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Earlier this week the news broke that Michael Vick was deciding to plead guilty rather than go through a jury trial. Right away sports analysts all began to question whether this was the "correct" decision. The correct decision here would have been for Vick to take responsibility for his actions when this first happened. Instead, what we see if a person who is only pleading guilty to avoid additional charges being filed against Vick.

The NAACP today came out and supported Vick saying that his NFL career should not be over and that he should be given a chance to prove that he learned from his mistake.

The problem with that logic is that Vick didn't just make one mistake. This was not a one time incident. There were a whole series of mistakes that Vick made to end up where he is today--not just one. People tend to forget that. Let's think. First off, Vick gets it in his head, way back in 2001, to enter into a dog fighting ring. Second, Vick, whose nickname is Bad Newz, decided to name the venture after himself and call it "Bad Newz Kennels." Vick then decided to take steps to construct dog kennels on his property. Vick then decided to bring dogs in and begin making contacts to begin operating this ring. Vick then operates the ring for six years!

This is supposed to be one mistake? At least OJ could have claimed temporary insanity. This doesn't work for Vick because his criminal conduct lasted six years!

Additionally, Vick personally financing the operation, participating personally in dog fights AND executions. In addition Vick personally handled thousands of dollars related to gambling.

Backing the train up. Let's rewind to January of this year when Vick was found with a bottle of water that had a hidden compartment for marijuana. Nice work Vick. Another mistake you want us to turn our back on?

Vick's plea bargain will be that he pleas guilty to a federal conspiracy charge. But how about those other jurisdictions? That's right. Animal cruelty charges, amongst others, are in the works at the state and local level. Double jeopardy? No way jose (or no way ron if any of you remember the Ron Mexico fiasco).

Anything else to say in defense of Vick? R. L. White, the president of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP says, "Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being."

Hmmm....I'll go with no on that one. But at the rate Vick's going, we may see that and can then compare. Any more thoughts Mr. White?

White "says" he doesn't support dog fighting and that he considers it as bad as hunting. "His crime is, it was a dog."

Wow. I don't even know what this means. It could mean that if it were people fighting it would be okay. The problem with that is that you're still not allowed to kill people at the end of fights. And if you mean that it's a crime because it's a dog than any other animal? Well Mr. White, you see hunting involves guns. It's a sport. Soaking a dog in water and then electrocuting it. See, that's not hunting. That's textbook animal cruelty. And each and every time Vick did something like that, that's one more count. So let's see--one count electrocution, one count with a noose (he hung a dog), and one count with a gun (which is sadly probably the most humane way the dogs were killed).

One mistake? I think not. If the NFL has any smarts, it will ban Vick for life. His name is not one they should be associated with. There's a time and a place for this kind of behavior--the NBA.

Labels: legal, Michael Vick, NAACP, NFL