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Dogfighting is illegal. Laws are implemented for the protection of society at large and to reinforce, by legal means, the social and moral ethics we as a society adhere to. On the issue of cruel and inhumane treatment of animals our social conscience demands these acts be punished accordingly.

How do you differentiate between what Michael Vick did and the legally sanctioned testing of chemicals and other substances on animals for scientific advancement, as one being more acceptable than the other? For some people there is little to no difference. Aside from the obvious brutality of Michael Vick's crime there lies the issue of intent. His intent was to break the law and commit repeated acts of cruelty against animals for profit. Eye witness accounts by those that participated in Michael Vick's dogfighting activities have stated under oath that Vick brutalized and killed these dogs by his own hand.

Vick, at one time, was the face of an NFL franchise. His jersey had been a number one seller and many youths and some not so young idolized him for his athletic prowess and professional sports stature. In the harsh light of what he has done he neither deserved nor warranted such adulation. To rationalize that some areas of our country find dogfighting to be an acceptable practice is to say our social and moral conscience should not extend beyond the human condition. To believe that we have only to abandon our sense of compassion.

As to the question should Michael Vick have received a stronger sentence it is my opinion, based on the intentional barbarity of his actions, he has not received sentence enough. What is needed here is a lifetime ban from professional football. Vick will soon walk out of prison and most assuredly attempt to revive his NFL career. It would not be surprising to see him greeting the hordes of awaiting media with a bible in one hand, as he professes to have found salvation, laced with promises that he is a changed man. A good PR machine would have him doing a mini tour of select grade schools where he could sit in front children and explain to them how wrong it is to mistreat animals. A really nice touch would be to have him holding and petting a cute little puppy as he delivers his message.

Based on athletic talent alone the NFL will probably welcome him back. The business side of sport, for the sake of revenue, is all to willing to place greed above better judgement and social ethics. Time will lessen the memory of Vicks crimes. Some will see them as little more than a speed bump in the road to fame and fortune.

Let Vick seek gainful employment elsewhere. Let him write his memoirs and pocket the big advance publishers will eagerly offer him, not to mention the royalty checks. As for me I don't need to buy the book. I've seen the reality show and as we all know nothing compares to real life or death. I wonder what Pete Rose thinks of all this.

Learn more about this author, Rhyman Gaines.
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