MICHAEL VICK'S QUANDARY By A.C.
Michael Vick's arguably heartfelt apology seems to have gotten him a fair number of brownie points with sportswriters and sportscasters around the country.
But Whoopi Goldberg???
"He's from the South, from the Deep South ... This is part of his cultural upbringing," Goldberg said of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, whose recent fall from grace has been one of the most stunning in the history of U.S. sports.
Sounding contrite certainly can buoy the guilty and Vick very well could be sincere and genuine. He apologized for his inhumane behavior to numerous pit bulls, saying he needs to grow up and, hopefully, will learn from his involvement in illegal dog-fighting on the grounds of his Virginia estate and, in a few days' time, lost millions upon millions of dollars in salary and endorsement.
Some on the Internet and in the mainstream media have criticized the 'system' of hoisting athletes on pedestals beginning in middle school and not holding them to socially acceptable behavior until they've broken the law repeatedly. Individual responsibility has rarely been mentioned.
"For a lot of people, dogs are sport," Goldberg said on the show. "Instead of just saying (Vick) is a beast and he's a monster, this is a kid who comes from a culture where this is not questioned."
Nevermind that Vick, 27, pled guilty to federal dogfighting charges, admitted he took part in an illegal, interstate enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels and helped kill underperforming dogs.
Inevitably, Michael Vick will have months to contemplate his individual behavior while behind bars. And if he's contrite enough, he likely will find the National Football League ready to forgive and welcome him back with open arms in a few years, notwithstanding rabid dog lovers and folks who belong to groups like PETA.
He'll be contrite and we will be, as always, forgiving. Right Whoopi?
Drawing a scathing rebuke from animal rights activists on Tuesday for defending the U.S. football star's role in dogfighting during her debut on ABC's talk show "The View," the outspoken comedian and Oscar winning actress had a lot to say.
"He's from the South, from the Deep South ... This is part of his cultural upbringing," Goldberg said of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, whose recent fall from grace has been one of the most stunning in the history of U.S. sports.
Sounding contrite certainly can buoy the guilty and Vick very well could be sincere and genuine. He apologized for his inhumane behavior to numerous pit bulls, saying he needs to grow up and, hopefully, will learn from his involvement in illegal dog-fighting on the grounds of his Virginia estate and, in a few days' time, lost millions upon millions of dollars in salary and endorsement.
Some on the Internet and in the mainstream media have criticized the 'system' of hoisting athletes on pedestals beginning in middle school and not holding them to socially acceptable behavior until they've broken the law repeatedly. Individual responsibility has rarely been mentioned.
"For a lot of people, dogs are sport," Goldberg said on the show. "Instead of just saying (Vick) is a beast and he's a monster, this is a kid who comes from a culture where this is not questioned."
Nevermind that Vick, 27, pled guilty to federal dogfighting charges, admitted he took part in an illegal, interstate enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels and helped kill underperforming dogs.
Inevitably, Michael Vick will have months to contemplate his individual behavior while behind bars. And if he's contrite enough, he likely will find the National Football League ready to forgive and welcome him back with open arms in a few years, notwithstanding rabid dog lovers and folks who belong to groups like PETA.
He'll be contrite and we will be, as always, forgiving. Right Whoopi?