"I'm Sorry" Says Vick

Lalita Amos | 08/28/2007 - 13:53

OK. Michael Vick. He pitted dogs against each other in a nauseating blood sport, often killing the losers with his bare hands. He didn't rape a child, deal drugs or abuse a woman, as some point out (as if that makes this kind of brutality any better). Others have asserted that dog fighting is just "part of the culture" like the raising of ducks and geese for foie gras.

He's said he's sorry and has thrown himself on the mercy of the courts with a clear understanding that this may render him unable to vote, hold public office, be on a jury and own firearms.

The NAACP has demanded mercy for Vick, suggesting that he be allowed to play after whatever justice is meted out. Not so for Don Imus who, though he didn't kill a dog, essentially called the members of the Rutger's team beasts. They want him off the air...forever.

Now, I'm not for race-based justice. I think that if you're man or woman enough to do the crime you should man- or woman-up and take your lumps. Here in Indy, there is a variable notion of responsibility from some in the Black community who would excuse terrible behavior by citing a rough childhood or the evils of "the man" (you know who you are). True, it ain't easy being green...or black, but a thug is a thug is a thug.

Pastors have come out against IMPD Officer Adam Chappell who is accused of excessive force against a 17 year old Black Expo reveler. If guilty, he should be punished. Silent as the tomb they are when one of our own kills, rapes, steals or deals. There is a faction who want to help the mayor with an anti-gang initiative. Where have they been before now? What exactly was their rhetoric after Black Expo weekend? What did they say about our own behavior?

We can do better than this.

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gaborden | 12/20/2007 - 00:35 | What good is the Law?

I've not researched it at length and yet believe that dog fighting is explicitly registered as illegal and therefore a CRIME at least in the locales where Vick operated. He's smart enough to direct 10 men down the football field but not smart enough to know that conducting dog fights, supporting dog fights for sport, or bank rolling kennels that conduct dog fights is against the law. You must take us for Huckabee followers! No matter Vick's race, he conducted criminal acts and should suffer the consequences attached to those acts. Having served his "time", any sports team smart enough to recognize his talents should hire him and let the fans determine if he is still a liability or an asset to the franchise. No different than "illegal /undocumented aliens" they are outlaws. G A Borden II

Mike Kole | 08/29/2007 - 16:57 | One can still run for

One can still run for Congress- US House or US Senate- if a convicted felon, so he has that going for him. Generally, one cannot run for state or local offices if a convicted felon.

I'm glad the court of public opinion has weighed in so mightily on dog fighting. It's barbaric and should be brought to an end.

Sheila Suess Kennedy | 08/28/2007 - 15:52 | I get it

Once again, Lalita demonstrates the kind of guts I wish more of us had.

Too many people, of every color, religion and orientation, apply the double standard Lalita is decrying here--righteous indignation when someone injures "me or mine," studious silence or defensiveness when "me or mine" misbehaves...it may be understandable, but it sure undermines credibility.
Sheila Kennedy

Bil Browning | 08/28/2007 - 15:07 | I'm confused

What does Black Expo have to do with Michael Vick's guilty plea? In one example, a white cop allegedly beat and kicked a black teen. In the other, a black football player beat, kicked (and killed!) dogs bred for fighting...

Lalita Amos | 08/28/2007 - 00:58 | The Vick Apology (text version)

Here is the text of what Michael Vick said following his guilty plea on charges of dog fighting:

"For most of my life, I've been a football player, not a public speaker, so, you know, I really don't know, you know, how to say what I really want to say.

You know, I understand it's — it's important or not important, you know, as far as what you say but how you say things. So, you know, I take this opportunity just to speak from the heart.

First, I want to apologize, you know, for all the things that — that I've done and that I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my Atlanta Falcons teammates, you know, for our — for our previous discussions that we had. And I was not honest and forthright in our discussions, and, you know, I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself to say the least.

I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts and, you know, what I did was, what I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up.

I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player.

I take full responsibility for my actions. For one second will I sit right here — not for one second will I sit right here and point the finger and try to blame anybody else for my actions or what I've done.

I'm totally responsible, and those things just didn't have to happen. I feel like we all make mistakes. It's just I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions. And you know, those things, you know, just can't happen.

Dog fighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it.

I'm upset with myself, and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that's the right thing to do as of right now.

Like I said, for this — for this entire situation I never pointed the finger at anybody else, I accepted responsibility for my actions of what I did and now I have to pay the consequences for it. But in a sense, I think it will help, you know, me as a person. I got a lot to think about in the next year or so.

I offer my deepest apologies to everybody out in there in the world who was affected by this whole situation. And if I'm more disappointed with myself than anything it's because of all the young people, young kids that I've let down, who look at Michael Vick as a role model. And to have to go through this and put myself in this situation, you know, I hope that every young kid out there in the world watching this interview right now who's been following the case will use me as an example to using better judgment and making better decisions.

Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to.

So I got a lot of down time, a lot of time to think about my actions and what I've done and how to make Michael Vick a better person.

Thank you."

________
Lalita L. Amos, CRC
http://www.totalteamsolutions.com/
http://totalteam.blogspot.com/

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