007

Ha ha ha ha! You're on to my penchant for jokes. I think you're being sarcastic, and still, I laugh.

The funny thing is that you're right. A few famous Blacks said they felt the difference in reaction had to do with culture. They didn't mean that Blacks enjoy dogfighting; they meant we don't tend to see dogs as "a member" of the family. More like the family "pet."

I'll see you on another post. Be afraid. Be very afraid! Brahahahaha!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:45 PM on 08/29/2007
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