Obama Calls Eagles, Congrats on Signing Vick
 

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"Obama calls Eagles owner to congratulate him for signing Vick
By Chris Chase
Michael Vick(notes) has been getting support from all sides during his road to redemption. He's now getting it from the leader of the free world.

NBC's Peter King reports that Barack Obama called Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie earlier this week to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance after his release from prison. According to King, the president said that released prisoners rarely receive a level playing field and that Vick's story could begin to change that.

Forget your political allegiances or feelings about Michael Vick and take a step back to think about this. The sitting president of the United States went out of his way to publicly praise a man who, 3 1/2 years ago, many thought would never play again in the NFL. Even the most ardent believers in Vick couldn't have fathomed a turn-around like this.

In retrospect it seems obvious that Vick would get a second chance in the NFL, but it wasn't so clear-cut back when he was lying to the commissioner, getting sternly admonished in federal court and serving out a sentence at Leavenworth. We tend to take for granted unbelievable events when they slowly unfold before our eyes. The step-by-step nature of these sorts of tales tend to minimize the shock when taken in over a long process. So though it now seems like it was all pre-destined to work out like this, it wasn't: Vick's rise and fall and rise is a truly stunning tale. He went from star to pariah to inmate to backup to MVP candidate to political prop for the leader of the free world all in a span of a couple years."

While I do think those who pay their debt and are truly repentent should get another chance, I find it TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE for the President of the United States to reach out and make such a powerful gesture in support of someone like Vick!!! There are so many more deserving people he could give his support to!! This burns me up! What was he thinking? How about calling some troops and thanking them for signing their re-enlistment papers? How about calling some Doctors without Borders and thanking them for signing on for another trip? How about.....anything other than supporting an animal abusing, liar like Vick!!

Wow I couldn't have said it better myself! You go girl! What does this act from the President say to others? Unbelievable!

Totally agree, I want my vote back

I agree! What was he thinking???

I agree, there are so many other, worthy people who deserve this type of recognition. What is Obama trying to do, court the animal abuser vote?

who's to say that he doesn't do these things too? its just that Vick is in the public eye and has been making news since he was first arrested about dog fighting, football and his comeback.

i think no less of Obama for this and don't even think it should be news.

Well I thought Micheal Vick deserved a 2nd chance but agree Obama calling the eagles about it is too much

:thumbup::thumbup:-I couldn't agree more!!!:mad:

I certainly agree!

While I do think those who pay their debt and are truly repentent should get another chance, I find it TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE for the President of the United States to reach out and make such a powerful gesture in support of someone like Vick!!! There are so many more deserving people he could give his support to!! This burns me up! What was he thinking? How about calling some troops and thanking them for signing their re-enlistment papers? How about calling some Doctors without Borders and thanking them for signing on for another trip? How about.....anything other than supporting an animal abusing, liar like Vick!

I agree!

Because I am pretty sure it would make the news if he did. ;) But just to be sure, I checked with my son -- no word of anyone on his ship being thanked for re-enlisting by the Commander-in-Chief. I am betting he will send off one of those machine-signed letters for military retirees though (just like all the other presidents). I have one from another President. I thought it was great until I saw a show where they were showing the machine that is used to sign for presidents. Then I looked closer and it was signing the military retirement certificates!! But realisitically, they can't sign them all or we would see presidents going around with serious carpal tunnel issues.

Hope all understand that this isn't meant to be anti-anything but anti-VICK! I still think it is just SO wrong to give any support for this guy. The President should save his support for those who merit it, IMO. It should really mean something extra special when the President takes the time to make a phone call in his official capacity.

I agree, but I'm not surprised because Obama doesn't know what he's doing anyway. If your famous or the President...you can get away with murder, adultery and most anything else. :(

Well, tell your son that I am sending him and the others on his ship a great big THANK YOU! I am not the president but I do teach Social Studies. Lol! I do appreciate all of the men and women serving in the military.

i agree with Deb. i'm not an obama fan personally...and i do think he's an idiot for calling about Vick. doesn't he have better things to be doing? and yes it would be nice for the troops to get the same respect as an EX CON....geez Obama just shows his true colors over and over and over again doesn't he?

Ah thanks Mom to BabyGirl Rosie! I like that "but I do teach Social Studies" part! Reminds me of the commercials where the guy is not a doctor but he did sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. :D

FIDebra, my husband just said that he heard somewhere that Vick is now asking the courts to allow him to own another dog. :eek: I assume he is not suppose to own any at this point. Have you heard anything on this?

Here is an article about Vick. It just says that he would like to have a dog in the future. So, I don't know if my husband has all the facts straight. But I am looking!!

Michael Vick, dogfighting: President Obama draws flak for 'second chance' comment - latimes.com

I just read something very disturbing in that article. I had thought Michael Vick was not allowed to own another dog EVER, but apparently, it's just while he's on probation, until 2012. :( Sounds like animal rights groups will petition to extend it tho.

2012 he may be allowed to own a dog. Obama will parden him, and he can have as many as he wants.

Agree with Deb. Do not get me going on the CIC

Just another really GOOD reason not to like Obama!

Totally agree with you, FlDebra. I did not vote for him anyways.

Me either!

The only animal Vick should be allowed to own is a very hungry Boa Constrictor without a cage! Well, maybe that's going a little far :D but I do NOT think he should EVER be allowed to own a dog. Any of you watch the game last night between the Eagles and Minnesota? I really enjoyed seeing Vick get sacked!!

This was in the article I linked. Wonder if Smith is still doing this:

"Smith, who organized a campaign last season to collect food for animal shelters every time Vick was sacked on the field."

If so, it is really GREAT for him to get sacked!!!!

Not sure -- have only heard of that one interview where he said he would like to get a dog some time. I believe STRONGLY that he should NEVER be allowed to have a pet. I was so glad to read that others were outraged by the President's call. Football may be a big thing here, but even that cannot overshadow this country's love for our pets!

The stories that came out were so sadistic! It was even more than horrid dog fighting -- torturing the dogs for sport? Hanging them? That sort of mind does not rehabilitate in a few months/years time. That sort of sickness and evil stays with the person. It is part of their core. I was sick about them allowing him back on the football field. We do need to hold the NFL players to a high standard -- they are our children's role models. I think felons have no place there period, and especially one associated with such violence and pure evil.

All those dogs Vick is responsible for torturing, maiming, and killing were not given a second chance! Why should he get one? Let him out of prison, let him do his community service and make his donations (which are a pittance to someone with his $$$), let him get a job like any other convicted felon, but don't put him right back on a pedestal with all the money and perks. He should lose something FOREVER! Just like those poor dogs. :(

You won't see me ever watching an Eagle game as long as he is there.

I thought the same thing. So many children do look up to these players. What are we teaching them? That it is okay to do this. That you can still be a star if you commit a crime?

I also agree that you have to be sick to do such things. I can't even imagine. But you are talking to a person who had an argument about fish having feelings. :D I know that dogs have feelings and still argue with everyone that my Rosie understands what I am saying to her. And she gets sad when I leave her. Isn't that feelings? Those dogs are not given a second chance just like you said. And how did they "feel" when all this was going on.

I also noticed in the article that he is doing the volunteer service. But it is part of his probation. So, is it really volunteering? Just a thought.

Tell your son and to all those who have relatives in the military, we certainly pray for them and hope they come home safe and soon.
And thank them for their sacrifice.

:thumbup:
I cheer for him to get sacked anyway. :p

Believe he got sacked about 6 times last night, and was limping around the field most of the game, that they lost!

Doesn't Obama have better things to do with his time? Last I heard, we had some REAL issues in this country that need attention.

Vick does not need any attention from the President.

Give me a break!