Vick Fiasco

[CentreHice]

ESPN Article


Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will not admit to killing dogs or gambling on dog fights, as detailed in his indictment, when he enters a guilty plea in a Richmond, Va., federal court Monday, a source close to the case has told ESPN. Instead, the one count of conspiracy that Vick will plead to will admit guilt to the charge of interstate commerce for the purpose of dogfighting.

Yet, he admits to being present when dogs were killed. But he didn't kill them...and he didn't bet on the fights.

Who does he think the judge is....Homer Simpson?

Will he see time? Miss the season?

I heard one fellow athlete on the radio this morning: "Michael Vick is a quality human being and a highly skilled athlete. He just made a mistake. People put us up on a pedestal, and when we make a mistake, they pull the pedestal out from under us."

Kids...stay in school.

[franko]

[BadCompany]

First off... I have a dog. I have had dogs since I was a teenager. Great pets.

Second of all... Vick broke the law. Dog fighting is illegal, and everybody knows that. As such, he deserves whatever punishment the court system see fit to give him.

However...

I find it a little hypocritical that all these media outlets are portraying Vick as some sort of dumb, ignorant Southerner of a certain culture ("we didn't say, black, honest!") who engages in this outrageously inhumane activity that no civilized person would ever do... Well, what about bull-fighting? Not exactly a pleasant death for the bull, is it? How about fox hunting? Ever see a pack of dogs tear apart a fox? How about hunting in general? We're not talking Tom Berenger here, one shot, one kill. In general hunted animals are just wounded, and if they're "lucky" a hunter will stalk them down and finish them off quickly, otherwise they just stagger through the woods until they bleed to death (or starve to death because they can no longer get their own food). Don't most Asian countries eat dogs? Wouldn't most Hindu's be repulsed by our hamburger fascination?

I realize that in our society cruelty to dogs is frowned upon. Again, I'm not saying he should be let off. I'm also not a PETA wing-nut animal lover. You want to go hunting, fine. Don't bother me at all. I like beef, and as I've always said, if you can't hunt it down and kill it, why bother eating it? But this "holier than thou" attitude that some in the media are using to wag their fingers at Vick... well, it grates on me.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Before I was married I never cared much for pets at all. Since then, though, we've had a minimum of 2 cats in the house at any one time ... that standard has been raised to three now.

The biggest problem I have with this whole scenario is that dog fighting has become, practically overnight, the most outrageous, hineous crime that can be committed by a professional athlete. What Vick has done is wrong and he should be made accountable. But the media has created a circus over this. Nothing else comes close; not Barry Bondoids, not an NBA referee shaving points, Pete Rose's sports betting or even Tim Raines sliding into 2nd base with a bag of blow in his back pocket. According to this media Vick is the new standard for disgust.

Dog fighting, c*ck fighting and bull fighting are accepted practices in some countries. They've been around for centuries. Yet, like many of us in our society, I was never brought up that way. Being a pet owner I find them brutal and inhumane.

But at the same time I like watching vintage boxing. And, believe it or not, the most popular contact sport on the planet now is Ultimate Fighting. While I don't plan any of my free time around these events, I find myself drawn to them if I happen to come by them while surfing the channels. I've never seen a fighter killed in the ring but I know it happens.

I honestly can't explain why I like one and detest the other. But, there are people who consider me a hippocrite because of this. I can live with it though ... wonder what they'd think of me if they knew I walked away from one side and grabbed some chips and beer for the other?

Like I said, I can't explain it.

Cheers.

[CentreHice]

A history of dogfighting (from an NPR article). I see BC's point about how Vick is being looked at as the inventor of such an activity. Yet, he is a high-profile athlete with everything to lose by participating in an illegal activity. That's the only reason it made the headlines.


The genesis of dogfighting as a sport can be traced to a clash of ancient civilizations. When the Romans invaded Britain in 43 A.D., both sides brought fighting dogs to the battlefield for the seven years of warfare that followed. The Romans may have won the war, but the British dazzled the victors with the ferocity of their dogs, which were far more battle-ready than their Roman counterparts.

