WH responds to furor from Obama's comments re: Vick

[hlthe2b]

A little fast and furious back-tracking to convince everyone that he condemn's Vick's actions. (sigh....)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/27/obama-michael-vick_n_801736.html

The Obama administration confirmed on Monday afternoon that the president, in a call with the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, expressed gratitude for the team's decision to give a second chance to quarterback Michael Vick.

But the nexus of the call, spokesman Bill Burton told The Huffington Post, was on the team's plans to use alternative energy sources at their stadium. And while the president was thankful that Vick was given a career do-over, he still thought that the actions committed by the QB -- the orchestration of an illegal dog-fighting ring, the killing of animals and the deceiving of investigators looking into the matter -- were condemnable. (full statement from his PR person at link)

******
As I said last night, WRONG, Obama, WRONG. To equate greedy Eagles NFL team owner's hiring Vick with the very real difficulties non-athlete, non-celebrity (and yes, non-horrific dog killers) have in finding employment is just disgusting. Somehow all the millions of unemployed, who will never have the kind of opportunities Vick has had-- will surely take no comfort that Obama understands THEIR plight. How out of touch this statement shows Obama to be. Sadly..... :shrug:

[BrklynLiberal]

1. It was a totally avoidable dumb move.

[Foo Fighter]

124. The same can be said for a lot of his appointments.

Giethner, Gates, Holder, Salazar, Vilsack, Duncan... the friggin' "Deficit Commision"...

Obama's had a whole string of dumb/planned moves. Vick needs to get in line.

[BrklynLiberal]

166. LOL. You are correct.

[vi5]

2. Exactly....

..and the idea that it was some sort of altruistic action on the part of the owner/management to hire him back and give him a second chance, because gosh darnit they just really believe in giving people a second chance is just absurd. Their was money to be made by hiring him and having him have a successful season so they did it.

Even if it was just a part of a larger conversation it was the wrong message to send.

[Catherina]

3. Rec'd n/t

[FrenchieCat]

4. The fact that this is a "furor" is the reason that I don't post much at DU anymore.

My mistake for peeking in at DU!

Thank goodness this was the first thread I hit.....
as it only lets me know to stay out of the zoo
and that I should continue getting some R&R before getting
into fighting gear for election 2012!

[Scurrilous]

6. Hi Frenchie.

:patriot:

[hlthe2b]

7. Fine... Most of us do not take animal cruelty so lightly,

nor some in our society's tendency to ignore such horrible behavior for athletes and celebrities. That seems quite worthy of some furor, as evidenced by many others.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dkf]

18. What is more cruel than eating animals?

Wouldn't you rather get beat up than killed and eaten?

[demmiblue]

19. Sick.

:puke:

[cigsandcoffee]

20. Killing them for sport - and not eating them. n/t

[dkf]

23. So you'd rather be eaten? Yikes.

[Withywindle]

81. Once I'm dead, I don't give a shit what happens to my meat. Eat away, I won't be there.

But of course I would rather be killed quickly for my flesh than subjected to protracted kill-or-be-killed violence in a gladiatorial ring for the enjoyment of others...while still being killed anyway eventually, just a lot more painfully.

Obviously I'd prefer neither, but that was not a choice Vick's dogs were given.

[hlthe2b]

21. Good Gawd...

that really deserves no reply.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NashVegas]

26. Picking Them Up By Their Arms And Slamming Them To the Ground, Repeatedly, For Kicks

[Critters2]

39. +1 nt

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TBF]

144. Check your research - Vick killed at least 7 of those animals.

I have no idea whether he ate them or not. But then you don't care about that - your only purpose is to spout right-wing talking points.

[KittyWampus]

135. And I'm sure Obama is all in favor of it. I expect better from DU'ers like you.

I don't check in much either.

How fucking stupid.

