President Obama Praises Michael Vick; PETA Agrees
President Obama has praised Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick for his turnaround and NFL franchise owner Jeffrey Lurie for giving the former convict a second chance. Vick has emerged as a superstar for the Eagles after being jailed for running a dog-fighting ring and killing lame dogs.
In a phone call to Eagles owner Lurie, Obama stated that “So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance. It’s never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail.” Mr. Obama’s statement, while true, begs to ask the question: Should a prison record be allowed at all when considering whether to hire an employee? Most businesses are leery of hiring ex-cons, especially when applicants without a criminal record are available. White House officials confirmed that the conversation took place and took pains to add that the President also condemns Mr. Vick’s crimes.
The co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Ingrid E. Newkirk, backed the President fully, “Obama’s a sports guy, Vick’s a sports guy, and comebacks and redemption can happen.” The statement is somewhat odd from Ms. Newkirk as she fails to mention that Mr. Vick only ceased his activities upon being caught by authorities or made mention of earlier statements PETA made about Vick. When the Eagles signed Vick in 2009 PETA issued a statement saying they “and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool.”
Vick and his cohorts labeled their fighting ring “Bad Newz Kennels” and an investigation found that Mr. Vick and his crew hung under-performing dogs with a nylon cord. While never admitting to killing a dog himself, Vick did admit that he witnessed his employees shoot and electrocute numerous dogs.
Mr. Vick has publicly stated that he would like to once again own dogs. Mikey. I am all for you owning dogs if you will have an exorcism performed. For you have a dark evil within you that still preveils.