Washington Redskins’ Portis and Samuels Defend Michael Vick and Dog Fighting
When I read Portis’ and Samuels’ defense of Vick’s dog abuse, I felt myself flush red with anger. It’s his dog so he can do what he wants!? What kind of backward thinking is that? I’ll tell you what kind of backward thinking — the kind that is too lazy to care about doing the right thing or maybe the kind that wants to have the “right” to do bad things himself.
I was taken back to when I was in high school many decades ago in the 1970’s. One of my best friends was also best friends with another girl who I’ll call “Jane.” I was never extremely close to Jane but as I got involved in her church, she and I got to be closer. I was shocked to find out that Jane was being almost routinely sexually abused by her father. Now let me make this clear that Jane’s family was upper middle class with tight ties to the church. Jane had told the church pastor about the abuse but the pastor did nothing other than tell her that her father was the “head of the household” and, as such, the pastor would do nothing to intervene. The pastor openly supported the abusing father in this heinous situation. Jane felt she had no where to turn so the abuse continued.
So when Poris says that its Vick’s right to do with another living, breathing creature what he wants no matter how cruel (not to mention illegal) I flash back on those days in high school where the same argument was used to defend a child abuser.
Thanks to DailyPress.com for this article.
Portis, Samuels defend Vick, ridicule dog fighting as crime
By the Associated Press
May 21, 2007NORFOLK, Va. — Washington Redskins players Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels defended Michael Vick on Monday by ridiculing the notion that dog fighting is considered a crime.
In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be “putting him behind bars for no reason.”
“I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not,” Portis said. “But it’s his property; it’s his dogs. If that’s what he wants to do, do it.”Portis said dog fighting is a “prevalent” part of life.
Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: “I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they’re not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I’m sure there’s some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else.”
“Politicians,” added Samuels, who found it hard to keep from giggling while Portis was talking.
“Presidents,” added Portis with a laugh.
Vick has been under investigation since April 25 when police conducting a drug investigation raided the house owned by the quarterback in rural Surry County and found dozens of dogs. They also found items associated with dog fighting, including a “pry bar” used to pry apart a dog’s jaws. No charges have been filed.
Dog fighting is a felony in Virginia, but Portis said that if Vick is charged and convicted: “Then I think he got cheated. … You’re putting him behind bars for no reason–over a dog fight.”
“Haven’t you seen Animal Planet?” Samuels added with a giggle.
Follow this link to read the rest of the article.
Joy
As if the exploits of Michael Vick are not horrific enough there are now comments by two other NFL “has beens” about this ghastly situation. My question is why are not the owners, Arthur Blank, founder of Home Depot, and Daniel Snyder, offering their support to the public outcry about dog fighting instead of attempting to protect their million dollar investments. In a speech at The Citadel in 2005 Arthur Blank is talking about giving back to the community as a guiding principle in all of his businessess and states that “at the Falcons, one way we do that is by recruiting the very best individuals to our team – players who want to win on the field and off the field” . Does he truly believe that Michael Vick is an example? Michael Vick may be able to escape NFL defenses as he runs down the field but his actions in not standing up to his responsibilities as the owner of the house where dog fighting took place shows cowardice. And the comments of the two Washington Redskins players are beyond belief.
I would suggest that the owners of these teams take responsibility for these individual players as they should remember that a great number of their fans are pet lovers as well as Home Depot shoppers (Arthur Blank) and amusement park customers (Daniel Snyder). I also think a large chunk of community service for animal welfare groups by the owners and players involved as well as a monetary contribution would be in order.
I am speachless!
You can hear the interview yourself by clicking the link at this USA Today site: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-05-21-vick-update_N.htm
I think there should be an investigation into the entire NFL and I think each team should thank Portis for pointing out that it is prevelent.
Joy, I just read this and had copied the link to send to you.
Unbelievable. Disgusting.
Dog fighting might be ‘prevalent’ where these folks come from, but decent people would work toward ending the problem, not excusing it.
Consider the source! Another prime example that money doesn’t mean crap!!
I am sure their parents are proud!!
Michael Vick is a punk! He was one before he went pro and is still one now! And, for all of the the “innocent, until proven guilty” out there, I speak of all of the other things he has done! Flipping off a fan, knowingly passing along an STD! His record is very long! He is trash!
The news here in Roanoke showed footage from 2003(I believe) of the same house being built and the trailer being moved out. The kennels and buildings WERE their then! Police were sent out then from complaints of dog fighting back then. They say over 40 dogs were there at that time. Construction workers also gave account to the amount of dogs at that time!
So, who do we believe!!! Not Vick!!!
Just where are the Washington Redskins doing their recruiting?…the swamps? Sub-slugs like Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels are so full of it, they’d leak from their ears if they had ears. (Of course, If they did have ears, there wouldn’t be anything between them except sludge.)
Every day you guys go to the supermarket and buy chicken that is not free range, you are rubber stamping attrocities committed against animals, far worse than fighting pitbulls. Have you ever heard of veal? Where a baby cow is stuck in a box to live it’s entire life?