[hlthe2b]

148. Nice. KW... really nice

No where have I or anyone else claimed Obama was "in favor of it," in terms of animal cruelty. But, then YOU know that. I don't understand how swooping in from time to time to make rude and derisive posts can be so enjoyable to some. But you aren't alone in doing so. It certainly does nothing to advance your POV. But, it does serve to make DU a much less civil and place, if that was your intent.

[denem]

180. Stupid Kick for Vick

[Union Scribe]

22. Odd, I see you all the time.

Is there some program that forces you to "peek" in at DU?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

27. I'm there with you, FC!! n/t

[WorseBeforeBetter]

36. Newsflash: The "furor" isn't limited to DU.

Most Americans (not just the LoudAngryLiberalProgressivePuristPony-WantingLeft) don't take too kindly to "man's best friend" being raped, electrocuted, used as bait, slammed to the ground until death, and being forced to fight to the death.

It's amusing when one takes oneself so seriously...thanks for that.

[Aramchek]

43. because of course that's what Obama was supporting.

:sarcasm:

It's amusing when one overestimates the number of people who think like they do so they can take themselves seriously.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

52. I know this is difficult for some, but try to look at the big picture...

just not the negative reaction to your precious Obama.

[Aramchek]

91. the big picture is Obama doesn't approve of what Vick did but thinks he deserves a second chance

who are you to pass judgement on his mercy?

[hlthe2b]

100. re: "who are you to pass judgement on his mercy?"

Good Heavens. You are equating Obama to God now?


At a time when 15 million are officially unemployed and another 11 or so million are underemployed or soon to be unemployed and when the numbers of uninsured have just spiked (as a result of all that unemployment) to 50 million--the population of SPAIN, yes, I would think Obama would not be so tone-deaf as to express concern for a multi-millionaire NFL player's job, (much less one that he MUST know has enraged and continues to enrage much of the population-- given the depth and degree of his sadism, for which he was convicted).

That Obama seemingly has so much difficulty adopting a populist message and seems to be oblivious to the impact of his constant defense of the wealthy and privileged-- is what has many here absolutely incredulous.

Tone deaf, indeed. It may well cost him (and all of us) if he doesn't come around.

[Aramchek]

163. Obama shows empathy. You show judgement.

I guess they should just throw Vick down in a hole somewhere, eh?

[hlthe2b]

168. I do show good judgement, thank you.

[Name removed]

120. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[snagglepuss]

114. Exactly. nt

:mad:

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[frylock]

54. glad you logged in to provide such insight

[tekisui]

70. What do you expect. Everything the WH does,they do with full consideration

of the politics. This was an unnecessary and stupid move. They opened themselves to criticism that wouldn't have come otherwise. Dumb move, they asked for it. You shouldn't (nor should the WH) be surprised at the response. Idiots.

[Major Hogwash]

71. No, no, no, they had no idea this would be reported. Blame it on Rahm like they used to!

It's all his fault!!

LoL

[Zax2me]

76. You think the 'furor' is limited to DU only?

Guess you hide out from a lot of places.
This is by no means a negative to DU. In any form, in any way.

[superduperfarleft]

78. Bye. n/t

[Hello_Kitty]

162. Awwww. Poor widdle Fwenchie.

:nopity:

[Hassin Bin Sober]

176. How can we miss you if you don't say gone?

[Obamanaut]

182. DId a simple search by author all forums for two weeks, got this ->

41 topics match your criteria

That seems like a little more than 'peeking'

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. The bigger issue is

that Obama, or any president, shouldn't dabble, remark or otherwise put on a public persona in regard to sports and issues such as Vick.

Has the Eagles' team owner made financial contributions in support of Obama? Is this what this is about?

I really have no idea, but IMO, a President needs to stick with the issues of the people, not a convicted ball player who is going to make tons more money regardless of his criminal history.

[emilyg]

9. Well put.

[whathehell]

12. Sorry...I think the bigger issue is that Vick tortured animals, Period.

[Whoa_Nelly]

35. Yes, he did.

And he was convicted of it. And that is also at issue with a President participating in making any type of public statement regarding Vick, the Eagles', and even being contact with the team's owner.

