Taking Away from the real issue ...

[pmavrich]

I was just reading on Yahoo about NAACP's reponse to Michael Vick's guilty plea to felony dog fighting charges. They are making the issue into a race issue and not an animal cruilty issue. An NBA star Stephon Marbury, says that Vick was on trial, because he was in the public eye. I just get frustrated the lack of focus on the real issue and the focus on the color of his skin or status.

Personally, I think that Vick should get the maximum sentence. He shows no remorse ... Actually he has been quite arrogant about the whole issue, like his status and his money would make sure that he would not be touched by the issue.

[Michael Romanos]

The guy should be barred from participating in his sport for 10-20 years. The sports body he and others belong to should take control- forget the state or fed justice system. Apart from anything else, it is the fighting dogs and the fighting dog breeds which are largely responsoble for all this dog sociability and dog ownership problems that we have to endure and put up with ever increasing restrictions and stupid regulations.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

The guy should be barred from participating in his sport for 10-20 years. The sports body he and others belong to should take control- forget the state or fed justice system.

You cannot "forget the state or federal justice system". If everyone took the law into their own hands we'd have chaos. The NFL needs to abide by the laws like everyone else.

Apart from anything else, it is the fighting dogs and the fighting dog breeds which are largely responsoble for all this dog sociability and dog ownership problems that we have to endure and put up with ever increasing restruictions and stupid regulations.

No, it is not the dogs. It is the dog OWNERS. The dogs did not decide to have fights and gambling etc. The owners of those dogs did. In fact those dogs did not decide to be fighting dogs. They were bred and taught to do so.

The laws against this need to be enforced better.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy you've missed the points.

A/ the national sports body should administer its own punishment, separate or in conjunction with other law makers.

B/ People encouraging dogs to fight, promote fighting breeds to be established and to flourish

[pmavrich]

I agree that the NFL should take a hard stand on this issue. I also think that they should allow public service anouncements against dog fighting during the playoff season and the superbowl (highly watched events) having players talk about the issues. Just like they do with Drugs ...

I personally think Vick should not be allowed to play in the NFL again, just like Rickie Williams with his 3 strikes on the drug testing ... I think animal cruelty is worse and sends a bad message to all the kids that look up to him as a role model.

[glencorgi]

I don't think Peggy missed the points at all, especially in context of the original suggestions. Let the legal system work, above and beyond that, the NFL or whatever "governing body" (the Bar Association IF he'd happened to have been a lawyer for example) for his profession can add their own penalities if they are so inclined.

While I in NO WAY condone dog fighting or any of Vick's alleged actions or involvement; I do find a bit of confusion that there are calls for PSA's about dog fighting, yet there is no public outcry or indignation about the athletes who have been charged with spousal abuse or assault on women or involvement in incidents where people have been shot and killed - where are the calls for PSA's about that type of behavior?

Debbie

[Michael Romanos]

Peggy, bless her soul, sometimes misses the point/s and this time too. A governing body of a disgraced athlete should send out a strong message that anti social behaviour will not be tolerated, and subjecting the dog industry to the lowest denominator is not acceptable. Ban the bugger from the NBA, NFL or whatever.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Peggy you've missed the points.

A/ the national sports body should administer its own punishment, separate or in conjunction with other law makers.

But they can't and shouldn't ignore the justice system as you suggested. And it's a bit hard to play football from jail. I'll be very surprised if he doesn't get some jail time.

B/ People encouraging dogs to fight, promote fighting breeds to be established and to flourish

And if you do away with pit bulls, they'll use rottweilers, dobermans, or whatever they can get their hands on. So you'd eventually have to do away with all breeds. ANY breed can be bred to be mean.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Peggy, bless her soul,

My soul is just fine thank you and doesn't need your patronizing blessings. Please refrain from such comments about me in the future.

sometimes misses the point/s and this time too.

As Debbie said (and she knows me MUCH better than you ever will), I did not miss the point.

A governing body of a disgraced athlete should send out a strong message that anti social behaviour will not be tolerated, and subjecting the dog industry to the lowest denominator is not acceptable. Ban the bugger from the NBA, NFL or whatever.

And if you don't even know which sport he plays then how can you make a point?

Give them a chance, they're waiting to see just what the justice system does.

And a lot is going to depend on what the American public thinks and wants too. If they're willing to forgive him and overlook this then the NFL will let him play again. It's the American public who needs to let the NFL (that's the National FOOTBALL League in case you're interested) wheather or not they will support a team with him playing again.

And I agree with Debbie, if they'll over look wife abuse, drug abuse, how is this any worse? And no I DO NOT condone fighing dogs. And I don't condone wife beating either.

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

Ban the guy from rugby too - and touch, squash, badminton, hurling, league, Australian football, quoits, croquet, lawn bowls, cricket, netball...............

WE don't want Corgis fighting it out in a pit either. You've missed my point again, dear soul - it's the use of dogs per se for fighting we are trying to stop at the very least because it diminishes the respect for dogs. Certainly, it must be recognised that certain breeds were bred for it, are trained for it and are very good at it.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Ban the guy from rugby too - and touch, squash, badminton, hurling, league, Australian football, quoits, croquet, lawn bowls, cricket, netball...............

He doesn't play rugby, etc. In the US there are very few people who play more than one sport professionaly. I belive we had one who tried and that didn't work out so well. So there is no need to ban him from everything.

WE don't want Corgis fighting it out in a pit either. You've missed my point again, dear soul - it's the use of dogs per se for fighting we are trying to stop at the very least because it diminishes the respect for dogs. Certainly, it must be recognised that certain breeds were bred for it, are trained for it and are very good at it.

Again, with the patronizing comments.

Dog fighting is already illegal in the US, obviously this fact didn't stop this bunch or others who engage in it. It IS NOT a condoned "sport" or activity in the US.

When they find these rings they arrest the people. As I understand it Vick and his fellow defendants are giving names of others involved. There should be other arrests forthcoming.

Dog fighting is an underground activity. Much servalence, undercover work is needed and used to bust these rings. It's an ongoing and will continue to be an ongoing process. As I said it's already illegal in the US. In all states.

And yes, I understand that certain breeds are bred for it. Many people think if we ban that (or all "bull" breeds) that will stop it. It won't they'll just pick a different breed.

Peggy