Thus emerged a canine market of sorts. The Romans began to import British fighting dogs for use not only in times of war, but also for public amusement. In Rome's Colosseum, large audiences would gather to watch gladiator dogs pitted against other animals, such as wild elephants. The vicious dogs, thought to have been crossbred with the Romans' own fighting breed, were also exported to France, Spain and other parts of Europe, eventually finding their way back to Britain.

The Evolution of a Sport

By the 12th century, the practice of baiting — releasing fighting dogs into the ring with chained bulls and bears — had grown in popularity in England. For several centuries, baiting was considered a respectable form of entertainment among the English nobility. The practice, during which the dogs scratched and bit the bulls, was also used to tenderize meat for consumption. But by the early 19th century, the increasing scarcity and rising cost of bulls and bears, as well as growing concern about the issue of animal cruelty, damped the appeal of the sport. In 1835, the British Parliament outlawed all baiting activities. Following the law's passage, dog-on-dog combat emerged as the cheaper, legal alternative to baiting. Fighting dogs were crossbred with other breeds to create a fast, agile and vicious animal capable of brawling for hours at a time.

Dog Fighting Around the World

Fighting dogs were imported to the United States shortly before the Civil War and were crossbred in hopes of creating the ultimate fierce canine fighter: the American Pit Bull Terrier. Dogfighting quickly became a popular spectator and betting sport in the U.S. and parts of Europe, Asia and Latin America. But concern about the humaneness of dogfighting grew, and by the 1860s, most states had outlawed the sport. Nonetheless, it continued to flourish into the 20th century, with widespread support from the general public and police officials.

Though legal in Japan and parts of Russia, dogfighting has been outlawed in most of the world. Still, it remains popular. Legal or not, dog fights are held openly in parts of Latin America, Pakistan and Eastern Europe, and clandestinely in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, estimates that at least 40,000 people are involved in the industry domestically. He calls today's dogfighting the modern-day equivalent of the ancient Roman Colosseum battles.

In Afghanistan, too, the dogfighting industry has seen a resurgence, after virtually disappearing under the Taliban, who outlawed the sport to prevent betting – which is not permitted in Islam. Animal cruelty arguments don't carry much weight in Afghanistan, where dogfighting is a big business and a source of income for the owners of champion dogs.

Rescuing Fighting Dogs

The industry is also booming in the U.S., concentrated in urban areas and the rural South. Nationally, about 30 percent of all dogs in animal shelters are pit bulls, the breed used for dogfighting; in some areas, that figure can climb to 60 percent.

Not all rescued pit bulls are involved in the practice, but John Goodwin of the Human Society of the U.S. says that many bear the hallmarks of the industry: a fight-crazy disposition and the scars to prove it.

Rescued dogs are kept at animal shelters until a judge makes a determination on the dog's fate. Because fight dogs have been bred to attack and kill other dogs, almost all of them are euthanized. There are no definitive figures on how many fight dogs are rescued in the U.S. annually, but Goodwin says that about 4 million dogs in shelters are euthanized each year.

[franko]

Thanks for the history, CH.

Interesting take on dog fighting in Afghanistan, as Muslims aren't permitted to handle dogs (I stand to be corrected).

[habernac]

Dis, I like one and dislike the other because in UFC, the combatants are their under their own free will. They've agreed to turn themselves into hamburger for our entertainment. the dogs get no such choice. They're beaten, starved and tortured to make them mean. Huge difference there. Humans can make the choice. The animals cannot.

[Cranky]

My father and I had hunting dogs. Dogs to hunt other animals! Imagine the outrage of that! Poor little pooch actually had to go and do something for it's food.

I see dogs as nothing more then domesticated animals NOT as beloved children. While I do not like what Vick did, I certainly wouldn't put him in jail for it. A nasty fine is enough.

BTW, to me, the lowest form of animals is a human who injures an animal while hunting and let's it suffer to death.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

habernac said:

Dis, I like one and dislike the other because in UFC, the combatants are their under their own free will. They've agreed to turn themselves into hamburger for our entertainment. the dogs get no such choice. They're beaten, starved and tortured to make them mean. Huge difference there. Humans can make the choice. The animals cannot.

