Executed? Vick?
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Executed? Vick?
Phil Sheridan, Inquirer Columnist
Well, Michael Vick now has even more in common with Donovan McNabb than just his old job under his former coach. Just as McNabb was frequently blindsided by off-the-wall attacks (Rush Limbaugh, Bernard Hopkins, etc.), Vick last night took an unlikely shot from Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson.
Guest hosting Sean Hannity's show, Carlson noted that President Obama had praised Eagles owner Jeff Lurie for given Vick a second chance after his incarceration on charges related to a dogfighting ring.
"I'm a Christian," Carlson said, a preface that is often followed by un-Christian remarks. I've made mistakes myself. I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs and he did in a heartless and cruel way. I think personally he should have been executed for that. He wasn't."
Couple quick things: I was as critical of the Eagles for signing Vick as anyone in the local media. I still feel deep discomfort at the idea of Philadelphians -- my people, my family, my friends -- rooting for a guy who did the things he has admitted doing, just because he's a good football player. But executed? That's just batstuff.
Carlson went on, saying it was "beyond the pale" for the President of the United States to be "getting behind someone who murdered dogs." And so we see what this is really about -- the relentless and mindless need for some media members to attack Obama no matter what he says or does.
The political discourse in this country is conducted at levels below insulting. Good thing our sports conversations are so rational and civilized. Cough, cough.
Here's the video:
I'm no fan of the left, but this comment is repugnant. It says much more about Tucker Carlson than it does about Vick. Seems like everyone who hates Michael Vick has no problem raising their profile by putting his name in their mouth.— jamesiri- True, the #1 watched news network that beats all the others COMBINED just threw this out there to get some viewers.
The bottom line is, Phil agreed with these same thoughts until they conflicted with Obama. Now Phil does an about face. But it's the right that are brainwashed. OK.— smfree31 - Um, no. He did an about face when somebody suggested Vick should have been put to death. — b3n222
- This comment has been deleted. — olneymike
- "At the same time, what on earth is our president doing making that call in the first place?"
Obama called Lurie to congratulate Lurie on making the Linc zero net energy facility with wind turbines and bio-gas generators, Vick was a sidelight to the conversation and Obama's comment was on giving people with records a second chance. Carlson is just a racist bow tie, if Vick were Favre (or just white) he never would have been charged with animal cruelty much less Federal prison for first time offense for animal cruelty? Really? What do people think tucking into a BigMac is all about?— Eagles1980 - But why make the zero-energy call now? Because Vick is the buzz now, that's why. It was just some innocent grandstanding by a hip politician who is quite a gas generator himself. — filzfan
- Yes, the No.1 "news" network for "patriotic" Americans who can't spell yet continuously vote for their "freedom" to be corn-holed by the same corporate interests and the Republican catamites who feltch them while they scream about "Keeping your socialist hands off my Medicare'.
- Ummm, yeah, about those Fox "News" "ratings" - an afterschool poetry reading will attract a couple prisses, while an afterschool knifefight between two special-ed candidates will attract a couple hundred mouthbreathing paste-eaters. Hardly something worth touting, those inflated ratings of theirs. lol — Brian F.
- How were those poetry readings? Pretty cool, I bet. Were they raising funds for National Public Radio? — filzfan
- I'm sure Tucker was using hyperbole about conVick. Only reason it is news is because Zero decided this was an important task for him to undertake in his position as POTUS. However, he should have called Arthur Blank, who was really the one who gave conVick a second chance. I believe this is more like chance 4 (before June party...when everyone was adament that Vick learned his lesson and would take things seriously) and 5 (after June party).— Phillyrussian7
- LOL!!!! they are dogs NOT people. He was wrong and paid a grave price, but give me a break. I'm so glad you and your ilk are in the minority. 10 years for killing dogs; that's more than some people get for killing a human being. You and Tucker need to get a life...Also, you act like Vick came into your rundown house, kidnapped your mut and did these horrible things; well he didn't. AND, stop treating your dogs like they are people, with sweaters, carrying them in your bags, and letting them sleep in your beds. Don't you know you come to work smelling like a damn dog? LOL!!!!! — The Professor
- Professor. He should have received 25 years for organized crime. I dont equate dogs to humans, but he RAN A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION. — Kruntz
- Wow, let us count the ways you embarrass yourself in your reply.
1) "They are dogs not people." Thank you Captain Obvious. Yes, they are dogs. They are not valued as highly RELATIVE to people. However, they are rated above many other animals because a dog is man's best friend.
2) "10 years for killing dogs." Sorry, who got ten years for killing a dog? conVick got 2 and probation. Where did you get ten?
3) "You and Tucker need to get a life...Also, you act like Vick came into your rundown house, kidnapped your mut and did these horrible things; well he didn't." Hmmm...I'm sure we should all get a life as good as yours making inane comments on other sites. Once again, the Captain makes the point that Michael Vick did not kidnap my "mut" [sic --that means you can't spell moron]. However, how this is relevant to the point of why I should root for a dog killer on the city's football team is beyond the "professor's" expertise. I'm sure torturing, killing, drowning animals is acceptable as long as it is not yours. Great
4) "stop treating your dogs like they are people, with sweaters, carrying them in your bags, and letting them sleep in your beds." Really? Where do you get this? Do you even know me?
5) "LOL" You might have a disorder that makes you burst into spontaneous laughter when nothing humorous is present. Then again, you might just be laughing at your own stupidity and unintelligible points. Either way, get lost loser. Exploring your own body with a plunger is popular for people like you this time of year.— Phillyrussian7 - I'm a die hard Eagles fan and have been so for almost 40 years. This is the first year that my heart is not in it...I can't root for a team whose leader tortured dogs for years and committed multiple counts of premeditated murder...However, it seems clear that Carlson's remarks are politically motivated and heavy handed. I feel that Vick's sentence should have been considerably longer than the 2 years he served. I would go as far as 10 or more years...But to even consider executing him is extreme and over the top. I feel that if President Obama hadn't gotten involved, then Tucker Carlson, would probably never have opened his mouth. But Vick is still a bad person and should not be in a position of role model for children.— ericyshel
