Says it all - Vick lied to the judge, the FBI, the owner of the Falcons, and the NFL commisioner. Not what a repentent, remorseful person does when they are trying to minimize the sentence. -----

"Vick, it appears, did everything he could to trash his credibility before US District Court Judge Henry Hudson. Not only had Vick been less than candid to Hudson in detailing his role in the dogfighting ring, it appears he misled the public and the NFL about his involvement as well. He also tested positive for marijuana during the case."

Oliphant,
I'm a little more interested in Vick's sentence than I am in Convergence.

Mac,
Yep, he's a thug; no doubt about that. I think he got too much time for dog fighting/gambling. Maybe blacks do get unfair treatment. I doubt he would become a repeat offender. I also believe, because of who he is, he's gonna go nuts in jail doing 18 months.

I hate the way Vick's attorney refers to his actions as a mistake. It is a mistake to accidentally run over your dog. It is a crime to stomp, hang or electrocute Fido for his poor fighting skills. Mike Vick is Sick!

you all are losers...they are just dogs....not to say he was right in what he did and to emphasize it was incredibly studpid but he didnt kill a human being...furthermore he has already basically went bankrupt, set himself up for a career ending sentence and yall still aint happy...so i guess if you got caught you would fess up right? jerks...

I see no remorse in Michael Vick's demeanor or words. He is mean and arrogant...a combination that turned him into a ruthless dog killer. What a sick person he is. And I don't think we'll see jail change him. I feel sure that that those dogfighting football players he did not turn in to the feds will be there with millions for him at the end of his jail time. I'm sure they will be more than happy to show their appreciation for not getting turned in.

Thank you Judge Hudson. It is high time (pun intended) that someone treated Mike like criminal he is. This isn't a race issue it is a family issue. Take a look at his precious baby brother.

Just Dogs! Are you kidding I'm glad they throw the book at him. Shameful, really shameful behavior.

Just Dogs! Are you kidding I'm glad they throw the book at him. Shameful, really shameful behavior.

For centuries, white Americans treated my ancestors like animals, sub-humans, beast of the field. I can't understand why white folks have so much more passion for animals than they do blacks. The former explains it all. Peace.

They should stick that animal in the same cell as that other sub-human, OJ. They could play catch with the soap.

VICK=CON-VICK

Everyone makes mistakes and and YES Vick did make a mistake.name one person that has not made a mistake..As much as we would like for it to end. this black ans white issue will never stop.Vick was judged by his color not his MISTAKE. but we still have love for him and will be looking forward to his release in 2009.Blacks dont stand a chance when it comes down to the legal system and this was a prime example.Its ok to kill deer..chickens..fish and oher animals but if you kill a dog and you are a RICH BLACK HANDSOME YOUNG MAN..then you get 23 months..we will never have a fair chance..not in this lifetime.

"...As much as we would like for it to end. this black ans white issue will never stop.Vick was judged by his color not his MISTAKE."

Oh, play the race card. Pete Rose was banned for LIFE. The feds went after Martha Stewart, a white rich lady, just as hard as they did for Vicks. Libby was white and rich, and the feds indicted him. Key Lay is a billionare and being white hasn't helped his legal woes.
Vicks brought the extra time on himself. He lied to the judge, he lied to the NFL commisioner, he lied to the Falcons. It was only after an FBI lie detector test that he admitted killing dogs, and his drug test makes a lie of his telling the judge he hasn't done drugs. When you are remorseful for your actions, you don't lie to America, and only admit it after a lie detector test.
Don't do the crime, if you aren't prepared to do the time, black or white.

okay, personally im behind vick 100%.

yess, what he did was bad.
he apoligized, repented to God.

i mean what more do you want.
God is the only thing that matters.
so if god forgives him, then so do i.

& if God doesn't fogive him, then he will deal with him hiself.

so tell me something.
what would happen if this was to happen to any REGULAR person.

it would not be as big of a deal as this is.

but just cuz its MIKE VICK. . .oh no. stop the world.

i mean, i really do think he is sorry.
& remember the last time you wanted a second chance.

didn't you just HATE it when people wouldn't let you have one.

well thats what your doing to him.

give him a second chance, everybody deserves one.

--God Bless,
Michelle

Too bad MV didn't play for the Rams; he would have been found innocent by an LA jury trial.

