Dogfighting Is For Planes

Hey, kids!  So Michael Vick signed with the Eagles this week after serving 2 years in prison for running a dogfighting ring in Virginia (which we all agree is a douchebag move).  There's of course an uproar from PETA and some Eagles fans and that's understandable.  A lot of Eagles players have come to Vick's defense (as opposed to Vicks Defense, which I believe is a cough medicine) stating that everyone deserves a second chance.  While I agree with that statement for the most part, I do have some trouble with it in this scenario.

Now, everyone who knows me knows I love dogs (and bears, great white sharks, raccoons, parrots who curse, Miley Cyrus who I believe is a lemur, and pretty much any grossly overweight house pet).  I'm also a firm believer in rehabilitation because, if for no other reason, someone in this country should be.  But even that wains at times.  I mean, you don't have to trust ex-cons but I do think they deserve a shot to change.  And getting back to Michael Vick, I'm pretty sure that he won't be starting another dogfighting ring ever again.

My problem with the idea of a second chance for him is that it's not just a second chance at life.  It's a second chance at making millions of dollars.  Most inmates get released and struggle to get work and a lot of times poverty causes them to fall back into bad habits (i.e. stabbings and shit).  But Michael Vick walked out of jail, stepped into a Range Rover, and drove home to his mansion.  As you can see, that's atypical. 

I think we should hold pro athletes and other million dollar makers to higher standards because they've already gotten really lucky or worked hard, and chose to throw that away because it meant so little to them (apparently).  How are the rest of us supposed to feel when we work hard, pay our taxes, and mind the laws and don't come remotely within that stratosphere and here's a guy who did, fucked up royally, and gets a do-over?  It can't feel good.

So, if you ask me (which I'm aware you didn't), it's not about whether or not Michael Vick is sorry, it's about those with the most to lose not making decisions that scoff at the life that most others dream about.  I suppose I could live with Vick making less in another league and working his way back up to the NFL and proving that he's a better person, but I think by signing immediately in the NFL, he may lose that sense.  Not that I care that much about Michael Vick's feelings.  Something about drowning and electrocuting dogs pulls me out of the caring business.

So there you have it, kids, a somewhat serious blog from your old pal Aaron.  Don't get used to it!

:-P   Pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbth!!!