I hear you, HN. One other thing I don't get is how a guy like Vick who is living the American dream, has everything at his fingertips, money, fame, etc, can do something like this.

What need is this guy feeding? I mean, he has it all or so we think.

Cheers.

[BadCompany]

habsaddict said:

My father and I had hunting dogs. Dogs to hunt other animals! Imagine the outrage of that! Poor little pooch actually had to go and do something for it's food.

I see dogs as nothing more then domesticated animals NOT as beloved children. While I do not like what Vick did, I certainly wouldn't put him in jail for it. A nasty fine is enough.

BTW, to me, the lowest form of animals is a human who injures an animal while hunting and let's it suffer to death.

If they want to send Vick to jail, fine by me. That's what the law says he deserves, and I believe in the law.

What gauls me though, is the hypocrits who are flowing out of the woods demanding that Vick receive a lifetime ban for killing animals. People actually staged a protest outside of the NHL head office... Can you believe that?? People took time out of their days to march around on a street demanding that Michael Vick lose his job... Tell me, where were these people when Ray Lewis and his posse shot and killed two humans? Or when Adam Jones and his posse shot and paralized a human? Were they too busy to be self-righteous then, or are dogs more important? How about the literally dozens of NFL players (to say nothing of baseball, basketball or hockey players) who have been arrested for beating up their wives and girlfriends? Where are the do-gooders protesting on the streets then? Okay to beat up a woman, but don't hurt a dog??

Here is the rap sheet for the Cincinnati Bengals, for 2006. One year.

frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/bengals/2006/12/bengals-2006-rap-sheet.asp

Anybody protesting outside the Bengals head office?

It's so damn hypocritical that it amazes me. I can understand the vitriol directed Vick's way -I'm a dog lover myself - but perspective people, perspective... Apparently more people complained about Kevin Bacon killing a dog in "Hollow Man" than complained about him raping a woman in the same movie. HUH?? We have such a twisted set of priorities it's amazing...

[franko]

badcompany said:

If they want to send Vick to jail, fine by me. That's what the law says he deserves, and I believe in the law.

What gauls me though, is the hypocrits who are flowing out of the woods

We have such a twisted set of priorities it's amazing...

Well put, BC.

Add to that the fact that we put our sports heros and celebrities on pedestals only to vilify them when they fall from grace -- there is so much pressure on them I'm not surprised that they snap at times.

Vick broke the law. He's going to pay for breaking the law. End of story, afaiac (I happen to be a believer in forgiveness).

otoh . . . Paris Hilton spends 90 minutes in jail? If that were any of us we'd be thrown in the slammer for years.

[Cranky]

badcompany said:

We have such a twisted set of priorities it's amazing...

Careful with the "we" part. Not all of us pick up dog sh!t and call them "a member of our family".

Am I the only one who still can't believe people staring at a dogs behind, waiting for them to sh!t so they can pick it up? Or people spending more on their dog then it cost to feed a family in Africa? I always said that charity begins from the home outwards but that's for humans, not dogs.

[Skilly]

Let's not forget the Minnesota Vikings "love boat" fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the Kobe Bryant fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the OJ Simpson fiasco .... murder

How much jail time did these guys serve? ZERO. Waiting for the response of PETA when these athletes forget to feed their goldfish and someone takes pictures of the poor fishy floating on the water surface. Throw the book at him, Danno!!

Don't get me wrong. Vick broke the law, what he did to those dogs is heinous. But from past practice he could have done the same thing to a woman and gotten away with it with very little fanfare.

[habernac]

habsaddict said:

badcompany said:

We have such a twisted set of priorities it's amazing...

Careful with the "we" part. Not all of us pick up dog sh!t and call them "a member of our family".

Am I the only one who still can't believe people staring at a dogs behind, waiting for them to sh!t so they can pick it up? Or people spending more on their dog then it cost to feed a family in Africa? I always said that charity begins from the home outwards but that's for humans, not dogs.

would you rather them let the dog sh!t and leave it there for others to enjoy? What on earth is wrong with cleaning up after your dog? It's called responsible pet ownership.

