Obama's Public Support of Michael Vick

[purepisces]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

What constitutes as "living with the consequences"? What positive outcome for society and animal rights do you believe "living with the consequences" will achieve? I ask because to me, this perspective demands that a person be punished, despite that the individual in question has demonstrated a changed mentality toward animal rights and is now heavily involved in animal rights. What do further "consequences" serve here beyond simple revenge?

Also, I don't really think he's being praised by anyone. Evidently, since he is a high profile person, he's going garner more attention than an average person who goes through the same process. I don't see that as praise. The same thing happens with other celebrities, like Pamela Anderson and so on. It's the media doing what the media does, and I don't believe even Vick himself has much control over that.

Originally Posted by Toughy

I'm very happy he has his own show. He has been working hard (in partnership with the Humane Society and others) across the country to end dog fighting. This show sounds like it will be another way for him to get the message of redemption and forgiveness out to others.
People can and do change. Vick deserves praise for what he is now doing.

Ender- I never said that I believe that there is a “positive outcome” for Vick to live with the consequences of his actions. It is just a fact of life. Our choices, our actions, are not in a vacuum. The effect of all we do ripples out in ways we never imagine as we go about our daily lives. By “consequences” I wasn’t referring to any type of “punishment” but simply the fact that the choices he made will continue to impact him.

There are people who won’t support any team that he plays for, who won’t buy products from companies that endorse him and they have every right to express their opinion that way. Just like there are people who will praise him for the changes that they see in him and the work he is doing now and they have every right to express their opinion. There are people who don’t give a crap about him one way or another. It seems to me that “living with the consequences” for Vick will include the fact that dog fighting will be associated with his name for the rest of his life. He will have to find a way to make his peace with that, and it doesn’t have anything to do with revenge, it’s just life.

My comment about praise was in response to several posts in this thread that referred to Vick’s work with the Humane Society, etc. I’ve quoted a post from Toughy that specifically states Vick should be praised. I don’t share that feeling, but, as I said, I appreciate what he is doing, the changes he has made and hope that he will turn out to be a lifelong advocate against animal abuse.

And, I do agree with you about the media.