Comments on: Petition seeks to cancel Vick’s courage award

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:32:12 +0000

Since the whole team voted on this for Michael Vick it is high time the WHOLE philadelphia eagles (yes it was left uncapitalized for a reason!) team be boycotted. This includes their sponsors such as pepsi, verizon, taco bell, etc. (All left in small letters for the same reason.) Pu your money where your principles are and boycott this team.

By: kathyg

kathyg — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:51:13 +0000

There is no way that person deserves any award for all the torture and suffering he caused all those animals for FUN ,SP0RT.He should be giving his salary to the pit-bull rescues and animal rescues.

By: spider17

spider17 — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:34:22 +0000

I was flabbergasted when Vick was allowed to don an NFL uniform again, but winning an award for courage is beyond the pale. If I had my way, he would be quarterbacking against a defense comprised of very angry dogs.

By: Anne'n'Spencer

Anne'n'Spencer — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:50:58 +0000

Well, I sit corrected. PETA is not, in fact, the sponsor of the petition. I’m headed off to sign it now!

By: baltimoregal

baltimoregal — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:44:11 +0000

Just to clarify to Anne and all others who are reading, the petition is NOT sponsored by PETA. As a pit bull advocate I have many issues with the group as well. Please don’t let this idea get in the way of protesting Vick’s award from the Ed Block Foundation.

By: Anne'n'Spencer

Anne'n'Spencer — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:00:32 +0000

Jonathan, I agree with you on most–but not quite all–of the points you’ve outlined. I won’t be signing the PETA petition either. Here’s what I think:
1) Michael Vick absolutely does not deserve this award. Not now and possibly not ever.
2) You are right that it should be about the dogs. There hasn’t been enough time (in my opinion) to gauge the impact he may have on animal welfare.
3) I like to believe that almost all human beings are redeemable. Vick has paid his court-mandated debt to society. It remains to be seen if his intentions to benefit dogs are genuine or just PR hype. If they turn out to be genuine, and if he keeps up his efforts, I’ll go as far as to say he deserves our support. I’m still waiting to be convinced, but for the sake of the dogs, I’m keeping an open mind.
4) As far as I’m concerned, PETA is as dodgy as hell. Their well documented actions at various animal shelters in Virginia are enough to convict them in my view. Incidents seem to abound where they have abducted service dogs and otherwise taken the law into their own hands–assuming that they know what’s best for various types of animals.
5) As far as politics go, I’m pretty much of a flaming liberal. As far as religion goes, I’m a (quite liberal) Christian. I frankly find their advertisements and publicity stunts to be offensive and disgusting; they exploit women and gays/lesbians, they have made life difficult for families with young children who don’t want their children to see women being made into objects, and their recent “Christian” advert was just flat out offensive to me. They can use their freedom of speech, but I can equally use my freedom of association. Since they obviously don’t want my ilk, I’ll gladly avoid them. But I won’t keep quiet about why.

I remain hopeful that some more mainstream animal-welfare group will get up a petition, and I would gladly add my name to it. Meanwhile, I intend to keep watching Michael Vick and avoiding PETA.

By: baltimoregal

baltimoregal — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:02:25 +0000

There is a Facebook cause page with much information on how to contact all the parties involved as well as communicate with others (535 members and counting) who are making this stand.
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/422272

And Jonathan- Vick is working with the HSUS as part of his parole/community rehab and Eagles work agreement. There is no evidence it is saving dogs- dogfighting has gone up in Philadelphia since he has been there. And to suggest that everyone against him receiving this award is involved with PETA is ridiculous, since most pit bull advocates and dog fighting rescuers are NOT fans of PETA due to their BSL stance.

By: Starla

Starla — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:00:30 +0000

Yes, he is “standing up with the HSUS to save dogs” & “PETA is an extremist group that does more damage than good”…however…The HSUS is NOT squeaky clean on the Vick issue. They lobbied HARD for all those dogs (and others) to be killed. They did not save Vicks dogs, but they have certainly proffited from the image that they were involved in rehabilitating the very monster that made those dogs fight for their lives, both in & out of the ring. Thank God for BadRap, the ASPCA, Our Pack, Best Friends & all the others who actually fought for & saved the Vick dogs. I cannot understand how he is worthy of an award for his humanity. I think he has a long way to go to deserve an award for that. Someday…perhaps. Now…No!

By: Jonathan Gilbert

Jonathan Gilbert — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:30:08 +0000

Myanger with Vick is on many levels, HOWEVER, it is my belief that his work with the HSUS anti-dogfighting campaign has had an impact and has saved lives. I have swallowed my anger and fully support Vicks attempts at making amends. Its about the dogs, not my anger, and his work is saving dogs period amen. While I will never call him friend, I will stand up next to him in support of what he is doing..Secondly, any knowledgeable person know that PETA is an extremeist group that does more damage than good.

By: M. Cruickshank

M. Cruickshank — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:27:48 +0000

Vick’s acts against animals is imoral and sickening. Please do not allow him to receive this award. If he truly had courage he’d be standing up for animal rights instead of propounding violence towards animals.