Senator Kerry calls on NFL to suspend Vick

[babylonsister]

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2007/07/kerry_calls_on_nfl_to_suspend.html

Kerry calls on NFL to suspend Vick

by Frank James

Another high-profile member of Congress has come out against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick who has been indicted as the alleged part of a dog fighting operation. Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), the 2004 Democratic nominee for president, is calling for National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Vick.

Kerry also said he will introduce a bill to eliminate dog fighting. Dogfighting is already illegal under federal law. Kerry's legislation would apparently be aimed at making illegal the activities surrounding dog fighting that aren't strictly illegal at present, like maintaining dog fighting-related websites.

Kerry's call for Vick's suspension follows fellow Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd of W. Virginia's impassioned diatribe against dog fighting on the Senate floor yesterday in which Byrd appeared to say that he wouldn't mind attending the electrocution of someone convicted for dog fighting.

Vick has clearly fallen far and hard from the pedestal he occupied just a few months ago when he was a headliner at a Washington event like this one at which Kerry was scheduled to attend as well.


Here's a release from Kerry's office.

Kerry Asks NFL Commissioner to Immediately Suspend Vick Over “Sickening” Dogfighting Case

Says Congress Must Pass Tougher Laws to Restrict
Disgraceful Dog Fighting

WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry said today that he will introduce legislation aimed at eliminating dogfighting, which is illegal but is by many accounts still far too common. Kerry said he hopes to go after the cruel sport by making it illegal to transmit images of dog fighting, to run websites that cater to dog fighting or to own or train dogs for the purpose of dog fighting.

In addition, Kerry today sent a strongly worded letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, requesting that he immediately suspend Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was indicted this week on dogfighting charges. Kerry said the extensive role Vick played in the dogfighting ring at his Virginia farm and the sickening descriptions of Vick’s tourture-like treatment of animals argues for an immediate suspension and removal from the playing field. Kerry said the NFL must demonstrate that it does not tolerate animal cruelty in any form and noted that professional football, as the nation's most popular team sport, bears a unique responsibility to address this charge of illegal and inhumane behavior.

The text of Senator Kerry’s letter to Goodell is at link~

[Coexist]

1. THANK YOU!

Finally.

[MiniMe]

2. I can't believe I am saying this, but I disagree

He is innocent until convicted. When he is convicted, then he should be suspended without pay amongst other things. I just don't like to see anybody tried in the press. And I am one of those that thinks he should go to jail for a very long time.

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Pac-Man Jones was suspended, and he hasn't been convicted yet

[MiniMe]

9. Don't misunderstand me, I think he is guilty as hell

But I hate trials in the press

[bicentennial_baby]

13. As do I , but I think that the NFL needs to

hold everyone to the same standards. If they can suspend others without convictions, then they can suspend him as well. By not doing so, they look like they are giving him special treatment based on his 'star power', imho.

[0007]

36. What I hate is Presidential pardons. Since junior is involved

in sports, I wouldn't be surprised.

[Ekirh]

7. My question to that is. .

What is the precedent in the NFL . .

Pacman Jones was suspended without an conviction

So why shouldn't Michael Vick?

Note, I'm not saying he's guilty, I'm just saying shouldn't they be consistent? Or was there more to teh Pacman Jones story.

[northernsoul]

20. no, cannot be criminally punished until he is convicted

The government cannot incarcerate him until he is convicted. The NFL and Vick's corporate sponsors are free to do as they like. Likewise, all of us who are neither judge nor jury have no duty to refrain from speculating about Vick's guilt or innocence.

[King Coal]

27. You happen to be right. But if he is convicted.....

Sling his ass.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Too bad congress doesn't have anything important to do.

:banghead:

[babylonsister]

12. I agree, but it's news now. Sigh. nt

[arewenotdemo]

32. you got that right

shit like this makes me rethink why Kerry lost to Bush...

[napi21]

5. TOO LATE! The NFL already made their ruling yesterday.

The only ones left to make any decisions are the Falcon owners. BTW, I sent an email to Arthur Blank, Owner & CEO of the Falcons. I live in Ga. about 3 - 4 minutes from the Falcons Training Camp in Flowery Branch. I go to watch them practice often. I told Arthur I would absolutely NOT support the Falcons in anything until and unless they suspended Vick pending the outcome of the court case!

