Michael Vicktim

Save your bullets, this isn't an article defending the crimes that Mike Vick committed. I'm sure even the most fair minded or irrational fan maybe wondering why America should look at the plight of Mike Vick through the lens of "victim hood". I can see the knee jerk reaction of political ideology rearing its ugly head. The "conservative" movement in America loves a good story of someone pulling themselves up from their own bootstraps.

Mike Vick's story is a combination of that type of philosophy coupled with an array of double standards. Real sports with Bryant Gumbel did a piece about the slaughter of horses after they are no longer useful. Bernard Goldberg was able to capture the horrible death of these horses behind the scenes as he got a tour of the facilities.

Now you maybe asking what does this have to do with Vick's situation? As much as I love ESPN and other national networks, I found a huge disparity in the reporting of Mike Vick and the little known facts of what happens to horses after their racing days are over. Sure horse racing isn't even in the same hemisphere in regards to popularity but the venom of Peta and most "dog loving Americans was to much for a guy like me to bear.

When Eight Bells lost his bid for the triple crown the media pounced on this as a feel good story. A near miss of such a elusive feat is enough to draw national headlines but its fascinating that neither of the big wigs in media or sports talk radio wouldn't dare draw the comparison of the animal cruelty of dogs to the plight of race horses.

The world of horse racing often makes the steroid era in baseball look like patron saints. This sport is dominated by rich power brokers who often have these animals so doped up that many break their legs from the access weight gain. We've all heard the running jokes of the glue farm but Real Sports uncovered the ugly reality of what really happens to these horses. (Some of these animals end up as steak in many European restaurants.)

Still don't see vicktim hood eh? Consider this... Leonard Little committed vehicular homicide and was allowed to play in the NFL again. Brett Favre admitted to abusing painkillers and alcohol but no journalist has ever raised the concern that Favre's streak of playing 291 games probably were enhanced by his abuse of painkillers. Didn't we at one time defend Mark Mcguire and Sammy Sosa's historic home run chase? Did you still listen to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Riley and Jesse Jackson after their scandals?

It is no secret that regular Joe convicted felons have a hard time reentering society. There are very little social services that reach out to them which contributes to many of them succumbing to the trap of being a "career criminal". The social stigma is devastating. Mike Vick isn't entirely a victim of the system. He is an accessory to celebrity, a hypocritical society and a news media that plays to the hierarchy of characters designed to control the critical thinking of the general public.

Before TMZ guys like Mickey Mantle could party hardy all night without his personal business ever being reported. Lawrence Taylor could go on all night coke binges before the big game. Today's sports world is miles apart from objective and fair analysis in regards to hot button issues.

Many fans and many sports "analyst" would like to see Vick further punished by Roger the terrible. Some are advocating that he get a fair shot at redemption. Those who would like to see the latter are few and far in between. Mike Vick would be the first to admit that his lust for having a good time and walking on the wild side contributed to his demise but should it cost him a shot at earning a living? Especially when he has paid his debt to society for his crimes.

Has Peta ever set up shop at the Kentucky Derby knowing full well that some of these horses are going to meet a violent death? Peta can't plead ignorance on this one. Those who are "animal lovers" probably have never seen the Real Sports story. Please spare me with the argument that horse racing is "legal". Legalities and morality sometimes don't add up. Alchohol used to be illegal and Marijuana was once legal. Go figure...

The slaughter of horses should carry the same angry response from "fair minded" sports fans. Will the sports fan demand that the elite of the Horse racing world be punished for skirting the law? Does the media have us on their puppet strings further skewing our judgment by telling us who we should love or hate. (or who the real "bad guys"are) Mike Vick's crimes can't be defended but his right to reenter society can be. Are we that obsessed with celebrity that we can't see ourselves in this dicey situation. Honestly, wouldn't you want a second chance?

Does Josh Hamilton deserve a second chance? Did Ray Lewis deserve a second chance? Does Pete Rose deserve to get in the hall of fame? These are questions that the hypocritical sports world will never be honest about. We live in a country that says it believes in justice for all. WE love to promote the notion of America being a place of promise and second chances.

America is full of "christian" people who would beg for a second chance for themselves but scorn someone else when they ask for one. The court of public opinion has always been a kangaroo court. Why should this zebra change its stripes now.