Vick: 'I need to grow up'

CNN ^ | 27 Aug 07

[PurpleMan]

"What I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up," he said.

He said, "Through this situation I've found Jesus."

[RobbyS]

It’s the culture. By no means is the only one doing this. Bear-baiting, dog-fights, cockfights: All survivals of our frontier past. But like coyotes, they manage to survive in our urban centers. I imagine Vick runs with a rough group and always has. Same mix of no discipline, no couth, too much money that ruins so many movie stars. Except few movie stars are capable of leaping over buildings(OK, linebackers) in a single bound while throwing bullets at pass receivers. I really hope the comes back and does not self-destruct. He's a pretty smart guy and ought to know now that his head is no match for a legal lead pipe..

[johnthebaptistmoore]

While Vick “grows up”, we will all “throw up” with all of the P.R. that Vick and his legal team will continue to create for the next three months!

[swain_forkbeard]

I will gladly “stop” making excuses for cruelty, mainly because I never did make an excuse for cruelty. You see, I never once excused Vick’s behavior. As a matter of fact, I don’t know EXACTLY what that behavior was.

I was trying to point out the very deep ambivalence in our culture toward other species.

[Fawn]

That's because you were driving too fast!!!

[fortheDeclaration]

1. Deer-hunters slaughter living breathing animals, and isn't always clean and pretty.

They don't torture the animal.

In fact, the killing is necessary due to overpopulation and they would starve otherwise.

2. Killing pit bulls is doing the world a favor. Breeding and owning them is the crime.

There is nothing inherently vicious about the pit bull.

It is a very strong dog, but like every dog has to be trained to become vicious.

The ones that Vick killed were the ones who were not vicious enough.

And they are trained by killing helpless cats and dogs.

3. Animals are not human. Killing dogs is weird, and should be illegal, but it is not on the level of harming a human.

Straw man.

Who said on any of these threads anything different?

What people have said is that a cruelty that deviant is a sign of more future deviant behavior.

We don't consider killing animals on the same level as killing people because Vick is not getting the death penalty-now is he?

Those who equate animals with humans are just as sick as Michael Vick. And those who despise him on the same level they would a murderer should have their own heads examined.

And stop throwing up straw man arguments.

Killing helpless animals for sport is wicked behavior that any civilized Christian based society is going to punish.

[fortheDeclaration]

I didn’t say we shouldn’t speak out against it. I said we should give him the benefit of the doubt as to his claim of conversion.

Lets see some fruit first.

[fortheDeclaration]

Just to back you up. "Life is life" not correct. Michael Vick is a human being, and therefore infinitely more valuable than any animal. To believe otherwise is sick.

Yes he is, he is a man who is made in the image of God.

And that is why man is given over dominion of God's creation to care for it, not destroy it and abuse it.

The Bible likens those who reject God's goodness and kindness to animals (wolves, foxes, pigs)

[fortheDeclaration]

People do cruel things all the time, but hating Vick in particular is all about is equating animals with humans, and apparently from some of the comments, a lot of jealousy over Michale Vick’s income.

No, its about hating cruelty to animals.

As for his income, I doubt there are many on a conservative talk forum who would care how much anyone makes.

Conservatives have nothing against the rich.

[fortheDeclaration]

PETA happens to be further down the slope than almost anyone, but logically, that's where it will end up.

No one cares about PETA.

The issue is being against animal cruelty because it is wrong, not because animals have 'rights'

Stop bringing up a 'straw man' that has nothing to do with this case.

Christians were concerned about animals long before PETA came into existance.

[Dante3]

What a silly thing to say. I do not care how much money Vick ever made. To torture anyone, animal or human, is sadistic whether done by a rich or a poor person. Vick has revealed the traits of a sociopath by engaging in this behavior for years and by his glib lies. Sociopaths are not like the rest of us and they do not change.

[fortheDeclaration]

If you care more about your pet than you do Michael Vick, for all his flaws, then, yes, that is sick.

You sure like to use that word 'sick' alot.

Vick is getting justice, which is alot more then he gave those dogs which had no chance to live a normal life.

He raised them from puppies and still watched them being torn to pieces.

If you defend that you are as evil as he is.

The wicked walk on every side when the vilest men are exalted (Ps.12:7)

[fortheDeclaration]

Ihave espn on and they are turning it into a black/white thing

Yes, and what they are not saying is that it is the blacks in Atlanta who are upset.

Most Blacks outside of Atlanta understand that Vick is a criminal.

[fortheDeclaration]

If I heard correctly, the only way the Falcons can go after the bonus money they threw at him is if he is on the roster.

Yes, and I hope they get it too.

Also, if the lawyer fees are going to be as steep as I hope they are, Vick will end up the way he should-broke.

[helen crump]

Sure they are both wrong but the same thing? NO WAY

[COBOL2Java]

My dog prefers dark beer to lager. He’ll drink a whole pint of Guinness.

"Brilliant!"

[fortheDeclaration]

You judge Michael Vick? Be careful. I don’t know Michael Vick, but I know my own sins.

We don't have to judge Vick, the criminal justice system just did and he is a convicted felon.

So stop trying to defend a criminal.

[fortheDeclaration]

I believe they can get some of that money back based on the fact that Vick has violated the terms of his contract.

[RetSignman]

(Excuse me for being a bit cynical.)

Don’t apologize for seeing things the way they are. I have never seen so many people who ‘found Jesus’ but most of them wait until they are IN jail, he’s, obviously, looking for a way out to AVOID jail time by using this ‘come to Jesus’ plea.

[fortheDeclaration]

It’s the culture. By no means is the only one doing this. Bear-baiting, dog-fights, cockfights: All survivals of our frontier past.

Culture is never an excuse for cruelty.

Those were wrong in the frontier days as they are wrong now.

[fortheDeclaration]

As a matter of fact, I don’t know EXACTLY what that behavior was.

Well, read the indictment he pleaded guilty to.

Including hanging dogs and when some survived the hanging, drowning them.

You guys want to come in and try to justify what Vick did and then hold up your hands and say that you don't mean to justify his cruelty.

Well, that is exactly what you are doing.

He is a self-admitted criminal and deserves whatever punishment he gets,since he showed no mercy, but now, like all criminals, wants some.