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Vick: Can America Change Pace?
I think it is important to remeber the real social impact of the Michael Vick issue. As a pet owner, I understand the terrors dog fighting creates. The stories we are hearing through the news outlets right now are horrifying. Dogs with their skin hanging from their bodies, is just one of the phrases I've heard recently which I cannot stop thinking about when I weigh the pros and cons. However, I think we need to begin to see this issue in a different light. A light which shines on the prison system and a possible change of pace.
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world at 750 inmates per 100,000 persons (Russia comes in second at 624 inmates per 100,000 people). We are spending more money on the prison system than any other country today at an annual cost of $200 billion. But this is not what bothers me. What bothers me is the fact that one in two former inmates will return to prison within three years of their release.
I ask readers to keep this in mind as we continue to debate the issue with friends and the media. Remember that this is a chance for a celebrity to prove that one can serve his time and re-enter the world with a second chance. Vick could be that celebrity model who is put with role models like Donovan McNabb and others with the Eagles organization, only to prove that when given a true second chance former inmates can succeed in the realworld again.
It is sad to see people we know struggle with the legal system enter and re-enter prisons throughout their lives. Perhaps Vick can be the changing factor or even the "mascot" to raise awareness to this issue that those who go to jail need help when they are released. Former inmate rehabilitation is an issue which needs to be mentioned much more often than the current conversation.
Must we really push him back into the black abyss that has become the circle of a former convicts life? Please leave me your comments and let's begin the intelligent conversation our county and country needs.
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world at 750 inmates per 100,000 persons (Russia comes in second at 624 inmates per 100,000 people). We are spending more money on the prison system than any other country today at an annual cost of $200 billion. But this is not what bothers me. What bothers me is the fact that one in two former inmates will return to prison within three years of their release.
I ask readers to keep this in mind as we continue to debate the issue with friends and the media. Remember that this is a chance for a celebrity to prove that one can serve his time and re-enter the world with a second chance. Vick could be that celebrity model who is put with role models like Donovan McNabb and others with the Eagles organization, only to prove that when given a true second chance former inmates can succeed in the realworld again.
It is sad to see people we know struggle with the legal system enter and re-enter prisons throughout their lives. Perhaps Vick can be the changing factor or even the "mascot" to raise awareness to this issue that those who go to jail need help when they are released. Former inmate rehabilitation is an issue which needs to be mentioned much more often than the current conversation.
Must we really push him back into the black abyss that has become the circle of a former convicts life? Please leave me your comments and let's begin the intelligent conversation our county and country needs.
Information taken from:
Facts About the Prison System in the United States (Oct. 2007)
Retrieved Aug. 18, 2009, from
http://webb.senate.gov/pdf/prisonfactsheet4.html
Labels: Eagles, Michael Vick, Philadelphia
posted by Andy Stettler at
8:18 AM
6 Comments:
Hi. I think Michael Vick should not be allowed to play football anymore. Everyone is saying, "give him another chance, here is his second chance, he did his time, he deserves a second chance". I guarantee that someone who was charged with a non violent drug crime would NEVER get the same job back after they served their time, let alone were on probation or something. A person working at a gas station would not get their same gas station job back after being charged with possession of heroin. But Michael Vick is getting a second chance at being a superstar millionare after committing a seriously vicious and heinous crime. Not to mention inhumane. His "second chance" should be the fact that he is not in prison for life, and he gets to live in the real world. Somebody who tortures and kills animals is very likely to have other mental illnesses, and displays sociopathic tendencies. He is not a good role model. I don't think a person like him should be looked at as a mascot for those who are coming out of prison and need reform. Someone who comes out of prison and goes into drug and alcohol rehab maybe. But not someone who gets out of prison for killing animals and instantly is able to become a pro footballer right away. Good article though Andy, keep up the good work
Hmmm. Michael Vick should be forced to struggle in the working world like so many other Americans. He should have to be turned down for having been in prison.
Guess what Pepsi,Re/Max, Verizon, Dunkin' Donuts etc...? Go ahead and sponsor / advertise with the Philadelphia Eagles. I won't be buying any of your products as long as Vick's got a contract.
I do understand your point of view; our entire system is based on rehabilitation. It is a true shame that half of prisoners released go back to jail, but in this particular case, I feel like he should have had a more severe punishment. Not only does he get special treatment like Emma said (getting his second chance at being a superstar), but he only served 18 months. He should feel lucky that he got the small sentance but I don't think he should be allowed to play (at least not right away).
Honestly, though, he probably will be allowed. There are players that have killed PEOPLE that are still on rosters.
As for him being an example, I think it's his duty. If the NFL does decide to let him play regular season, he should be entirely grateful and should be an example to others. He has already spoken at PETA events and should continue to do so, even if his parole doesn't dictate it. We'll just have to see if he's really turned around by watching what he does over the next couple of years.
Andy- Great article!
I also do not agree with Michael Vick being released to play professional football again.
I get more and more angry every time I see that grin on his face as he says he made a mistake. He is just saying what everyone wants to hear nd some people are buying it. I don't think he cares at all about what he's done.
The sad thing is that other people who participate in dog fighting may think that it's ok. Sure, he served his time, but he's out now to do as he pleases.
I can't imagine how people can look at this man and be excited that he is going to play again. Maybe they are just ignorant and don't realize the extent of what he's done. It is certainly nothing to just shrug off just because it happened a couple years ago. He deserved a LOT more than what he received. It's just a shame that he gets special treatment because he's a football player.
I do believe that a job should be available upon being released from jail, however I don't believe that he should have a profession in the public eye anymore. I don't care what his talent is. That makes no difference to me after what he's done. He should have to get a normal job.
If someone can commit a crime like this, can you imagine what else they are capable of?
Initially, I was appalled when the Eagles announced Michael Vick as their quarter back. I thought to myself, “How could my beloved eagles hire a murder?” The more I read about him, the more I bashed this guy.
Then, the next day, I talked to my father about whose jersey I would sport this season. I just stared at him when he asked me if I’m buying Vick’s Jersey. I then went off on a tangent of how he’s “a dog killer” etc. He didn’t flinch.
My father then reminded me that he worked in Camden, NJ for over eighteen years (not the nice parts). He explained that’s part of inner city life. It’s just what they do for fun. Camden still has cockfights all the time.
It’s unfortunately all these kids know, not necessarily because of bad parenting but because of program and educational neglect by our government.
Needless to say, I have a greater understanding now. Do I hate Michael Vick now? No. Do I agree with what he did? Of course not. Do I think he should join the ASPCA? No chance. But I do think this is the perfect opportunity for him and his team to get heavily involved in bringing sports to less fortunate neighborhoods.
Obviously people don't know ish about football or winning cause you'd be all about Mike Vick (who once was the highest paid athletic in the NFL with 130 mil, and they don't just give big money to bad players and put them on the cover of Madden 2004) and his great impact on our team and our team's ability to win, dare I say it, a Super Bowl. Yeah he did terrible acts against dogs but he was tried in front of a jury of his peers, sentenced, and carried out his 2 years of prison time. This is America, we have a legal system based on 2nd chances and just because you feel that him hurting dogs makes him a massive murder is ridiculous because technically in the court of law Murder is the unlawful killing of another HUMAN BEING with intent (or malice aforethought) haha but I digress, bottom line is if you poozles wanna sit in your corner and cry about reality and the way things are go right ahead that just means more Vick jerseys for me, and better seats to watch him help the Eagles in so many ways. And if you don't believe that I'm sure Emmit Smith can help you open up your block heads: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d811e5bc7/Can-McNabb-Vick-coexist
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