Beat a Woman? Play On; Beat a Dog? You're Gone

[MaineDem]

(WOMENSENEWS)--National Football League superstar Michael Vick is in trouble, serious trouble. Federal prosecutors charged the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback with animal abuse for his role as the alleged leader of a dog-fighting ring and, after denying it for months, Vick pleaded guilty on Monday. He faces stiff sentencing.

He's in big trouble with the NFL too, which has said he might never play professionally again. According to Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL's Player Association, "the practice of dog-fighting is offensive and completely unacceptable."

I just wish the NFL had the same outrage toward spousal abuse and other forms of domestic violence. But they don't. Not by a long shot.

Scores of NFL players as well as players from the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball have been convicted of domestic abuse, yet they play on with no fear of losing their careers. Most pay small fines, if that, and are back on the field immediately.

The message is clear. Beat a woman? Play on. Beat a dog? You're gone.

http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3285

Also:
Last summer Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Brett Myers assaulted his wife on a public Boston street and was charged with assault and battery. Major League Baseball did not penalize him, shrugging it off as an off-field incident. Are they saying a player needs to abuse his spouse during a game to get sanctioned? If so, just how does that work?

[wildhorses]

1. trust men to keep their priorities straight --

:eyes:

a good dog is hard to find...

women --- meh --- plenty of them hanging around

[seemslikeadream]

2. If he did that on a public street

just think what's going on behind closed doors

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I may be wrong about this,

but in some sports and in some circles, doesn't wife beating add to the aura of the player?

[Stuckinthebush]

4. This is really an apples an oranges argument

Vick didn't just beat on dogs he slaughtered them for entertainment.

[TankLV]

5. Oh fuck - want to talk about wife beating - fine.

This story was about a specific CELEBRITY and a specific horrendous act.

We can and do disscuss other important issues - it's not one or the other strawman like you idiots try to claim.

Want to talk about a CURRENT celebrity who abuses his spouse - get the story and we'll discuss it...

Currently Vic the Prick is the news and we're justly outraged...

It's not one or the other...

Get a fucking clue...

I've never read such bullshit...

[MaineDem]

6. Lovely

Thank you for your comments.

I think the author had legitimate points.

[wildhorses]

8. spoken like a 'true' man --

:eyes:

[LibInternationalist]

7. She's right, but...

I don't disagree with the author's broader point, but I don't think she should minimize Vick's crimes to make it. He didn't beat dogs, he tortured and killed them. Beating a woman is still equally inexcusable.