Posted on 11/19/2010 8:05:17 AM PST by BigChiefLtd
For a long time, it has been the opinion of all three writers here at Grand Rants that Pro Sports, like the entertainment world in general, is emblematic of all that is wrong with American Society: Greed, avarice, and the absolute willingness to rush headlong towards the lowest common denominator in society and cling to it as if it were an enviable aspiration. We Americans have come to embrace hype over substance and are willing to look the other way at any and all behavior, no matter how abhorrent, as long as the person is good-looking or famous. Nothing illustrates this so well as the media and public response to celebrities and professional athletes...and, as a society, we’re too damned stupid to even understand what, exactly, we’re missing.
(Excerpt) Read more at grandrants.wordpress.com ...
I'll pass.
He may be a great athlete, but he's also (in the opinion of many) a psychopath. And there is ample evidence to suggest that psychopaths are never really "cured" because experts agree there is no way to really treat the illness. Read how America's descent into acceptance of horrific behavior by those lucky enough to be famous, attractive or superb athletes marks what could well be the downfall of our society in general.
The NFL will continue hiring lowlifes as long as the fans pay to watch them.
I’m hoping for a career ending broken leg on Sunday.
He paid in full for his stupidity.
That’s enough.
You’re absolutely right. And the problem is, idiots like Philadelphia Eagles fans show just how little class they have when they welcome him with open arms simply because he wins football games. There’s plenty of talented “Michael Vicks” out there who don’t obtain a sick pleasure out of seeing dogs forced into situations where it’s “Maul or BE mauled.” No, the beer-guzzling slobs who worship the Eagles are a bunch of idiots who conveniently look past the behavior of a psychopath as long as he’s scoring touchdowns. At least the other teams (and fans) had the clas to say, “No thanks... not interested.”
And to those who think I’m over-reacting to Vick’s past, do a little homework for once in your lives and study up on psychopaths, their behavior and the fact that there is no known CURE for it. Then take a look at the photos of some of the horrific aftermath of dog fights.
To those of you who DO have standards, please KEEP THEM and DEMAND that same level from the people you look up to as well as celebrities, sports figures and politicians. It’s the ONLY way America will ever be able to raise it’s level of society back to where it once was. There will always be clueless low-lives who admire and “respect” trash like Michael Vick, OJ Simpson and the like. However, the rest of society can (and should) look down upon these scumbags and label them for what they truly are.
Vick served his time. Part of the American system of justice is that you get to move on in your life after you’ve served your time. That includes getting jobs and earning money. That’s not just something for famous people, non-famous people get to have jobs after they get out of prison too. I don’t think America has “accepted” the behavior, we’ve simply moved on, his arrest was 3 years ago, he’s playing well now. Humans tend to be about now, not 3 years ago, it’s a survival instinct thing.
And his play shows a lot of changes in him off the field. He’s able to read defenses now, which means he’s actually studying film, something he never did before. I don’t know what other changes he’s gone through, but at least as a player he’s not the same Vick he was 3 years ago.
Yep, and girls kicked off the cheer-leading teams in HS because they won’t cheer the player convicted of raping them.
We MUST have our sports heroes no matter the cost.
Dogs aren’t people. Time to move on.
You have quite nicely caputred the essence of the Philadelphia sports fan. Bravo!
they just move to Philadelphia.
He harmed animals; not people. Aborting one baby is a thousand times worse than what Vick did.
Glad someone said that.
Vick fan here. He paid his dept, now let him earn his living.
Sorry, Antoninus, but who the hell are YOU lecture or judge ME regarding repentance? First of all, I absolutely DO believe in repentance. I’m just not a gullible little dipstick who assumes that just because someone who gets caught committing a horrific crime, he suddenly gets religion and Christ automatically takes over his life.
Tell me: What evidence do you have of any real repentance on the part of Michael Vick? A single statement saying he’s sorry doesn’t hack it. Of course he is going to say that... HE GOT CAUGHT. AND IT COST HIM TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
It’s not about a sudden development of character, Antoninus. It’s about LACK of it... and his sudden loss of untold millions of dollars.
Did you expect him to say, “I promise not to get caught next time?”
Don’t be so naive, Antonius. He lost TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS when he was arrested. And the potential to earn hundreds of millions more in endorsements over the coming years. What do you think the real motivation is for his lawyer-written “mea culpa?” Do you think it was some sort of epiphany over the torture he imposed on ALL his dogs, regardles of whether they won or lost? If you honestly believe THAT’S what it’s about, you have to be one of the most gullible people walking the planet. It’s all about the dead presidents (money), my friend, and the sooner you learn that the better off you will be.
Forgiveness? That’s between Vick and Jesus Christ. Only God knows what’s really in Vick’s heart. As for me, sure... I’ll forgive Vick... just as soon as those dogs who were tortured and killed by him and his goonsquad are able to be resurrected, and live the playful, normal life God intended for them to have.
Notice that now he’s back in the limelight, it’s all about “him” and no more is being mentioned about the dogs he killed. If he was seriosly remorseful, he’d take some of the millions he’s making again and set up an anuity to benefit the Humane Society. He’s not doing that. It’s back to being “Prime Time Superstar.” And it’s all about him again.
In the meantime, I don’t wish any injury on Vick like a previous poster wrote. But I’ll settle for whatever negative Karma comes his way... Like a 350 pound tackle who is a dog lover.
**********
Micheal is still on his journey...
--And he readily admits he still has a ways to go...
Vick can't "undo" those things...
--But he has also paid the debt sentenced for his criminal behavior...
No one is discounting the egregious cruelty to animals and twisted outlook on life that permits a man to perform such gross acts...
YET--It appears he has certainly turned a lot of personally redemptive corners in the last year..
I am not sure who these "experts" are--
....Or what is the definitive-objective-scientific proof that someone here is a "psychopath"...
And the someone over there is not a "psychopath".
...because "experts" agree--
--Might be "science" at some point...
---Might be loose consensus of professional opinion...
---Might be just "group-think" with a bully pulpit.
However--- with the strict behavioral accountabilities in place for his personal and ethical probation (at the behest of the NFL)...
--And the mandatory assignment for mentoring and spiritual leadership of someone as mature and wise as Tony Dungy (and others who have contributed to Vick's growth and progress)...
It seems to me that Michael Vick may be finally growing up, trusting God to help him along the way -- every day--
--And leaving his horrendous sins behind him.
I know firsthand that if a man cries out to God with a broken and sincere heart- to be delivered from his own selfish and evil ways--
God will hear...
God will answer...
And the heart, mind, and intentions do change for the better...
And if the Lord will do that for me...
---26 years ago and counting.....
God will do that same good work for anyone who asks.
---even Michael Vick...
Finally...
God has forgiven your sins and mine...
And Micheal's sins also....
And we are called to forgive one another...
Maybe it's time we considered forgiving this young man for the worst behavior in his life....
And wish him success moving forward...
--personally and professionally...
Have a nice day.
I agree, I never really understood why people hate the guy so much. America bans a lot of activities where the execution of such doesn’t violate anyones rights but while they may disapprove of them, its rare that people hate those that engage in them.
I grew up in an area where cockfighting was perfectly legal until recently. I went to see the fights on occasion and even placed a bet from time. Doesn’t make me or anyone else there a psychopath (unless you have some strange morality system that not only gives animals rights but gives dogs more of them).
So, what's your take on abortion?
How do you view those women who have had an abortion?
What about the fathers of the babies?
How about the doctors, nurses, receptionists & janitors who work killing these babies?
What about the judges, lawyers & legislators who have made this wholesale murder "legal"?
When Michael Vick hobbled off the field clutching his shoulder, unable to perform in a losing effort to the Redskins in their first match... in Michael Vick’s world, Andy Reid would have taken Vick out back, strung him up by his leash and put a bullet in his head.
Michael Vick got a second chance. His dog’s didn’t. Enjoy your hero.
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