[jkr]

skilly said:

Let's not forget the Minnesota Vikings "love boat" fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the Kobe Bryant fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the OJ Simpson fiasco .... murder

How much jail time did these guys serve? ZERO. Waiting for the response of PETA when these athletes forget to feed their goldfish and someone takes pictures of the poor fishy floating on the water surface. Throw the book at him, Danno!!

Don't get me wrong. Vick broke the law, what he did to those dogs is heinous. But from past practice he could have done the same thing to a woman and gotten away with it with very little fanfare.

I don't remember any allegations of rape during the Love Boat scandal - sex, prostitution, disorderly conduct etc. Some players were convicted of misdemeanours.

I found this link about it.:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Minnesota_Vikings_boat_cruise_scandal

Kobe Bryant - I think he bought his way out of trouble but no charges were ever laid.

Simpson - well we all know he did it but he did have his day in court. I suggest the Vincent Bugliosi book "Outrage" on this topic. He does a good job of outlining the prosecution's screwups.

Your contention that Vick would get away with murder is hyperbole in the other direction. NFL stardom did not get Rae Carruth off, it wouldn't work for Vick either.

[Cranky]

habernac said:

habsaddict said:

Careful with the "we" part. Not all of us pick up dog sh!t and call them "a member of our family".

Am I the only one who still can't believe people staring at a dogs behind, waiting for them to sh!t so they can pick it up? Or people spending more on their dog then it cost to feed a family in Africa? I always said that charity begins from the home outwards but that's for humans, not dogs.

would you rather them let the dog sh!t and leave it there for others to enjoy? What on earth is wrong with cleaning up after your dog? It's called responsible pet ownership.

Here is a novel idea....how about NOT having dogs in the city?

[Cranky]

jkr said:

Simpson - well we all know he did it but he did have his day in court. I suggest the Vincent Bugliosi book "Outrage" on this topic. He does a good job of outlining the prosecution's screwups.

Now if Vick could someohow arrange a knife fight between Bernardo and Simpson, I'm in for 2 tickets.....

[jkr]

habsaddict said:

jkr said:

Simpson - well we all know he did it but he did have his day in court. I suggest the Vincent Bugliosi book "Outrage" on this topic. He does a good job of outlining the prosecution's screwups.

Now if Vick could someohow arrange a knife fight between Bernardo and Simpson, I'm in for 2 tickets.....

How about Bernardo vs one of those pit bulls.

[Skilly]

jkr said:

skilly said:

Let's not forget the Minnesota Vikings "love boat" fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the Kobe Bryant fiasco ... rape

Let's not forget the OJ Simpson fiasco .... murder

How much jail time did these guys serve? ZERO. Waiting for the response of PETA when these athletes forget to feed their goldfish and someone takes pictures of the poor fishy floating on the water surface. Throw the book at him, Danno!!

Don't get me wrong. Vick broke the law, what he did to those dogs is heinous. But from past practice he could have done the same thing to a woman and gotten away with it with very little fanfare.

I don't remember any allegations of rape during the Love Boat scandal - sex, prostitution, disorderly conduct etc. Some players were convicted of misdemeanours.

I found this link about it.:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Minnesota_Vikings_boat_cruise_scandal

Kobe Bryant - I think he bought his way out of trouble but no charges were ever laid.

Simpson - well we all know he did it but he did have his day in court. I suggest the Vincent Bugliosi book "Outrage" on this topic. He does a good job of outlining the prosecution's screwups.

Your contention that Vick would get away with murder is hyperbole in the other direction. NFL stardom did not get Rae Carruth off, it wouldn't work for Vick either.

Nowhere did I say Vick could get away with murder. Read it again. I said he could have commited a heinous act on a woman.

The Vikings was all a sex scandal with women. Kobe allegedly raped a woman. (we all know he did) Simpson murdered a woman. Even the lacrosse rape allegations in US college last year ....

.... we tend to forgive and forget those acts. Or have I missed something and those guys are not making millions or living like like nothing happened

[jkr]

skilly said:

jkr said:

I don't remember any allegations of rape during the Love Boat scandal - sex, prostitution, disorderly conduct etc. Some players were convicted of misdemeanours.

