Do you believe in second chances?

Michael Vick, who spent 18 months in prison for participating in a dog fighting operation, was conditionally reinstated to the NFL.  Last week, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.  He can play in their preseason games and will be considered for full reinstatement by no later than week 6.

Vick has said that he made a mistake and is ashamed of what he did.  He says that he wants to work with groups like the Humane Society to help prevent dog fighting in the future.

What do you think?  Does Vick deserve a second chance?  Does he belong in the NFL?

i think he will do whatever he has to to start stacking his paper again, the community service...all of it. hell no i dont think he deserves it, but he is a sports hero and the rules dont apply. remember OJ? you can murder your wifey and walk. the kids really look up to these guys as heroes, therein lies the real tragedy imo.

Well, the difference there is that OJ walked.  Vick didn't - he did his time.

What Vick did was horrible, no question.  But what is the point of sending somebody to prison if it doesn't, in some way, expiate the wrong they did?

i see no difference here.

Really? Killing people is the same as killing dogs? Guilty is the same as not guilty? I'm intrigued.

I think he is saying and doing anything and everything to get back on the field. He has no emotion when he talks about what he did. He did what he did purely for the love of the sport, it's not like he needed the money (I am NOT saying money is in any way an excuse to do that, I'm just saying that money was not the motivating factor in Vick's crimes.)

 

This is coming from someone who thinks animal abuse/murder is the same as human abuse/murder and should be tried the same. Anyone with complete disregard for a living beings soul should be tried the same. This is also coming from someone who once took a goldfish to the vet because it was looking sick.

i didnt say that, you did. twist.

they both **** up (killing dogs/killing people). they were both guilty. they both got their prize back (freedom/career) with a mere temporary setback.  i see no difference here.

im sure there are plenty of talented players who can pursue a professional sports career without accruing a criminal record. you f* up you should be out on your asss just like anyone else at any other job. no special rules or treatment because you play pro ball.

Yes, there should be consequences for bad behavior. But you didn't answer my question. Vick went to prison for what he did. Did he pay his debt to society or not? If yes, then why continue to hold a grudge? If not, why did we bother to sent him to prison?

yes i did and i do not feel compelled to answer all of your questions. you are just annoying to me now. end.

I didn't see an option for 'dogfighting is ok'

*always counts on frothbeast to inject common sense back into the discussion!*

Did I tell you I've missed you?

Everyone deserves a second chance. 

Vick was tried , sentenced and served his time in prison.  Why shouldn't he be allowed to return to his profession?

 

Original Post by lysistrata:

*always counts on frothbeast to inject common sense back into the discussion!*

ok, i see now. in your dictionary under common sense definition number 1 says "someone i think agrees with me".

Original Post by watergirl:

Original Post by lysistrata:

*always counts on frothbeast to inject common sense back into the discussion!*

ok, i see now. in your dictionary under common sense definition number 1 says "someone i think agrees with me".

And I see that under your philosophy of forum posting, rule #1 is to leave your sense of humor at the door.

no darlin, im laughing on the inside.

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I think he is saying and doing anything and everything to get back on the field. He has no emotion when he talks about what he did. He did what he did purely for the love of the sport, it's not like he needed the money (I am NOT saying money is in any way an excuse to do that, I'm just saying that money was not the motivating factor in Vick's crimes.)

 

This is coming from someone who thinks animal abuse/murder is the same as human abuse/murder and should be tried the same. Anyone with complete disregard for a living beings soul should be tried the same. This is also coming from someone who once took a goldfish to the vet because it was looking sick.

I have to admit, I'm awfully skeptical of his sincerity myself. Does his sincerity matter? If he actually does do a lot of good through the Humane Society, or some other organization, does it matter what's in his heart?

Original Post by lysistrata:

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I think he is saying and doing anything and everything to get back on the field. He has no emotion when he talks about what he did. He did what he did purely for the love of the sport, it's not like he needed the money (I am NOT saying money is in any way an excuse to do that, I'm just saying that money was not the motivating factor in Vick's crimes.)

