I'm sure everyone here has seen and heard about the Vick dogfighting scandal. I've heard from people on both sides and I am just lost. We as a people are on a constant search for justice but are at times too fast or too slow to act. With this Vick case everyone seems to automatically label Vick as a cruel and heartless person and seem to be ready to lock him up for a loooong time. Here in VA a person killed their two year old child and received only three years in prison after an already lengthy trial and Vick makes the news over him?!?!?!?!!?So the question I ask all of you is how do you all feel about how we approach these situations?

labman

I think it is only natural when the rich and famous are caught violating the law, everybody screams for their scalp. They should be tired, and if convicted, punished as the law states.

jrb252000

I have to agree anyone with a celebrity status takes the headlines away from other pressing issues. I feel they need to go through a fair trial like everyone else it is just hard because you have some people who love celebrities no matter what and some that have the jealous feeling and it is hard to get a fair trial without someone yelling discrimination. That whole Anna Nicole thing was a joke, Paris Hilton etc. etc.
I think the laws in this country are a bit slack when it comes to people killing people but that is just me.

bushg

Celebs always make the news over anything or anyone else. Look at Paris. If Vick gets 3 years I will be thrilled, but I think his rich @ss will get out of it, with a slap on the hand at the most. Hell, he did not even have to post bail . I say give Vick and his buddies justice now and when/ if they are convicted then give all of those poor helpless dogs their justice then. But I think that this is what will happen. Tony taylor plead guilty today he will probably get the time, I would say that this is already planned out and that is what will happen. Old Vick will go on and make some nice men richer, and line his pockets as well.

bushg

I made the assumption that Tony Taylor would get the time. In todays news they say that he had left Badznews Kennels after disagreements. So I am wrong, he is not the fall guy, I thought he was going to be. I just want everbody involed in this ugly mess, once proven guilty to be held accountable.

excon

Hello vibe:

What do we want as a people??? Ordinarily, what we want is reflected in our laws. It ISN'T reflected in people’s opinions. What IS reflected by people having opinions on this subject is that we are a caring people. What also could be reflected by people’s opinions is racism.

The good news is, people are convicted (or not) in court - not in people's minds.

excon

acw

In every crime, there are the circumstances and details. The sentencing portion of the criminal justice system is based on points. Pick up a law book on sentencing guidelines and delve into it...i think you will find it interesting.

The example you gave of someone getting 3 years for murder is a weak analogy. What were the circumstances of that case? A mentally ill parent, accidental death....?

Why would you mention a case which has Numerous mitigating circumstances as an analogy against another case which involves a guy (a wealthy and famous athlete who was given every talent in the world) who Willfully tormented animals for financial Gain...???

s_cianci

I think this is the essence of it right here. Someone like Michael Vick, who makes millions playing pro football, has no reason to generate extra income illegally by running a dog fighting ring. The man probably makes more in one season than I'll make in an entire lifetime. So it's easy to see why the average person would be angered over such a case. I'll never begrudge someone who is lucky enough to have the privilege of earning several million dollars a year performing their jobs. However, I do feel that such people have an obligation to better the society in which they live, not tear it down.