[quinnox]

6. This isn't appropriate

This isn't a subject worthy of attention right now by Kerry who has a huge stature on the national political playing field. I don't get this at all. Kerry should be speaking out about the Iraq war and other things not this relatively unimportant dogfighting business.

I'm the last person to be defending a spoiled thug like Visk, who should have the book thrown at him (though he will in all likelihood get off due to high priced lawyers) but this doesn't merit the attention of major politicians like Kerry.

[bicentennial_baby]

8. Maybe Senator Kerry, unlike you, does not think that

dogs are 'disgusting creatures' :eyes:

[LittleClarkie]

14. He's been doing that too

He can do several things this included. He must feel strongly about it.

[blm]

18. Kerry has always found time over the years to speak up for animal rights issues

He's a lifetime hunter, a responsible hunter, who also happens to believe very much in speaking out against INHUMANE actions against animals.

[NCarolinawoman]

22. It's consistent with Kerry's voting record.

There's a place you can go to on the web and check out a Senator's voting record on wildlife welfare, humane society, farm animal welfare, etc. As I remember, the organizations involved give Kerry's voting record 100%

I would conclude that he takes this issue very seriously. Good for him.

[emulatorloo]

31. Um. Kerry is speaking out on the Iraq war. EOM

[LTR]

47. I agree

Why do all these politicians feel the need to comment on every nonsensical non-job-related thing that pops up all over the media? Kerry's just grandstanding. And his moment passed long ago.


Wonder what Hillary thinks about all this.
:sarcasm:

[Ekirh]

10. Although I support action against Vick . .

Is it all that important of an issue for Congress to speak up against it.

I guess it's because it's a big news story therefore it is there way to seem tough or active on a subject. "shrugs"

Then again it's a huge case of animal cruelty so maybe I should be glad someone is trying to say anything to convince the NFL or anyone to take action on Vick.

I don't know. It's up to the NFL and/or Falcon Owners (And from what I heard the NFL has made their decision)

Note: I know I may be opening a can of worms, but has umm P.E.T.A taken action against the NFL/Falcons/Vick on this?


Edit: I rewrote what I originally posted.

[bicentennial_baby]

16. Yes, they have

They have joined forces with Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons (who is a vegan, btw). There's a story in LBN about it.

[Ekirh]

17. Thank you . . for the info

I must of missed it in LBN.

[Inuca]

11. Sickening is the right word

I watched a lot of news these past few days, but whenever something about this was coming up (often, of course) I had to switch channels. I have two dogs (and a cat who thinks the dogs are his playthings) and I just could not watch.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. Sen Kerry is jumping the gun

Mr Vick is innocent until found guilty. After that, I suppose the NFL already has rules about convicted felons. If not, Sen Kerry can make those rules appear and get Vick out of a job. Or get him a new job making license plates. If he's guilty, I guess he could get six years. If not guilty, then why have the NFL persecute him in any way?

Some of your other words were interesting

Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd of W. Virginia's impassioned diatribe against dog fighting on the Senate floor yesterday

I don't know about you, but I sometimes enjoy a good dogfight on the Senate floor.
:rofl:



Edit to add: While I was typing (real slow), a lot of similar opinions were posted. (and some not-so-similar). So apologies if this looks like a "me too" post. :hi:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

19. Good For Him! Thanks John!!!!

[mod mom]

21. and could he call on the RNC to suspend Mitt for his abuse of his dog?

I am not being sarcastic. I find all abuse of animals despicable.

[Marr]

23. Oh, Christ- he's got time for this shit?

Nero is tuning his fiddle and a senator has time to weigh in on this crap?

[bicentennial_baby]

28. It's not crap to some of us...

:eyes:

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. Agree! nt

[LittleClarkie]

34. He weighs in on the important stuff too. Iraq, defending Clinton vs the Pentagon

A whole bunch of stuff.

He's a busy boy.

[AngryAmish]

24. It is extremely brave to speak out against dogfighting nowadays

The average voter approves of dogfighting. This is an act of political courage on par with passing the civil rights agenda in the 60s.

[lies and propaganda]

25. But he wont count all the votes?

I sure he wish he has all this piss and vinegar a few Novembers ago...

[politicasista]

26. It would be great if the people that are constantly given free passes for being silent about

it rather than blaming the victim would have backed him up.