[Botany]

8. Dear President Obama,

How would you feel if somebody stole your family's dog Bo



and duct taped his mouth shut so he could be ripped apart as he was still alive
by fighting dogs for training purposes?

This was a first class stupid ass move on the President's part and salt in the wound
to a lot of his base. Obama should step up admit he was wrong ASAP.

[Amonester]

11. Unfortunately, he proly has no clue.

Like most of the Rest.

[whathehell]

14. Agreed...Maybe Obama should check in with the people who cared for the animals Vick tortured. n/t

[TBF]

16. +1 nt

[snagglepuss]

115. Nail meet hammer. nt

[AndrewP]

175. +1

But none of them throw a 50 yard pass or play for the White Sox, so that won't happen.

[smokey nj]

28. Well said, Botany.

[northernlights]

31. +1,000,000 nt

[femrap]

40. Maybe he's going to go the

way of W and never admit a mistake....never say he's sorry.....???

With all the damn shit this country faces, why the hell is he even bothering to talk w/ an NFL owner anyway?

[BlueIris]

53. Good luck waiting for that apology. But thanks for mentioning Bo.

((((( Bo )))))

[dflprincess]

65. I hope you have or will post that question on the White House site

it deserves an answer.

[blondeatlast]

13. This ex-cheerleader sez--a little interest in public sentiment would have prevented this whole

disgusting debacle.

I'm afraid our President is becoming as out-of-touch as... (fill in your own blank of detached leaders; Lord knows there's enough to go around).

[whathehell]

17. Good point. n/t

[Bodhi BloodWave]

34. I'm afraid our President is becoming as out-of-touch as... (a sizable part of DU)?

[roguevalley]

68. out of touch of what? Watching the brouhaha he could have

avoided wash up on his desk? out of touch? Who is? The guy who congratulates an animal abuser for his good fortune or the people who are disgusted by it?

[blondeatlast]

150. Performance art.

It's either so incredibly good you don't know it's supposed to be art--or it's just bad. Most of it is incredibly bad.

[Safetykitten]

41. Becoming? It's getting pretty obvious.

[Arkana]

157. Yeah, being a football fan REALLY makes him out of touch with America.

He should only watch cricket.

[Critters2]

15. WTF? Was he pandering to the dog-torturer voting bloc?

Every time I think I can stop being disappointed in BO, he does something like this.

[ncteechur]

24. This is a dumb ass thread about a dumb ass topic. Mr. Obama can be glad for Michael Vick. I'm glad

for Michael Vick. That doesn't mean I condone what he did. But he did his time and he has moved on. Get over it.

[hlthe2b]

25. Yet, you found it necessary to come and post..

such an unnecessary and caustic reply... :eyes:

[whathehell]

64. You "get over it"....

Some of us care more for the defenseless than sadistic multi-millionaire athletes.

Don't like that?...Then you can "move on". Duh.

[Nedsdag]

73. +1

DU is becoming more and more like PCU.

[hlthe2b]

74. "there will always be those pathetic individuals who need

an animal to do their fighting for them..." --Diane Jessup





Those people are enabled by others who do nothing. Or defend them. Or make excuses for them. Or ridicule others who would try to stop such horror.

The fighting dog has few friends. I am proud to count myself and countless other DUers among them.


So, which side are YOU on?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

184. OMG, that poor dog.

:cry: Do you know if s/he was one of Vicks, or any news on how s/he is doing? I received a mailing from Best Friends today about Dogtown. There's a pic of Georgia, who "loves anything plush." Of course she does, since her teeth were removed by that *manly* Vick and his crew and now she can only gum stuff.

If anyone wants to donate:

www.bestfriends.org

http://www.unchaindogs.net/

[COLGATE4]

165. K&R

[Lorien]

75. Wow. You're not worth another second of my time. Welcome to the Ignore list

Being flippant about sadism is some sick ass shit.

