Re-examining Michael Vick as a potential HSUS spokesperson
He’s scum. What he did was despicable, unimaginable, downright inhuman. Of all people, we here on dogster get that. But how do we reach the people who don’t? And believe me, there are plenty. Now that we’ve been able to let off a little steam and let out our rage, let’s take a minute and re-examine what the HSUS might be trying to do. While it may bring some personal satisfaction in silencing Vick and preventing him from working with the Humane Society of the United States, could we be walking away from a golden opportunity to make a big impact on the pervasive dog fighting problem in this country? And believe me when I say, Houston, we’ve got a problem. There are countless young Michael Vicks in training growing up right now in urban inner cities and the rural south who are being taught by their mentors, parents, friends and environment that dog fighting is not only acceptable, but almost a right of passage and badge of honor. While we may think we’ll be setting an example with Vick by continuing to ostracize him, we also run the risk of him being viewed as a martyr by the very audience we need to reach.
We dog lovers are an emotional group and we tend to think with our hearts. Maybe we need to take a step back, take a big deep breath, and think with our heads. The fact is, there are still many people in this country who don’t think like us. They don’t grow up viewing dogs like a member of the family. Their dogs do not step foot in their house, let alone sleep in their beds like many of ours do. They have a completely different perspective and experience than we do, and frankly, speak a different language. Try as we might, we haven’t been able to reach them. Maybe Vick can. And we’re in a great position right now to use him as our puppet. The deck is stacked in our favor and all the powerful cards are in our hands. We could pull his strings, spoon feed him exactly what we want him to say and make him do what we want. We hold all the power now. Let’s not lose what could have been the most effective mouthpiece we could ever have.
How prevalent do you feel dog fighting is in the U.S.?
Do you think Michael Vick might be able to stop young potential dog fighters?
Do you feel Michael Vick’s incarceration by itself will be an effective deterrent to others?
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I am forgiving michael mick for what he has done because I know he mistreated those animals but he is not a bad person.We are all humans and we should forgive the ones around us and the ones that we dont like and dont trust.But I know we should ALL forgive him.We do not back down on what we do we back down on things that are heard and seen.I will be one of them who forgive michael vick.
Would Vick be able to stop other, younger potential dog fighters? Yes. But, with that yes comes a feeling of his words being empty. I know any words are better than none, but I can’t get past what I’ve heard from him (via the media) and it sounds void of any emotion or truth. Just repeats of other peoples words, nothing from the heart. And that’s because I truly believe he has no heart.
No, his time in jail will not be a deterrent to others, which is why I struggle with the idea of him speaking out against dog fighting. He needs to face the horror of what he did, but like I said before, I’m afraid I just can’t believe his words. I just don’t think he’s truly behind what he’ll be asked to do and say. He’d just be marking time until it was all over with.
I think dog fighting is more prevalent in poorer communities and communities far removed from the hustle and bustle of a big city where most people are well versed on animal rights.
I feel that those who participate in these things are making up for their short comings and their feeling of their lack of manhood. Why else would someone let an innocent animal fight and then act as if it was them in the ring. Total losers.
One more thing. I just read Leah’s comments and it’s clear that she doesn’t have true insight to what Vick actually did. I just found out more details, within this past week, of what he physically did to these animals. Pure and utter horror. Horror.
So, Leah I do believe he is a bad person. Psychopathic in his behavior. He did things normal people could never, ever, ever dream of doing. I do feel sorry though, for the undercover cops who had to witness this horror so they could collect enough evidence to convict these evil men.
I’m understanding in the forgiving business. That’s all fine and well. But to say that he’s not a bad person is too much. Because he is.
if michael vick is ruined financially, his reputation trashed and his career crushed, he will provide a very effective deterrent to dogfighters and animal exploiters.
his pariah status announces full blast to the world that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated or rewarded in a caring society.
dogfighting is for profit; convincing the organizers jail time, bankruptcy and ostracization are inevitable will send a powerful message to people with no conscience or morality.
if vick wants to help the humane society, he can do volunteer work in one of their shelters..i am extremely surprised that was not a mandatory part of his sentencing.
