Supporting Vick - Skins Portis, Samuels ridicule dog fighting as crime

[RiverStone]

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Washington Redskins players Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels defended Michael Vick on Monday by ridiculing the notion that dog fighting is considered a crime.

In an interview with WAVY-TV, Portis said that if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is charged and convicted of being involved in a dog fighting operation, then authorities would be "putting him behind bars for no reason."

"I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."

Portis said dog fighting is a "prevalent" part of life.

more:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/05/22/bc.fbn.vickinvestigatio.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

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I wish the MSM would not give a couple of bonehead athletes a stage in supporting (or making light of) the very cruel practice of organized dog fighting. There is no defense for Michael Vick - and athletes who break the law should be held to even a higher standard considering their "role model" status. Recently a Seattle Mariners relief pitcher, Julio Mateo, was charged with 3rd degree assault on his wife (his wife needed five stitches to her mouth). He was booted from the team and sent down to the AAA level. I hope he stays there - and I say that as a Mariners fan.

I don't care how popular or talented an athlete is, they should be given no grace for promoting ANY practice which causes intentional harm to animals (or people NOT on the playing field).

[Zynx]

1. Yay "gangsta" culture. Animal cruelty is macho.

[jobycom]

5. Gangst? That's not "gangsta," that's redneck

Portis is from Laurel Mississippi, Vick is from the rural south. That's just typical southern red-neck culture, although even in the rural south most people think it's disgusting.

Why'd you say "gangsta?" Because they're black? :shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

12. Good call. nt

[Marnieworld]

14. It was featured by "Gangstas" on The Wire

That's what I associated with it as well. In any case in any place it should be a felony and be abolished.

[Clark2008]

15. Um... no... it's not Southern behavior either.

It's not "typical" Southern ANYTHING. Geesus.

Southerners respect and love their animals, particularly their dogs. At least the REAL ones do. There are rednecks all over the country. They are NOT confined to the South.

That's just as offensive as calling black people "Gangstas."

--> Southerner sitting here with three dogs piled around her feet.

[jobycom]

23. We need a "Why didn't you read my post?" smilie for responses like this.

It's southern redneck culture, not gangsta. As I said, most southerners find it disgusting, too, but it's still part of our unseemly side, not a part of "gangsta" culture.

And don't get high and mighty on me. I'm as southern and redneck as you are, if not more so. I only have two dogs because one of them died last month.

[Rosemary2205]

27. There's nothing southern about it.

This "southrun" belle comes from a long line of YANKEE rednecks on part of my mothers side and a few of them know all about dog fighting, cock fighting, moonshining, weed growing, inbreeding, outhouses and other wonderful "redneck" traditions.

[jobycom]

35. Well, except the fact that there is.

The first post tried to claim Vick and Portis were into dogfighting because they were "gangsta," and that's bull. They are rural southerners, and they are into it because of that. I'm sure they have dogfighting all over the world, but Vick and Porter aren't from all over the world, and they aren't yankees, they are from the south, and to argue that dogfighting isn't part of some rural southern cultures is silly. That's where Vick gets it, that's where Portis gets it--not from "gangsta," and not from anything involving race. It's about where they grew up. The same place I grew up (Portis was from a town about an hour from where I'm from, actually). Your "yankee redneck" relatives might like dogfighting, too, but that was not part of any aspect of what I said.

As for the offensive crap about rednecks and "inbreeding, outhouses and other wonderful redneck traditions," I'm trying very hard not to curse at you. I didn't say anything like that, and there was no call to make hurl such slurs around.

[Rosemary2205]

37. I should have posted the "sarcasm" thingy. Sorry thought it was obvious.

My post was really my way of saying that hurling phrases like "southern redneck" around uncalled for and pretty much just as silly as saying it's a "gangsta" thing ...........

Hope that clears it up.

[LostinVA]

21. Vicks isn't a redneck -- he's black

[jobycom]

22. Vick is a redneck country boy, like me. His skin color doesn't matter.

[Virginia Dare]

24. Vick is not a redneck country boy..

he was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. It is a shipping port, and the fifth largest city in Virginia.

[Captain Hilts]

34. True, but it can be pretty redneck there, depending on who you run with. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

28. And therefor a "gangsta."

Apparently.

:eyes:

[BlooInBloo]

7. Huh? It's just hick "culture".

[Clark2008]

18. Nope. Sorry. It's not.

"Hicks" is a description for people who grew up on farms and these people, by and large, respect animals and the rearing and care of animals.

