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Michael Vick Gets 23 Months

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Positive Real Estate Professionals

Today Michael Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback was sentenced to 23 months on the federal dogfighting charges. He still faces the state charges and the NFL penalties. The NFL could at their discretion ban Vick from the NFL or they could suspend him for a period of time. Here is the Link to the Atlanta Journal Constitution story.

I live in metro-Atlanta and must say that I am truly embaressed and appalled by Vick's actions. I don't know what Henry Aaron, George Foreman, and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin were thinking when they appealed to the Federal judge for leniency on Vick's behalf. It is bad enough what Vick has done but to have these VERY prominent Atlanta residents appeal for leniency is like a parting sucker punch. I do understand that the city wants to move forward and it will. But appealing for leniency does not help the city move forward. To let Vick face justice is what will help the city to move forward. I do understand that he is going to federal prison but it is time for others to stop trying to lessen his responsibility. His not being held fully accountable for his actions are a direct link in the escalation of his history of bad behavior.

What is your take on Vick? His sentencing? His actions? His NFL future?

This is a Rant 'til your blue in the face zone!


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Show All Comments
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru
Rich, thanks for the plug. It is greatly appreciated. I hope Vick is not too attached to his teeth.
Dec 10, 2007 08:59 AM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate
And I say HURRAY!!  He should have gotten life.  I have no tolerance for animal abuse.
Dec 10, 2007 09:06 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Gayle - If you read the Link in the blog to the Atlanta Journal Constitution story then I'm sure you found even the vague description of how he hanged one of the dogs beyond disturbing. His crime is horrific in nature and I fully support him going to prison for an extended period of time and I am tired of people sticking up for him or trying to lessen his culpability.
Dec 10, 2007 10:05 AM
BLR Guy
BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc) - Saint Pete Beach, FL
Rich,I think we were all on the same page with this one....23 months is just too lenient....especially since he has been in more trouble since...oh well....you or I try something and see what happens
Dec 11, 2007 12:00 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
BLRGuy - I am with you. Any regular person (read non-celebrity) with the same track record for bad behavior would have gotten the full five year sentence. I am not really suprised that his lawyer said Vick was upset by the sentence. Of course Vick expected to get the federally required minimum because leniency and less accountability is par for the course with these spoiled celebrities.
Dec 11, 2007 01:17 AM
M A
Boston, MA
The sentencing is not enough.  I would suggest putting an angry do in there with him, but that would be cruelty to animals.
Dec 11, 2007 08:01 AM
Anonymous
ME
OMG!  VICK didnt perform well as expected on the Falcons, so why dont we hang, beat, torture him!!???  What he did, he did for pure enjoyment only! He dang sure didnt need the money.  He should have gotten the full 5 years.  NOT TO mention, I hate to say this.....but if he were white, Neither Shirley Franklin, Hank Aaron or George Foreman would have had a word to say to the judge.  I am sick of hearing people say that dog fighting is common in the black community......is that the excuse that is giving for drugs too???  And how can they say Vick is a role model.....he was just busted with ILLEGAL drugs....AND HONESTLY ...even worse he will be hailed as a superstar in prison!  I hope he gets further time from the STATE charges in April ...and Hope he never plays football again.  I dont want any kids to see him as a role model!! 
Dec 11, 2007 09:57 AM
#12
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Martin - It aggravates me further that the Atlanta Mayor (among others) would write to the Judge asking for leniency. Here is a Link which includes the actual letter. It is outrageous!

Dec 11, 2007 10:01 AM
Anonymous
WLQ
HOW IS IT the MAYOR of Atlanta can call this guy a Role Model?  Hanging a dog, drugs, lies, doesnt accept responsibilty......we should take a look at our "MAYOR" on at the next election...if this is her idea of what a role model looks like!
Dec 11, 2007 10:16 AM
#14
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

ME - I agree that Vick probably got a more lenient sentence because of his celebrity status. Though I strongly disagree with Mayor Franklin, Henry Aaron, ang George Foreman's efforts to garner a lenient sentence for Vick, I do not accept the premise that they did this because of his race. I do believe that they had the best intrests (though again I strongly disagree whatever the intent) of the city of Atlanta in mind.

Dec 11, 2007 10:21 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
WLQ - I agree that Mayor Franklin should have thought more seriously of the reprecussions of trying to help him obtain a more lenient sentence. However, I have found NO evidence to support the drug assertions. Here is a link to the Atlanta Journal Constitution article on the Miami Airport incident.
Dec 11, 2007 10:26 AM
Cris Burlew
Beach & Luxury Realty, Inc. - Saint Pete Beach, FL
Broker ~ St Pete Beach FL Real Estate

23 months is far too short for the crimes he committed against these animals. I only hope the State charges he faces will have a different outcome on sentencing. He will likely be allowed back into the NFL (though I wouldn't like to see him back) as they are a forgiving instititution.