In my opinion……Vick has paid “his debt to society”, but that will not bring back all the damage he did. With that said, he being a spokesperson, would remind us of what happen…….although animal lovers will not forget ever, there are others that can benefit from this.
I NEVER want to see this A$$hole again. If he does become a spokes person for HSUS, they will never get another dime from me.
I’m insulted and repulsed. This is a smack in the face to all resonsible and loving dog guardians. His responsibility to society is not germane to the animals he tortured, killed and abandoned, nor is to the many.
Bad decision, HSUS – you just lost a donating member.
Laurie,
I just finished reading the above article you authored. You’ve GOT to be joking “The most effective mouthpiece we’ve ever had.” “Use him as a puppet.”
Hmm, I’m wondering whom the puppet and the puppeteer is. Seemingly we are the puppets. Unbelievable!!
Nope, I’m not kidding at all. And neither is Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the HSUS. He was pretty clear about it in his blog, and I think this is pretty much a done deal, guys. And we really need to try to remember that 1) this isn’t about whether or not we forgive him (although if you’re a Christian, you’re not only supposed to forgive those who trespass against us, but are also to love our enemies – tall order!), and 2) he wouldn’t be speaking to us, nor would we have to see him. He’d be speaking to those who are raised to think dogfighting is okay. That is not us. We don’t even speak that language.
Here is the campaign that Vick would likely be working with:
HSUS End Dog fighting Campaign
I get sick to my stomach when I see convicted child molesters on talk shows telling parents how to keep their children safe from pedophiles, but you know what, if listening to their advice will save even one child, then I can just hold my nose and let them speak.
Michael Vick is scum, and what he did can never be forgotten, however, if the HSUS using him as a spokesperson could possibly help stop (or at least reduce) dogfighting, then GREAT!! These kids who are just getting into this horrible practice are not going to listen to doglovers like myself and like those at the HSUS and ASPCA, HOWEVER they MAY listen to Vick. They do in fact look up to him (though I have no idea why) and they are very influenced by celebraties. NO I do not want Vick to profit from this, and yes I know that he will probably not mean a word he says, but the fact is, if he were to go to schools and communities and talk to these kids (be a puppet) then MAYBE these kids would listen.
Laurie, it is not up to me to forgive Michael Vick…he will have to answer to a higher power someday. I will not forget the horror of what he did. HSUS…I am deeply disappointed. There are any number of good role models…sports figures if that is what you feel you need, to talk to the kids and use the Michael Vick debacle as a cautionary tale. By using Michael Vick himself, you perpetuate the idea that if you have enough celebrity and money you can get away with anything. Look into the eyes of the dogs that survived and the photographs of those tortured and killed…and honestly ask yourself if justice was done. If I have to see his face on a commercial for HSUS, my stomach will turn. You will not receive my donation…probably not going to worry you as I am sure Mr. Vick’s handlers will settle a substantial amount of money on you. My money will go to smaller, no kill shelters in my community who struggle on a shoestring budget to save as many innocent animals as they can…not to exploit them so a celebrity can get his “star”status back. I am deeply disappointed…although I guess I should not be. There always seems to be different laws for the famous….but I did think HSUS was better than this. Live and learn.
I agree with Sara. They would be completely empty words and most people can see through that. I doubt jail time really convinced Mike Vick that animals deserve better than how he treated them. Anyone who would allow what happened to go on could never understand that. I will loose all faith in humanity if the NFL lets him play again.
Hmmmm. Maybe if he takes a turn or two in one of his old rape boxes I would consider him punished properly.
Sorry, but I forgot to add having all of his teeth pulled out too.
