I guess the Commish is above the Federal law.
"dhazer" wrote:
For godsake, man, I don't mind your honest disagreements, but it drives me nuts when you make illogical, inflammatory statements like this one, which is simply indefensible from any angle. Your implication that Vick is getting some sort of raw deal or is suffering double jeopardy holds no water.
The NFL's punitive system is entirely independent of the civil and criminal justice system. Any employer in this country is free to impose any sanctions above and beyond those levied by the court system if it feels necessary. I'm in the army. If I commit a crime punishable in the civilian courts, the military can still choose to prosecute me under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and punish me a second time. The NFL does not answer to the courts for infractions against its personnel policies, nor should it.
He did his time and deserves to have his 2nd chance.
"dhazer" wrote:
This statement illustrates another of my pet peeves with the maudlin platitudes of modern Americana. To "deserve" something means you have
earned it, that you
merit it, and Vick clearly has not "earned" or "merited" a second chance. Hell, he only pleaded guilty when every other possible alternative was lost to him due to his own pig-headed refusal to roll on his buddies. Serving time in the slammer doesn't earn you any brownie points in my book.
Society and the NFL may be gracious and
grant him a second chance out of the goodness of their hearts (or a mercenary desire to profit off his talent), but he clearly has done nothing to
deserve this second chance. The best you can argue is that Vick is somehow
entitled to a second chance, in the same sense a homeless crack addict may be
entitled to welfare benefits, despite the face he or she clearly doesn't
deserve those benefits.
I couldn't care less if Vick is readmitted into the NFL (it might even be fun to see him suit up in purple), but please, enough of this "poor Vick" nonsense. If any team deigns to sign him, he better be eternally grateful for the mercy.