Free Michael Vick!

Although I do not own any pets at this particular juncture, I am a friend to the animals. I love to watch the deer in the wild as they nibble on low hanging trees and bushes, I adore watching playful puppies wobble and fall before they get their sea legs, and I am a frequent visitor to the zoo and similar animal venues. I understand that there are some animal lovers that have a greater affinity for four-legged creatures than myself, but what I don't understand is how animals are protected and highly regarded in some respects and disregarded in others. Also, it is quite baffling to me how some individuals fight aggressively and tirelessly for animal rights yet blatantly disregard human injustices.

It is no secret that dogfights, cockfights, horse and dog races, the circus, the zoo, and Las Vegas animals shows have been favorable, lucrative American pastimes for hundreds of years. Many conservative citizens have become quite wealthy frankly off the backs of animals. Animals have been mercilessly trained and forced to perform for the enjoyment of human beings since the beginning of time. Some of the more popular sports of the affluent set include deer, quail, duck, and big game hunting. What makes these sports less horrific than dogfighting? And while the heads of the hunted animals are mounted on the walls of game rooms all across the country, is that not just as barbaric and self-appreciating?

Typically, Pit Bulls are the breed of dogs that are trained for combat. Sadly, federal, state, and local policies and laws regarding pit bulls specifically are both hypocritical and quite confusing. By and large, the country has a love/hate relationship with Pit Bulls. They are a notoriously aggressive, violent, and deadly breed of dogs that have appeared in far more court cases than any other household pet. Pit Bull owners have been prosecuted for attempted murder and murder due to the crippling or fatal consequences of their beloved pets. After a Pit Bull has violently ripped off a child's ears, nose, or lower extremities the county scoops him up and he is disposed of immediately.

Another confusing, hypocritical aspect of animal so-called rights is when domesticated "wild" animals attack. There have been many cases of circus and Las Vegas show elephants and tigers seemingly freaking out and trampling or viciously attacking their trainers. The thing that I don't understand is how people can become so furious to the point that they want to exterminate the animals when they are just doing what comes naturally when they become fearful or agitated. Just because we attempt to domesticate wild animals doesn't mean that they have lost all of their natural instincts. Coincidentally, it bugs me to no end when a stranger's dog attempts to jump on me, and the owner says, "He won't bite." I always reply, "Is he an animal?"

Ironically, animals seem to be protected, respected, and treated like royalty until their usefulness has diminished. HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumble reported on a story a few years ago around dog racing. The report indicated that hundreds of thousands of greyhound dogs were disposed of every year when they were no longer physically able to compete in races. Horses are "taken out to pasture" when they stop winning top spots in races, and big game hunters are permitted to hunt and kill elephants, lions, tigers, and bears that have been released from cages for that specified purpose.

Honestly, animal advocates like PETA need to find a greater cause. For example, there are starving and abused children all over the United States. There are children that are forced into prostitution and modern day slavery, or required to work for less than a dollar a day in sweatshops all over the world. You can never convince me that animal rights should take greater precedence over the rights of people. PETA people are not demure in their undertakings; they are violent, hostile bullies (throwing red paint on people wearing fur coats). In the midst of their unethical campaigns, they strongly believe that the end justifies the mean.

Historically, dogfighting has been a sport that has been enjoyed by southern, blue-collar workers, but the sport has branched out all over the nation. These events usually take place far off the beaten path of mainstream society, unlike the aforementioned acceptable animal demonstrations. In my opinion, the only reason why Michael Vick has been chosen as the poster boy for bad animal behavior is because he is a millionaire athlete. The news reported that dogfighting has yielded over $500,000 a year, and it is generally accepted that he stood to make thousands of dollars from hosting dog fights. I believe that the federal government just wants a piece of the pie. What do they do with drug dealers when they can't prove their cases? They use the RICO law to seize money, property, cars, and jewelry. Another crafty move law enforcement agencies utilize is charging guilty parties with tax evasion.

Because he is an athlete in the National Football League, Michael Vick has been subjected to high standards and unrealistic expectations. He is a man before he is a football player, and I do not think that he should be persecuted unjustly. Vick has been thrown under the bus for participating in dogfighting, and the public outcry states that he is a negative role model for children across the nation. The Atlanta Falcons want some of their millions back from Vick, and he has been much maligned in the press.

Why are athletes held to such enormous standards when senators and other politicians are only hurting themselves when they commit especially egregious acts such as murder, pedophilia, sexual harassment, assault, indecent exposure, public indecency, public intoxication, illegal drug use, spousal abuse, bankruptcy, embezzlement, fraud, and corruption? Everyone laughs and late night talk show hosts inherit weeks of material when senators are caught soliciting sexual favors from undercover policemen in public restrooms, but where is the outrage and the condemnation? Do they have to give their salaries back to the constituents? Do they receive any jail time? Far be it from me to profess to have all of the answers, but in my opinion politicians should be held to the strictest of all standards, personally as well as professionally. Are these not the men that make the decisions for the people of this country?

I have seen some the pictures of the dogs that have been involved in dogfights, and I agree that it is ghastly; however, if we agree that all animals should be treated humanely, regardless of whether someone calls an activity a "sport" or not, then it needs to be applied across the board. It is not fair to condemn some animal-related sports and support others.

What is a fair punishment for dogfighting? When I watched the media coverage and read the newspapers, it felt like Michael Vick had been accused of murder. I think it's important to keep things in perspective, and be fair in the penalty phase. Vick has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL, and he has no doubt lost millions of dollars in endorsements. From where he stands, he has suffered public ridicule and shame, and he has apologized in front of millions of people including his family, friends, teammates, and fans. I do not believe that prison time is necessary; probation would be appropriate for a crime such as this. Lastly, I hope the FBI hasn't given up their quest to eradicate dogfighting, and they continue their clandestine searches of every backwoods outhouse, shed, and barn in the south and beyond.