I would hope the HSUS would have better sense than to use Vick in any ad campaigns!! I don’t think that’s in their plans at all. I think they are planning to use him in the grass roots, End Dog Fighting Campaign that involves actually working directly with the youths in the inner cities and rural areas. Those are the people he’d be talking to, and where the focus would be.
Using past offenders to work for a cause is nothing new. In fact, many are even forced to do so by the courts. Many convicted drunk drivers, even those who have killed people, give lectures and talks around the country. Former gang members are used all the time in anti-gang violence programs. Convicted child molesters assist parents and law enforcement in knowing what signs to look for. Dog fighting has not decreased one single bit since Vick was arrested and convicted. In fact, it is holding steady and possibly even growing in some areas. Something radical needs to be done.
down with him and anyone who makes us look at him
I WONT LOOK AT HIM , LISTEN TO HIM, OR HAVE ANYTHIN TO DO WITH ANYONE THAT DOES. THID SO CALLED PERSON USED AND ABUSED ANIMALS FOR HIS PROFIT ALREADY A RICH MAN BUT GREED AND HEARTLESS FEELINGS GOT IN THE WAY. YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH HIM BUT DONT EXPECT ME TO LISTEN .I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR HIM AND NEVER WILL. I READ BEST FRIENDS AND GIVE MONEY TO THEM BECAUSE THEY CARE HOW MANY OF VICKS DOGS DO YOU HAVE? I WILL PROTECT ANIMALS ALL MY LIFE AND DONTATE TO HALP THEM BUT I WILL NEVER LOOK AT ANYTHING AGAIN THSAT HE HAS TO DO WITH MY ANGER IS GETTING THE BETTER OF ME SO I MUST SIGN OF STAY AWAY FROM HIM HE IS EVERYTHING YOU AND I ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AGAINST
Let’s get the focus off of Vick for a moment. This isn’t about him. This is about those kids. How do we help them get on the right path? How do we stop the young men in the inner cities and rural south from going down this road? Saving those kids from that life will save dogs. How do we do that?
And just how much will they be paying Vick to be a spokesperson. You know after all the money he has lost in the last couple of years it is not going to be free. As far as i am concerned, vick should never even be allowed to look at another animal for the rest of his life. And would you really believe anything he has to say? He lied to try and keep out of jail, what makes you think he has seen the light now. All he is trying to do is get back in the NFL so he can make alot of money and never have to work again. I hope the HSUS comes to their sences and forget this idea.
I truly hope the HSUS isn’t paying Vick. I don’t understand that logic. If that does turn out to be the case, we all need to inundate the HS with emails and phone calls threatening boycott if they use precious money to pay this man. I would figure that talking with kids would be part of his probation. Is that not the case?
I don’t know where this idea has come from, but there has been absolutely no mention of the HSUS paying Michael Vick! So let’s not jump to conclusions. Vick is the one who approached them, as in volunteered his services. From HSUS President Wayne Pacelle’s blog:
According to HSUS President Wayne Pacelle:
“I sat with the man, but I still don’t know what’s in his heart. He told me he did terrible things to dogs. He said he grew up with dogfighting as a boy, and that he never sufficiently questioned it as he grew into manhood.
He said this experience has been a trauma and he’s changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity.”
Vick would be working with young people who live in the inner cities and the rural south areas where no one else wants to go or people are afraid to go. That is who he’d be talking to, not us. That is who needs to believe him, not us. And for those who still say it is a bad idea, please, I’d love to hear your ideas and solutions to help this problem. There are a lot of people against the HSUS using Vick to help, okay, so let’s hear ideas on what the HSUS should do. Would anyone be willing to go talk to and educate those kids in Vick’s place?
