by Southern Housewife

Created on: August 26, 2009

Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it foregoes revenge, and dares forgive an injury...E.H. Chapin.

Michael Vick paid his debt to society. He served a legitimate jail term, not a light, celebrity-abbreviated sentence. Vick was not pardoned; he was punished. He suffered the consequences of his actions and paid the penalty for his crimes.

Vick could have treated the American public to a full-scale criminal courtroom drama at its best, wall-to-wall televised trial coverage in a real circus-like atmosphere; instead, he eschewed the path many celebrities and athletes would have chosen. Vick voluntarily waived his Constitutional rights to a speedy trial by a jury of his peers, and he pled guilty, mercifully sparing the American public the spectacle of that unfortunate episode of reality TV.

Michael Vick gave up his right to presumed innocent pending proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. He stepped up, admitted his guilt, took his punishment, and served his time with little drama or sniveling. Vick has admitted he was morally and criminally responsible for his actions. In addition to his loss of liberty, Vick has suffered severe repercussions personally, professionally, and financially. He has been thoroughly humiliated, publicly denounced, and excoriated in nearly every way imaginable.

What exactly do we want from Vick? Perhaps, the bigger social question is what do we expect from those we punish? Do we want deterrence? Is the goal rehabilitation? As a society, are we only satisfied with retribution or revenge? When a person admits the crime and does the time, don't we owe them the benefit of the doubt upon their release? Don't we owe them a chance to regain their dignity and resume their role as contributing members of society?

What do we fear from Michael Vick? Do we doubt his rehabilitation? Do we realistically believe or fear Vick will maliciously harm animals in the future? What will perpetually demonizing and branding Michael Vick for animal cruelty accomplish?

We have all made mistakes and done things we deeply regret, things we would never do again. Michael Vick will live the rest of his life with the scourge of his involvement in these horrific crimes. Can't society afford Michael Vick a second chance? A reformed, repentant Michael Vick can do much more to support animal rights as a high-profile sports figure than a shunned, ruined societal outcast or forgotten sports footnote. Vick's'return to the spotlight of professional sports will assure a continued focus on animal rights' issues that his ignoble exit from football never would. It is time to ask ourselves Shakespeare's timeless question, "How shalt thou hope for mercy, rendering none?"

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