There was no race in this. He deserved what he got. I personally thought he should of gotten more for what he did. I think they should band him from the NFL for LIFE. If this was not an NFL player he would of recieved a longer sentence. He knew what he was doing was ILLEGAL. I am happy with the decision and I look forward to the state hearing in April maybe he will get more...

Vick is taking his whack like a man. I hope he does his bit and gets back in the NFL.

What he did to these dogs was wrong but it shouldn't deprive him and his family of a livelihood since his crime had no nexus to his job..

Nice Pamela,
Bring up slavery and make a bad analogy.

That will help the problems of race in this country.

The fact is that SOME white people had slaves...not all...and the same horror many whites felt about that, is one of the reasons why "us white people" feel horror at what Vick did.

Both are sick and twisted behavior.

Quit making excuses and look at the man for what he did illegally.

ahhhh yeah....PEACE OUT!

I am a 37 year old white male and to me the punishment didn't fit the crime. As a single parent, I teach my son to treat everyone equally no matter the race. Yes he lied, and failed a drug test, but don't most people say they didn't do it when they actually did. After doing research on dog fighting convictions, I came across a white man in Louisiana who lied to authorities as Vick did and also had 43 dogs and killed them in the same ways Vick did. He paid a fine and was sentenced to less than a year. Oh, did I mention the case was this year? So it was also a felony and the man faced very similar if not the same charges as Vick. Yes, Michael Vick committed a crime and should pay for his choices; however the true crime was 23 months.

Are u guy's insane? Did you not see the pictures of these tortured dogs. Yes people kill deer for sport, and frankly that's a bit disturbing. We also kill chickens, cows etc... for food. At the end of the day, however, we do not put two killer dogs in a pit and bet on the winner as they each ravage each other. It takes a sick, twisted person to enjoy that sort of thing. In my opinion Vick and people like Vick, black or white, should be punished physically for the pain they cause those animals. I hope that scumbag has a big, pissed off, dog lover as his cellmate. Maybe at that point he'll be remorseful for his actions. Pulling the race card is almost as idiotic as Vick trusting his "rat" friends.

I think we all need to step back and take a deep look in our own closets. To me justice was NOT served here at all. From where i stand the murders (takers of another's human life), molestors (violators of human rights) and drug dealers (another name for murders) gets less time than he did and he killed dogs?

Vick is being publicly crucified because he is a rich Black male.

The sentence is hypocritical and contradictory. Why?

. Who else has been convicted and penalized to this extent for related dog fighting?

. Why has all Whites previously convicted on such related charges given $1,000 dollar fines and suspended sentences. If this is such a major crime, why is s Black man the 1st to be crucified to this level?

The "holier than thou" White judge, handing out a sentence NONE of his fellow White judges have ever handed out to White defendants.

This garbage reminds us of all of the White judicial system in all its infinite wisdom handing out longer prison sentences for crack than pure cocaine. Cheap crack is sold in the ghettos, so we will hand out 3X as long prison sentence against Blacks. Despite the fact that crack is made from cocaine and is just a cheap substitute. Furthermore, we will not go after the suppliers, as much as we go after some people on the street trying to make a few dollars and those trying to escape their misery in the ghettos.

. White American hate for Black males and Black male athletes is thinly veiled by the comments many make. Stuff like, "Good for those ghetto n****", "Hang him!", "Those Black ****" , "Black thug this and that", are comments all over the Internet about Vick and Black men in general. Its more about Vick being Black and successful, than it is about dogs.

. If there is so much true concern for animals, than why is say deer hunting for sport not illegal. You convict Vick, then turn around and go hunting with Baba. How many dogs were put to sleep today in America??? Yeah, but now we are all "save the dogs", when a successful Black athlete is concerned.

. Vick has been publicly humiliated, lost HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars (when is the last time you paid that much), and has given MILLIONS of dollars in penalties to the dogs (literally).

. Vick was given a longer sentence than even his accomplices. Furthermore to make matters worse, those accomplices were squeezed by the feds and forced to plea deal.

. The penalty was specifically geared to destroy Vick's career. We are talking about a pro athlete. The judge effectively ended Vick's career and means to support himself.

. Vick will do more time in jail than various convicted rapist. So what are we saying. The dogs are MORE IMPORTANT than human WOMEN??? Get real. Vick being a Black male had a lot to do with it.