 

This is coming from someone who thinks animal abuse/murder is the same as human abuse/murder and should be tried the same. Anyone with complete disregard for a living beings soul should be tried the same. This is also coming from someone who once took a goldfish to the vet because it was looking sick.

I have to admit, I'm awfully skeptical of his sincerity myself. Does his sincerity matter? If he actually does do a lot of good through the Humane Society, or some other organization, does it matter what's in his heart?

Honestly, I wouldn't let him near my pets. It's like giving the lady who drowned her children a baby because she said she was all better.

I don't know this guy nor do i follow american football but, i did hear about this yesterday and went for a swatch at what he had done.

I am all for second chances but, this guy is a sports star and therefore has youthful followers. I therefore think he should be allowed to rebuild a life now that he has paid his debt but, I think it is a big mistake and poor judgement on the NFL's part to allow him to return to a status symbol where he will undoubtedly still be viewed as a role model.

Original Post by caiteliz014:

Original Post by lysistrata:

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I think he is saying and doing anything and everything to get back on the field. He has no emotion when he talks about what he did. He did what he did purely for the love of the sport, it's not like he needed the money (I am NOT saying money is in any way an excuse to do that, I'm just saying that money was not the motivating factor in Vick's crimes.)

 

This is coming from someone who thinks animal abuse/murder is the same as human abuse/murder and should be tried the same. Anyone with complete disregard for a living beings soul should be tried the same. This is also coming from someone who once took a goldfish to the vet because it was looking sick.

I have to admit, I'm awfully skeptical of his sincerity myself. Does his sincerity matter? If he actually does do a lot of good through the Humane Society, or some other organization, does it matter what's in his heart?

Honestly, I wouldn't let him near my pets. It's like giving the lady who drowned her children a baby because she said she was all better.

Understandable. So what are we left with? How do we give people a chance to redeem themselves? Or do we not?

Original Post by andie-1:

I don't know this guy nor do i follow american football but, i did hear about this yesterday and went for a swatch at what he had done.

I am all for second chances but, this guy is a sports star and therefore has youthful followers. I therefore think he should be allowed to rebuild a life now that he has paid his debt but, I think it is a big mistake and poor judgement on the NFL's part to allow him to return to a status symbol where he will undoubtedly still be viewed as a role model.

What if he uses his role model status in a positive way to work against dog fighting? Would the NFL's reinstatement be justified then?

Original Post by lysistrata:

Original Post by caiteliz014:

Original Post by lysistrata:

Original Post by caiteliz014:

I think he is saying and doing anything and everything to get back on the field. He has no emotion when he talks about what he did. He did what he did purely for the love of the sport, it's not like he needed the money (I am NOT saying money is in any way an excuse to do that, I'm just saying that money was not the motivating factor in Vick's crimes.)

 

This is coming from someone who thinks animal abuse/murder is the same as human abuse/murder and should be tried the same. Anyone with complete disregard for a living beings soul should be tried the same. This is also coming from someone who once took a goldfish to the vet because it was looking sick.

I have to admit, I'm awfully skeptical of his sincerity myself. Does his sincerity matter? If he actually does do a lot of good through the Humane Society, or some other organization, does it matter what's in his heart?

Honestly, I wouldn't let him near my pets. It's like giving the lady who drowned her children a baby because she said she was all better.

Understandable. So what are we left with? How do we give people a chance to redeem themselves? Or do we not?

Honestly (and this is probably going to cause more controversy). I don't think we should give second chances to anyone who purposely hurt another living thing. I'm not talking about accidents, I'm talking about cold-blooded, pre-medditated murder. Which is exactly what Vick did. It's not like the consequences aren't made clear. He had a choice, and he made his. I don't care how well he can catch a football or how many people "look up to him". In my opinion, he doesn't benefit society in any way.