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 a Christian, so I approve of killing other people.' What an ***, talk about an oxymoron. YEAH, religion!
-not bob levy (athiest since 1977)— remyy
Carlson is a pompous dope. However, you perpetuate the mischacterisation of Limbaugh's comments. He stated (in my opnion accuratley) that McNabb was a good, but not great QB. His harsh words were reserved for the MSM and their pumping of McNabb because he was black and fit an agenda for them. If you are going to make accusations, try and be accurate. Go check out the transcript.— georgel- It is obvious the comments made by Mr. Carlson were a means to an end to attack President Obama.
With that said, to everyone who is still damning Michael Vick: I hope you apply the same stiff moral code to yourselves and or everyone else who makes a mistake, gets caught, pays the price (a very heavy price he is still coming back from), does the time and tries to rebuild their life.
Is there no room for second chances? If not then we are all in for a great deal of heartache and disappointment— jgallo 
so, you dont believe in second chances at all, fervently or otherwise... im glad the writer points out the claim "im a christian" dot dot dot...- why is this even anything. whatever Obama does they are going to find fault with, they twist his words and actions whatever way they want. these people have no credibility and are just plain mean and nasty. it is just wonderful to see how easily they can drape themselves in the cloak of christianity-
I am a forgiving christian but he should have been executed for what he did- do these people even listen to themselves.— notch44 - Carlson is an idiot. All he ever achieved in life is being the heir to the Swanson food fortune.— foghelmut
- @jskirwin
Obama didn't ask for this to be leaked to the press. Lurie told the reporters that Obama spoke to him in their private phone conversation about Vick and redemption. I highly doubt Obama was thinking about gaining street cred when he had that conversation. He might have imagined that it could have leaked to the press, but he said it because that's what he believes.
@KINGOFZED
Why is it so obvious that he didn't mean that? He said it, after all, and he did so in a very casual manner, without second thought.
For everyone else: tone down the crazy.— Mike P - I do not know who is crazier, Carlson or the numbnuts that wrote this article— robtpenn
- Why would anyone be surprised that a commentator from Faux News would say something stupid and irrational. That's what they are paid to do.— mindstorms
tuckers serves up a middle-in meatball for phil...
phil hits softly up the middle for a single- Where's all the outcry about Donte Stallworth? He killed a MAN and he's playing in the league after serving a much shorter sentence than Vick. I'll be the first to admitt that Vick came off as nothing more than a thug. And I have no idea if Vick is really remorseful for what he did. But I have to accept the fact that he did his time and paid for what he did. As a Catholic, I forgive Vick just as I forgive Stallworth. Maybe everyone else should do the same and go on with their lives.— MacDaddy36B
- There are two idiots here. Carlson and Sheridan. Carlson is obvious. Sheridan for being two faced. He says he is critical of
Vick and then gets upset about a comment that obviously was made only for effect. I can't say for sure, but I suspect he wouldn't have been upset if the comment was made by someone not critical of the president.— MasterOFunk - First off, Tucker Carlson is an idiot. I think most people would agree with that after his comment. Though Obama called Jeff Lurie and talked about Mike Vick, he actually called to talk and priase Lurie for his plans to make the staduim "green"/energy efficent. Even the Vick comments he made was not that bad. He just praised him for taking a chance on an ex convict since many companies won't do so. What's wrong with that/— mat719
- Playing in the NFL is a privilege. Convicts should not have that privilege. Hope that the millions he is making is going to the people he stiffed. People's lives were ruined when he didn't pay his debts. I lost interest in the Eagles the day he was signed. Baseball and hockey is enough to keep me happy.— JoeC.
- JoeC
Michael Vick is repaying what he owes. He has chosen not to file bankruptcy and to pay what he owes. The majority of the millions he is making he will not see a penny— jgallo