Now, you may think that raising an animal for slaughter does not fit into the description of respect, I can tell you, having known a number of animal farmers, that it does. Most small-time (read: NOT CORPORATE) farmers respect and care for even the animals they plan to slaughter.

The problem with these people is that they DON'T know that much about animals and don't care to learn. They're not hicks or rednecks. They're just STUPID and buy into the media macho culture.

[RubyDuby in GA]

2. Ron Mexico is about the ultimate in thuggery.

The only good thing that can come of this is that it causes embarrassment and hopefully financial duress to Arthur Blank - Mr. Bigtime Republican Donor.

[acmavm]

3. Atheletes have been getting away with shit for years. One of old

Tom Osbornes 'hidden' secrets from his coaching years is how many of his players got away with things like rape (or charges of rape) and violence against women because old Tom covered for them. Used his 'weight' as coach of the Nebraksa Cornhuskers to vouch for them and got them off with no charges whatsoever. Because here in the boonies of Nebraska, nothing is more important to these good old boys then their 'team'. There are some powerful alumni that helped old Tom pull it off.

[Marnieworld]

16. Don't forget the full scholarships these alleged rapists enjoy

I remember a report about a girl who claimed she was raped by a Nebraska player. She ended up leaving school with no satisfaction while he made it to the NFL unscathed. I also remember that it was a major problem for that school too though I doubt much more would be done in others.

[Captain Hilts]

4. What idiots. Joe Gibbs should make them volunteer at the animal shelter. nt

[bigscott]

6. just goes to show you

they may be rich but they are still dirt bag assholes

[Clark2008]

19. Can he do that?

In professional sports, can the coach exert control over the players off the field?

Just wondering because that sounds like an excellent idea to me.

[Hidden Stillness]

40. Oh, God--Don't Suggest That

Don't promote this suggestion of making them be around animals at a shelter, as some kind of enforced sentence. People who work at shelters do not appreciate this. They have very hard jobs, a lot of work, and this just fucks it all up. The whole attitude of an animal abuser is that they have cold contempt for the animal, no patience, no tolerance for frustration, and an opinion that they "own" the "inferior" animal. Now you give them free rein to walk, sit with, go off with, animals on leashes who can't get away...nice. The times when I was around a shelter when there were people sentenced by the Court to shelter activities, it completely stopped normal work for a few of the real employees, who had to stand around, watch things, "babysit" the crooks, and intervene when there was any rough or abusive treatment of the animals. Surprise, surprise--the bastards were mean and rough with the animals! How could you not figure that? A lot more helpful is when abusers are forced to go to prolonged anger-management or abuser/psychology class, to notice what they were doing for the first time, face it, and develop some empathy. Putting them around animals only torures the animals. Would you sentence a woman-beater to serve at a battered women's shelter? I hope not.

I also don't understand the silly claims that hip-hop culture, etc., are not related to pit bulls, dog-fighting, etc. If all you ever do is watch "Animal Cops Detroit," you will quickly learn the problem. Dog-fighting, cock-fighting, bullfighting, all of these things are connected to many prick "cultures," and even though there are multiple origins and associations, it is still silly and phony, to deny that anyone can refer to any one of them. There are multiple problems. What has to be faced is the larger, violent-rich-male atmosphere here, that excuses and gets away with everything, and that has no empathy for others.

[bpj1962]

8. Dog Fighting

As a life long Redskins fan it truly bothers me that Clinton Portis is supporting dog fighting. It is a cruel and ugly sport that usually ends in the death of one of the animals. Lets get a few things straight about Michael Vick. He is from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. It is an urban area not in the country. Vick has always had this somewhat gangster image about him and he has done nothing to change it because it gives him street cred and it helps sell the products he endorses. Clinton Portis went to the University of Miami otherwise known the "U" to all of its former football players. I have no doubt that he went to dog fights while he was in college. Many of the Miami players like to carry around the thug image that they had in college. It amazes me that anyone takes what these ballplayers say seriously. They are overpaid juveniles who have never had to grow up and until recently the NFL never did anything about their off the field behavior until this year. I would never ever hold up any athlete as a role model to my children. If Michael Vick is guilty of animal cruelty then he should be punished just as you or I would be.

