"Obama calls Eagles owner to congratulate him for signing Vick"

[Stinky The Clown]

Obama calls Eagles owner to congratulate him for signing Vick
By Chris Chase

Michael Vick(notes) has been getting support from all sides during his road to redemption. He's now getting it from the leader of the free world.

NBC's Peter King reports that Barack Obama called Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie earlier this week to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick's story could begin to change that.

Forget your political allegiances or feelings about Michael Vick and take a step back to think about this. The sitting president of the United States went out of his way to publicly praise a man who, 3 1/2 years ago, many thought would never play again in the NFL. Even the most ardent believers in Vick couldn't have fathomed a turn-around like this.

In retrospect it seems obvious that Vick would get a second chance in the NFL, but it wasn't so clear-cut back when he was lying to the commissioner, getting sternly admonished in federal court and serving out a sentence at Leavenworth. We tend to take for granted unbelievable events when they slowly unfold before our eyes. The step-by-step nature of these sorts of tales tend to minimize the shock when taken in over a long process. So though it now seems like it was all pre-destined to work out like this, it wasn't: Vick's rise and fall and rise is a truly stunning tale. He went from star to pariah to inmate to backup to MVP candidate to political prop for the leader of the free world all in a span of a couple years.

>snip<

More at this link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Obama-calls-Eagles-owner-to-congraulate-him-for-?urn=nfl-300632

[blondeatlast]

1. The American people are in need of a crack PR firm like Vicks (except even Vick's guys can't get him

any juicy endorsements anymore).

[onehandle]

2. Animal lovers will not like this. My wife (an Obama devotee from day one) is very upset.

Whoever advised Obama to associate himself with Vick should be fired.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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

[LWolf]

35. You don't have to love animals to see this as a problem.

He went out of his way to call and congratulate a sports team for hiring a felon. A convicted criminal. And a criminal convicted of what amounts to torture, if not of humans.

The president's call reflects one of the most dysfunctional aspect of our culture: glorifying sports figures and excusing their moral bankruptcy.

If he needed to make a public phone call, he could have called any one of many activists trying to help the U.S. evolve into a more enlightened nation. If he wanted to keep it shallow, he could have called Oprah to congratulate her on her "own" network.

[LuckyLib]

44. You are right. Obama needs to put his energy into personal calls of significance.

To individuals who merit recognition, who in their daily lives are examples to emulate. This sounds like an impulsive move -- too bad no one in the WH talked him out of it. I can't imagine even Michelle thought this was a good idea.

[somone]

3. The rest of the story:

For Obama to praise Vick now shows a number of things, namely that uttering the quarterback's name is thought to be a safe political move. He's playing the best football of his life for a playoff team and was the second-leading vote getter for the Pro Bowl. At the moment, he's the model of redemption, someone worthy of praise.

Because, if you think about it, Vick got that "second chance" from Lurie 16 months ago. There was no phone call from the president then. Praising Vick at that time would have been a political third rail. But now that Vick is playing great and most people seem to have either forgiven him or stopped caring about his transgressions, it's a shrewd political move. After what could be termed a rough two years in office, the president is looking for a second chance from the people who have turned against him over the past two years. Supporting a huge star like Vick could help with the president's recent image problems. It may not register much nationally, but it couldn't hurt in Pennsylvania. After all, it's a swing state and 2012 is just around the corner.

[MH1]

19. Actually, the rest of the story is that Eagles are 1st NFL team to go alternative energy stadium

THAT is what Obama called to talk about, according to the first story I saw on this.

But it doesn't serve the poutrage crowd so that topic isn't even mentioned in these threads. (at least not that I've seen so far).

[lunatica]

25. You're right. Obama actually condemned the crimes

He didn't praise Vick. He praised the Eagles's owner for giving an ex-con a second chance. I'm sure he regrets it now, since his haters are running wild with a third of the story.

[monmouth]

30. This is exactly the way I got this story. Then, during the conversation

praising the owner for using an alternative energy system the POTUS congratulated the man for giving Vick another chance. What ever is wrong with doing this is beyond me. I'll jump on POTUS in a heartbeat when I think he's made a poor decision, but the trolls are having a field day with this nonsense. Sometimes I hate this place..

[TheEuclideanOne]

38. So, you don't think that this is a bad decision?

Try Googling Michael Vick. It may change your opinion.

[monmouth]

40. What decision? During the course of a conversation about something

totally different, he mentions a thank you for giving Vick a "second chance." I don't have to google anything, sorry this isn't a bigger deal than it is for ya, but there it is.

[Tx4obama]

43. You are correct

NEW YORK CITY -- 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.

