Former Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick got his sentence for his role as the money-man in a dog fighting/dog killing business — 23 months in prison.
But the prison time was the least penalty Vick got. You could make a case that he was treated to far more punishment than he deserved.
Oh, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m a dog lover, a humane person, and a mostly-vegetarian person for the last 25 years of my life. I have no sympathy for Vick as far as the way he mistreated the dogs, and funded mistreatment by others. He absolutely deserved prison time and loss of property/wealth for that.
On the other hand, now that the judgment has been handed out and he’s in prison (he actually went to prison earlier, knowing the sentencing was coming down today), we need to reflect on the bigger picture regarding Michael Vick and his future. His career is certainly over as a professional quarterback. He’s lost literally millions of dollars in fines and as repayment of NFL contract bonuses. He is 27 years old and forced to bear a tremendous load of accountability for the rest of his life.
Was he “over-punished” do you think? I mean, if you consider others who commit crimes against people and not dogs, think of the criminals who haven’t been punished half as roughly as Michael Vick.
Ultimately, Vick brought it all upon himself. He had great privileges of money and celebrity status. He could have done a ton of good with the same money he used to do some really cruel evil. So he got what he deserved — but perhaps he got even more than he deserved?
At the same time, should we rethink the punishments we give those who hurt or kill people? If we come down harshly on those who harm dogs, how much more harshly should we come down on sex offenders and wife beaters??
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
Technorati Tags: Michael Vick, dog killing, crime and punishment, domestic violence, just a guy who reads the papers