I don’t forgive Michael Vick, never will. But I also look at it like this. Unfortunately there is youth in this country that are very nieve and look up to Michael Vick. I think if he can reach some of the youth out there and convince them that it is wrong then do what you must. I personally have no heart for someone that could harm any animal. Because of people like Michael Vick, pits have a bad rep. They are view as bad dogs, and it is not the dogs that are bad but the people that raise them to be that way. Personally I don’t feel Michael Vick should ever ever ever be allowed near any aminal. I have no heart or feelings for him at all. I personally think he should have rotted in jail, but who am I. If using him to get to others will help, then I say do it, but I don’t believe his heart will be behind it and that is sad. I don’t think he has any guilt or shame in what he did. You are born with a heart and compassion. You either have it or you don’t. It is not something you can learn, it comes from the heart. Michael Vick has no heart.
First, I don’t think forgiveness is the issue here. Vick has wronged the dogs he damaged and injured. Not one of us has a right to forgive him on those dogs’ behalf. Vick has to get forgiveness from God – or his higher power – for sinning against one of the most wondrous creatures: dogs.
Michael Vick has been a very bad person, period. I am personal disgusted by his behavior and by the grievous damage he did. He has to live with himself.
I do believe that, if he is sincere, that he could be an effective role model for young people who are raised, as he was, within the practice of dog fighting. Ex-gang members, who once committed horrendous crimes against people, are often very effective in getting young kids away from the gang lifestyle.
I don’t trust Vick, but as Laurie says, perhaps this is an opportunity to reach some young people who might not be reachable otherwise. Let’s see how Vick behaves – see if he can show remorse & perhaps be an effective deterrent to dog fighting.
He will never be a hero to us dog lovers, but many people do see him as valuable simply because he was an NFL player. He will have influence with young people whether we like it or not. Maybe he can change the minds of some young people. Maybe he will really take responsibility for his actions. I will be watching carefully, as I know you will be, too.
How soon we forget. I still feel the same way I did bact in 2007 when this was written. It’s called being consistant. As a society, we have a five minute attention span…
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Dad’s note:
He finally admits it. Michael Vick admits he fought dogs, plus brutally tortured them while he did away with them. Murder is too nice a word to describe it. Speaking of nice words, Dogster won’t permit me to use many words in my vocabulary to describe my feelings about this scum!
When he was first accused, many of my dog rescue friends dressed in black and rushed down to the Richmond courthouse to protest as he was arraigned. They were some of the ones shouting in the background as Michael was seen on national TV driving up to proclaim his innocence and how he was going to restore his good name and “reputation”.
But I held back. I did suspect the Fed must have a pretty strong case against him to bring up those exact horrible charges, but still, nothing was PROVEN. But now he admits it. And remember, he is only admitting the stuff that the Fed has on him. What else did you do, Mr. NFL-Icon???
About our justice system:
So I guess Joe Q. Public saves a couple of million dollars in tax money by not bringing the full case to Court. Michael Vick saves a bunch millions more by not having to pay high-test lawyers to get him off. Today, it looks like he will serve a year or so in jail. Big deal!!!
Pay me just ONE million dollars, and I’d spend a year in jail. Michael should serve the same time anyone else not rich or famous would have to serve for this type of crime. TIME needs to be the punishment, not some slap on the wrist and a quick return to his million dollar job and lifestyle. What lesson does this send to others considering the same acts?
Strangely, I hope his co-conspirators don’t have to serve any more time than Michael does.
Just watch. In six months he will be out, just in time for training camp.
Just watch. This won’t be the last time we hear from Michael. Someone displaying this serious lack of judgment is indeed a danger to society as a whole.
About the Vick family:
Poor Mama Vick, she’s raised two sons both talented enough to command free college education and million dollar jobs, and both have blown opportunities to make good for the family. Talk about bad parenting!
Funny, I though the reckless speeding, dope smoking, player kicking, minor sexing (you know the word I’d like to use!) Marcus was the bad one, but Michael has outdone his brother in evil. At least most of Marcus’ stuff was consensual.