Here's Burton's statement:

The President did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues. He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.

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

[rfranklin]

4. If you lay down with dogs, you will get fleas...

But if that dog can score touchdowns, who cares? A winner is a winner!

[tularetom]

5. It's a dumb move on the president's part. Everybody loves dogs

And everybody pretty much despises Michael Vick.

I thought Obama had sharper political instincts.

[LynneSin]

15. If he's so despised how did he end up in 2nd place in the NFL fan favorite poll?

He actually lead that poll most of the year but was edged out at the end by Tom Brady.

So for someone that 'everyone hates' you might want to define the audience of who hates him. Because right now Vick is one of the most popular players in the NFL and a strong contender for MVP of the year. Vick is also still committed to his community outreach, speaking to kids in high risk areas where dog fighting is a way of life.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hwGqI1Zvjv3QH0mMH5_V5vqfbFjA?docId=7c0e6e84b2474fe4807c5f4032c2979e

Brady passes Vick to top final fan Pro Bowl voting
(AP) – 5 days ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Brady has overtaken Michael Vick to lead all players in the final fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

The New England Patriots quarterback had nearly 1.9 million votes when balloting ended Monday. The NFL said Wednesday that Vick topped the NFC with more than 1.5 million.

Almost 100 million votes were cast online and via mobile phones

[superduperfarleft]

16. Because an unfortunate majority of football fans are single-minded idiots? n/t

[LynneSin]

20. Wow, nice way to stereotype everyone

:grr:

What he did disgusts me, but I live in the area and I've read about the work he's doing in hopes of preventing others to follow the same path that he took. He can't change the past but perhaps he can help influence the future. Alot of people are seeing that change in him. Sorry you can't be bothered to learn more about it.

[superduperfarleft]

24. "Sorry you can't be bothered to learn more about it."

:rofl:

Sure thing. I don't know a THING about it. Nothing at all. Haven't posted repeatedly on the topic. Gee, I sure am glad you were here to learn me all about it.

[LynneSin]

26. A lot of NFL fans here at DU - thank you for calling us idiots

I thought doing crap like that was a DU no-no.

:grr:

[superduperfarleft]

28. Nice attempt a distraction. You're needed in the other flamebait thread one of your crowd started.

"Hypocrite." Still laughing... :rofl:

[TheEuclideanOne]

31. Your defense of him eaerlier was typical, methinks.

Yes, he is a great football player. I get it. Maybe you think that is the most important thing of all, but I love dogs and do not like people who did what he did. Simple. I could give a shit if he can throw a ball really good or can run really fast.

In your defense of him, you explained just that. He is a popular player, blah, blah, blah.... then threw in a sentence or two at the end explaining that he is doing community outreach as an afterthought. If you can admire him as an awesome football player and see past his actions, then they DO NOT disgust you. Own up to it.

[tularetom]

37. Pro Bowl voting is like American Idol

If you can vote on your sell phone it is more or less meaningless.

And don't pay too much attention to polls. Remember that for several years George W Bush was the most admired American in polls.

[lukasahero]

6. Some of us never doubted he would get his second chance

He's a big-name athlete. Much like Mike Tyson, I knew his crimes would never outweigh his earning potential. That is all that matters in America.

He can play football all he wants. I, however, don't have to be his fan.

[Fumesucker]

7. I think President Obama should let Vick take care of Bo at Vick's home for say six months..

I'm sure Sasha and Malia would be fine with it and it would make a strong statement about the rehabilitation of millionaire sadist sports stars.

[Aramchek]

8. hey, whattaya know, another reactionary thread on this

it's funny watching you guys scurry around looking for reasons to complain about Obama.

[superduperfarleft]

10. Obama does just fine giving us reasons on his own.

It's funny watching you people scurry around trying to spin this into something positive (and pretend that you have any credibility left whatsoever).

[blondeatlast]

12. Forget politics--from a PR perspective, this was a monumentally dumbass move.

Rah, rah!!!

[cottonseed]

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

[LynneSin]

13. That's a fricking misleading title. Anyone interested in the real reason Obama called Jeff Lurie?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/12/why_obama_weighed_in_on_behalf.html

The weirdest story of the morning is President Obama's call to Jeffrey Lurie, the owner of the NFL Eagles. Two things apparently happened during the call: Obama praised the team for giving Michael Vick a second chance, and then he asked some questions about the Eagles' plans to use alternative-energy sources to power the stadium. Now the White House is spinning the call as the sort of everyday inquiry the president makes into eco-friendly architecture. "The president did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues," Bill Burton told Mike Allen.

