Were Obama's Comments About Vick's Second Chance Appropriate?

I know many people will disagree but I think that Michael Vick should not have been left back into football for a few years as punishment from the football league.

I understand why Obama said what he did about Vick but maybe he should have stayed out of this subject. There are second chances for ordinary criminals and then there are second chances for celebrities, politicians, wealthy, athletes, etc. and they are two very different things.

Wealthy athletes can afford to go without high paying jobs for a while -- they don't need to work for their very livelihood, as many criminals need to when they are released from prison. Wealthy people often feel a sense of entitlement and that they can get away with anything.

I understand Vick served 19 months in prison under the law but the NFL and the Eagles football team left him right back in as soon as he was released. The league took his criminal punishment as the end all punishment for Vick's actions and I can understand that but I really think they should have added an extra punishment for his immoral actions when he allowed his properties to be used for illegal dog fighting in which several pit bulls were killed by electrocution, hanging, and drowning.

Vick served 19 months in prison and soon after he was released, the Eagles hired him as quarterback. He has once again become a star player and an MVP candidate this season which brings him back into the spotlight.

The league didn't need to punish Vick on top of his time served in prison but I think they should have imposed more punishment of their own. I know that dog fighting is separate from his football playing but somehow many of us believe that his celebrity status as an athlete deserves a little bit of punishment on the field as well as off -- hit him in his pocketbook for a few years to really get the point across. Vick might be thanking God for his crimes making him a better person and player after serving time but how much of that is just for the cameras?

On Monday, President Obama called the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles to praise the team for giving Vick a second chance as quarterback. Owner Jeffrey Lurie told Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports that Obama was passionate about Vick's return.

I'm on the fence about whether or not Obama should have commented at all about Vick's return. On one hand, Obama has to abide by the criminal punishment and sentencing of Vick and acknowledge that he served his time and it's time to move on. On the other hand, as I said before, Vick's second chance is very different from an ordinary run-of-the-mill criminal. Vick is a celebrity and has money to live on for a while (if he cuts back on his spending) and he is also a role model in the eyes of many people and, as such, I really don't believe that 19 months in prison and returning to the game right after his release is an appropriate image to give to youths and society in general.

It is a very touchy subject and I really don't think that Obama should have commented at all. For me at least, Obama's comments seem like a handshake between wealthy comrades, almost like a nod to a co-conspirator. That might not be the truth but that is one way to view it.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said Obama's comments were appropriate because Vick has redeemed himself through his speeches around the country apologizing for his crimes. It doesn't seem like a crime that can allow the perpetrator to redeem himself in such a short time -- almost like a slap on the wrist for a child that does something wrong.

Some of Vick's comments as of late sound like he is subtly mocking his crimes. I heard him say stuff like "I continue to fight dogs," (as in football players) and that he wants to get a pet one day. He also posted a link to news about what Obama said on his Facebook page. It just sounds like sleight-of-hand mockery.

What do you guys think? Were Obama's comments about Vick's second chance appropriate?