There is a Famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi that’s been bouncing around in my head these past few months. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” I find that I have been questioning myself as a weak person because I truly cannot forgive Mr. Vick for the crimes he has committed. It seems as of late everyone has “jumped on the bandwagon” of forgiveness. Just as of a few days ago there was an article released stating that our own President had called to congratulate the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving Mr. Vick a “second chance”. It should be noted that the President has not called the organization that has given many of Mr. Vick’s abused and mistreated dogs a second chance. I understand that everyone truly does deserve a second chance, but who is to say this is really Mr. Vick’s first crime. For someone to be as big of a monster to organize a dog fighting ring. I find it hard to believe he hasn’t made many “mistakes” in his life. But being someone who was seen as the next big star, it has allowed for many eyes to look the other way. Why then, are we so quick to assume this was the first big mistake he has made in his life? Can’t it just as easily be assumed that it is just the first time he truly got caught? Look again at his crime in these terms: Dogs are scientifically proven to have the brain function of a two year old child. Would we be so quick to forgive a man (a pro athlete none the less) who was torturing and killing two year olds? I suspect there would be a lynch mob lined across the country asking for his head. But because it was an animal we apparently have a much easier time disassociating ourselves from the reality of it: This is a person who bankrolled and participated in a “murdering machine”. Has our opinion of someone atoning for their crimes really come down to how many points they score for our fantasy football team? Have we really stooped to the level of believing someone has changed just because he makes more millions for millionaires by winning football games? Mr. Vick recently stated in an interview: “I would love to have another dog in the future. I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process, I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals, I think it would be outstanding. And if I ever have that opportunity again, I won’t take it for granted.” Would you allow a convicted child killer to babysit your children? Not likely.

By: Matt Davalos