Reader Response to Michael Vick
I want to thank my readers for coming together to discuss their opinions on the Michael Vick issue so openly. The response has been overwhelming—here are just a few of the comments we received:
I am not ready to do this yet but this is what I believe as far as forgiveness goes… Forgiveness is not something you give to someone else. It is a gift you give yourself. Forgiving the perpetrator for his action does not mean you stop judging the deed. You forgive him/her, not the action. Forgiveness allows you to live in the present and leave the past behind. Forgiveness will bring you peace. —Michelle
As much as I believe in second chances and reform since everybody screws up at one time or another, Vick does not deserve any respect for his attempts at reform. In order to gain respect you have to truly show remorse and regret for you actions and I don't find this within him. I've seen countless interviews with him and he's proven to me that he's only sorry that he got caught, nothing more. He's stated multiple times that dog fighting is part of his up-bringing and has shown little (Convincing) concern for how cruel this very act is, meaning that since it's how he was raised that that's enough to hold him unaccountable for his actions. This is just a cop-out! Once you hit adulthood you know perfectly well what is right and wrong despite your up-bringing. I also see all of his current work as part of a plea agreement with the parole board, he's not doing what he's doing out of the kindness of his heart. He's doing it because he's being forced/compelled to.— ericschevy2004
I agree that people should be given a second chance. But sadly, in this case, I can only see the fact that Michael Vick has a lot to gain by "acting" out his remorse, speaking against dog fighting, etc. He needs to regain some respect from his peers, try to win back some of us who now despise him and his mentality. He has an agenda. A "red zone" dog who is given a second chance has no hidden agenda - what you see is what you get. That's the big difference between humans and dogs - dogs are honest to the core. We humans have hidden agendas, we can lie through our teeth, we say what we think others want to hear.— Calmdog
Cesar, I am the Mayor of a very small town in SE OK. I have personally seen the devastation of dog fighting and animal hoarding. Both were enough to take the toughest "cowboys" here to their knees in tears. With that said, I am reminded that I rescued a Northern Innuit from Wisconsin that today weighs 164 lbs. "Harley" was so abused he weighed 67 lbs when I got him. The shelter was 24 hrs from putting him down. He came with every issue I have watched you deal with. But, the biggest thing I ever saw in Harley's eyes, was forgiveness. He didn't have to love any human again, he had the right to hate us all. His death would have robbed the world of an amazing creature. I have learned that we can only create "change" when WE are willing to step back and accept an apology and watch with absolute "due dilligence" that Mr. Vick does what is demanded by society. No animal should ever suffer abuse at the hands of a human. But, it is our responsibility as humans to TEACH, GUIDE and sometimes PUNISH those who cannot find the respect for our creatures of this planet. I watch with GREAT EXPECTATION that Mr. Vick will use his past behavior to influence those he comes in contact with. I applaud you for your stand on this issue, and like you, I have taken a "wait and see" approach. Time will be the judge of Mr. Vick.— MissMayor
I saw the interview with the head of the Humane Society and Michael Vick. Intellectually, I want to forgive and believe. His explanation for why he did it, "caught up in it" and "I was just about to leave it" didn't ring well to me, but... In my heart, it's harder when I think of the actual things the dogs when through, like the rape cage and so many more atrocities. It's much more difficult. He clearly didn't do it for money, but for the thrill of it. People who abuse animals have deep issues that simply don't get resolved as quickly as Michael claims. Cesar, you prefaced every sentence with "if" and I imagine that's how a lot of people feel. "If" he has changed, we can support him. It's a big if to me and he will have to prove it before I can believe and support. So I'm like you. If he...then I'll forgive. He'll have to do a lot to convinve many, including me. I pray all is as it seems. Dogs forgive easily. I wish I could be more like them. They are such virtuous spirits.— Sylvie
After reading 'the lost dogs,' I just don’t think Vick is truly remorseful. His actions went beyond cruel. The things he and his disgusting friends did to those dogs was just plain evil. Vick is a monster. Sure he is sorry....sorry he got caught. — Shari
I am rather surprised that I find myself coming to Michael Vick's defense more + more these days. While I detest what he has done in the past to dogs (+ would only want to see him own one if he had some close supervision or a way to guarantee the dog's safety), I think we would be foolish as dog advocates to not be willing to help someone change if they are taking active steps to do so. While many may pooh-pooh his claim that he didn't think there was anything wrong w/ what he did at the time because he grew up in the culture, I'm a retired cop + can see what he is saying. I don't see it as an excuse but most people are pretty understanding about other kids who are brought up in criminal cultures ending up involved in the same kind of crimes (drugs, theft, home invasions, alcohol abuse, etc). The plain fact is that Michael Vick can reach a segment of the population that is at the most risk for being involved in dog fighting. He's willing to do this so why would we not try to work w/ him? I am w/ you Cesar - if someone is trying to make good changes, I will try to help them do so. — mmstevens357
