Hoss The Noble Rottweiler (Click to enlarge)
Before we found out that Michael Vick wouldn’t be playing in the New Orleans Super Dome against the Saints this weekend, Sisters Pet Pics had decided we were going to organize other pet businesses to donate to an animal rescue group every time Vick was sacked. Then we realized he’s still under suspension and would not play this weekend.
I feel as though I open my mouth to scream my horror and instead of a roar, I hear only a whisper. I listened to Howie Long give his analysis of poor misunderstood Michael Vick on Sunday, and thought surely this is not the opinion of most citizens. Certainly this is just the voice of another rich footballer who believes his talent should circumvent laws and mores of a civilized population. His diatribe began with the camera swinging in close to show the butch cut Howie giving America what he believed was a civil reminder that our laws of crime and punishment must be served. Thereafter, all is forgiven.
Though not shocked – after all he’s a football player, and probably a friend of Vick’s to boot – I couldn’t help but wonder what the women in his life might think. Really, I thought, really? Is it men who are likely to forgive these heinous crimes? Is it a testosterone knitting club where the clicking of needles drowns the screams of burning dogs and the humans who loved them?
But oh no. It is not an isolated Howie Long opinion. Apparently the network agreed; they allowed him the expensive air time with no rebuttal aired or scheduled. Then I read in today’s Baltimore Sun, that columnist Susan Reimer, has joined with other loud voices to say that Vick has served his time, so get off his back so he can get paid the big bucks and play some football, for goodness sake. She says, “This is about the humiliating tour of self-flagellation he has been forced to walk, and will continue to walk if the Humane Society bullies have anything to say about it.” What?! We should worry about humiliating him? And the Humane Society, the same Humane Society who has made him a spokesman, are bullies?
Reimer writes:
“But the worst of it is, Mr. Vick is now on a leash held by the Humane Society’s Wayne Pacelle. Mr. Vick has to make any number of appearances on behalf of the society, confessing to the error of his ways. ‘If Mike disappoints us, the public is going to see that,’ Mr. Pacelle told Mr. Brown on the same “60 Minutes” broadcast.”
There goes my testosterone theory. It seems the polls are in. Most of America believes he’s served his time; live and let live. Steal money from rich people? We have a problem with that. But electrocute dogs for fun? What the heck. Quit bullying him. And I was angry with the Humane Society for even colluding with Vick to be a spokesperson. Sheesh. The HSUS turns out to be the bullies in this, not the sick and demented Michael Vick.
More from Reimer:
“Don’t misunderstand me. I love dogs. Ask Amber, Lulu and Sugar. But I love human beings more, and what Mr. Vick is being required to endure is its own brand of cruelty. People with houses full of filthy, flea-bitten dogs and cats or farms with starving horses generally pay nothing close to the price Mr. Vick has paid, in freedom, money or reputation.”
Is this a whisper? Are there others who are appalled? Why aren’t we speaking? Why aren’t we screaming? Are we afraid to? Are we afraid to be called cranks? Crazy? Are you feeling like you’d like to call in the authorities to certify your un filthy house, your un flea-bitten dogs and cats, or your farm with well fed, loved and cared for horses, to be allowed to voice your outrage? What has become of our nation that we must pass the standards of a cruel and boisterous class of people or be humiliated ourselves for voicing what children know before they are indoctrinated otherwise: do not hurt the defenseless…ever.
Read more Reimer if you can stomach it: Call Off The Dogs; Vick’s Paid Enough. I suggest you write to her editor to make your voice of dissent heard. You don’t need any authority to certify you good, sane and worthy. Speak your mind, or others will speak for you.
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