[niyad]

146. how nice that that sadistic bastard has "moved on" . pity that his victims cannot do the same.

[Liberal Veteran]

29. I know this won't be popular to say, but I will anyway.

Personally, I don't think Vick deserved his second chance. What he did was appalling and anathema to me.

Now for the unpopular part.

Whether or not you agree that justice was served, President Obama is a constitutional lawyer and when a person has been tried, convicted, and served his sentence, that's how our justice system works. Public opinion notwithstanding, I find it a bit difficult to fault someone who believes in what our justice system should be and that a person should not have continue to pay a debt to society after that debt has already been paid.

We are supposed to be the people that believe in rehabilitation. One of the reasons we have such a high recidivism rate in this country is we have forgotten that principle and continue to treat a person as a wanted felon forever.

What kind of example do we want him to set? The bloodthirsty example of our last president who bore a grudge and mocked people as they died? Or someone who believes that when justice has been done and the price to society paid, that person should be able to move on with life?

Certainly, I have real issues living up to that ideal and I don't deny it given the nature of the crime. But then again, I didn't spend my life studying law and justice.


Flame away.

[one_voice]

32. Nice post....

no flaming from me. :thumbsup:

[MiddleFingerMom]

61. +1,000,000

.
.
.
.
.
Sometimes I'm so disappointed in some of the members of a group
with whom I NORMALLY feel that I am standing shoulder-to-shoulder --
disappointed in the hatred and vindictiveness and complete
dismissal/disposal of the concepts we hold most dear... and all
because of what appears to be what might be called "a belief of
convenience" -- that those concepts shouldn't hold true for the
particular agenda that is most important to the individuals who
appear to be shrugging them off.
.
.
.
.
Horrendous. Yes.
.
.
.
Monstrous. Yes.
.
.
.
Tried and convicted. Yes
.
.
.
Served his time/paid his penalty/was "punished" for his behavior? Yes
.
.
.
Enough time/penalty/"punishment"? I think it's safe to say "no".
.
.
.
But...
.
.
.
...under the system we hold sacred... under the belief that all who
commit a crime should be able to move on after being held (sometimes
literally) accountable for it... well... ... ... ...
.
.
.
...I would hope (but obviously can see that it's not so) that it would
be those with Teabagger sentimentalities who would, hmmm... how does
one say it... REFUDIATE what should be core principles in the hearts
of ALL Americans -- of all HUMANITY.
.
.
.
And for the POTUS to reject those principles -- THAT would be grounds
for a huge outcry against him and his behavior.
.
.
.
.
.

[Withywindle]

84. Yeah, I get the constitutional law thing, I really do.

But there was no good reason for him to mention Vick AT ALL. The call wasn't even about that.

If he hadn't mentioned Vick at all, there'd be no outcry over the omission. The fact that he did so as an aside, so blithely, really does contribute to the out-of-touch narrative.

[MisterP]

93. people revolted by Vick and Obama's statement are Baggers? Busheviks?

I heard this same "Constitution"-waving crap when Obama didn't fire the corrupt US Attorneys

it's like the admins' policy of "don't defend her until all the facts come out" when McKinney poked the Capitol cop hassling her--it was quite a funny exception to the IOKIYAD policy

[hlthe2b]

96. You really really really miss the point here...

Though your post layout obviously took time and care to craft and I appreciated reading it, I would encourage you to actually "listen" to the other viewpoints here. It is not so black and white as you suggest. And those who disagree with you are certainly NOT teabaggers or RWers. But, I'm sure many of us find it interesting (dismaying) that you should suggest that it is THEY who "lack the core principles of the heart. " As with your screen name, you seem to want to give those who disagree with you the "middle finger." Disappointing... really.


At a time when 15 million are officially unemployed and another 11 or so million are underemployed or soon to be unemployed and when the numbers of uninsured have just spiked (as a result of all that unemployment) to 50 million--the population of SPAIN, yes, I would think Obama would not be so tone-deaf as to express concern for a multi-millionaire NFL player's job, (much less one that he MUST know has enraged and continues to enrage much of the population-- given the depth and degree of his sadism, for which he was convicted).

That Obama seemingly has so much difficulty adopting a populist message and seems to be oblivious to the impact of his constant defense of the wealthy and privileged-- is what has many here absolutely incredulous.

Tone deaf, indeed. It may well cost him (and all of us) if he doesn't come around.

[Skittles]

82. could I ask

why it was necessary for Obama to comment on this bastard at ALL? THAT decision falls into "DUMBER THAN A BAG OF HAMMERS" category

[woo me with science]

121. [phone] nt

[niyad]

183. all nice sentiments, except for a couple of tiny little facts. vick has spent some time in prison,

yes. however, as far as remorse, atonement, redemption, whatever, he has, as of yet, shown NO signs. signing a pr company whose function is to sanitize and rebrand reputations, rather than doing something significant (like paying all the bills to the groups that have been, and are, working to rehabilitate the survivors of his little house of horrors), is not the way to do it. nor is whining that he should be allowed to have a dog because his kids shouldn't be deprived because of his actions (something he should have thought of before embarking on his heinous, sadistic, brutal, murdering venture)

[EndElectoral]

30. For a supposedly smart guy he does some really stupid things

[Skittles]

83. honestly

he comes off like an intelligent guy totally out of touch with the real world

[Dawgs]

33. Sad to see some of the 'Obama can do no wrong' people defending it.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[Safetykitten]

37. Hooray! He said something stupid! I cry with joy at his idiotic misteps!

He's the best!

God help us in 2011. He really needs advice on this kind of monumental gaffe stuff.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

38. They're no different than rabid Bush supporters.

I shouldn't be surprised either, but I am.

[Skittles]

85. there is no lowest of the low for them

even bush had his 23% at the bitter end

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Safetykitten]

47. Look for dog activity/photo op this week.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WinkyDink]

48. Maybe he was going for the Philly vote.

[Hawkowl]

50. Obama continues in W's footsteps

As in sticking his foot in his mouth. This guy needs to learn to STFU and stay on script. He needs to stop believing his own press and simply zip it.

[AtomicKitten]

51. The pres is entitled to his opinion and doesn't have to justify it to anyone. nt

[BlueIris]

55. It's the substance of his opinion that is making people upset.

Trying to classify it as 'just an opinion' and therefore not something that is somehow beyond justification...doesn't justify it, believe it or not.

[AtomicKitten]

98. Here's the substance: Vick was prosecuted and served his sentence.

As a constitutional lawyer, Pres Obama acknowledges he has paid his debt to society.

The fact that I along with most animal lovers find what Vick did appalling goes without saying. He should be prohibited from owning any animals in the future, ever and has earned his pariah status.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

57. LOL...we'll see how well that plays out in November 2012.

On this and so many other issues...

[AtomicKitten]

102. Do you feel compelled to make veiled threats about your vote in 2012?

It seems to me mentioning it so frequently rather blunts the blow of that cudgel you're swinging.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

125. List the vast number of posts in which I threaten, veiled or otherwise,

to withhold my vote. You can't, because I don't.

[frylock]

58. just as the people who believe that this was a bonehead move

[AtomicKitten]

104. right on

[hlthe2b]

60. with millions of Americans unemployed, I think he DOES...

need to explain why he constantly comes to the defense of the RICH and entitled. YES, he does need to eplain.

[AtomicKitten]

101. "he constantly comes to the defense of the rich"

That is your opinion. See how that works?

As a constitutional laywer, Pres Obama is well aware that Vick was prosecuted and served time for his crimes. Vick is lucky in that he has a marketable skill.

Perhaps you meant to say that those not so lousy with talent leave prison and often find themselves caught hopelessly between a rock and a hard place. Recidivism is directly commensurate with lack of opportunity. (Edited to say I did read your OP and on this we agree.)

