Not that justice could ever be fully served regarding the terror, torture, and pain that Michael Vick inflicted on innocent animals, but he is going to prison. I'll drink to that. Vick is set to serve at least 18 months (maybe longer) in prison for his involvement in dog fighting and animal abuse. Notably, Vick was convicted of federal crimes, so he's going to the federal pen, which sucks for him, and rocks for PETA, the Humane Society, and me.
In a press conference, Vick's lawyer spoke about how Vick accepts responsibility for "exercising bad judgment". First of all, Vick doesn't have a choice. Even his celebrity status isn't going to get him out of the sentence that the judge handed down to him (at least I hope not). Second, the fact that Vick and his lawyer would refer to the sadistic torture and murders of gentle dogs that couldn't be trained to fight as "bad judgment" is almost laughable. Bad judgment is stepping on the gas when the light is about to turn red; electrocuting gentle animals and drowning them because they aren't evil like you is sociopathic. Anyone that would commit the atrocities that Vick committed is plain wicked.
Now, while 18 months isn't an overwhelming sentence, consider the following. Vick is almost 28. He'll be close to 30 by the time he gets out of prison. Not that I'm an expert (OK I don't really know all that much about football), but I imagine those are crucial years in a player's career. Frankly, I find it comforting that not only will Vick spend time in prison, but also that his actions may have ended his career, or at least severely hampered it.
It's not like I expect that Vick will spend the next year or two thinking about how his actions are morally reprehensible and vile, because sociopaths don't have a conscience. However, it is important for our justice system to punish these perpetrators to the full extent of the law, so that other would-be-offenders might reconsider committing similar crimes.
I think it is almost important to note that PETA and the Humane Society, two of the world's biggest name in animal advocacy, play an instrumental role in these types of cases. PETA and the Humane Society worked hard to raise public awareness in this case, and also pressured sponsors to drop Vick. Having just written an academic piece on the media's ability to affect government policies through public awareness, it is inarguable that the public uproar in this case (primarily drummed up by the two groups) did not contribute to Vick's conviction and sentence. Another job well done by PETA and the Humane Society. Have fun in jail Vick. You suck.
14 comments:
I love animals, but I don't think that they are moral entities by any stretch. As such, any of michael vick's actions against dogs may upset some stomachs, but they are neither morally bad or good.
Why don't you try writing about the PEOPLE in impoverished countries and shitty situations around the world instead of focusing primarily on celebrity business. Celebrities are inconsequential.
By your argument, tangent, it's not morally reprehensible to steal, or to deface public property, as inanimate objects aren't "moral entities" either. Torture doesn't suddenly become unimportant when the victim is a different species.
jason, I didnt give an argument buddy, I made a claim. So there is nothing that follows.
Everything changes when the species changes, are you saying that bugs deserve the same claims to moral treatment as dogs, where is your arbitrary line drawn.
Also, PETA kills more animals than it saves every year, just sayin...
There's a clear difference between killing something because it's invaded your home and is causing you a problem - a bug, a mouse, etc - and killing it because it refuses to fight for your own personal benefit. Also, animal cruelty is a known predictor of future violence (toward humans as well as other animals).
Do you have any evidence for your claim about PETA causing the deaths of animals?
PETA puts more animals to "rest" than they save, anually, it is public knowledge.
The "fact" that animal cruelty leads to future violence is irrelevant and flawed. For example, how many murderers were deterred by the existence of the death penalty? it is impossible to account for. Likewise, it is impossible to figure out how many persons who are or have been cruel to animals are also NOT violent to humans.
If dogs and bugs and mice are all non-moral entities then whatever you do to them is not morally relevant.
And, finally, I have decided that commenting on this blog and caring about what you say here is a waste of time and energy.
Enjoy your misconceptions, the world is one your (flawed) side.
So the real issues here are (1) that you don't agree with euthanasia, and (2) that you really have no idea what morality is.
Some mentally retarded people are "non-moral entities", and that doesn't make torturing them okay either. You seem to be working under the mistaken impression that it's only wrong to mistreat someone or something that has some concept of morality. This is not only incorrect but ludicrous, if you stop to think about it for a minute.
But I suspect you won't.
Also... I never said that animal cruelty "leads to" further violence. I said it *predicts* (as in, correlates with, in studies) further violence. That you don't understand the difference shows how pointless a debate with you really is.
And finally: Other examples of non-moral entities that it's also not okay to torture - infants, elderly people with dementia, people in comas.
JASON!!!!!! You crack me up!! Other non-moral entities not to torture, "infants, elderly peeps with dementia, and ppl in comas"!! You are a cut up!! But may I point out... you are arguing with someone that refers to herself as "tangent the crazy one".... just saying....
anyway, you are f-ing hilarious!
PS- To Tangent The Crazy One:
1) OBVIOUSLY, you continue to miss the point. There is always a pretty obvious point that I allude to through pop culture examples. I'm sorry if I was writing over your head.
2) Even if there were no points to be made, its my blog, I'll write what I want. I have spent the last 10 years of my academic career writing about less developed countries, policies, and poverty. This is my release. Here's a thought, click on the button on the top left corner that says "CREATE BLOG" and go write about whatever you want. I promise, I will not treat your creative writing like Newsweek and bitch about whatever you choose to write about.
Hey there. You can see my Blogger profile if you just click on my name here, I think.
And my journal is at http://juvano.livejournal.com .
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