America's love of animals trumped the heretofore indestructible use of racism as a defense for wrongdoing, and Michael Vick could not escape the wrath of millions.
The strange and sad case of Michael Vick got a bit stranger this week when the newly-signed Eagles quarterback appeared on 60 Minutes — complete with a spokesman from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) — to deliver his obligatory mea culpa to a waiting world. What makes this incident stranger than most is that America's love of animals, specifically dogs, has trumped the heretofore indestructible use of racism as a defense for wrongdoing and so has not saved Mr. Vick from the wrath of millions.
Accusations of racism have long been employed to excuse the behavior of thugs and gang-bangers who happen to populate the sports and entertainment worlds. Take the case of Allen Iverson, NBA superstar and long-time bad-boy. In trouble since his high school days when he served four months in a correctional facility for his conviction in a felony mob assault case (later overturned), this paragon of virtue once quipped, "associating hip-hop styles of dress with violent crime, drugs, or a bad image is racist." Yet, as so poignantly pointed out by columnist Bryan Burwell,
What has happened is that we let the real African-American culture get buried under the darkest element of a hip-hop generation that glorified and perpetuated all the worst racial stereotypes our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents took their lifetimes to erase . . . Now they come glamorizing thug life and prison fashion, legitimizing derogatory racial insults into the mainstream, and convincing an entire generation that the only measure of true blackness is a hard-core gangsta edge, and anyone who rejects this is either hopelessly out of touch or a sad Uncle Tom.
And, of course, should any whites agree with the courageous Mr. Burwell, they would most certainly be called racists. Still, the most curious aspect of the Vick flap remains that since his release from prison, not even the race gambit has been able to rehabilitate the rogue quarterback in the eyes of the public. After all, he did not rape anyone, he was not implicated in any shootings, nor has he been involved in any drug accusations. No, he was cruel to animals; and in America, almost no one, except maybe W.C. Fields, can hate dogs and get away with it.
Now, on the face of it, this doesn't seem like much of a problem. I mean, who would not abhor the sick acts perpetrated by Vick and company against innocent animals. But if one looks deeper, this is a most disturbing development. Of all of the ways in which the Left has made inroads into the psyche of the American public, this is perhaps the most insidious: the equation of humans with animals.
In the old days, pets were looked on as welcome additions to a household; as watchdogs, or as companions for elderly adults or the children. Today, the dogs have replaced those children. Indeed, the term adoption, when applied to pets as it has been for a few decades now, should give one a clue. In my town, there is one hospital for humans and six for animals.
The Left, as has been its tactic for years, has taken over formerly benign organizations like HSUS, which has shifted its emphasis from promoting the humane treatment of animals to trumpeting animal "rights." They have said, "there is no rational basis for maintaining a moral distinction between the treatment of humans and other animals."
If you doubt that they are what amounts to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the far Left, check out HSUS' most recent policy statement — a chilling document which advocates "eating with conscience" — where nearly two of its 13 pages are devoted to Climate Change and its effects on animals. Consider their statement on cloning:
Such experiments reveal a recklessness and hubris, rejecting the prior claims of nature and the inherent dignity of animal life. They treat animals as commodities alone, instead of as living individuals with needs and natures of their own.
Would that statements of such passion and concern be made on behalf of human life and dignity by those on the Left. When, in fact, appeals on behalf of innocent human life are made by people like Pope Benedict XVI, they are derided as the ravings of religious fanatics and summarily dismissed as "politics."
So Michael Vick might yet be forgiven, but his crimes will never be allowed to be forgotten. Yet, in a world that doesn't particularly value human life; a world where many see man as the enemy of nature instead of its steward; in a society that has been increasingly led to believe — and tragically, acted upon — the notion that, as PETA puts it, "a rat is a dog is a boy," charges of racism would be almost welcome.
One of my biggest issues with the Michael Vick deal is not that America became enraged with Michael Vick’s animal cruelty. What he did was, indeed, disgusting. However, Dante Stallworth struck and killed a human being while driving under the influence – and got 27 days in prison and year ban from the NFL.
Because animal abuse/neglect is clearly much worse than manslaughter… wait, what?!
SarahR:
Good question. Here’s another one. If people are more important than are dogs, and if physical suffering and injury (or death) are sick entertainment, then which is the worse crime:
(a) dogfighting, or (b) female martial arts fighting?
It seems to me that the discussion is attempting to cite cases where the celebrity/athlete did not get the justice is blind treatment rather than address the case in hand. I think you all need to visit a dog fight…bring a bucket for when you vomit!
Ruminator I would agree with your comment if item b was a fight to the death, since it is not there is no equivalence.
SarahR, Vick got a fair sentence and served his time. He now should be allowed to earn his living…just don’t let him near your domestic animals.
Lisa, you are trying hard to find an issue where the only one that exists is that famous Animal House line “All Animals are Created Equal but some are More Equal Than Others”.
MIckey G, I definitely agree that Michael Vick served his time. My point is this… given that the severity of his sentence, both through the courts and through public opinion, do you think that Mike Vick would EVER have anything to do with another dog fight? Anything is possible, but I highly doubt that he will. Between his jail time, prosecution by the public, and starting over at (for football, at least) a paltry $1 mil salary, I imagine he’d really think twice before having anything to do with illegal activity, period.
But do you think Dante Stallworth will think twice before he drives under the influence again? I doubt he will. He might try to be more careful next time, i.e. he might maim someone instead of killing them, but I can’t imagine that the slap on the wrist given him will make any difference. I’m also curious as to who he hit that there is no familial outcry. If someone struck and killed a relative/friend of mine, I would be up in arms over them getting a mere 27 days in jail and 2 years probation for it.