[hlthe2b]

105. If you read my OP, you would have gotten that.

But,it is not just the under privileged among those recently released from prison that he has ignored in his so inappropriately choosing Vick for defense. At a time when 15 million are officially unemployed and another 11 or so million are underemployed or soon to be unemployed and when the numbers of uninsured have just spiked (as a result of all that unemployment) to 50 million--the population of SPAIN, yes, I would think Obama would not be so tone-deaf as to express concern for a multi-millionaire NFL player's job, (much less one that he MUST know has enraged and continues to enrage much of the population-- given the depth and degree of his sadism, for which he was convicted).

That Obama seemingly has so much difficulty adopting a populist message and seems to be oblivious to the impact of his constant defense of the wealthy and privileged-- is what has many here absolutely incredulous.

Tone deaf, indeed. It may well cost him (and all of us) if he doesn't come around.

[AtomicKitten]

107. Populist message? It was a sportsman's message from someone who digs football.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

[hlthe2b]

108. And, it was stupid, thoughtless, and tone deaf ....

He's the President of the United States. Public commenting on this kind of crap is ridiculous for a President. That he feels this way at all to comment--that Vick's well-being is all-important for him to comment upon-- sends a really ugly message about his priorities. It certainly does nothing to help the countless numbers of black men in prison who have none of the hope for a future, that Vick did, simply because of his athletic prowess.

[AtomicKitten]

109. Your hyperventilation on this is not persuasive. nt

[hlthe2b]

110. You are in the gross minority of viewpoints. (fortunately)

There are far more important things in life than football and celebrity athletes. I'm happy to see that most people here recognize that fact.

Your attempts to argue a viewpoint seem to have degraded to nothing more than snark towards me and others on this thread. I think we are thus, done.

[WinkyDink]

137. Nor is your ridiculously hyperbolic description of the above post.

[AtomicKitten]

172. I'm not the one hyperventilating over this.

[woo me with science]

123. [phone]

Your posts are excellent and on point.

[WinkyDink]

136. For a President, it is never just a cigar. Whose words, in this world, carry more weight?

[AtomicKitten]

171. He believes in rehabilitation and there is nothing wrong with that concept.

[snagglepuss]

116. So you're saying that the fucker Vick would go back to dog fighting if he

didn't get back into the game?

[AtomicKitten]

173. WTF? Dog fighting is against the law, but you knew that.

[snagglepuss]

179. You stated that "recidivism is directly commensurate with lack of opportunity. "

so I am asking you if Vick didn't get back into the game would the fucker go back to his criminal behavior?

[whathehell]

62. We're all "entitled" to our own opinion.....

Still doesn't save him from appearing tone-deaf and clumsy in expressing his. Sorry.

[AtomicKitten]

97. "appearing tone-deaf and clumsy" -- that

is your opinion .... see how that works?

[whathehell]

122. Yes....

Isaw how it worked before you did.

[roguevalley]

69. true, so then those that find him stumbling into shit because of

it can post their thoughts about it.

[AtomicKitten]

103. well there you go then

knock yourself out

[superduperfarleft]

80. No, but he might want to occasionally.

Just a tip from the great political mind known as superduperfarleft.

[superduperfarleft]

90. Sorry, I have to respond again: this is probably the most hilarious comment I've ever seen here.

Really? A politician doesn't have to justify his opinion to anyone? Really? :rofl:

[AtomicKitten]

106. As hilarious as Orly Taitz demanding Pres Obama answer her barking lunacy.

[superduperfarleft]

127. Orly Taitz is attempting to force something through a court of law.

She also has to justify her "opinion" in that setting. It hasn't gone very well, clearly.

But, red herrings aside, I'm still interested/endlessly amused in your original premise that the president of the united states doesn't have to "justify his opinion to anyone." Did you think before typing that?

[AtomicKitten]

170. The president believes in rehabilitation as put forth by our legal system.

The fact that you want to dictate every word and step he makes is beside the point.

