I'm a big believer in 2nd chances...as long as the person in question has clearly shown that he/she has apologized/compensated any victims/shown that they're no longer a significant risk to re-offend.

I truly doubt that any team would risk the PR backlash that would surely come if Vick was re-hired once he's paid his "debt to society" though.

I understand that the CFL has a new policy that ensures they'll respect any punishments that the NFL places on a player - preventing another Rickey Williams fiasco...or allowing Michael Vick to play up here.

the question is: does he just regret getting caught or is he repentant of his wrongdoing? Is he actually sorry for what he did to the dogs?
I read on CBC website an extended commentary from different people of the equality of animals versus humans but that is besides the point. I think his actions give us a window into his very character. Is that the kind of role model we want for our aspiring athletes? It is like Snoop Doggy Dog being a role model for aspiring rap artists. SCARY.

Wait?

I am confused.

At what point does dog fights have anything to do with football?
If there are clauses in his contract which block him for certain "moral" or legal items, then yes, I get the barring.
If he was gambling, and there are bars against gambling or running a gambling place, and he is found guilty, then yes.

Otherwise, umm, what right would a team have to block him.

Note; i haven't seen much news lately. if i saw one more show with those blonde twins who live in a hotel, well...let me tell you, there are some things i don't mind about not h aving kids that are into the disney channel.

As Christians, forgiveness is a cornerstone of our faith. If anyone, Michael Vick included, is truly remorseful and sorry for the wrongs he has done, he should be forgiven. Having said that, two other important factors come into play. First, there must be justice, that is the healing of the community through a time of penance/punishment paid by the perpetrator. Secondly, that penance/punishment must serve as a deterrent to others out there who may be contemplating the same awful behaviour. Through sentencing Michael Vick to a term of penance/punishment that will hurt, we are saying to all those out there contemplating evil, this is not something condoned by the community I live in. Deterrence to me is a cornerstone of justice. Michael Vick is a gifted athlete and football player. Should he be allowed to play again? What if he were a gifted violin player? Or a gifted architect? I'm sure there would be no question about these people pursuing their talent and passion once they'e paid their debt to society. It is what they do. Michael Vick or any other athlete should never be exalted beyond his or her performance as an athlete. If they are wonderful human beings as well as wonderful athletes (Pinball Clemons and Paul Henderson come to mind), they should be admired for both their athletic prowes AND the positive lives they lead. But as Michael Vick and too many others have shown over the years, the formula athlete + fame + money does not always equal good human being.

I don't see how jail time would be a suitable punishment here. A HUUUGE fine and some community service would still send him the message that this behaviour is wrong. Sending him to jail simply costs the taxpayers money, and ties up a jail cell that could be used to protect us from someone who's a greater danger.

I say, fine Vick $100K for every dog he killed and/or every dog they had to remove from his property, and then send him for counselling and make him work in an animal shelter for a few months. This way, he'd still be penalized, and would hopefully learn his lesson, AND society would be benefitted.

Next, we take steps to stamp out bull fighting and punish the organizers of the Calgary stampede every time an animal is seriously injured or killed during their annual event.

Fining Vick would not be much punishment, since he is very rich. I think he should definitely get jail time.

I don't think he should work in animal shelters. That would be like getting a child abuser to work in a daycare. He shouldn't be allowed near dogs ever again.

I think there must be some part of his brain that is defective lacks empathy for the suffering of other creatures, or he could never have been involved in dog fighting. It is very scary to realize that there are such people among us. He certainly should not be allowed to play football again. As a football player he would be a hero and a role model for young people.

I suppose it is possible that he might eventually come to realize how evil dog-fighting is, and to feel real regret. I'm not optimistic that this will happen. I certainly wasn't convinced by his recent speech, in which he claimed that he has "found Jesus".

(Was Jesus lost?)

Yeah, I found his statement pretty unconvincing as well. This dog-fighting thing wasn't some sort of "mistake". If he had said, "I need counselling and help, as I just couldn't see the harm I was causing with my actions", I'd have reacted with more sympathy.

Star athletes seem to be enabled from all sides during their careers - teachers allow them to float through high school and college/university, and teammates and coaches turn a blind eye to things as long as the athelete performs. It's a sad situation for everyone involved, because eventually, the athelete has to retire, and the fame and fortune will eventually fade. What's he got at the end of it all?

The Falcons will be suing Vick to get their signing bonus back - and I wouldn't be surprised to see him file for bankruptcy soon. It's quite the (self-inflicted) breath-taking fall, isn't it?

another chance at what?

I agree with Linden. Right now Michael is in the middle of trying to figure out a damage control strategy for him and his family with his lawyers, and I'm not sure real deep understanding of the meaning of his actions and true remorse are reasonable expectations of someone in this situation. It looks like he will do time in federal prison, but he may be out in time to be available for the 2008 NFL season. The gambling looks like something the league might not be able to overlook. The rest...hypothetically, what if it were Bubba Vick and his good ole' boys out in the country fightin' dogs; instead of gangstas from the hood. Would the public forget sooner or feel less scared by the whole mess?

With all the horrible things we do to animals --- from killing them to eat and wear to keeping them in cages and testing products on them --- I don't understand why Vick is going to jail for this, as terrible as it is. If we really care about dogs and other animals, then we would stop all the madness.

To a degree, I agree with Experienced. At least people feed and/or clothe themselves when a sheep or cow is killed - killing dogs for entertainment is harder to justify in my books, though.

Michale Vick has pleaded guilty. i.e. he understands that certain behaviour isn't acceptable.
Does he need to be punished? Absolutely! How severe? Up to the judge to decide!

Does he deserve another change? Absolutely. I can't for the life of me orchastrate a scenario that would prclude a second, etc, etc, etc. change. Consider your own life. Can't think of anything as dastartly as he did? Maybe you just been lucky.

What kind of punishment? How about putting him to work in a compound of the Human Society for a longish time? Let him clean out the stalls under any and all circumstances. He'll get the message. Where does he go from there? Again, that is up to the judge and the system to figure out. Otherwise, second change? Absolutely

Dog fighting rings are next to impossable to exposed and espcially to charge individuals under the law. When an oppertunity like this presents itself, especially with this much media attention, the appropreate response is to give him the maximum penilty. People who engage in this sick and twisted "sport" feel that this is not wrong, should not be illegal, they will not get caught, and if they do, it will be a slap on the wrist. These dogs are starved, beaten, and tourtured to make them agressive enough to kill another dog. If a dog looses a fight and servives, they are often tourtured to death. These people are also responsable for the deaths of millions of pit bulls due to bans brought on by the poor image fighting gives this breed. Jail time and the loss of his career pale in comparison to what he has done to his dogs, who trusted him to care for and be protected by him.