Yes, Vick deserves to be punished. However his punishment should have been relative to how those BEFORE him have been punished and relative and in proportion to other crimes like rape and murder. The sentence should have been no longer than 12 months. Going further is bullsh*t. If they add on state charges and more time to 23 months and give like a 36 month sentence, than complete and utter crap. Blacks should march for Vick.

Vick's crucification demonstrates there is no true justice in America.

I am just happy justice was served. Dogs are helpless individuals and I dont know how anyone in their right mind could ever do such a horrible thing.

Vick broke the law and he should pay, but the punishment is too severe. Not only does he have to sit in a cell for at least 18 months, but he's also been banned from his job indefinitely, and the Falcons want their 20 million dollars back. Vick will be below the poverty line when he gets out! And for what? He killed 6 dogs. We're not talking about cute, cuddly, friendly dogs. We're talking about pitbulls- vicious, ignorant, wretched beasts! Now, I don't see why anyone would get a kick out of watching two dumb animals go at it, but I'd rather hear about them killing each other than hear about one of them killing another kid while his father is away at war. I'm not saying that it's ok to kill them for sport. I think it is wrong. But in this case, the punishment doesn't fit the crime. We watch boxers and UFC fighters beat each other unconscious and no one goes to jail. I saw a guy pull another man's arm until it broke in two and no one arrested him. They gave him a championship belt and a bunch of money!
There have been athletes who died on the field and in the ring. These sports haven't been banned and no one was charged with a crime. You might say those people had a choice. Well so do the dogs. They don't have to be trained to fight to the death, they do it instinctively. They were bred for over two centuries to be killers! It's what they do!
I'm not one to play the race card, but those who do have a pretty significant argument here. When investigators searched Vick's home on April 25, dogfighting was a MISDEMEANOR punishible by up to ONE year in prison. Eight days later, President Bush signed a bill that made it a felony. You may have to look back to Bush's days as governor of Texas. Texas executed more blacks than all the other 49 states combined. And let's not forget about New Orleans. You may say that this case has nothing to do with race, but trust me, if Bush is involved, racism is involved.

Vick is sick and so are the rest of you that defend him. No one has mentioned that sports stars have a major influence on youth, positive or negative. His actions had a highly detrimental effect on black youth who need good role models. He's just the opposite and has done serious damage in more ways than one. I hope the State of VA gives him 10 more years.

Victory - You're wrong! A white man got 40 YEARS for dog fighting. Do a fact check before you post your racist garbage.
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/articles/tant.html

Dogs are not individuals. They are dinner in other countries. It is amazing when I see people kissing their "individual" dog in the mouth after it has licked its anus. I just think that this is stupid. Most of the dogs are not allowed in the city of denver as pets. Do any of you like boxing? It is very similar to dog fighting don't you think? Even the way that the boxers are exploited and disgarded after they cannot win. 23 months for dog fighting...onlyin america.

Vick's sentence was just, and the reason is NOT because he's Black, White, or Purple. It's because he's a role-model to millions of people / children, and his behavior / punishment must be taken very seriously. Kids are confused and need to know that animals have feelings and need to be treated with respect.

I am a dog lover. Dont' get me wrong. But Michael Vick was punished for honestly of being a darn good lucking thug.
It's so funny and we wonder why one race can kill anything an everybody but they are given a slap o the wrist. For the record I am caucasian and I am overly ashamed of the judge that sentenced him. I just wonder when we as a people begin to think of our actions personally and treat everyone fairly. Vick keep your head up. I'm still your number one fan.

I find it beyond disgusting the level of commitment people have for dogs over humans in this country. There have been cases where authorities have had to use animal cruelty laws to remove abused children from their homes. Dogs, like all other animals, are not people, no matter how many sweaters they wear. None of you people that were selling off your Micheal Vick merchandise to donate the proceeds to PETA would consider doing this if it was just another abused woman who got smacked by her NFL boyfriend. If Michael Vick had been arrested for abusing women instead of dogs, he'd still be on the football field today. He'd still have the love and adoration of his fans. And, yes, he'd still have his Nike deal. Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Lionel Gates (arrested on burglary, criminal mischief, and aggravated battery charges after an altercation with a pregnant woman in March) and Michael Pittman (a repeat domestic-violence offender who finally served time for aggravated assault after intentionally ramming his Hummer into a car carrying his wife and 2-year-old son). Why are we less concerned about [former Dolphins player] Lamar Thomas, who kept right on playing even though he shoved his pregnant fiancée's head through a window, than we are about Michael Vick? I'm not saying we shouldn't be repulsed by dogfighting. I have two dogs and I love dogs. But I also love pregnant women.

"....Blacks should march for Vick. Vick's crucification demonstrates there is no true justice in America."

The race card again.

If you will remember, Vicks made a plea bargan, knowing and agreeing fully that the suggested sentence of 12 to 18 months would be given, and that the Judge warned Vick that he was not bound to that 18 month limit. Vick said he understood and agreed to enter the guilty plea anyway.

What got Vick the extra time was his lying to the judge about doing drugs (then fails the drug test), lied about killing dogs, (then failed that lie detector test and agreed that he did kill dogs.) Lied to the Falcons, lied to the NFL commissioner, and lied to the American people in his televised photo op.

All this was taken into account in the sentencing.

While I whole heartedly agree that Vick should be punished for his actions, I fell that the punishment should fit the crime; which in my opinion it does not in this case. The example I would like to take note to is that on this week I saw an article where a 5-year old bold and his father were out hunting and the boy is credited with killing the bear. He is standing over the bear as though this is his trouphy for the great task which he performed. Tre Merritt, a 5-year-old boy from Arkansas, killed a black bear Sunday. Where are all the people who protest animal cruelty in Vicks's case; why are they not protesting about this as well? See: http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/7552180

It's amazing that a person can go to prison for killing dogs when i've flipped though channels and watched hunters kill deer, elk, and other wild game for pure sport on television where myself and my nephews and neices can accidentally see it. This has no useful purpose just that they can say "hey i killed something" and for self gradification. We as people have to wake up to the the realization that wrong is wrong and right is right. there is no difference between those whose kill deer and mike vick killing dog except two things: One-the law of course but if you can distinguish the difference in between the two (deer and dog) I'd have to say your full of it. Two-purpose what is the purpose of killing a deer? Answer = fun and to take there skulls and mount them on a wall.
sound bad doesn't it but it's the truth, it is what it is and it's legal.
What was Mike's purpose in killing HIS dogs
Answer = to do away with an animal he couldn't use for a purpose and is to dangerous to give away.
If he had taken a pitbull to an animal shelter what would they had with it? Killed it.
whether hug, drowned, poisoned(put to sleep) or whatever dead is dead
If i asked you "how you wanted to die these are your choices: hug, drowned, poisoned(put to sleep)" what whould you answer be?
Most would say I don't want to die
so please people if your going to be a judge be a real judge with no prejudice.
further more most of the people that have these negative opinions cross the street (or want to) when they see a person walking a pitbull in their direction.
Clearly this is not about animal rights!

No sane person would condone what Michael Vick did. But the collective "Oh-this-shocks -our-collective-conscience" reaction is also hard to take.

I have no doubt that if what Michael Vick has does was done by, say, Tom Cruise, there would be more pop psychology and call for compassion for a supposed lost soul, than full condemnation.

The so-called criminal justice system routinely destroys the lives of thousands of young black men. This is done with vigor and relish, while a big chunk of the population buries it's head in the sand. Of course, once in a while when those with concience and sense of fair play complain about the lack of equal treatment under the law, buried heads are temporarily taken out of the sand to scream "race card," as if this were some kind of a game.

If there's a game being played here, it's by those who pretend that the unusually harsher prison sentence (in addition to the loss of at least $200 million that Vick would have made) is a just and proportionate punishment for the crime.

This isn't a race issue at all... his sentence does seem harsh but i think that as a society we should hold the rich and celebrities to higher standard thats why he is being crucified...
Celebrities white or black just don't deserve as much forgiveness for extremely idiotic and sick criminal action. They are supposed to be above the scum but apparently vick never cherished what he had enough or else he would have stopped dog fighting when he achieved success.

Common ... it's only dogs ... who cares? you eat cows and you can't kill dogs? ridiculous ...

Seriously this is a bad decision. Vick did do wrong but i reakon a suspended sentence or a bunch of community service would have been worth it. I mean he had no criminal convictions previous to this, his childhood wasn't the best and the judge didn't even take that into consideration. Yet people like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton put peoples lives at risk with how they behave under the influence of something and they drive!!! and they get off practically scot free!!!!! Its a disgrace i feel for the guy, its not as if he wouldn't learn his lesson through some other form of correction that didn't involve jail time.