I found this link about it.:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Minnesota_Vikings_boat_cruise_scandal

Kobe Bryant - I think he bought his way out of trouble but no charges were ever laid.

Simpson - well we all know he did it but he did have his day in court. I suggest the Vincent Bugliosi book "Outrage" on this topic. He does a good job of outlining the prosecution's screwups.

Your contention that Vick would get away with murder is hyperbole in the other direction. NFL stardom did not get Rae Carruth off, it wouldn't work for Vick either.

Nowhere did I say Vick could get away with murder. Read it again. I said he could have commited a heinous act on a woman.

The Vikings was all a sex scandal with women. Kobe allegedly raped a woman. (we all know he did) Simpson murdered a woman. Even the lacrosse rape allegations in US college last year ....

.... we tend to forgive and forget those acts. Or have I missed something and those guys are not making millions or living like like nothing happened

I did read it again. Vick has admitted killing dogs & your statement was that Vick could do the "same thing" to a person as he did to the dogs & get away with it. There's a lot of exaggeration on both sides of this issue & that's why I interpreted your comments the way I did. But I still don't agree with the contention that Vick would be in less trouble if the victim(s) were human beings.

I'm not condoning anything but it's pretty common for someone with money & celebrity (not just athletes) to buy their way out of trouble. It's a sad fact of life.

[CentreHice]

History is full of the rich, powerful, and privileged acting however they wish with impunity.

Religious, political, corporate, monarchal, celebrity etc......take your pick.

At least it's harder to hide nowadays...considering the amount of 24-7 specialty channels (not to mention the internet) looking for any story, any angle.

Unless, of course, the corporate owners of the particular media want it to remain hidden.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

An update from TSN. He's losing big time and looks to be losing more.

Report: Falcons want $22M from Vick

The Sports Network

8/25/2007 9:25:12 PM

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly expected to attempt to take back $22 million in bonuses already paid out to quarterback Michael Vick.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Saturday that the team will try to take back part of the money paid to their quarterback as part of the 10- year, $130 million contract Vick signed in December 2004, as a result of the guilty plea that Vick has signed, in which he admits to conducting an enterprise including gambling and the sponsoring and transporting of dogs in dogfighting operations.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay from the league on Friday. Vick is expected to formally enter his plea on Monday in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia and admit he sponsored dogs in dogfights and bought and transported dogs across state lines to engage in animal fighting ventures.

Vick could also lose $71 million in salary he is due over the next seven years if the Falcons elect to terminate his contract. According to the Journal- Constitution, the club can terminate Vick's contract if he "has engaged in personal conduct reasonably judged by club to adversely affect or reflect on club."

Vick signed the guilty plea agreement on Thursday.

The former Pro Bowl selection did not admit to killing any dogs personally or gambling on the fights. The summary of facts accompanying the plea agreement said Vick was aware four dogs were killed in 2002 and six to eight dogs were killed this past April as a result of the "collective efforts" of Vick and two of his co-defendants.

According to the agreement, Vick and his co-defendants -- Tony Taylor, Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace -- "rolled" or "tested" Bad Newz Kennels dogs in 2002 by putting them through fighting sessions to determine which ones were good fighters.

"Vick was aware that Phillips, Peace and Taylor killed a number of dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions around this time," the summary states. "Vick did not kill any dogs at this time."

As for the gambling allegations, the summary said Vick did not gamble "by placing side bets on any of the fights" and did not receive any of the proceeds from the purses. But the summary also states that most of the Bad Newz Kennels' operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick and the quarterback and his three co-defendants claimed purses when their dogs won fights.

The maximum penalties for Vick are five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, full restitution, a special assessment and three years of supervised release but he is expected to receive less jail time for signing the deal.

Multiple media sources have reported that Vick is expected to receive 12 to 18 months in prison.

The link.

[CentreHice]

FWIW.....

"Through this situation, I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God," said Vick, 27. "I think that's the right thing."

[franko]

Happens a lot. I just wonder why people wait until it is politically and fashionably expedient err . . . the media and courts pick up on their bad behaviour err . . . something really bad happens to them before their spiritual awakening.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

centrehice said:

FWIW.....