Let me educate you ignorant folks to the true crimes in our society. Please go to http://www.factoryfarming.com, that is if you are really concerned about animals.
Jay
Thank you for barking in.
How do you know we don’t buy free range eggs and chicken, not to mention skipping the veal. Many of us do these things. But that’s not the point.
Dogs and cats were specifically domesticated to live with humans. Oftentimes the cruelty humans show towards them is the humans’ way of venting the anger and hatred they would like to vent on humans but can’t. Our society is already too vicious and harsh as it is. Allowing something like dog or cock fighting just encourages the further anger and violence, not only to dogs but to humans as well.
Moreover, if you want to sensitize people to assist factory farm animals, you’ll get nowhere with people who think dogfighting is some sort of “right.” The best you can hope for is that those people won’t cause YOU bodily harm just for mentioning it.
If there is to be any hope of helping people to learn to be sensitive to cruelty against any animals, you must first sensitize them to cruelty against the animals they know, dogs and cats.
So as for us “ignorant folks,” many of us are already fighting against animal cruelty by shedding light on it whenever possible. We welcome you into our ranks.
This is disturbing on so many levels.
First, they believe it is some kind of right and therefore Vick will be put in jail for “no reason”. They can’t even see how inherently cruel the practice is, and they believe that you own the dog, you own it’s life?
Secondly, these are unfortunately the role models that our young men (and some young women) look up to and want to emulate. To have them on tv talking about how acceptable dog fighting is will not only make some of these kids believe that, but also increase their interest in dog fighting justr because thesemorons think its cool or acceptable or whatever.
Thirdly, do the owners, managers and coaches of these teams just look away when their players advocate felonious activity? You would think that these people would have a stake in trying to keep their players law-abiding. Do they not care that dog fighting goes hand in hand with other criminal activity? Therefore, if the players are fighting dogs and think dog fighting is ok, they are probably involved with other types of criminals. Just the type of role models we should NEVER promote.
As unfortunate as it is, these people have are looked up to by more children than , doctors and scientists. They are paid a fortune to be in the spotlight. Its an absolute disgrace to allow them to use that spotlight to advocate animal cruelty. The team should be embarassed and the players fined. Let’s hope that Vick is convicted if he is guilty. Also, let’s hope(even though it is highly unlikely) that if he is convicted, he will do time. I am also hoping that all the people on all those back roads Portis referred to will be caught and the same due process will be dealt to them.
I am just sick over this
. How can people be so cruel?
Where can we protest this? Can someone tell me where to write or protest?
Lili
The Humane Society of the United States is organizing a petition https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_dogfighting_nfl
wait for evidence before you say anything…black is not guilty anymore because you say so…we now can afford a lawyer..to defend.ourselves..you are not god…as i stated before you people need to rehabilitate…you cant think guilty without true evidence..MEANING,NOT HEARSAY.tell me who on this blog has true solid evidence that he is guilty..if so..present it to surry county..case closed…i’m out
bnard
You’re right that black is not guilty. I don’t care the race of the abuser. As I’ve said before, check the abusers on whom I’ve reported. Most of them are Caucasian. So drop that line of “defense.” It doesn’t work here. Dogsters are Dogsters, no matter their race. In fact, if you took a few minutes to check you would notice we DON’T have pictures of humans on Dogster and Catster pages. We don’t care about race.
As for evidence, at this point there are numerous witnesses who have been reported to have seen Vick buying dog supplies (and I don’t mean food), at dog fighting events and there are reportedly even videos of him at dog fighting events.
And if Vick had wanted to really distance himself from his cousin, he would have immediately condemned his actions and made a major statement AGAINST dog fighting.
Then of course you have dog fighting’s version of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum coming out in favor of dog fighting in his defense. As they say, with friends like these…
If iVck wants to turn over a new leave and dedicate his life to teaching others the evils of dog fighting, I am more than happy to welcome him into the pack!
WE NEED TO BOYCOTT ATLANTA FALCONS ADVERTISERS
I dont think anything will be done until the NFL – and the Falcons – feel it where it hurts – their pockets.
Here are some advertisers I found on the Falcon’s webpage – and I plan on figuring out what other advertisers have signage in their stadium:
SunTrust, AT&T, Stubhub, Phillips, Comcast, Delta
I am going to write each one of these advertisers and tell them I will boycott them until they stop advertising with people that condone the murder of animals.
I agree Katie, boycotting is the only way that will force a serious look into this matter and by hitting them in the pocket, it’ll prompt change.
Clinton Portis really disgusts me too. He has an opportunity to for once, to say (whether he means it or not) “hey this is not right, I don’t condone this treatment of animals” ya know maybe for ONCE giving kids and others who look up to them something to follow. Instead, laughing and joking “hehe behind closed doors…….” ridiculous, ignorant, and total lack of compassion for a living creature. Hope this opens up investigation to what all these high paid scum bags do behind closed doors.