Doesn't matter what anyone says! HE BROKE THE LAW!!! Try to understand that point, don't stray. I suppose if he would of killed a person you would still be saying the system put him away for being black, please step back and look at the big picture, grow up!!! He'll be out before you know it and probably my guess will be back to doing the dirty deeds all over again......I guess a little justice is better than nothing at all!!! Hey Merry Christmas Everyone!

He got a second chance and he blew it. He was less than candid and failed a drug test....Yes it is just dogs..why didn't everyone think of that..If it happened to a regular person....why this HAPPENS TO PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. Especially, in cases of the demented. Seriously. How many times is a history of animal cruelty used as an aggravating factor against juveniles rapists or murderers. All the time. Why? You are more likely to be suffering from some type of psychological problem when you can do something cruel to other animals. It usually translates to worse crimes....on individuals. I hear it all the time.... boy scolds family cat. "Hey, but it's just a cat. It was just for entertainment, just like fishing. He didn't really mean to scold the cat. He didn't mean to lie about it either..He's still a credible upstanding repentant kid from suburbia... straight A's... all around athlete.. Why are you hating on him? Is it because he's sucessful? He did not rape anyone. He did not kill anyone. Hey you think scolding a cat is cruel? Why don't you go after people who fish as a sport. That's cruel... He has repented ...oOh he failed a drug test.....he didn't mean to, he really didn't." OK. What's the charge? Burned a homeless man did he? We never saw that coming.

I'm glad he got what he deserved. The bigger they are the harder they fall.

Do the crime, do the time. Lets not forget that Vick denied everything, until his co-conspirators started rolling over for shorter sentencing. Let us not also forget that the maximum time that could have been 5 years. After lying to the judge, the NFL commissioner, the FBI, and the American people in his TV photo op, He failed a drug test, failed a lie detector test, and only when his high price lawyers couldn't get him off, did he admit guilt.
Then he does a plea bargan, knowing full well what the recommended plea bargan called for - jail time.
He hasn't been banned for life like Pete Rose was for gambling, and Vick's NFL suspension is under review once the legal trials are over. I think he will do better than Pete Rose in this gambling mess.

I'm an Asian woman and am also an animal lover. But I can't help feeling that the punishment for Vick is too harsh.
People seem to forget the symbol of the law: the blindfolded lady of justice. Just as a poor deserves fair justice as a rich man under the law, a person cannot be punished more harshly just because he is a hated or rich celebrity.
To be frank, I see that many white people seem to enjoy seeing black celebrities fall from grace.Perhaps, it is a subconscious lingering effect of slavery and belief in white superiority that may never go away.

What about accountability? So he is black! So what! I get so tired of the claims from people when a black person commits a crime and is sentenced according to law that it must be "because they are black". When he is going to jail because he was committing a crime, then was caught and sentenced according to that states justice system, and on a federal level as well. I’m not this dog loving tree hugger either, but he broke the law regardless! Lets flip the race card the other way! " This black man who only "killed dogs for entertainment" should be let go. The mistakes of the white devil in prior generations (which most white people today were not even born yet to be accountable for) have held back the African American race, so now Mick Vick should get a second chance! Why not? We will just call it a "mulligan". Why we are at it! Native Americans, Jews, Chinese and Japanese all get one too! Are we even yet? But wait! As the years passed, we all have possibly mixed our blood. I am part native American, Jew and white! Does that entitle me to half of a "mulligan"? Or should I just hate myself for being all mixed up? Or maybe I could just try "accountability" for my actions! Maybe to avoid going to jail, I could just follow the law! Maybe to keep my job, I should not smoke weed and then lie about it to my boss!

Honestly, how many out there, if tested for drugs and proven positive would even have a possibility of keeping their job? Not me, and I am part white! I should be pissed that because of an athletic talent, a rule can be overlooked, as well as a law!

Anyway, to wrap up my rant, he gets what he deserves! And anyone who can torture any form of life has issues and should be locked up!

Just because a dog torturer and killer can get 23 months, doesn't mean that most people don't think drug dealers or wife abusers should get more. It would be great if they could.

There is something fundamentally wrong with anyone that can hurt a dog, cat, OR human, let alone take pleasure in it! I hope MV gets some help while in prison. I truly do.