"Through this situation, I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God," said Vick, 27. "I think that's the right thing."

I don't know if there's legitimate remorse going on here or not, CH. It's all surface and damage control right now. I'm not trying to be hard but I haven't seen any of his press conferences nor do I care to.

What I will say, though, is that at least Vick had the nuts to admit to what he's done and admit that it was wrong.

However, we may never hear Barry Bonds say he's a steroid user or is sorry for cheating.

Doesn't excuse Vick of anything. He'll do his time. But at least the bastard admitted to the wrong.

Cheers.

[Skilly]

franko said:

Happens a lot. I just wonder why people wait until it is politically and fashionably expedient err . . . the media and courts pick up on their bad behaviour err . . . something really bad happens to them before their spiritual awakening.

Well it's better than the athlete that kneels and prays to God when he scores a touchdown or points to the sky when he hits a homerun ....... like God cares what he does on a bloody playing field making millions of dollars. Or crying and praying to God and saying that God is speaking to you and showing you visions over a foolish reality show .... ....

[franko]

skilly said:

franko said:

Happens a lot. I just wonder why people wait until it is politically and fashionably expedient err . . . the media and courts pick up on their bad behaviour err . . . something really bad happens to them before their spiritual awakening.

Well it's better than the athlete that kneels and prays to God when he scores a touchdown or points to the sky when he hits a homerun ....... like God cares what he does on a bloody playing field making millions of dollars.

I'm with you there -- I was once asked by a potential major leaguer "Will God make me do poorly to show me I should do something different with my life other than play professional baseball?". My reply: God gives us all certain talents and abilities -- it isn't God making you play poorly but you hitting the limits of yoru potential.

I don't think he liked the answer, but we blame God too much for our lack of ability and for our lack of common sense.

Or crying and praying to God and saying that God is speaking to you and showing you visions over a foolish reality show .... ....

Since I don't know what you are talking about I can't agree nor disagree. I do believe that God speaks . . . but it has to do with relationships.

And again . . . common sense comes into play.

[halihab]

disgruntled70shab said:

centrehice said:

FWIW.....

"Through this situation, I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God," said Vick, 27. "I think that's the right thing."

I don't know if there's legitimate remorse going on here or not, CH. It's all surface and damage control right now. I'm not trying to be hard but I haven't seen any of his press conferences nor do I care to.

What I will say, though, is that at least Vick had the nuts to admit to what he's done and admit that it was wrong.

However, we may never hear Barry Bonds say he's a steroid user or is sorry for cheating.

Doesn't excuse Vick of anything. He'll do his time. But at least the bastard admitted to the wrong.

Cheers.

He had to admit to the wrong doing or else face the maximum jail time - 5 years. I am hearing now, that they (prosecutors) had much more on Vick other than the dog fighting.
He's bad news and should never play football again.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

halihab said:

disgruntled70shab said:

I don't know if there's legitimate remorse going on here or not, CH. It's all surface and damage control right now. I'm not trying to be hard but I haven't seen any of his press conferences nor do I care to.

What I will say, though, is that at least Vick had the nuts to admit to what he's done and admit that it was wrong.

However, we may never hear Barry Bonds say he's a steroid user or is sorry for cheating.

Doesn't excuse Vick of anything. He'll do his time. But at least the bastard admitted to the wrong.

Cheers.

He had to admit to the wrong doing or else face the maximum jail time - 5 years. I am hearing now, that they (prosecutors) had much more on Vick other than the dog fighting.
He's bad news and should never play football again.

Thanks HH. I'm getting more from this thead than the news mainly because I usually tune out anything to do with Vick. Let justice take it's toll.

Cheers.

[halihab]

disgruntled70shab said:

halihab said:

He had to admit to the wrong doing or else face the maximum jail time - 5 years. I am hearing now, that they (prosecutors) had much more on Vick other than the dog fighting.
He's bad news and should never play football again.

Thanks HH. I'm getting more from this thead than the news mainly because I usually tune out anything to do with Vick. Let justice take it's toll.

Cheers.

I'm with ya. This guy doesn't deserve any media attention. From the comments from the judge - he could come down hard on Vick.