Michael Vick sentenced

Michael Vick drew a 23-month sentence more because he lied to the judge than for his involvement in dog fighting and I am not entirely convinced he understands why cruelty to animals is against the law. Dog fighting is outlawed in all 50 states, but few law enforcement agencies have the time or resources to devote to what too many people believe is a victimless crime. Perhaps this sentence will stand to remind those who will engage in dog fighting that it is against the law and that the punishment can be severe.

The punishment didn't surprise me. But what is shocking me is this man wasn't fired from the NFL and there actually have been statements made on the news that when he gets out he'll try and rekindle his NFL career. You got to be kidding! I know someone with a felony charge a lot smaller than him and he can't get a job practically anywhere!

If Vick's co-defendants each got 18 months (I believe) then Vick easily should have gotten more than 23 months. If he was the group's ringleader, then that should qualify him for more jail time. But what does it matter? He'll find a way to get out early anyway.

What do I think? I think the question, "Is 23 months too harsh a punishment" is infuriating. Reports of Vick's routine brutalization of helpless animals in horrific and bone-chilling ways (violently killing "non-performers," using electricity as a punishment and weapon against animals who have done nothing wrong) rightly sentences this man to years of intensive psychotherapy and (not de-humanization) but human-ization -- if there is such a thing. Animals are not inferior, they are different. They are wondrous, amazing, beautiful, awe-inspiring and different. Our responsibility as humans is to appreciate and protect them and certainly not to brutalize and destroy them. Sadly, that seems to be the trend. Vick is only one of the masses of humanity who wield weapons of destruction simply "because he can."

Post script: It's been proven that serial killers and hardened criminals have backgrounds in animal torture long before they begin their trail to humans. If nothing else -- teaching children how to treat animals with respect would do us all a world of good. Is 23 months too much? It is far too little.

Michael Vick received a just sentence of 23 months in jail but he should have received the maximum length of time for his crimes. However, he also received probation for 3 years after he completes his term. He had money, fame and lived an extravagant lifestyle but that wasn't enough, he had to engage in a sick, perverted behavior that turns one's stomach!

I commend the law enforcement officers, the prosecutors and the judge for not being intimidated by those who try to paint Vick as a "victim" because of race etc. instead of focusing on his barbaric treatment of the defenseless animals who suffered an inhumane existence on his property and who died horribly due to his unconscionable treatment. I hope he uses this time in jail to reflect on his wasted life. He and his cronies must never be allowed to own any animals again in their lives.

I don't see any "clear understanding of wrong" from Mr. Vick. He participated hands-on in the systematic cruelty towards living, feeling creatures , and if the goals of this "training" were not met by the animal, Vick and his buddies casually subjected them to unspeakable torture until death.

I think his awareness of "wrong" is a clear understanding of how stupid it was to have been found out... How irritable the public gets when a media hero casts a negative shadow over their young. How messed up it is to lose millions of bucks over a few dogs, and have to be locked up to boot.

Still, I don't think jail time will do a thing to cause Mr. Vick to regret having caused such suffering to these animals. I would like to see him put where he can be in one of those programs where the detainee works 24/7 training service dogs for the handicapped. Maybe there he could develop a true appreciation of the value of their lives.

for justice to be served, he should hisself be a subject of a dog or dogs fighting him. realizing that our watered down justice system does not place as much value on an animals life as it places on sub-human drech such as him, next best would be to send him to front lines in Iraq. All of us need to accept that ALL GODS CREATURES are living beings that have as much rights and feelings as any human.
Martin Luther King said "as long as injustice exists anywhere, there will never be justice anywhere".
i guess that means that the poor dogs will never see justice at all. they have the nerve to call this "civilization", i think he and many like him are "Savage scumbags".
RESPECT ALL LIFE...

MIchael Vicks along with other professional people that engage in stupid acts only make you wonder where their legal advisors are. Surely when your financial status is in the millions of dollars there must be someone in the background to advise you in how to control your finances and conduct yourself in front of the media. Before the Micael Vicks story broke, I am sure that someone on his staff is receiving a healthy check to give some sensible advice. From watching the news many of the big stars need professional guidance. Having money and no sense is senseless.