I’m not a football fan and have to admit that I never heard of Michael Vick or knew that he was the star quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons before the dog fighting mess came to light in the news. I couldn’t have told you what color his skin was and the case had not come before the courts; giving the man the benefit of our system, innocent until proven guilty.
I listened and read about how some of the community considered the charges to be racially motivated; something which makes for good media coverage in our day. The other day I read where Michael Vick has accepted a plea bargain agreement on the charges; in other words, a plea of guilty will be voluntarily entered to avoid any further court proceedings.
I’ve listened as judges explained the meaning of a guilty plea; burglary, robbery, child molesters and even murderers standing in front of the court to confess their guilt. I don’t suppose it matters that by standing in front of the court they are in fact standing in front of the entire community to explain why they chose to violate the laws set down by their own community. The judge will go on to ask many questions of the defendant prior to accepting a guilty plea. If I miss some of the finer points of law please jump in.
“You’re pleading guilty because you are guilty and for no other reason?” Each question has a period of time in which the defendant must acknowledge with a nod of the head or a “Yes, your Honor.”
“You have not been coerced or threatened into pleading guilty?” This isn’t mother Russia where they take your family off to a room and hold them hostage in order to obtain a guilty plea; so what reason would anyone have for pleading guilty to a crime they had not committed?
Never mind the rest; if you don’t understand that Michael Vick has pleaded guilty by his own admission then this is a waste of time. I read on the CNN website where quite a few folks think this whole thing was racially motivated, that Michael Vick is a victim of the system; without going past the PC lines too far, that Michael Vick is the victim of the white man’s flawed system intended to keep talented black people in their place.
“Fans at Playmakers Barber Shop in Midtown said they still support Vick, because they feel he is innocent, and that he is a victim of a racist judicial system.”
“It’s bad. I don't condone it at all, but the punishment is too severe, (they’re ruining) a man’s career,” said barber Dontrell Mapp.”
I’m sorry; but I don’t buy into the race card crap being spread like manure by the civil rights groups intent on destroying and dividing our communities. Our system works for whites, blacks, greens and yellows. Those who stand before the courts have the same opportunities to understand what they are charged with, a chance to consult with qualified lawyers, a chance to weigh the options in front of them and even with a plea of guilty in front of a judge will have the opportunity to withdraw that plea.
There’s a move to “save Vick’s job”, to let him play professional football. I’ve already stated that I could care less about football; I know, that sounds un-American to some of you. What difference would it make having one more criminal on the field; I thought that a good portion of the NFL’s fan base were fellow probationary and parolees enjoying the chance to be out of prison, to watch a sporting event put on by the most savage steroid induced barbarians for hire or probation and parole officers keeping tabs on their assignments.
“Vick supporters will rally again Monday night, before the Atlanta Falcons’ preseason game with the Cincinnati Bengals.”
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