About the NFL:
I used to be a Miami Dolphin fan. I jumped right on the Dolphin bandwagon when the team was first an expansion franchise back in the 70’s. I enjoyed the two Super Bowls and the 1972 Perfect Season from Pre-season to finish. I stuck with the team all through the frustrating Marino years when the team was good enough for the playoffs, but never good enough for the Super Bowl. (Well, once.) More recent seasons have been more bad than good, but I still watched and rooted them along.
Until they hired Marcus Vick in 2006.
You see, I am also a Virginia Tech fan, and I already knew from the Tech news and local news coverage just how out of control Marcus is. When the Dolphins hired this human wreck, I turned my back on the team. Last year I watched ZERO games, including the Super Bowl. Even the commercials!!!
And now we have Michael and dog fighting.
Even before his sentencing, there is much speculation on what NFL team is going to get this prize player. Just go ahead, I no longer care. I remember the good old days when NFL stars were people I could look up to and hope to be like. No more, now its more like people you wouldn’t care to run into on a Saturday night. And Michael is only the latest member of that crowd.
About Dogs:
When I think about the crowd Michael hangs with, I’d rather he’d have knocked off one of his scum buddies than some poor dog that was only trying to do the right thing even when being trained for aggression.
About PETA!
My local newspaper carried this quote from Mike Brazell, a campaign coordinator for PETA; “Michael Vick is the poster boy for dog fighting. We hope he’ll be an advocate against dog fighting. We’re hoping Michael Vick works for the animals after this”.
Not near my dog stand, you won’t!
Like Carol says, this is not about forgiveness.
This is not about the NFL.
This is not about whether we hate him, our feelings about him, or whether we think he is remorseful.
It’s really not about us.
What it is about is saving a child from going into the same life and following the same path.
But most importantly this is about SAVING DOGS from dog fighting.
If we really care about those two things, we need to put our personal feelings aside and keep our eyes on the prize.
It is a war out there. and the dogs are being used as pawns. If using Vick can help further the cause to end dog fighting, why not use him?
this is obviously an attempt to ‘clean up’ michael vick’s reputation, a PR junket.
he wants to play ball, make the big bucks and reenter society.
make no mistake my friends. this is NOT about dogs, it is ALL about the benjamins.
i don’t know why laurie keeps saying that pedophiles are used to educate parents on child safety..they are not.
the fbi might interview convicted pedophiles for insight on ‘profiling’ but you will NEVER find pedophiles at child advocate events speaking to parents; what a ridiculous assertion.
are you referring to a Geraldo episode laurie? tabloid tv is educational? BOL!
no one is fooled by this PUBLIC RELATIONS junkett.
give it up mr. vick…
if you want to teach children to respect dogs, simply give them access to a loving dog and let the doggie speak for himself.
where are these places where man is AFRAID to tread, laurie?
the ghetto? the south?
geez, i have walked the streets with my 2 chihuahuas (now @ rainbow bridge) into 3rd world ghettos that make american ghettos look like beverly hills!
where the people live in mud and tin shacks with no electricity or plumbing, have open sewers and cook over coffee cans filled with cinders. where are these TERRIFYING ghettos that only mr. vick can penetrate??
what a joke!
mr. vick’s services are NOT needed, thanks.
how obvious a ploy is this white wash campaign?
i’m disappointed in you laurie if you are claiming his assistance would be helpful in stopping dog fighting.
whoopie goldberg defended vick…that went over like a lead balloon too.
this is a PR junkett, pure and simple.
I’m sorry but I don’t believe for a minute that those kids will believe anything Vick says. I don’t believe he will change one of their opinions at all. I think the kids will see that this is a publicity ploy for him to get back in good graces and get work again. Even if they pull his teeth and have him talk strapped to a rape rack those kids will see it is not genuine. He would totally have to believe what he did was wrong – and anyone that could do those things are beyond understanding. The comment about pedophile’s teaching parents how to keep their kids safe is a completely different situation.