[superduperfarleft]

174. ZOMG I DON'T HAEV TO JUSTIFY MY OPINION TO YOU!!!11

QUIT TRYING TO DICTATE MY EVERY WORD AND STEP!!!11

[WinkyDink]

128. Guess what? We are entitled to our opinions, also. And here they be.

[AtomicKitten]

169. Of course you are. The difference is I'm not telling you to STFU like you're telling the prez.

[blondeatlast]

154. "You're doing a heckuvajob, Brownie." Riiiiiiiiiight... (Um, President Obama is supposed to be

an intelligent leader--and yes, when he makes a big, stinking, dumbass move like this, he better find a way to wriggle out of the mess).

[AtomicKitten]

178. You are conflating the rehabilitation with the crime.

For the record, that makes you the "big, stinking, dumbass".

[bluestate10]

56. I applaud the Eagles owner and President Obama.

The human experience is about failing and redemption. The Eagles owner sees the humanity of making that choice. Why shouldn't anyone that oppose Vick's effort at redemption not favor having prison guards take a gun and kill former prisoners that have been paroled and are about to rejoin society? Surely killing every parolee will prevent crimes by some that go on to victimize society again.

[hlthe2b]

59. The Eagles owner sees the "humanity" of the God Almighty Dollar $$

Most of his rabid fans, are blinded to any issue other than their selfish entertainment needs. PERIOD.

[Safetykitten]

63. God I though I was kidding with the "Hooray for his stupid remarks".

[WinkyDink]

129. Not the POINT. The President didn't single out Joe Parolee in the diner kitchen; he focused on A

RICH ATHLETE.

More and more, Obama is showing that he loves the POTUS perk of knowing the rich and famous (as opposed to the non-famous wealthy).

[TBF]

145. What redemption? Throwing a football after you brutally torture and kill multiple animals is not

"redemption".

[HEyHEY]

66. Sorry, but, in general, the presidents role in pro sports should be limited

To congratulatory phonecalls after championship wins... and this is why.

[Safetykitten]

67. Well, got the gay votes back, lost the dog owners.

[BlueIris]

72. It remains to be seen if any "gay votes" have been won back.

And personally, my feeling that Obama's comments about Vick's situation were wrong has little to do with owning a dog. My objection is more that defense of this sociopath is beneath a president. Any president.

[CakeGrrl]

77. I'm a dog owner, and I'm voting for the President AGAIN.

Reconcile that.

[Skittles]

86. well, we have

Obama could torture a dog himself and you'd have an excuse

[snagglepuss]

117. Touche. nt

[superduperfarleft]

89. Trust me, dear, it's already been reconciled once we take into account who is posting something like

this.

[hlthe2b]

112. BS... no one here has even suggested not voting for Obama.

Kindly take those straw men with you.

[Bluebear]

118. 'got the gay votes back' based on what?

[superduperfarleft]

79. So when's Obama going to call the people at Best Friends to congratulate them?

You know, the people tasked with cleaning up Vick's "mess?"

One good thing about this whole topic: it's becoming very clear which posters on this website officially lack all credibility due to their reaction to this.

[Skittles]

88. their identities were already well known

now they're just caricatures

[frylock]

94. it's the same fucking people we see working their asses off every day to preserve the public image

[Abq_Sarah]

95. I'm guessing he'll call them

When hell freezes over. After all, they're not athletes.

[TBF]

138. And they are not wealthy either - Frank Battista and Michael Mountain

who are co-founders of Best Friends (Frank the current president, and Michael the president at the time the Vick dogs were taken into the sanctuary) have both stated that they are not thrilled with Vick's PR campaign and lack of remorse that he has shown. And they are the head of non-profits. Why would Obama possibly call them? He prefers to meet with CEO's and call owners of NFL temas on the phone. They are not in his circle.

[Hannah Bell]

92. why is the President commenting on football players anyway?

it's trivial.