Hunting is not at all the same thing as dog fighting and dog fighting is not at all the same thing as 2 humans CHOOSING to beat the snot out of each other for money (aka boxing).

There is no race involved here. He LIED to the judge and authorities, then he FAILED a drug test. That's why his sentence is so harsh. Doesn't mean that other offenders don't deserve worse, not that particular judge's fault that they don't....

I am surprised at the comments trying to turn this into a racial issue. This was not a lapse in judgment. This was an ongoing criminal enterprise. When confronted with it he perjured himself. Sounds like a pretty simply situation.

How is dogfighting and boxing different? Boxers get the best sports doctors money can buy while dogs used for fighting and bait may never see a vet in their life. Many dogs used for fighting die from infections caused by neglect on the part of the owner after a fight.
How is dogfighting and deer hunting different? I've never heard of a deer hunter shooting a deer up with steriods and making it run on a tred mill for hours at a time.

Not a racial issue. It also isn't about famous sports figures, black or white. I am sure Vick will do better than Pete Rose, who is banned for life for gambling.

It is about breaking the law.

Art Schlichter, a former all-America quarterback at Ohio State and QB of the Colts, whose National Football League career was interrupted by a 1983 suspension because of gambling in a multimillion-dollar college and professional sports betting operation. He did 10 years in prison for gambling scams. 10 YEARS in prison. (He was white)

What has America come to when a man is jailed for killing an animal!!! No matter how it was killed it is still only a DOG!!!
All those animal loving imbiciles where are you when animals are hung up alive their throats slit and let the blood drain out and the animals die a scrutiating slow death all in the name of halal meat. No one condems this procedure which occurs to thousands of animals daily but where are the prosecutions for cruelty to animals?? This is the most absurd waste of money and a gifted black male life!! God Help America!!

A few comments:

This issue had nothing to do with Race. If it had, the entire African-American Leadership in this country would have lined up in full support of Vick. That did not happen, they didn'y want any part of it...and it is indicative of what really happened here. A crime was committed. The accused was given a chance to tell the truth with his employer (Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League). He chose to lie because he felt it would just go away. It did not go away and he was indicted by the "Federal Government". Through his legal team he professed his innocence. His cronies turned against him. At that point he decided to enter into a plea deal of guilty. He needed to comply with the court's order regarding cooperation and compliance of a convicted felon. He smoked pot. He lied about his involvement with the killing of the dogs. He did not fully cooperate with the FBI.

Then how is this a Race issue?

What's sad is that had he done what he should have done early on (tell the truth) he might have just received a suspension from his employer and probation from the courts. Even later on had he stayed clean, complied and told the truth he would have probably received the 12-18 months that the prosecution "recommeded". He had to go out of his way to mess this up, and he did this to himself.

History has proven that the lie can worsen the crime and make the penalty more sunstantial than it would have had the accused told the truth.

(BTW, anybody that comments that they were just "dogs" does not understand that this is a country that loves their pets...dogs, cats etc...we trust them in our homes and with our children.)

Well, I have heard some compare Michael Vick's actions with those of hunters. Come on now, hunting, when engaged in legally and responsibly, is usually for sport and the catch/prey is eaten. I doubt anyone ate those dogs, and certainly it could be defined as an illegal sport. As a teacher at an inner city school not far from Vick's alma mater, I can understand his behavior. How does it go "you can take the boy out of the hood, but the hood always stays with the man." I think his sentencing sent a fair message, like it or not, animals have rights, like it or not. Too many pitbulls have received an unfair reputation, and it doesn't help them when they are forced into such unfortunate fighting circumstances. Shame on you Vick for not being a role model.

It isnt about animal rights thats for sure - how come those same people arent upset about how the majority of food that you eat (chickens/cattle/turkey) undergoes the same kind of torture- www.meat.org

Far to harsh a penalty, should have been a fine and thats it. Vick made alot of money for a lot of people and to ruin his career and destroy him financially, while pulling others down with him over a couple of pitbulls show that American society is indeed on the skids.

I still think that Vick got off lightly. He out right lied from the get go until his "Buddies" started to turn on him. Then he fails a drug test come on people get real if this was any of us we would have never been able to turn ourselves in at our convience, the feds would have been knocking our doors down at 2 in the morning. Then we would still be in jail till the trial or sentencing. Then put under the jail for alot longer than 2 years. How can you say that he is losing so much, he will still have his house when he gets out. The money he is losing was from his contract that he voided by doing this in the first place, the personal conduct clause. If he is smart then he put his first contract money away so he has that to come home to. Would any of us have that, nope don't think so. So I show no sympathy for him at all.