[lies and propaganda]

39. He didnt back himself up, thats why no one came to his aid.

He laid down to the Swift Boats and that, I know for me, was such a slap in the face.
Year after year, the support the troops gang never did, and here a real hero and vet had a change to knock them out, and instead laid down.

[politicasista]

42. No, the party failed him

Kerry never had party support, not from the DC establishment. He also had to deal with a weak Ohio Democratic Party and an imcompetent DNC Chariman, who was supposed to do the REAL job of securing the votes, and protecting the infrastructure.

Did you see any Democrats on media outlets when the Swift Boat Fools made their rounds? Did you see them on TV defending Kerry? I don't. I remember them sitting on their behinds and not doing anything.

We saw lots of Repukes and GOP pundits defending Bush and repeating his message over and over until it stuck? I didn't see that from any of the left leaning pundits. You think Bush did all the work by himself? No, he didn't the GOP and media did it for him.


I don't know why people put the blame on one person instead of a party that failed him.

[emulatorloo]

33. YOU NEED TO READ THIS == Carville tipped off whitehouse, whitehouse hid votes

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/oct/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_kerry_strategy_woodward

<SNIP>

Did Carville Tip Bush Off to Kerry Strategy (Woodward)

By M.J. Rosenberg | bio
I just came across a troubling incident that Bob Woodward reports in his new book. Very troubling.

On page 344, Woodward describes the doings at the White House in the early morning hours of Wednesday, the day after the '04 election.

Apparently, Kerry had decided not to concede. There were 250,000 outstanding ballots in Ohio.

So Kerry decides to fight. In fact, he considers going to Ohio to camp out with his voters until there is a recount. This is the last thing the White House needs, especially after Florida 2000.

So what happened?

James Carville gets on the phone with his wife, Mary Matalin, who is at the White House with Bush.

"Carville told her he had some inside news. The Kerry campaign was going to challenge the provisional ballots in Ohio -- perhaps up to 250,000 of them. 'I don't agree with it, Carville said. I'm just telling you that's what they're talking about.'

"Matalin went to Cheney to report...You better tell the President Cheney told her."

Matalin does, advising Bush that "somebody in authority needed to get in touch with J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican Secretary of State in Ohio who would be in charge of any challenge to the provisional votes." An SOS goes out to Blackwell.

The rest is history.

Does something about this story stink to high heaven!

<SNIP>

[lies and propaganda]

38. Read it but it still doesnt say why a strong man couldnt make his own decisons

Yeah, Blackwell was a slimebag, but such an easily defeated slimebag. He could have totally had those votes counted, and with everything we know about Ohio, he would have been our president.

And Ive sworn Carville off for life, his betrayal is too much to bear.

[flvegan]

29. I'm thrilled for both the potential new legislation AND his stance on Vick

Seems VERY appropriate to me.

[bicentennial_baby]

30. Me too!

I like being able to be proud of my Senator. :)

:hi:

[FreeStateDemocrat]

35. Senator Kerry is correct, this deviate may be a sociopath.

It isn't only the dogfighting which is inhumane in itself, but the additional sadistic treatment of the dogs at his home.

[Xenotime]

40. There needs to be more regulation in these sports...

These people have WAY too much money and don't know what to do with it.

[Telly Savalas]

41. Now if Sen McCaskill will only stand up and demand the Chiefs sign Larry Johnson

He's riding the team on his back and deserves to get paid!

[Vektor]

43. Put Vick in a cage with a bunch of starving, abused dogs.

And coat him with bacon grease.

Then "suspend" what scraps are left of his sick, sorry ass.

[pettypace]

44. they should videotape the proceedings

of a man being eaten alive, and make sure you, Vektor, watch every second of it.

[Yukari Yakumo]

45. Please no.

We've had enough knee-jerk overreaction from the Duke case. We don't need more of it again.

[bling bling]

46. It's not that. It's capitalizing on the opportunity while it's in the publics focus.

If it's something he cares about, there's no better time to get the odds in your favor of getting legislation passed than when the public is on board and emotionally charged.

It's not knee-jerk overreaction. He's just being a smart politician. Kerry's no dummy.

[Yukari Yakumo]

48. Unless, of course, it's somehow revealed that Vick isn't involved in this at all. {nt}