:popcorn:

Bill :)

Gee, how original. I don't know why I bother saying this, but my last two dogs have been rescue dogs and I know the patience and understanding that these poor creatures need. I have never said it publicly about this because I do it for them and myself and I don't need any self congratulation BS. Get a life and leave Vick alone. I have never in my life seen so many self-rightious people who just love to condemn someone. He paid his dues.

I am not addressing anybody particular, but how many threads does this make? I know how explosive this subject can be to animal lovers, as I am one too. But rehashing it over and over again?

Bill, share the popcorn.

Amazing
 

It is amazing how some feel the need to defend this guy. Regarding growing up in that kind of culture. It is similar to defending the killers who were
raised by a family of criminals and it is societies fault.
It would be well to read some books like "The Sociopath Next Door", or
"Definition of Borderline Personalities" and many so on.
After reading the nature of mental illness that is out there I honestly
believe some will change their minds. I don't believe these are innocent
behavior problems but rather more deep seeded disorders. :undecided:

Where have you read that someone on this thread defended him. To defend him you would have to say that it is normal to abuse animals. Nobody here said it was normal or OK to abuse animals. What people here are saying : at what point does the condemnation stop and the healing start?

Society's fault that someone becomes a murderer? No. Possibly the fault of the family that raised that person, yes.

Vicks did something heinously wrong. He is the first to admit it today. According to the culture that raised him, his actions were acceptable. According to the majority of American society, his actions were abhorrent. I don't see Vicks as a sociopath or even a borderline personality, any more than I do a picador when he thrusts the lance into the bull's shoulders at a bull fight. To me, the picador's actions are torturing a bull for no reason other than to weaken it so another man can kill it. Sociopathic behavior? Technically, it could certainly be classified as such. However, it is, in reality, part of culture that I personally find obscene but is a sport loved by many.

I do see Vicks as having an extraordinary sense of entitlement -- many celebrities do. They really think they are above the law and the moral rules of our society. This was true in the 20s. This is true today. The sad thing is that they aren't entirely wrong. They do many things that we would condemn our neighbors for if our neighbors were to do the same things. The Simpsons and Vicks of this world have to cross many lines before they are vilified. Simpson is now in prison for a crime that would have normally been plead down to maybe a year or two in prison rather than a minimum of nine years and probably a life sentence of OJ. Vicks paid for his crime with a longer prison sentence than an ordinary citizen would have received for the same actions. Isn't it time to move on?

I'm not defending Vicks. I think what he did is obscene and there's no excuse for killing an innocent animal and I loathe dog fighting and those who participate in it. However, I do believe that everyone deserves a second chance if they've shown they've earned that chance. I do believe Vicks has done that.

As I said, if you don't like the laws or the way our justice system handles animal cruelty charges, then do something about it -- write your congressman, work with the SPCA and other organizations to force stiffer penalties, find out when a dog fight is going to occur and picket it.

(And please let me keep my fingers to myself the next time there's a Vicks thread.)

:popcorn::popcorn:

Let this thread be dead.............R.I.P.

Animals do have a voice. If you ignore their suffering, I will remind you of it. If you don't understand them, I will translate. If you don't hear them, I will be their voice. You may silence them but you cannot silence me as long as I live.” ~ Anita Mahdessian

:agree:

Sorry
 

I didn't realize you and George ran the forum.

That's understandable since this is only your second post and since I'm a forgiving person I'll forgive you too!:pray:

Knowledge
 

A number of responses indicate that his 1 1/2 years in jail were sufficient to
pay society back. What is not considered is the underlying mental problem which may exist. Thus to truly understand this kind of anti
social behavior it is importand to educate ones self on the problems associaited with being a sociopath or/and borderline personality and the
prognosis for being a continuing good member of society. It is interesting that his profession remains in a violent world. This does not mean all foortball players, etc are sociopaths or borderline but if you have a history of cruelity then it may worth some thought. Let me add that I am not saying he is either a sociopath or borderline just that when you kill and tourture defenseless animals it is not a "normal" activity to the average person.
As I recall this is a behavior that is a serious concern if demonstrated by
children? :shrug:

"Only your second post".......What does THAT have to do with being "eligible" to post an opinion here???

Michael Vick has a mental problem. Now everyone understands, lets feel a little sorry and move on.Who cares,lets say goodbye to this.