It's often said that for a lot of us where we stand depends on where we sit in the pecking order. Much of the comments above essentially shrugging "I-don't-see-race-in-this-matter"
comes from people who either aren't affected by the destructive and predatory nature of the so-called justice system or those unwilling to admit its true impact on young black men. Of course, there also those who reflexively yelp "accountability" when the real issue is neither forgiveness nor averting one's gaze, but applying the same legal and moral standard to all.

There is no way of convincing those who, for one or another, argue that Brett Favre would have gotten the same exact treatment as Michael Vick has done.

(It's also astounding to read people who find fault with Michael Vick's initial refusal to either co-operate or admit or both to serious charges to law enforcement authorities.)

As a dog owner and animal lover in general, I can't even begin to comprehend what it takes to behave the way Michael Vick has toward dogs. Then again, I also don't understand how those who eat animals raised in the typical factory farms can find it within them to get all self-righteous when discussing this matter. I'm sure a Korean who eats dog might also note a little hypocracy in our culture as to how we generally seem to have a sweet spot for dogs, while we simulatiously brutalize other sentient beings.

But issue in the Michael Vick sentence isn't about general human hypocrisy. The legal and moral outrage in this case is the systematic yet routine manner with which young black men are given the harshest penalties by the so-called legal system.

Wow. Baltimore has a serious race problem, which has zero to do with this case.

Dog fighting is a crime committed by whites, blacks, hispanics and asians. Vick's sentence was fair and measured.
He's a liar, an animal torturer, killer and a gambler, all illegal for a pro ball player. He got what he deserved. Doesn't matter what color he is anymore than the color of the dogs he hanged, shot and electrocuted. Sick Vick, Merry Christmas.
May the dogs you murdered rest in peace.

And for those of you wrongheaded people who want to make this a race issue, please consider just how many white folks are fighting for justice in Darfur and just how many white folks are committed to justice here in America for black folks. MANY who truly care.

I'm a white woman who wants to vote for a black president of the United States. But Vick is just
a famous thug. Vick got caught doing a very bad thing and then lied about it to the fans, to the Feds. Stop defending him and start defending black folks who need our support, like all those women getting murdered in Africa (by other black folks, btw).

Give me a break calling his sentence harsher due to his race simply because some white guy in Louisiana got a lesser sentence is bs. I was in Louisiana after Katrina and saw enough evidence of dog fighting to know it's a huge problem down there and Louisiana is not as harsh on dog fighters as some of the other states, heck cock fighting is still legal .

In some cases race just doesn't apply at all. This is one of those cases. I thought the sob should have been charged and if convicted sentenced appropriately as soon as I heard of the case. At the outset I didn't know he was black. Sorry but as a Canadian who doesn't follow the NFL how would I know?

It is demeaning to every black person who truly has been falsely convicted or sentenced harsher based on his or her race. That does happen and that is an injustice but making the Vick case about race is an insult.

The reality is that dog fighting sentences are getting harsher and Michael Vick's sentence is well within the guidelines,

David Tant got thirty years for dog fighting, He is white.

In South Carolina David Maffei was just sentenced to three years in prison for ten dogs. He is white.

Start ignoring the colour of the man and start looking at the acts he was convicted of.

No, zhc, YOU are wrong. No white man got 40 years for his FIRST dog fighting conviction. The max is 3 years and a $200,000 fine. This guy you are talking about must have been convicted for more than just fighting dogs. 23 months is excessive for anyone who does not already have prior felony convictions. Aside from the crime itself, judges are supposed to take any number of factors into consideration before handing down a sentence. Let's say a lawyer named Bill goes out drinking, picks up a hooker and is stopped and arrested by the police. He is charged and later found guilty for driving under the influence and solicitation of prostitution. Consequently he is fired and disbarred, his driver's license is suspended and his wife files for divorce. The judge will take Bill's hardships into account before sentencing him. If Bill undergoes treatment for alchoholism before sentencing, that is also taken into consideration. What if Bill hit a tree before the cops caught him and broke his spine. Don't you think that the judge would go easier on him if Bill were confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life? On the other hand, if this is Bill's third offense, that also weighs in against him. Vick has already suffered hardships for his offenses, and rightfully so. His crimes are despicable. But adding 23 months on top of everything else simply is not justice.

