Question US
Michael Vick's Sentence: 23 months in prison & 3 years probation. Do you feel the sentence was too light (Y) or too harsh (N)?
pitbullmomma raccoonsista! December 10, 2007 16:05:45
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Yes = The sentence was too light, please comment
No = The sentence was too harsh, please comment
Undecided = Undecided, please comment
Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for running a "cruel and inhumane" dogfighting ring and lying about it.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit.
After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
"Yes, sir," Vick answered.
The 27-year-old player acknowledged using "poor judgment" and added, "I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions."
Although there is no parole in the federal system, rules governing time off for good behavior could reduce Vick's prison stay by about three months, resulting in a summer 2009 release.
"You were instrumental in promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity," Hudson told Vick.
Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked after Monday's ruling if Vick should play again.
"That's a determination we'll make later on," he told The Associated Press from a legislative hearing in Austin, Texas. "As I said earlier when we suspended him indefinitely, we would evaluate that when the legal process was closed."
Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the sentencing another step in Vick's "legal journey."
"This is a difficult day for Michael's family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years," Blank said. "We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard."
One of Vick's attorneys, Lawrence Woodward, asked for leniency. He said Vick "grew up on some of probably the meanest and roughest streets in this commonwealth," but had never been in trouble with the law and had done much for charities.
Vick was denied any credit for taking responsibility for his crime. Hudson agreed with a federal probation officer's finding that Vick had lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. Vick tested positive for marijuana Sept. 13, violating conditions of his release while he awaited sentencing.
Hudson recalled that Vick at one point said he only handed over two dogs to co-defendant Quanis Phillips, who killed them. On another occasion, Vick said he dropped a dog after Phillips tied a rope around the animal's neck, the judge added.
"I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick.
Federal sentencing guidelines called for a term of 18 months to two years. Federal prosecutor Michael Gill asked for a sentence at the high end, meaning Vick would get more time than either of the two co-defendants sentenced last month.
"He did more than fund it," Gill said, referring to the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation. "He was in this thing up to his neck with the other defendants."
Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs. He has been held at a jail in Warsaw, Va., since he voluntarily began serving his sentence.
In a plea agreement, he admitted bankrolling the dogfighting ring on his 15-acre property in rural Virginia and helping kill pit bulls that did not perform well in test fights. He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.
Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dogfighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means.
For those who can't understand why us "animal rights wacko's" hate Vick...watch the video.
No = The sentence was too harsh, please comment
Undecided = Undecided, please comment
Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for running a "cruel and inhumane" dogfighting ring and lying about it.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit.
After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
"Yes, sir," Vick answered.
The 27-year-old player acknowledged using "poor judgment" and added, "I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions."
Although there is no parole in the federal system, rules governing time off for good behavior could reduce Vick's prison stay by about three months, resulting in a summer 2009 release.
"You were instrumental in promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity," Hudson told Vick.
Vick was suspended without pay by the NFL and lost all his lucrative endorsement deals. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked after Monday's ruling if Vick should play again.
"That's a determination we'll make later on," he told The Associated Press from a legislative hearing in Austin, Texas. "As I said earlier when we suspended him indefinitely, we would evaluate that when the legal process was closed."
Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the sentencing another step in Vick's "legal journey."
"This is a difficult day for Michael's family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years," Blank said. "We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard."
One of Vick's attorneys, Lawrence Woodward, asked for leniency. He said Vick "grew up on some of probably the meanest and roughest streets in this commonwealth," but had never been in trouble with the law and had done much for charities.
Vick was denied any credit for taking responsibility for his crime. Hudson agreed with a federal probation officer's finding that Vick had lied about his hands-on killing of dogs and about his drug use. Vick tested positive for marijuana Sept. 13, violating conditions of his release while he awaited sentencing.
Hudson recalled that Vick at one point said he only handed over two dogs to co-defendant Quanis Phillips, who killed them. On another occasion, Vick said he dropped a dog after Phillips tied a rope around the animal's neck, the judge added.
"I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility," Hudson told Vick.
Federal sentencing guidelines called for a term of 18 months to two years. Federal prosecutor Michael Gill asked for a sentence at the high end, meaning Vick would get more time than either of the two co-defendants sentenced last month.
"He did more than fund it," Gill said, referring to the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation. "He was in this thing up to his neck with the other defendants."
Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs. He has been held at a jail in Warsaw, Va., since he voluntarily began serving his sentence.
In a plea agreement, he admitted bankrolling the dogfighting ring on his 15-acre property in rural Virginia and helping kill pit bulls that did not perform well in test fights. He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.
Court papers revealed gruesome details about Vick's dogfighting operation, including the execution of underperforming dogs by electrocution, drowning, hanging and other means.
For those who can't understand why us "animal rights wacko's" hate Vick...watch the video.