I’m sorry one more thing- Laurie stated she would like to know of ideas anyone has to help those kids who are brought up thinking this is ok. The uncut complete footage of a dog getting his teeth pulled, a dog on a rape rack – not toned down for the public to see but the real stuff- that would deter some from doing it. Taking them to jail – strapping them to a rape rack… I don’t know what all the anwers are -but you are right we need to think of some. My opinion is Vick just isn’t the answer. And it is only my opinion.
Ok, having read all of the comments in the past few days it is very clear we are all beyond angry and hurt by what this monster did. No doubt. But, Laurie is asking us a simple question that none of us seem to be able to answer. How do we reach these children who are growing up watching and participating in dog fighting? As far as I know there isn’t any high profile person, who these kids would look up to, out there preaching the horrors of dog fighting.
Do I think Vick would be truly speaking from the heart? No. But, if it gets one kid to think twice about what he’s doing, then maybe it’s worth having Vick go from neighborhood to neighborhood.
There should be stipulations to his speaking though. But that’s a pipe dream I’m sure. So, how do we reach these kids? Having a bunch of middle class people coming into their poor neighborhood to tell them that dog fighting is awful is probably not as affective as Vick saying “no” to dog fighting.
As I wrote in a previous post, I think the man is a psychopath. Truly I do. I don’t think he has any remorse for the dogs and I don’t think he has any warm fuzzy feelings about animals, at all. I think if you’re born w/o those feelings and you torture, you’re not likely to switch on the warm fuzzy feelings. Just doesn’t work that way.
But, I think maybe it may turn out to be ok if he speaks to the youth. Someone needs to reach these kids.
The thought of dog fighting being quite prevalent in these communities makes me sick, so I am willing to let Vick and the HSUS try to make a dent in it.
This is about Vick and him trying to show that he is “sorry” for what he has done so that he can play football again. Do you think for one minute he would be calling HSUS if he wasn’t currently banned form the NFL? I would guess not! I was outside protesting this sorry SOB the day he arrived for his first arraignment in Richmond, when he “looked forward to clearing his good name” and sat in the courtroom 10 feet from him when he took his plea of GUILTY! He tortured those dogs… in addition, he admitted to using neighborhood dogs as bait! How many people looked for their missing dogs and never found them? I get so very mad when people want to spout off about how he can be used… please he is the one trying to pull those puppet strings! I will NEVER give another dime to HSUS! Role model for what? How to beat your sentance by smoking pot? That is right, he failed a drug test that enable him to enter a special program to be realeased early! He is a disgusting waste of human flesh as is his troll of a brother Marcus!
Laurie & Mr. Pacelle, please don’t insult our intelligence. Kids today are media savvy. They understand that someone preaching to them about the evils of whatever the got caught at is akin to crying crocodile tears. They KNOW that person would not be standing up there unless it was a condition of their probation. I agree with Rae…show the uncut footage. Kind of a scared straight program. Show what he lost by his behavior, don’t use him to do it. HSUS sink your money into programs for younger kids, by the time they are teenagers it is probably too late. Witness the fact 2 17 year olds set a Pit Bull on fire this week for “fun”. I die inside to think you have to “teach” children to be kind…as I never in my life would think of harming an animal. But if that is how the world is going…get into the classrooms at kindergarten and teach kindness. Don’t use Vick to do it,. Why would you sully your reputation like that? I don’t think HSUS is paying Vick, but I would be willing to bet his handlers dumped a sizable donation to make him a poster boy for HSUS. In a few years OJ will be out and I am sure there are more than a handful of other screw-ups who will be more than willing to tell us how to live our lives. Silly us…we plod along struggling to pay the mortgage, never dreaming of making the money these idiots do. Yet we volunteer at shelters, open our hearts and wallets to help animals. And then we get to listen to animals like Vick telling us how to live our lives.Please. And don’t think for a minute the media will not be involved…Vick will not be doing this quietly out of sight. Otherwise…he would not think of doing it. I stand by my first reaction…HSUS, shame on you. On the upside…local struggling shelters should benefit from this, as it will be a no-brainer where to send your donations.
