Michael Vick to speak at the Raleigh Evening of Champions Event

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by Sweet*Tea

No one said it was. So what's your point?

My points are made throughout the thread.
I worked hard to write them clearly, but will boil them down in brief:

• The organizers of a private event, and it is a private event, should manage the event as they see fit.
• If COC members dislike this choice, they should voice as much.
• If still dissatisfied, they have the absolute right to terminate membership and not pay next year's dues.
• Michael Vick is as much a symbol of ruination due to stupidity and to "...the excesses of sport and celebrity..." as one might find alive. He may be able to provide some young athletes and/or parents with a warning. I think that would be a good thing, as sports and celebrity dreams destroy many lives and the college/pro industrial sports complex and celebrity-anxious parents profit greatly from their abuse.

[jaiho]

Has anyone watched an interview with this man? Dog Fighting issues aside, he is no Public Speaker material. Give me a break. Of course, if this event is about Football, that's something different. The man can play.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by jaiho

Has anyone watched an interview with this man? Dog Fighting issues aside, he is no Public Speaker material. Give me a break. Of course, if this event is about Football, that's something different. The man can play.

The interview format will be kinder to him.
His educational level is a result of a perfectly scandalous sports/education situation that millions of Americans adore.
VT is a great school. If NorthRaleighGuy is any indication....

Why they embrace the football factory mentality is a mystery.

[Sweet*Tea]

Originally Posted by meh_whatever

I think his point was that private sponsors can invite anyone they want to their events.

Look... I think what Vick did was horrible, but I also understand that he was brought up by people who thought that dog fighting was an everyday thing.

He's gone to jail, lost the opportunity to make more money than most people would make in 10 lifetimes, and he seems to be trying to make amends.

I think more slack is given to people who kill other humans than what's being offered to Michael Vick at this point.

And, again, I think dog fighting is disgusting.

I'm also not a huge fan of pit bulls, but that only applies to me owning them or having to come into contact with them. What other people do away from me re: owning pitbulls and loving them is great and totally their choice.

I'm also not a sports fan... but, hey... other people like football.

What I'm saying here is that he's a cautionary tale. Let the man tell it.

No harm in that. I don't think they're throwing him a parade or anything.

I think his point was that private sponsors can invite anyone they want to their events. They can but it's naive to think that a private group's actions cannot stir up controversy within the city or be a negative reflection of the city.

Look... I think what Vick did was horrible, but I also understand that he was brought up by people who thought that dog fighting was an everyday thing. He doesn't get a pass for that. Those people know dog fighting is illegal. That's why they hide it. Vick knew it was wrong. That's why he hid it and then lied about it when he got caught.

He's gone to jail, lost the opportunity to make more money than most people would make in 10 lifetimes, and he seems to be trying to make amends. Just because he served time doesn't mean all further consequences for his actions magically disappear. My past follows me. Yours follows you. Vick is no difference.

I think more slack is given to people who kill other humans than what's being offered to Michael Vick at this point. For example?

And, again, I think dog fighting is disgusting. What about the torturing, beating and electrocuting of dogs? What about using them for bait? How do you feel about that? What do you think about the studies linking animal cruelty to child abuse?

I'm also not a huge fan of pit bulls, but that only applies to me owning them or having to come into contact with them. What other people do away from me re: owning pitbulls and loving them is great and totally their choice. Do you own a dog? Your comments about pit bulls could be construed as tacit approval.

I'm also not a sports fan... but, hey... other people like football.

What I'm saying here is that he's a cautionary tale. Let the man tell it. Different "tales' resonate with different audiences. This event is being held to honor local athletes for their accomplishments. Michael Vick is a poor choice for this type of event.

No harm in that. I don't think they're throwing him a parade or anything

[RedZin]

Originally Posted by Sweet*Tea

I think his point was that private sponsors can invite anyone they want to their events. They can but it's naive to think that a private group's actions cannot stir up controversy within the city or be a negative reflection of the city.

Look... I think what Vick did was horrible, but I also understand that he was brought up by people who thought that dog fighting was an everyday thing. He doesn't get a pass for that. Those people know dog fighting is illegal. That's why they hide it. Vick knew it was wrong. That's why he hid it and then lied about it when he got caught.

He's gone to jail, lost the opportunity to make more money than most people would make in 10 lifetimes, and he seems to be trying to make amends. Just because he served time doesn't mean all further consequences for his actions magically disappear. My past follows me. Yours follows you. Vick is no difference.

I think more slack is given to people who kill other humans than what's being offered to Michael Vick at this point. For example?

And, again, I think dog fighting is disgusting. What about the torturing, beating and electrocuting of dogs? What about using them for bait? How do you feel about that? What do you think about the studies linking animal cruelty to child abuse?

I'm also not a huge fan of pit bulls, but that only applies to me owning them or having to come into contact with them. What other people do away from me re: owning pitbulls and loving them is great and totally their choice. Do you own a dog? Your comments about pit bulls could be construed as tacit approval.

I'm also not a sports fan... but, hey... other people like football.

What I'm saying here is that he's a cautionary tale. Let the man tell it. Different "tales' resonate with different audiences. This event is being held to honor local athletes for their accomplishments. Michael Vick is a poor choice for this type of event.

No harm in that. I don't think they're throwing him a parade or anything

I have owned a good many dogs. I do not own a dog now, but I do own 3 cats. I love animals and I would never harm one. I think that animal cruelty is disgusting. The fact that you're asking me this crap just because I think that the CC can invite whomever they want to their event is weird... do you think that I approve of something that ALREADY happened and isn't happening anymore just because I am not about to take up a pitchfork over it now?

I just said I though dog fighting was disgusting. I'm insulted that you think I approve of dog fighting just because I don't want to beat up on Michael Vick about it for the rest of his life. If he cannot be a good example, let him be a cautionary tale. I do think that people can be good for something... and I'm pretty sure that drug dealers and YES... even some murders get less grief that Michael Vick has over dog fighting (which, again, I do NOT APPROVE OF).

Good. Grief.

ETA: I don't even like football. Geeeeez.

[RedZin]

Thread closed. Topic closed. Again.