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Top Comment
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Yes
Anyone who can look ANY living thing in the eye and commit the kind of atrocity that Vick has to these poor furry PEOPLE is incapable of benefiting the world in any way. I can't beleive that there are still segments of our community that consider his career a factor.View thread
SodaHead Hot Trends
Yes
No
Yes
This week, 450 dogs were rescued from the horrific conditions of a dogfighting operation during seizures in seven states. Animal welfare groups call this the largest simultaneous raid of dogfighting operations in U.S. history. Animal welfare advocates worked with federal authorities for 18 months on this seizure. So far, 26 people have been accused of cruelties ranging from denying animals medical treatment to shooting poorly-performing dogs in the head and either throwing their bodies into a river or burning them in a barrel.
Each rescued dog will be evaluated in hopes of placing as many as possible in adoptive homes.
Sign this please. My puppy came from Arkansas, one of the listed states. It could have been her..
http://www.thepetitionsite.co...
Undecided
If he cant do it No one can......MICHAEL DWAYNE VICK 33765-183
MICHAEL DWAYNE VICK 33765-183Reg # 33765-183
CCM Raliegh
Comunity corrections office
Old NC 75 Hihgway
BUtner NC 27509
No
Yes
It is stupid to think that ethnicity has anything to do with it.
Cruelty is independent of ethnicity, and the source of that cruelty should be removed from society regardless of ethnicity.
Yes
Yes
No
YES, THE LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE SERIOUS, AND THAT INCLUDES THE LAW AGAINST DOG FIGHTING
Sick pathetic fool!
(PS-- How's it going Illbedoggone? I know you were thrown off this website in the illbedoggone name, so you running with the TOM name now eh? So desperate to be heard you HAVE to come back to this website, even though you have been told in no uncertain terms you are not welcome here!! LMAO)
I only call racist, racist!.... that would include you. You don't have the integrity to own up to what you are. So, you are what they call a closet racist.
The only desperation I have, is to expose racist like you. You are the type that comes on line to exhibit your racist views, but in true life, you skin, and grin in people of color's face.
Undecided
Yes
Yes
RWD
No
You all just been dog lovers because you think they are cute and our society look at dogs as obedient cute pets. If all the dogs in the world were angry pit bulls we wouldn't be having this hippiedogloving campaign vs Vick.
We do so much worst to other animals but all the sudden dogs are such a taboo. Let me ask you... how do we kill the lambs? Or the cows? Is there any way of killing that some might not argue that is not humane? You all sitting in your high chairs talking about not letting him play ever again. I dont even like football that much, but giving him years and years of sentencing.. over an animal? thats just plane stupid and hypocrite.
If you all feel that animals are at the same level as human... thats you all....
You all just been dog lovers because you think they are cute and our society look at dogs as obedient cute pets. If all the dogs in the world were angry pit bulls we wouldn't be having this hippiedogloving campaign vs Vick.
We do so much worst to other animals but all the sudden dogs are such a taboo. Let me ask you... how do we kill the lambs? Or the cows? Is there any way of killing that some might not argue that is not humane? You all sitting in your high chairs talking about not letting him play ever again. I dont even like football that much, but giving him years and years of sentencing.. over an animal? thats just plane stupid and hypocrite.
If you all feel that animals are at the same level as human... thats you all. Thats not to say that I go stabbing dogs, make them fight or shoot them just like he did! Now how different is to shoot an animal for sport like hunting or to go fishing and then release back the fish (which implies getting a hook through their jaw then bringing the poor fish out of its element...water and having the fish suffocating because it cant breath; so then you release it back to the water with a new hole in his body)?
So let me ask you all this: if we were a society that was used to eating dog meat (like in Philipines... ) and he had kill the dogs and then eat them... then because its for food then it would be ok, right? Because isnt that what hunters do? Kill a beautiful and majestic animal like a moose or a deer. They shoot Bambi with a rifle, eat the body and decapitate it, Then hang Bambi's head on a wall as a trophy of the LEGAL and justified kill.
We take bulls and freakin ride them in rodeos for sports... if we think of dogs as sentients beings and all that crap, why them we dont worry about the humiliation of the bulls and their 'feelings'? You all a bunch of fakes and applying justice by exception. If he had shot a few chicken you all be thinking about BBQ chicken. If you all soooooo worried about the dogs then I bet none of you eat eggs because they would grow into chicks.
Let me guess... you all gonna say that is not the same? Or that dogs are different? Get a grip! You are all bunch of haters, and just wanna send a successful guy into the guillotine and parade your dogloving ways... give me a break and start fighting for a worthy cause!
If I was Vick... when I was done with my sentence and probation I would tell all the hippies that campaigned for him to go to jail to kiss my butt and tell them I am still making more money than them, LOL!
You all need to set the standards all across to all and not to one. If you wanna make him an example them start with the illegalization of hunting because there is nothing humane about that. If the issue is meat... go to the supermarket!
AND BY THE WAY... he stills plays football in prison for both inmates and guards. Another thing, and remember me when it happens... HE WILL PLAY NFL again and there is not a damn thing all your whining can do about it. Football is the last AMERICAN sport that United States owns and dominates... and he wont be outta of a job if he can perform. Last time I check there is no animal-loving society that has more pull and influence in the U.S.A. than the NFL.
Michael Vick would be more famous because he gonna make a comeback and he gonna be all apologetic and the press gonna make him a martyr. He is gonna make really good press with his story of all the reflection he did over his 23 months in prison and the American public gonna eat it up even though it will be probably to be political correct and because his agent told him, LOL! So you all can complaint but he will be making the millions and he will still be famous! ON TOP OF THAT he will be forgotten because he is a celebrity and a NFL player! LOL!
You all can hate what I am saying but you all know is true, and deep inside regardless of it is right or wrong... society will let it happen! So all your animal rights complaints and wishes of he getting a heavier sentence... by 2009 he will be in football trading cards again.
So keep posting all your comments... none of you cant say anything that I cant shut you off. When you all make it the same for all animals... period! Then you all might have a point... till then you all just too hurt because you all love a dog and you cant see how someone did something to a dog that you all not used to see but is done daily to other animals.
Stop been selective with your 'animal justice'... work on fairness and less hypocrisy!
PS: He is not sorry he just gave you all that so he got a smaller sentence... and it worked!
Again, you start with the chicken and beef thing. That is so old, it is so tired, and such a pitiful excuse for a man who chose to abuse and torture dogs for over six years of his life.
Did you know that if a person were to starve, fight, feed gunpowder, hang, drown, or beat to death a cow or a pig they would also be facing animal cruelty charges? Did you know that slaughterhouses are monitored in regard to the humane treatment of the animals they slaughter for food? I didn't think so, you post your BS here as if you KNOW something, but the fact is, you obviously know very little, except that you want to defend a monster who has been abusing and torturing animals for his entertainment. Did you know there is a difference in killing animals for food and killing them for 'fun'? Again, it doesn't ap...
Again, you start with the chicken and beef thing. That is so old, it is so tired, and such a pitiful excuse for a man who chose to abuse and torture dogs for over six years of his life.
Did you know that if a person were to starve, fight, feed gunpowder, hang, drown, or beat to death a cow or a pig they would also be facing animal cruelty charges? Did you know that slaughterhouses are monitored in regard to the humane treatment of the animals they slaughter for food? I didn't think so, you post your BS here as if you KNOW something, but the fact is, you obviously know very little, except that you want to defend a monster who has been abusing and torturing animals for his entertainment. Did you know there is a difference in killing animals for food and killing them for 'fun'? Again, it doesn't appear that you do.
Btw, when is the last time you saw a seeing eye cow? A search pig? An chicken that saved their owners life? You haven't, but your ignorance of what a dog has to offer is certainly apparent.
Hunting? I don't agree with that either, but..if a hunter was to hold a deer in captivity, starve that deer, shoot it up with agression drugs, feed it gunpowder, put it in a pit to fight another desperate animal for survival, then hang the dog if it loses and then drown it if it survives the hanging, that hunter would go to jail to, if caught. Again, your arguments make absolutely no sense. Just grasping at straws to defend a monster. Wonder why? I think we all know.
As for the playing football in prison, again you show you lack the ability to stay informed. You pick and choose what you believe, because you are a pathetic advocate of cruelty to animals, as your defense of the monster MV denotes here. Go ahead, if you have the least idea about how to google for information, you will find that when asked, the warden at the prison in which Vick is incarcerated, said she has no idea what he is talking about here. There is no prison football league playing at the moment, and Vick is NOT playing football at Leavenworth. So, I guess it was just another of those lies that Vick is so fond of telling.
As for his being back in the NFL, well, time will tell. But if you see the results on this forum, as well as results on all other polls on the internet, you will see that over 50% do not want him to return to the NFL. At best, he might be lucky enough to return as a backup quarterback, and still he is not welcome by the majority of the fans. Another twisted belief of yours.
Vick be more famous when he gets out of prison? Well, maybe so, but for all the wrong reasons. He is the most hated person in the US today, and rightly so.
And to end this, regardless of whether you have the intelligence to realize just how your post has been gutted here, you SHOULD realize that dog fighting IS against the law, no matter what YOU of SICK VICK thinks of it. You should realize that if you or anyone else is caught dog fighting, you will go to jail. The law is on the side of those who would advocate the humane treatment of animals, not cretins such as you and Michael Vick!!! So Vick is in jail, and might even get more jail time in VA , hahahahahhah..... LOVE IT.... He's right where he belongs, and the majority believes that as well!!!
It must be sad to be you or Michael Vick... things just not working out well for ya, are they??? LOL
Well, we'll see. But we all know where he is right now, PRISON, and there's not a damn thing you can do about THAT, LOL--
Sad for you that you equate someone who supports the law against animal cruelty as a racist bigot. You seem to be saying that all animal abusers are black. They aren't, they come in every shape, size and color.
No
Vick got prison time and trial by a grand federal jury because of some dogs? If he had been Dan Marino or Steve Youngs you think we would be even doing this survey? It was just dogs and YES I have many dogs, and I am not black.
and yes, I have a dog and have had dogs for many years. My dog gets treated better than many people and I wouldn't have iy any other way.
RWD
Yes
No
Yes
Sit back and think about what you just said above maybe you would like to re-phrase it.
RWd