This is exactly right!!!!
Great post!!!!!

I sent my email too!!

Well, I didn't watch the clip or the View, but did read the post and posted what I read. Taken out of context maybe, but how Woopi can identify dog fighting as a "heritage" thing because this is what she is saying by stating that it's from the deep south (Virginia) where Vick grew up, is beyond me. I know if I lived in Virginia, I certainly wouldn't want anyone going around blaming my state for Vick's behavior. Let him be responsible for his actions. Maybe, his upbringing PERIOD had something to do with it, but certainly not the fact that he was brought up in the south and I think it's ridiculous for that fact to have even been brought up by Whoopi. Elaine

I have lived in Virginia all my life and I do not know anyone who fights dogs. I am an animal control officer and I have never had a call about dog fighting in my county. I am sure it happens, abuse and cruelty happen everywhere. It mads me mad when people say it's the environment he grew up in. He knew it was against the law and morally wrong. I think he should get the maximum sentence and NEVER own another animal of any kind again.

I don't agree with what Vick did anymore than the next person, but Whoopi merely stated her opinion. Why blame The View? Blame Whoopi--she said it. I don't agree with the practice, but there are some areas (yes, in the South) where it is not at all uncommon. If you grow up being taught that mentality and seeing that everyday, you don't view it as 'taboo' like some would, so I can see the point she was trying to make. Does that change the fact that it was wrong and sick? No, it doesn't. But still, I see her point. I don't see how bombarding the show is going to rectify the situation, however. The View merely had a guest with an opinion of their own, nothing more.:)

I see Whoopi's point and I see a lot of other points as well. She maybe should of made her statement more clear, I was sort of confused on what side she was on. I don't think she was defending him as much as making excuses. There are a lot of cultures out there that have done negative things in the past and present, that doesn't mean it's acceptable. Vick isn't four. He should know right from wrong. She saw that it was a little confusing in her statement and she cleared it up. As long as she doesn't continue to make excuses I believe her statement was harmless. I don't see how anyone could stand up for him anyways. That's a battle you would never win!

Of course he should. Everyone should. But if you've never been educated as to what is right or wrong...
It's not making excuses really, just considering all of the contributing factors. Yes, I would think anyone with common sense would be able to tell that it is a sick and twisted thing to do, but not everyone thinks the way those of us who treasure dogs do, sadly. Again, it's not an excuse or justification for what it did, just something that may shed some light onto HIS way of thinking. (Which, agreed, it NOT right.) :)

The same can be said for many different instances on different levels.

This post as well as your previous is exactly what she was getting at.

Not condoning.

Not defending.

She was getting at understanding where the source of the problem is arising from in an effort to be able to better work at elimanating the problem.

More simply put:

Attacking the root source and not just treating the symptoms.

Of course, this was also her opinion on the problem of dog fighting.

Of course, Vick needs to be held accountable.

Understandably, people on a dog loving site are passionate about this.

We are all entitled to our opinions.

That said, I don't believe the energy spent on the e-mails to BW is going to change a thing in the world of dog fighting.

Well in my opinion Whoopi has a point (dont yell at me yettt!) if it was something small.. like a habit or something like we Bostonians don't pronounce our R's and we call chocolate sprinkles jimmies. Not fighting dogs.. If you fight any animal than you should know that that is wrong.. If you grew up with someone always saying it was right almost as if you were brainwashed into it then I guess if you were young that could be an excuse but wouldnt you notice how much pain they are in? He electrecuted a dog! You have to know that is wrong.. If you seriously think that that is okay then you have to be pretty d*mn disturbed.

I think I understand what Whoopi is trying to say..
 

We have dogfighting in Chicago too, so I wouldn't say that it's specific to an areas in the south. Many poverty stricken places do it as a means to make money and entertainment. Lots of teenagers go to these fights and are raised around them to think that it's ok. It's basically cheap entertainment and a way to bring money in.

We have to educate these people on why it's wrong. We have to take care of these communities and give them better, affordable things to do in their free time. Fixing animals and not giving them out for free (especially pit bulls) also can help.

Anyone who tries and defend Vick by saying he grew up in the South or
it's a cultural thing is just plain defending him.
His culture and the state where he lived should be up in arms defending themselves.
To say something like this states everyone else who is of color or lives
in the state where he is from is an animal abuser. One would have to be without brains to
believe such bull.
He did what he did because of who he is. A sick man who needs to be
accountable for his actions. Period!
I personally hope he gets the max the law will allow.

Not defending, just offering some possible reasons for the basis of his way of thinking and viewing it...the wider gray area, not just, you defend him or condemn him, no inbetween. There are issues here other than just "guilty or not guilty." Becoming a product of your society and based on what you are exposed to from day one is a widely believed, studied and proven theory in many areas. You can't throw it out now just for this situation because of the nature of the subject and because it is something we ALL feel passionately against.

You are absolutely right! They SHOULD be trying to change the stereotype. But crack down on it and prevent it BEFORE it gets to this point, not just wait for high profile case to come along, hand out the steepest punishment possible and try to make it look like you are toughening up. Sure the Vick case has gotten lots of publicity and the state of VA wants to please the public, but how many non-publicized instances of dog fighting are they aware of that they are turning the other cheek to. :mad: Do something about THOSE and the root of the problem if you want to fix it.

*Just for the record. I personally can't stand Michael Vick. I didn't like him BEFORE all this. I am very avid-Anti Atlanta Falcons and have always thought of him as rather cocky. This just pours salt on the wound.*

Not defending, just offering some possible reasons for the basis of his way of thinking and viewing it...the wider gray area, not just, you defend him or condemn him, no inbetween. There are issues here other than just "guilty or not guilty."


Remember, this is a high profile person making millions of $$$ not just
some low life looking to make a fast buck by dog fighting.
He was in it for only two reasons.
1. Hates and has no respect for an animal. To torture an innocent
animal a human being can not be all there. Something in his makeup is missing. Especially someone in the lime light who our youth today look up to.
2. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I see no gray area in this case. The man knew right from wrong no
matter what anyone says. His head is not in the sand, so too speak.
He can read and write. He knows dog fighting is illigel. He took a chance
and got caught. He's been doing this for years. The man deserves
everything that awaits him and I hope it's plenty.

I agree with whoopi and I applauded her for taking a stand and telling people what is factually true. This is why i defended him as well. People are so quick to point fingers and convict people that the real problem goes untreated. This a major problem that needs to be dealt with in the black community. Vick ended up admitting his guilty, and like whoopi said it was prolly like a light clicking on in his head. What may be socially acceptable to one group may be something horrible to another. I get sick of people going on witch hunts and saying ugly things in here. Although some of the things need to be said its said in a manor that I would not want anyone in here saying those same things to me.. If i am wrong i would accept it more if you tell me in a way that I can learn from my mistakes. In this case vick needs to learn from his mistake and try to find a way to reach out to those young men in the black community who have learn this behavior and help them unlearn it. I know its easy for every one in here to say the negative things you say but i don't see any of you taking action. I have already and will do more once i am back home in Nebraska. In this case talk is cheap and actions would be worth its weight in gold for us, society and our lil friends , no matter what kind of dog they are.