Ruminator, I’m really confused by your comparison. The dogs who participate in dog fighting do not choose to do so, nor are they compensated for their fighthing; rather they are “paid” with cruelty, starvation, and beatings to keep them ready to fight. Female martial arts fighters choose to make a living that way, and are compensated. How fairly, I can’t speak to, as I’m not sure of the going rate for that profession. They are in charge of their own eating and training habits, or they hire someone to assist them in managing those things – but it’s all their CHOICE.
My other question for you is, why the distinction between male MMA fighters and female MMA fighters? Both are subjected to injury for the sake of public entertainment – why is it worse for women than men? Both choose to make a living that way. And MMA fights rarely, if ever, (I’ve never heard of it) result in death. And the fighters are provided medical attention, etc, whereas the dogs involved in dog fighting are either put to sleep or left to heal as best they can. Apples to oranges in my opinion, but I suppose to me the worst crime by a long shot would be dog fighting – especially since female martial arts fighting is not illegal. Unless there’s an underground female fighting slave scheme or something going on that I, and most of the public, aren’t aware of.
SarahR, right on about Stallworth.
Indeed, the dogs are mistreated, coerced and systematically trained for aggression. Some aren’t even fighting but are sacrificed as bait, and left to die.
How innocent each and every one of them is is not a question I could answer. The dogfighting enthusiasts maintain that certain breeds love to fight, and I find this argument repugnant, partly because it’s made by people who are either indifferent to suffering, or enjoy watching it, and partly because it’s sometimes true.
However, for me, none of that is the point. And the fact that people engage in brutal contests freely/professionally is not the point. In fact, it’s the problem. Because if you believe that certain things ought not to be done, then the mutual volunteering for them does not make them morally acceptable.
Example: some folks believe homosexual relationships are wrong. I don’t, particularly, but I understand that these conservatives have a thought process, and I don’t attribute bad motives to them. So I oppose boxing and other public contests where acute injury and physical suffering (as distinct from exertion, risk and fatigue) are not only likely, but a welcomed part of the spectacle. It doesn’t matter what gender the participants are. I mentioned “female” because it has been in the news lately.
When they say “the referees stop the fight once someone is clearly in trouble” it sounds to me like saying “I’ll take care of myself by giving up alcohol at the first sign of cirrhosis.”
Nothing to do with Orwell; sorry.
The distinction between male and female is not mine but ruminator’s, I only pointed out the difference in fighting to the death in the dog fight versus Obamacare for those in the MMA. There are very few dog fight survivors on the losers side. Of course I would be happy to be the promoter offering gladiators in competition where the winner receives $1,000,000 and the loser’s estate gets $250,000. I guarantee that we could fill 100,000 plus with an average ticket price of $100 or higher. Problem is it is illegal just like dog fighting.
If you believe that Michael Vick will have nothing to do with dog fighting again I can show you a yellow brick road or better yet sell you a bridge in Brooklyn.
Please say after me All animals are created equal but some are more equal than others, then you will understand why soft sentences and recidivision of the criminal…maybe the foks in the middle east had some good points in their judicial systems that we missed?
The difference both in criminal treatment and in cultural impact that Lisa points out is relevant and true, and her conclusion is correct. People in America have a very sick worship of dogs in particular, even to the exlusion of their own bretheren. It is a cultural phenomenon.
Take the case a while back of the rancher who shot some birdshot at his neighbor’s dogs because they were attacking and trying to devour his live cattle. A woman can be heard in the background of the videotape of the “incident” frantically screaming “Oh my God! He’s murdering them!”. “Murdering”. You hear that? Murdering. “Murdering” a dog by putting some birdshot in its hide after it had unsuccessfully tried to kill and eat his valuable cattle. Which, incidentally, also happened to be a live animal. No sympathy for the cow against whom the dog had committed “attempted murder”. Remember the 2 month 24/7 news coverage of the Marine in Iraq who threw a dog off a bridge? Using explosives to rip limbs assunder from the bodies of a fellow human being during the course of war is reported once every couple of months with all the reverance accorded to the 7 day weather forecast. But a soldier killing a doggie? Why, that is horrific! In another telling example, the woman whom Kobe Bryant was charged with brutally raping received death threats, as did her family, from NBA fans for daring to accuse their beloved son. I don’t think any death threats went out to the co-defendants who snitched on Michael Vick over his crime of fighting dogs.
In another rather amusing irony, hunting is legal in all 50 states. That includes bow hunting – a technique in which a live animal is shot with an arrow and must be tracked, sometimes for several days, as it frantically runs before it dies of blood loss from its injuries. The very picture of the humane treatment of animals. Perhaps Vick should have copped the “I thought it was a deer” defense?
Animal cruelty is not okay, BUT it is important to maintain a rational perspective. If you’ve ever seen a media report on the murder of another human being and considered it so pedestrian as to hardly merit mentioning, you should not have deep moral outrage at the killing of dogs after a dog fight. And if you think that a 2 year prison sentence for the same is justified when people are routinely excused with less time served for horrifically killing fellow human beings or molesting children, you need to seriously re-evaluate your priorities and seek mental help.
You say “People in America have a very sick worship of dogs…” and later “the woman whom Kobe Bryant was charged with brutally raping received death threats, as did her family, from NBA fans for daring to accuse their beloved son.”
So it may be that a few of us have a “sick” worship of celebrities, also?”
No question about it! But when it came right down to it, dog trumped celebrity, and even trumped race, as Lisa pointed out.