I sat out some traffic tickets earlier this year and I had no idea how long 24 hours was until I spent it locked up. 23 months is unimaginable to me. I don't smoke marijuana, but if I was facing that kind of time, I would start. I would have been high when I turned myself in.

"What if Bill hit a tree before the cops caught him and broke his spine. Don't you think that the judge would go easier on him if Bill were confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life?"

No, he'd be additionally charged for evading the police. Maybe even damages to private property. The injury you cause to yourself and others as a result of your own crime do not mitigate your sentence.

No make that a possible reckless driving charge.

Art has spent 10 years in jail if you count ever incident of him going to jail throughout his life. He didn't get one 10 year sentence.

The guy who got 40 also had a booby trapped gun on his property which shot some guy who was on his property so no only was he charged with the dogs but aggrevated battery and some other charges. Also he can have 10 years off of his sentence if he pays $100,000 in fines. He was also charged with selling fighting dogs nationally and internationally.

I can't believe people are calling MV a liar as if we ALL aren't liars. And what the heck the President lied to American where is his 23 months?

Dru,Zhc you are both correct.

David Tant originally got forty years. Thirty for dog fighting and the other 10 for a booby trap that shot a trespasser. At the time he was considered the number 2 dog fighter in the US.

When he agreed to reimburse the state for the cost of the dogs care 10 years was dropped. His full sentence was thirty years. He will most likely serve 12 plus.

Michael Vick got twenty three months. In line with the role he played.

Black or white I will put it in black and white. As it stands dog fighting in illegal, participate in it and go to jail no matter your race. The sentences are only going to get harsher.

Vick broke the law, and Vick is doing time. It isn't a race issue it is a criminal issue.
You enter a plea bargan, knowing what the terms of the agreement are in advance, and you take the verdict that is given. The maximum Vick could have received is 5 years in jail. He got 23 months. It would have been shorter, but Vick chose to lie to the judge, lie to the FBI, lie to the American people in a TV op, lie to the NFL commissoner, and lie to the owner of the FAlcons. Then he fails a lie detector test, a drug test, and gets the sentence increased. Who is to blame here?

Vick broke the law, and Vick is doing time. It isn't a race issue it is a criminal issue.
You enter a plea bargan, knowing what the terms of the agreement are in advance, and you take the verdict that is given. The maximum Vick could have received is 5 years in jail. He got 23 months. It would have been shorter, but Vick chose to lie to the judge, lie to the FBI, lie to the American people in a TV op, lie to the NFL commissoner, and lie to the owner of the FAlcons. Then he fails a lie detector test, a drug test, and gets the sentence increased. Who is to blame here?

Mac:

You've repeated your nonsense trying to convince us that race had nothing to do with what is happening to with this case. I'm sure if we were talking about the despicable over-policing of the poor urban realms you would have similar views. It would also not surprise me that you would have defended the prosecutor in the infamous Jena Six case.

That the so-called justice system, at least the criminal portion of it, is a predatory monster that destroys the lives of young black men can't be washed clean by your repeated denials of the racist undertone of the whole Michael Vick affair.

Give it a rest.

I have two reasons why I find Mike Vick's actions so horrific:

Logically, I know from jr high biology that humans are Homo sapiens, one of the Great Ape primates in the mammal species.Humans have a larger brain for reasoning ability; However, the ability to feel pain, suffering, and fear is no different between us and the rest of the mammal species.

Emotionally, what kind of person would find pleasure in the torturing and killing of another living creature? I know that the FBI calls this one of the "trinity" of behaviors that are normally found in serial killers and psycho-paths.

Dog fighting and animal abuse are wrong - morally and legally. This was a violent crime and had numerous victims. His prison time should reflect it.

Welcome to Arena football, Mike, because no NFL owner is going to endure the public outcry of signing you. Canada doesn't issue visas to convicted felons, so Arena football is your next stop. You have to understand, arena football doesn't pay much.

ok, heres the deal. THIS IS NOT A WHITE/BLACK ISSUE. point and case, one conviction in louisiana a WHITE man got 10 years for dog fighting and he had less dogs involved than vick, another conviction in alabama a WHITE man got 102 years for dog fighting, 6 years for every dog the guy had in his kennel. do the math, 17 dogs. how many did vick have?