Michael Vick is an Asshole - Another View on This

You know, there's a fine line that you walk with opinions at times, and just to warn you, I'm about to walk it. But before I do, I want you to know 2 things:

1) Michael Vick is a piece of shit for doing what he did to those dogs. I know he didn't act alone, he had friends help him out, but who do you think bought the land, had the 2-story house with basketball court and fenced in dog training area built? Guilty, your honor. That asshole is guilty.

2) This piece will probably piss you off if you like dogs or if you eat meat, so this is your warning.

First off, I eat meat. And I like it. I could, however, possibly live without it. It does provide variety. I've tried eliminating it from my diet, but with all the temptations of going to events where meat is available, including dinners with co-workers, friends who aren't vegetarians pointing things out ("You know, Taco Bell uses LARD in their refried beans, which is an animal product") that may not even be true, and just the fact that I like to have a burger every now and then have kept me from being vegetarian.

So why bring that up? It's not like Vick and friends were killing these animals to EAT them. And you're right, but what I'm getting at is how many of these people out there pointing their finger at Vick, including myself, support the meat industry and the cruelty of the animals they harvest?

If I wasn't lazy and technically inefficient, at this point I would have a link to Dennis Leary talking about animals on his "No Cure for Cancer" CD. He basically says that we like the cute animals, but are willing to look the other way in the cases of animals that serve as food.

"What are you?"
"I'm an otter. I swim on my back and do cute things with my paws."
"You're free to go."

"What are you?"
"I'm a cow."
"You're a HANDBAG!"

Or somethin' like that.

So my point? I think what I'm trying to say is that yes, it's true that Vick & Company were cruel to those dogs. The media is blowing this thing up, with the main focus being cruelty to animals. So let's bring up the whole issue of cruelty to animals and your personal definition of cruelty.

You might say, "The meat industry tries to kill animals quickly." They probably do try, but I guess that's your opinion on what is cruel versus not-as-cruel. I'm sure the folks at PETA would tell you as much. And I'm not supporting PETA, if that's what you're thinking. PETA is full of vegans and vegetarians, who can all go eat a dick, as far as I'm concerned.

In no way am I trying to sway anyone's opinion here, I've just been thinking about the root of all this hullaballoo and kind of wanted to make people think about WHY Mike Vick is an asshole as they eat their Royal's with Cheese.

Also, this gives me a reason to tell you a story.

There was this homeless guy in Pensacola who would stand on a median just off the exit of I-110. He had the usual "Veteran - Hungry - Will Work For Food" sign. People would just go by him. The next week, same dude is out in the median, only this time, he has a DOG with him. I'm thinking, "You know, in some countries, people eat dogs. How is he feeding that dog? Does that dog have shots?" People were now stopping and giving the guy money, and petting the dog.

There's no good answer, and no good ending to this situation. It would pretty much turn the restaurant industry on its head if people stopped eating meat. I mean, where would you stop for lunch on a long trip, at Jeff and Akbar's Tofu Hut?