It would be kind of like having the Big Bad Wolf tell us the benefits of befriending pigs. Who can or would or should believe him? It is a known fact that people who abuse animals often graduate to abusing people. Let’s not make him an icon again. There are plenty of other people that kids look up to who could expose dogfighting for what it is. Let someone who hasn’t participated in it lead the way. Not someone who is only sorry because he got caught and it cost him plenty. Some of his dogs are still working on their rehabilitation, he should at least be in jail until the last one is rehabilitated.
I love how passionate we dog lovers are! Now all we need to do is find a way to take this passion and energy and rather than bicker with each other, put it toward positive use! Again, let me post the HSUS’s End Dog Fighting Campaign. Please go to the website and read about this innovative program, the only one of its kind in the country. We dog lovers are great at rescuing and rehabilitating. Just think what we can do by being proactive and preventing cruelty and dog fighting from happening to begin with.
It involves going into the inner cities and leading by example, educating on dog care and training.
I’m stepping up and volunteering to offer my services to this program in any way they can use me. Will anyone else join me?
I’ll be meeting with HSUS reps in the coming weeks to get more information. Feel free to email me if you’d like more information as well.
Let’s band together to help prevent dog fighting before it happens! Maybe if each and every one of us would help start a program in our area, they won’t need Vick!
Did I just read someone here saying we should strap young kids to rape boxes to teach them how to respect dogs? Some of you are way out of line and nothing but hypocrites! How many of you or your husbands hunt, i.e. murder animals for fun? Do they have the head of their kill hanging over the mantle so they can brag to their buddies? But what they do is okay I guess because they murder them quick. Never mind the fact that they enjoy killing. That’s besides the point. How many of you eat meat? Do you not know how they torture and slaughter those poor, defenseless animals so you can enjoy your steak or your veal parmesan?
Sylvia,
The comment was to strap Vick to one of his rape boxes, not a child.
Also, this current conversation does not have anything to do with the state of the USDA, it is soley about Michael Vick and his involvement with the HSUS.
Read again Rae mom of 3 furry’s posted a comment on June 12th, 2009 at 7:40 am
I’m sorry one more thing- Laurie stated she would like to know of ideas anyone has to help those kids who are brought up thinking this is ok. The uncut complete footage of a dog getting his teeth pulled, a dog on a rape rack – not toned down for the public to see but the real stuff- that would deter some from doing it. Taking them to jail – strapping them to a rape rack… I don’t know what all the anwers are -but you are right we need to think of some.
****
I wonder how many parents would be happy to let the HSUS strap their kids to rape boxes or be forced to watch dogs being mutilated. But it’s just poor kids, so who cares about them. This will sure teach them about compassion. Wow.
My last post was to Fancy. To me this conversation is about what a hypocritical society we are. We fight violence with violence. We think torturing or killing humans will teach love and compassion for animals.
I knew this would be a controversial topic with differing opinions, but I didn’t want it to end up dog lovers vs. dog lovers. We are all on the same team. If nothing else, maybe the HSUS’s announcement will spark more people to look into their End Dog Fighting program. I honestly was not aware of this specific program and didn’t research it until I heard they might use Vick. It made me want to see what it was all about, and maybe that was their whole point. Who knows? But I do think the program has great merit. It includes education and involvement on all fronts, from the children, to the community, parents, and even law enforcement. I want to get involved and I hope others will too.
As far as if and in what capacity Vick will be used, I will be sure to find out and report back here. Thanks to everyone for your comments and your passion!
[...] stop dogfighting or something (help his image, reach ‘troubled inner-city youth’). If you look around you notice a lot of things. Vick has been thoroughly pathologized (You hear? He’s [...]