[Stinky The Clown]

18. The article was quoted unedited and exactly as it appeared at the source - Yahoo.

[LynneSin]

22. That's true and perhaps the misleading is the article from Yahoo

Lurie is pretty progressive for sports team owners (unlike Ed Snider, Flyers/Sixers owner who brought Sarah Palin to a Flyers game). Lurie is working on upgrades to the Linc that would allow the stadium to be run off of alternative energy which would make a major decrease in the carbon footprint left by that stadium. And it's something that if we can make it work at the Linc that perhaps other sports stadiums can mirror that process.

[devilgrrl]

23. Good catch!

:thumbsup:

[HEyHEY]

14. Were you on a coke bender, dude? This is like... SUPER OLD

Not that I'm judging

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Take it upo with Yahoo. It was on their front page ..... dude.

:eyes:

[HEyHEY]

21. Wish I could, facist faux commies have taken ove the interwebs and blocked it now

Do you think the chinese communist party has a stake in Michael Vick? I wonder

[Safetykitten]

34. Dude and dude, Dude!

[TheEuclideanOne]

33. SUPER OLD = Yesterday?

Doesn't seem that old to me.

[HEyHEY]

51. Welcome to the internet age, gramps!

[TheEuclideanOne]

52. You young whipper snappers!!!

very funny!

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

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

[rollin74]

32. disgusting

what a sick and idiotic thing for Obama to do

[emilyg]

36. Add stupid. Very stupid thing to do.

[LynneSin]

39. He wasn't calling Jeff Lurie just about that

He was calling him about the plans to turn Lincoln Financial Center into the Greenest stadium in the country. During the off-season the stadium is going to be converted to a combination Wind/Solar energy that will have enough power to run the entire stadium. It's Obama's hope that Jeff Lurie will get other professional team owners to do the same with their stadiums.

Glad the world is going so perfect that all we have to get upset over is Michael Vick.

:eyes:

[Tx4obama]

48. Yep.

NEW YORK CITY -- 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.

Here's Burton's statement:

The President did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues. He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.

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

[Tx4obama]

41. THAT is NOT why Obama called the Eagles owner

it was only one of many things that came up during the conversation.
-----------

NEW YORK CITY -- 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.

Here's Burton's statement:

The President did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues. He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.

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

[Stinky The Clown]

45. Please do NOT yell at me.

The OP is posted completely straight. No edits, no comments. The first four paragraphs of the story. From the front page of Yahoo this morning.

You gotta problem, take it up with Yahoo.

[Tx4obama]

47. Just because Yahoo prints a story that has 'been spun' doesn't make it true.

And posting it on DU does nothing except get people riled up.

Perhaps the OP should have had a comment added stating that THAT was NOT the original reason that Obama called the Eagles owner.

[onehandle]

42. 'Cause I could pass that football

Look at me now
Four years of college
Famous professors
Tutoring me

Scholarship kid
Everything paid for
Food and vacations
All of it free

Day that I left
Everyone gathered
Their cheering still rings in my ears

Ray Wreck rah
Rah Wreck Ray
Rah Wreck
Wreck rah
Rah Wreck, Wreck
Wreck, we love you

'Cause I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Couldn't spell a lick
Couldn't do arithmetic
One and one made three
Thought that dog was C A T

But I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Couldn't write my name
Couldn't translate 'je vous aime'
Never learned to read
Mother Goose or Andre Gide

But I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Couldn't figure riddles
Puzzles made me pout
Where the hell was Moses
When the lights went out?

I couldn't even tell red from green
Get those verbs through my bean
But I was buddies with the dean
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Passed without a fuss
English Lit. and Calculus
Never had to cram
Even passed the bar exam

'Cause I passed that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Couldn't dance for beans
Mashed my girls to smithereens
Sometimes blood was spilled
Still my card was always filled

'Cause I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Then there was the week
Albert Einstein came to speak
'Relativity'
Guess who introduced him? Me

'Cause I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever seen

Had no table manners
Used to dunk my roll
Always drunk the water from the fingerbowl

Though I would not get up for any she
The prexy's Mom, age ninety-three
Got up and gave her seat to me
Like nothin' you did ever see

In our hall of fame
There's a statue with my name
There we stand, by heck
Lincoln, Washington and Wreck

'Cause I could pass that football
Like nothin' you have ever, ever seen

[dionysus]

46. he has a secret dog fighting pit in the white house basement too. try harder stinky....

this isn't your best effort.

[Stinky The Clown]

49. My best effort at what, exactly?

:shrug:

[CakeGrrl]

50. Misinformation spread by a secondhand opinion piece.

The kindling for the latest outrage fire.

:eyes: