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Football Players Key Bloody Dorm Melee at Michigan St.

Two kicked off team after ski-mask-wearing men storm hall

Nov 24, 09 7:48 PM CST
WHITE HOUSE STATE DINNER

India, DC,
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OPINION

Hey PETA, Vick's an Animal, Too

Disgraced QB paid his price, deserves a second chance

By Kevin Spak| Posted Aug 1, 09 11:11 AM CDT|

(Newser) – What Michael Vick did was pretty reprehensible, but he deserves a second chance anyway, writes Raina Kelley of Newsweek, simply because he’s paid the price for his misdeeds. “He lost his freedom, his job, his worldly possessions, his good name, and the esteem of his fellow players. I don’t know about your tolerance for pain, but that seems like an apt punishment to me.”

But some seem to believe that no punishment is good enough. Like PETA, which backed out of a TV spot with Vick while speculating that he was likely a mentally ill “psychopath,” incapable of remorse and prone to recidivism. “PETA has shown itself incapable of the empathy and forgiveness toward humans that it so readily gives to animals,” Kelley argues. “In fact, it seems to have completely forgotten that humans are animals, too.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

This is a Dec. 2006 file photo showing Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick throwing a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)

This June 9, 2009 file photo shows Michael Vick arriving at the Norfolk Federal Court for bankruptcy proceedings. (AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld, File)

Former Atlanta Falcon quarterback, Michael Vick, left, leaves federal court after a visit to the parole office in Norfolk, Va., Monday, July 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We should be cognizant, also, of the young urban African-Americans who are watching this situation—we need to show them that there are second chances in life. - Raina Kelley

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24 comments

VIEWING:

Forderon
Aug 1, 09 11:16 AM CDT

I hope a pack of rabid, drugged-up chickens pecks PETA to death. They are a disgrace to their cause Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Newser001
Aug 1, 09 11:37 AM CDT

But at the same time, I have no desire to see nor support Vick; he is literally sub-human. I once too supported PETA, but no longer... Just too juvenile - ' Sea Kittens ' anyone...? How are you to explain the food chain to a child (or anyone else, for that matter) with such posturing...? I am a Greenpeace advocate.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader64481089
Aug 1, 09 11:49 AM CDT

I dispise what Vick did, he can go get a job at a gas station for all I care but I hate Peta even more for the lies and deception they do, I will be so glad if the Media ever wise up and quit allowing PETA to be their poster child for animal rights for in truth they are more disgusting than the dog fighters Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jayster999
Aug 1, 09 12:16 PM CDT

Vick is a dirt bag. The NFL can take him back, that's their prerogative, but he's piss-poor example of sportsmanship--and human decency. I've never liked PETA, or any environmentalist group for that matter. Greenpeace are a bunch of whackos, 001, why would you support eco-terrorism? Reply

-3

IN RESPONSE:

UrUndertaker
Aug 1, 09 12:33 PM CDT

Very few of the environmental movement have indeed carried out any form of terror activity only a very few wac jobs did that trash but the media happily played it up as if every person involved drove spikes in trees or burned equipment. Supporting Greenpeace is an entirely different level and no b/s involved except to place a spotlight on the whaling industry while they still kill off the few whales that survive as well as the overfishing of the oceans. Without Greenpeace I fear things would indeed be much worse than they already are as we stand on the threshold of self destruction which you seem blind to. There are finite resources on this earth and we as humans have indeed squandered them all....NOW back to the real subject of Vick, perhaps they should hold him underwater as he did the dogs.

IN RESPONSE:

Observer
Aug 1, 09 3:18 PM CDT

Nuclear weapons militarists and Golf Course managers are the real eco-terroists. Not Greenpeace. If reactors are so safe put one in Central Park and another next to the Pentagon.

| 0 minutes ago

Robert_Dada
Aug 1, 09 12:39 PM CDT

"..he deserves a second chance anyway, writes Raina Kelley of Newsweek, simply because he’s paid the price for his misdeeds." - So I wonder if Raina would give a second chance to a doctor convicted of malpractice, or a broker convicted of fraud; both serve their time but also can lose their license to practice for life. Why do we hold athletes to a different measure than professionals who actually have professions that are of real value. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 1, 09 2:14 PM CDT

Robert-Dada, you are so correct in your comment. As far as Vick, he should have to pick up dog sh$$ for the rest of his life. And Foredon, and a few of the rest of you who say if I eat meat I am a hypocrite. For you information, I do not eat meat, never have and never will. Nor do I eat eggs, cheese, or milk. I watch Vick play when he was at VPI and he was a very poor sport, but whatever life holds for him, I will never watch a team he play for.

IN RESPONSE:

tazsugs
Aug 1, 09 4:33 PM CDT

great post......i totaly agree.

IN RESPONSE:

Forderon
Aug 1, 09 5:18 PM CDT

Hold on R_D, you're telling me no one should get a second chance ever, for anything? Sounds an awful lot like you're saying that. And it goes contrary to what this entire country has been about for its entire history.

| 0 minutes ago

Observer
Aug 1, 09 3:10 PM CDT

I love animals. I own dogs, cats, a horse, a darling donkey , local toads and lizards and even a migrant turtle. I feed lots of wild birds including Doves, Cardinals, Painted Buntings, Golden-Cheeked Warblers and Hummingbirds. I am sick of PETA's holier than thou BS. And oh yes - I eat meat you pussies. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

pete_ess
Aug 3, 09 3:55 AM CDT

Hmmmm . . You love animals so much that you keep some of them captive and you disturb the environment of others, upsetting the balance of nature. Some more reading needed for you! Plant indigenous trees and shrubs that belong in your area rather than feeding the birds. Agree with you about PETA, except they are probably more evil than holier-than-thou.

| 0 minutes ago

Observer
Aug 1, 09 3:13 PM CDT

Vegans are mentally ill. My sister is an extreme vegan and she has been pale, weak and sickly for thirty years. She won't even let our family cook a turkey in her oven at Thanksgiving. You call that normal for Christ's sake? Hardly. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Caps
Aug 1, 09 8:40 PM CDT

Observer, Yes I call that normal. I am not pale, and sickly so I believe you don't know what you are talking about. I also can not stand any dead animal being in my oven or in my cookware. You eat what you like and I will do the same and we both will be healthy and happy.

IN RESPONSE:

pete_ess
Aug 3, 09 3:51 AM CDT

Observer: It bothers you what other people eat and you think you're normal? NOT.

| 0 minutes ago

tazsugs
Aug 1, 09 4:28 PM CDT

its the same as people who are convicted of stealing not being able to get a job involving money.....or convicted of dui not being able to get a job involving driving...etc...he should not be aloud to get a job involving being a role model for todays youth....it really is that simple and whatever team has him on there roster i will not watch because i dont want my kids to think hes what they want to be when they grow up!!!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

youngblood
Aug 1, 09 5:09 PM CDT

Jesus H. Christ to hear you people's anger over Vick one would think you have a few issues yourself. Yes he was WRONG in what he did. He PAID the price. Now let him get on with his life. You people full of hate over this, I wonder what skeletons are in your closet. These rightous morons like Peta must get off acting holier then thou, give it a rest and give him a chance. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

hamsammichs
Aug 1, 09 9:57 PM CDT

I think Vick might actually set the mould for guys paying their time and coming out better and cleaner for it. He has it in him and he could be a great comeback story (the only reason NFL reinstated - ratings). But jesus christ almighty, once he finally laces them up again, its going to be a media shitshow. As for PETA, I honestly think they are a joke, a very unfunny, hypocritcal joke. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

jagerhans
Aug 2, 09 7:02 AM CDT

for my disgrace i had to deal for some years with animal rights activists. what puzzles me is how can this kind of people be such a pack of idiots, losers, biased fanatic lunatics and fascists unaware of being such. they are also a bunch of hypocrites, and i have loads of examples of their two-way morals like striving to impose speed limits on roads crossed by animals and then speeding hard on the very same road without a thought, or doing campaigns against the slaughter of poor innocent fishies and smuggling caviar from russia at the same time. i do swear it's all true. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Serena
Aug 2, 09 11:56 AM CDT

Vick made a choice to torture and slaughter animals, something his victims never had. People like that never change so I agree with PETA when they say he should not be allowed to become a role model for kids again. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

pete_ess
Aug 3, 09 3:50 AM CDT

PETA are seriously sick thieves of charity money. They kill 97% of the companion animals that are placed in their care. To compare them to the brave people of Greenpeace is way off the mark. Greenpeace actually work hard and put their lives on the line to stop the rape of the environment. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Serena
Aug 3, 09 9:35 AM CDT

I would like to say that Greenpeace never put their life on the line Sea Shepherd does that to save whales. Greenpeace is a money making machine that serves for feel good environmentalists. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

pete_ess
Aug 3, 09 4:39 PM CDT

"Greenpeace has been variously criticized for being too radical, too alarmist, or too mainstream, for using methods bordering on eco-terrorism, for having itself caused environmental damage in its activities, for taking positions which are not environmentally or economically sound, and for valuing non-human causes over human causes. Also that Greenpeace today is motivated by politics rather than science and that none of the directors had any formal science education. These criticisms have been made by governments, industrial and political lobbyists and other environmental groups." (Wikipedia) My guess is they're better than most bunny hugger NGO's? Anyone know more? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Mattiejane
Aug 19, 09 9:05 AM CDT

I dispise Michael Vick. He should not be allowed to play football for the Eagles or for anyone in the world. He should go back to his construction job at $10.00 an hour and be lucky to have that. He and the NFL are a disgrace. He did not pay his dues. I would have given him 25 years minimum in prison and heavy work release shoveling dog doo doo for the rest of his life. I will boycott the Eagles, the games and the sponsors now that he is on that team. Why couldn't they have let a decent person play the game? You know, someone who doesn't kill dogs for profit and fun. Same on the NFL, the head of it and the Eagles. I hope someone sacks him and breaks his legs in two. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 24 comments »

NFL • Michael Vick • football • PETA • dogfighting

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Hey PETA, Vick's an Animal, Too