The dog fighting operation supposedly began in early 2001...that's 6 years (72 months) and he only serves 23 (1 month shy of 2 full years) for this operation? CRIMINAL!

At least 9 dogs killed. The sentence served will be 2.5555 months per dog killed...CRIMINAL!

What is criminal is the shortness of his sentence and those individuals pleading leniency for him. That is totally disgusting! That is definitely NOT the right message to be sending to the public. Where were these same individuals when the dogs were being killed? (Yes, I know it didn't happen in Atlanta, but still...). Their actions show they have no feelings nor comprehension of what Vick did and was a part of. If he wasn't a celebrity, would they have come out of the woodwork for him? I think not!

It has been shown that animal cruelty leads to other forms of violence. I for one am glad he will be off the street for a while. My only thought is, has he really learned his lesson and will he return to this kind of lifestyle when he gets out? Only time will tell, as I don't really think he is as remorseful as the mayor states.

Dec 11, 2007 12:03 PM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Cris - I was speaking to an attorney yesterday who said Vick will most likely get to serve whatever the state penalty is concurrently with the federal penalty. That means the time he has served on the federal case will most likely be deducted from his state sentence! If the state sentence isn't longer than 23 months then the state is simply wasting their time and taxpayer dollars. That is insane!
Dec 11, 2007 01:18 PM
Anonymous
Rebecca Alexander
I am friggin amazed at OUR MAYOR!!!a GRANDMOTHER,MOTHER,WOMAN,PUBLIC FIGURE IN GOVERNMENT!!!!WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!!! i ALMOST BECAME A REPUBLICAN TODAY!!!!!!FRIGGIN AMAZING!!!!!Vick with MILLIONS with many dogs who I know had a vet come to him couldn't put a dog to sleep. He had to HANG it. I don't care what people's excuse is for supporting him,being black,loving football,whatever,HE TORTURED DOGS. I wore my antidogfighting shirt all the way down Peachtree. I wish I could hear how friggin sad his mother is again too.,Ask my son Daniel what I would do to him if he did that?He would be lucky to make it to court.I would BEG the judge to lock him up. PERIOD. Come on Atlanta,please. This is friggin amazing.
Dec 11, 2007 03:35 PM
#19
Jonathan Benya
The Benya Group - Waldorf, MD
The Benya Group
23 Months isn't enough as far as I'm concerned.  I hope he never has the chance to play in the NFL again after what he's done.  in regards to the drug claims...  Vick failed a court ordered drug test after he pleaded, and his lawyer claimed he was "self medicating" due to depression over the whole incident.....
Dec 11, 2007 04:33 PM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Rebecca - You are right. There is no excuse and it is appallaing our mayor is making excuses. No doubt about the fact that he DID TORTURE and KILL DOGS and it is UNACCEPTABLE.

Jonathan - I stand corrected on the drug issue. I had forgotten he had failed the court ordered drug test. I mistakenly thought the commentor was referring to the Miami Airport incident.

If you are an animal lover be sure to check out Mayor Franklin's letter to the judge

Dec 12, 2007 03:17 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
Your mayor is probably going to be out of a job come the next election, huh?
Dec 12, 2007 03:27 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Jim - It definitely does not look good for her. There have been numerous scandals surrounding her office including the police shooting of an elderly woman in her home last year 
Dec 12, 2007 03:40 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

Stephen & Chris - I know that you are in the market to make money, we all are. I just hope that Vick does not profit due to the notariety of his crime. While many feel he should be allowed to play again in the NFL once he serves his sentence, it will remain to be seen the condition he is in when he gets out of prison. It is startling that the State of Virginia does not have some means to seize and sell this property as it was not only the scene of heinous crimes but the staging ground for a criminal enterprise.

Please be aware that I am DELETING your post because your links direct people away from my page rather than opening in a new, seperate page. Please feel free to repost in this forum using the chain symbol in the header of the comment box. It allows you to enter a URL that will open in another window. Please feel free to call or e-mail me if you need help with this feature.

Dec 12, 2007 04:33 AM
Jim Ludes
RE/MAX Top Properties - Coal City, IL
Grundy/Will County, IL REALTOR
Rich- bravo
Dec 12, 2007 04:55 AM
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