[HEyHEY]

99. I don't know why any president would open their mouth on this

The only thing I can think of is some PR guy THOUGHT it was a good idea.

[TBF]

132. Evidentally it's important to him. His choice of what to comment on is telling. nt

[Raine]

111. Obama should be commenting on the state of this country

and listening to it's people instead of commenting on a depraved mulri-millionaire who can throw a pigskin. x(

[hlthe2b]

113. Exactly....

[Bluebear]

119. But the "nexus" of the call was about renewable energy!!!

:rofl:

[Name removed]

126. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[superduperfarleft]

130. Who is saying that he doesn't have that right?

What we're discussing is how it was, at best, tone deaf and phenomenally fucking stupid to comment on this at all, regardless of his opinion. And guess what, we have also the right to comment on it.

I'm not really upset with some on DU, just more shaking my head in complete and utter amazement that people are posting statements like this with a straight face.

[TBF]

131. Sure he does - but his choices of what to comment on speak volumes. nt

[Name removed]

134. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WinkyDink]

139. You think as well as you write.

[Name removed]

143. Deleted message

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[blondeatlast]

152. HAH!

:rofl:

[TBF]

140. Enjoy your stay. nt

[WinkyDink]

133. Oh, please. Did you say this about Dubya, also?

[Name removed]

141. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WinkyDink]

142. You didn't understand? I'm asking if you never once criticized Bush for any of his comments.

You know, all those comments Bush "had a right to"?

Are you new to this country, or what? Nobody is suggesting that anyone, let alone the President of the United States, has no RIGHT to an opinion, or even to the expression of same.

But in turn WE ARE ALLOWED TO OPINE ON HIS TONE-DEAF AND UNSEEMLY ATTENTION TO A RICH ATHLETE.

[Name removed]

147. Deleted message

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[blondeatlast]

151. I'm glad President Obama, for whom I campaigned, raised money for, and voted, has a right

to speak his as well--and for the same reasons.

[blondeatlast]

149. Well, I'm sure you'll feel better once you comment on the prospects for the economy

and the Supreme Court after 2012.

I'm just certain you've studied those issues as much as you have this one, right?

[hlthe2b]

164. Oh, my....!

And we all live to please YOU! :cry:





:rofl:

[TexasObserver]

153. Politically, his statement re Vick was the smart move.

150 million rabid football fans versus a small number of animal rights activists.

He made the right political choice. The prospect that he will lose any votes over Vick he wouldn't have lost anyway is small.

The voting public is about economics, mainly, and if the economy is improved, he'll be reelected. If it's not, he won't likely be reelected. Vick won't be a factor.

[Name removed]

155. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

185. Oh, good.

[Arkana]

156. He never should have had to "backtrack" in the first place.

Most people who are avid football fans enjoy watching Vick play, because he's an exciting guy to watch. Obama's a huge football fan. Is what he did heinous and inexcusable? Absolutely. And there's no proof that Obama believes any different.

[hlthe2b]

158. You have totally and completely missed the point....

But, hey, for some, football is everything, so perhaps that doesn't matter to you. If you really want to understand the concern, try reading through this and related threads. The POVs expressed are not simplistic nor focused solely on the animal cruelty aspects of Vick's behavior, nor are the concerns based on a "single simple comment epressed by Obama on a phone call." Nor are they being expressed merely by those who are not football fans--quite the opposite.

[Arkana]

159. You could have just called me stupid--it would have gotten

your point across with fewer words.

One ancillary comment in a phone call where Michael Vick was not even the focus of the conversation shouldn't be enough to send so-called "levelheaded" Democrats into a frothing tizzy. I thought we were better than this.

[hlthe2b]

160. I did not call you anything of the kind. But your response is flame baiting.

[COLGATE4]

181. K&R X 100

[Little Star]

161. Not to smart of the President. n/t

[cottonseed]

167. I stand with PETA on this one. Vick is alright with me!

PETA is leading the way here. Bravo to them.

[AndrewP]

177. I'm sorry