Maybe in Michael Vick’s old world it was cool for his dogs to get so worked up they frothed at the mouth, but even Michael Vick seems to want to present a new side.  According to all accounts so far, he hasn’t flown the bird at fans nor protesters.  He hasn’t attacked anyone, hit anyone, bit anyone or passed on viral diseases across the border.  By that alone, he would ‘appear’ to be a new man.

I still don’t think he should be in the NFL, not because of who he is today, but because of what he has done in the past, what he represents with a lifetime achievement of mostly criminal behavior during his previous stint in the NFL.  One of the reasons why I think his past should be a measure of whether or not he is in the NFL today, is due to the fact that he does influence people.

Case in point

His fans and supporters in Atlanta went out and spit on dog fighting protesters that want Michael Vick and the NFL to add dog fighting and cockfighting to the list of banned activities for ALL NFL players.  Michael Vick has no authority over the NFL, but he IS the poster child for dog fighting promoters IN the NFL.  Like it or not, his name, image and number 7, will forever be associated with dog fighting, BECAUSE he spent many many years running a dog fighting ring paid for with NFL money.  (his current problem not anyone else’s).

His past activity seems to inspire his own former Atlanta fans, people that might have been Falcons fans at one time, but now rally against their own home team for any team that Michael Vick might be able to find work with these days.  His disregard for laws against dog fighting, could possibly be a major influence in his fan boys and girls who would completely disregard the law themselves and assault people in Atlanta, showing just how nasty southern hospitality can be.

Welcome to Atlanta, where we will spit in your face if we disagree with you!

Sorry, but that is not the Atlanta motto.  Even Michael Vick has enough composure these days not to go spitting on people.  That goes to show just how deep the damage is that he caused.  Even if he has moved on beyond the criminal that he was (and I’d hazard to suspect that he is still as sociopathic as he used to be, just more careful), but giving him the benefit of the doubt for the sake of argument, if he is no longer a criminal, no longer acting like a criminal, the damage he did when he was a criminal and acted the part, has in Atlanta and probably in many other areas, inspired too many people to engage in criminal activities as well.

This IS why, it will take Michael Vick, years and decades to begin to repair the damage he has done.  He has negatively impacted and inspired people to be criminals, to engage in criminal activities, to disregard the safety of others, to harm others, and to do so in the name of Michael Vick.

A few related articles on this sad topic

• http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Vick-protesters-say-they-were-spit-on-by-fans.html
• http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/12/animal-activists-claim-fans-assaulted-them-outside-michael-vicks-return-to-atlanta/1
• http://life.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3877794-im-disgusted/
• http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/21881976/detail.html#
• http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Vick-exits-with-injured-thigh.html

Someone just passed this on to me to share with anyone in this community that can help in a positive way.

Dairyland greyhound racetrack in Kenosha WI. is closing Dec. 31, 2009. Up to 500 greyhounds need to be adopted or they will be euthanized. Please help get the word out. there is only 6 weeks to get this task done. contact JoAnne Kehoe, operations director at (312) 559-0887 or the dairyland adoption enter direct (262) 612-8256. Re-post to save a dog.

 

http://www.dairylandgreyhoundpark.com/RecentNews.asp?date=11/19/2009&title=DGP%20Important%20Closing%20-%20Dog%20Status

http://www.gpawisconsin.org/

We wanted to pass along information about a Pro Animal-Anti Michael Vick protest at the Lincoln Financial Field.  Summary below, more information on meetup.com.

Social Media Protest Tips – If you attend, make sure you share pictures or video via YouTube, don’t forget to get your banners, t-shirts etc in the picture and where possible capture those protest signs and t-shirts next to images from corporate event sponsors!

Pro Animal/Anti Vick protect Sunday 10/11 at 11th & Pattison: 11am – 1:30 pm *AND AT EVERY HOME GAME!*

Please join us in protesting the NFL, the Eagles and the hiring of Vick at the Eagles game at Franklin Financial Field on Sunday 10/11 at 11th & Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia. Please bring signs and a thick skin. The media is portraying Vick as someone who simply "bankrolled a dog fighting operation" when in fact he killed numerous dogs himself. Please join fellow animal lovers and let our voices be heard and the facts be known. Hope to see you on Sunday. Thanks for caring.

Location:

Lincoln Financial Field

1 Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19101

TIP ABOUT PARKING: Don’t put a penny into the pockets of the Eagles by parking in one of the pay lots. You can park on Broad Street north of the CVS (in the residential neighborhood). It’s a bit of a hike, but worth it to save $20.00 or $25.00.