[Virginia Dare]

9. I fully agree with your entire post bpj...

I'm a lifelong 'skins fan and a Hokie fan too. This just makes me sick to my stomach. There is no place for a public figure to be engaging in this type of behavior. I really think the NFL needs to take a stand on this, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[RiverStone]

17. If the NFL does not make a stand...

Hopefully the fans will. At the very least, Vick's team owner can make a statement as to how illegal behavior can effect Vick's employment status.

Dog fighting is nothing more then a bunch of degenerate sickos getting off while one dog is torn to shreds till death. Just a little "real life" publicity on this, IMHO, would kick Vick out on his lame ass.

[TZ]

10. Yes indeed

I USED to be a big Clinton Portis fan (have his jersey) along with my love for the Redskins but this turns my stomach. What do you want to bet both him and Samuels have gone to some fights.

[Captain Hilts]

13. I'm a 'Skins fan too. We need to write Snyder and Gibbs and make them volunteer at the DC An...

imal shelter.

This is totally not cool.

[TZ]

25. I see Portis somewhat retracted his statement later.

Probably after Gibbs jumped on him for this. I can't see Gibbs tolerating this behavior at all. Where is the best place to express out displeasure do you think?

[Captain Hilts]

33. There's NO substitute for the hand-written letter.

I will write one to Gibbs.

As we used to say in polling, the first answers are usually the accurate ones. Portis is a jerk. He needs to serve some time in the DC animal shelter.

[Marnieworld]

11. I am in shock that anyone would defend this

Really disgusted in the ones who have. They really should have kept their mouths shut. This is a complete disaster for Vick, once they find video (and I think that they will) of him at one of these "fights" it will be all over for him in the NFL. It's sick and cruel and disgusting. To not see this cruelty for its barbarism speaks volumes about the sociopathology of its defenders.

Rage! :grr:

[LostinVA]

20. I saw this on cnn earlier today -- SICKENING

Oh hahahhahahahaha... it's his dogs, so who cares if he tortures them, huh?

[flvegan]

26. Someone needs to go check Portis' dog(s)

"Prevalent" part of life, eh?

Dipshits.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. There is no defense for Michael Vick

That they didn't actually find him involved in dog fighting seems like a reasonably good defense to me.

[progressivebydesign]

30. People become total idiots when it comes to sports and celebs.

Dog fighting is sick, it's criminal, it's vile. Those that are supporting Vick are idiots like those atheletes, and rabid fans who can't seem to separate reality from TV.

[DemGa]

31. Football players...Pffft

Never understood the fascination.

If guilty, I hope their crime is punished; but won't count on it.

[mitchum]

32. Well, I'd watch football if those grown men PLAYING a GAME...

were like the dogs and competed without any protection (and if the losing coach were burned alive on the field) Until then, it's just a boring stupid game.
Oh, those guys? They're idiots.

[Captain Hilts]

36. Folks, two players on the Houston Texans are being good guys.

They're helping a low income family buy a house.

[nealmhughes]

38. Dog fighting is most definitely unSouthern. It is also not part of black culture.

Southerners come close to the French with carrying (that means allowing them to ride alongside us) dogs everywhere. In fact, noone finds it odd that "I'd love to come, but Maybelle is in the whelping box right now and the beagle pups are going to the vet at noon" is an acceptable reason for missing a luncheon engagement.

Dog fighting and the ownership of "fighting dogs" is a subculture. It is rooted in I don't what it is, but it isn't any black or southern culture of which I am aware, save a swaggering jeans-hanging drawers-showing pseudo jailhouse tough guy culture that has seen too many MTV videos.

It most certainly isn't rural. If anything it is an urban phenomenon. It is an institutionalized form of sadism to the nth degree.

There is no such thing as a bad dog, only people and packs who did not raise dogs with the love and care they need. Dogs are indeed, mankind's best friend. No other animal will take a beating and then come back to their master's feet with a whimper save a dog.

[Marnieworld]

39. your post reminded me of this

http://pets.yahoo.com/dogs/behavior-and-training/316/do-dogs-feel-love


Do Dogs Feel Love?

Here's a quote:
"This is why we need dogs. They do something for us that rarely a human companion can do. No matter how much you mess up your life, or how much wrong you do, no matter how many mistakes you make or how often you make them, regardless of your looks, income or social standing, your dog never judges you. He always thinks you are wonderful and loves you with all his heart."


Dogs rule! They changed my life. :hi: