Reaction to the arrival of Michael Vick in Philadelphia runs the gamut from hard-core fans who think the "animal rightists" should shut up and go eat tofu, to those who say Vick did terrible things, but deserves a second chance, to those who are so furious about team owner Jeffrey Lurie's decision, they plan to boycott the Eagles and Eagles sponsors.

My colleague Mike Jensen looks at the new campaign on www.sackvick.net launched to put pressure on Eagles sponsors like Verizon Wireless and KFC.

Meanwhile, the comments are still sizzling all over the Inquirer Web site. A poll keeping a running tally of pro/anti Vick sentiment (currently running 51 percent opposing the signing and 49 supporting it.) My email box is brimming with readers who want to air their views and comments posted on stories are running at an all-time high.

Here are excerpts from some of the emails I've received: 

To Eagles owner Jeff Lurie:

What is the price to sell your soul? It must be a shot for that Superbowl ring and, of course, the money. Surely as CEO, coach and players you have all sold your soul by welcoming Michael Vick to the Eagles. We gave this man the privilege of playing professional football and making millions of dollars once before and he had the responsibility of setting an example to all of us who admired his abilities. Instead of cultivating a positive image, he chose to commit atrocities to animals. There is something in the core of his body that permitted him to do these atrocities and it is hard for me to believe that Michael Vick has been set straight by just losing money. To forgive Michael Vick is one thing, but to put him back up on his pedestal is something entirely different. Cheering Michael Vick as he throws a pass, catches a football or scores a touchdown would only be seen as condoning and accepting his actions. Anyone that owns a pit bull and loves it dearly will never forgive Michael Vick. Anyone that truly loves their animals and treats them with respect and returns the love that they receive will never be able to cheer him on the field. Why has Philadelphia stooped so low?

-David G. Wolf, Director, National Greyhound Adoption Program

 “Michael Vick admits that what he did to dogs was cruel and barbaric, but now that he has served his time, he wants to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. He has pledged to make a long-term commitment to participate in our community-based outreach programs to steer inner-city youth away from dogfighting. At events with Michael in Atlanta and Chicago, we’ve seen him deliver a powerful message against animal cruelty. Like so many other major American cities, Philadelphia has a serious dogfighting problem, and groups like the Pennsylvania SPCA have excellent programs to combat dogfighting locally. We have not had any discussions with the Philadelphia Eagles and the team did not consult animal welfare groups about its decision, but we look forward to working together to combat the dogfighting problem in Philadelphia and nationwide. “

- Wayne Pacelle, President, The Humane Society of the United States

Yesterday, as I was watching the Eagles-New England game, Michael Vick came up in the conversation. My wife and I wondered which team would stoop low enough and be so desperate to acquire Mr. Vick. Within minutes, when the television sports announcers stated that Mr. Vick had been offered a two-year contract by the Eagles, our feelings turned from absolute disbelief to shock. Of the 32 teams, it was the Eagles that had stooped low enough. I am embarrassed and ashamed. And like many people in Philadelphia and around the country, I am angry. Eagles ticket holders who have dogs—in fact anyone who has a conscience—should send a message to Eagles owner Laurie (sic) and coach Andy Reid and demand their money back.

I have yet to hear Mr. Vick publicly state that he is sorry for what he did to the dogs that died at his and his associates’ hands. He has apologized to his family, friends, team members, and fans—but he has never apologized to the animals. We keep hearing that he has paid his debt to society. It wasn’t society that he wronged. It was the countless number of dogs and other animals that he caused to be brutally harmed and savagely killed.

Make no mistake, this was no one-off situation. This was no error in judgment. If we are to believe Mr. Vick’s father, his son has been engaged in dog fighting since long before he was 10 years old. Remember, we read in the media how Mr. Vick and his companions hung dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water. And that’s only part of the story. How many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of animals has Mr. Vick abused and killed in the intervening years? We will never know. Dogs and cats are stolen off the streets and used as bait for fighting dogs in Philadelphia and other cities. How many pets, companion animals died to feed Mr. Vick’s taste in entertainment?

And are we to believe that miraculously Mr. Vick has transformed—after over 20 years of engaging in dog fighting? Statistics are not in his favor: ask any law enforcement official. Repeat offenders—including drug addicts, rapists, child molesters—often do not and cannot change. This was not only a business, an enterprise for Mr. Vick, it was a way of life. And we are defined by what we do in life.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the insensitivity of sports. After all, it is about money. Our everyday and business language is laced with ill-chosen, callous phrases based on a theme: “it’s a dogfight; it’s not the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog; or I don’t have a dog in this fight.” Here’s another one: “every dog will have his day.” Except those Mr. Vick killed. Instead, and to further trash the animals he tortured and killed, Mr. Vick is having his day—$6.8 million to be exact. So crime does pay.

It doesn’t stop there. The sport of American football—until now by far my most favorite sport—is unfortunately providing an ever growing number of players who demonstrate violence and bad behavior off the field. They may be professionally talented but personally they are damaged. Every week we hear of another football player who has exercised “poor judgment,” expecting the League and the fans to give them another chance. Too many chances are being given. Too many lines in the sand are being drawn, and then crossed. It will only get worse. The decision by the Eagles has not helped. The Associated Press quoted coach Reid during the announcement of Vick’s signing: "This is America. We do make mistakes," Reid said. Yes, you do, Mr. Reid. Put that down to an error in judgment.

- William Hawkins, former board vice president, Pennsylvania SPCA