Fox News: “Michael Vick Should Have Been Executed”
Just when you thought it was safe to hear a story on the potential NFL MVP Michael Vick without having to hear about dog fighting, along comes Tucker Carlson and Fox News. Because you know, if President Obama thinks Vick is an excellent example of a previously convicted criminal who has turned his life around for the better, then Fox will argue the opposite, facts or rationality be damned!
Filling in for Sean Hannity on Hannity Tonight, Carlson brought up Vick’s past indiscretions, mainly due to the fact that President Obama called Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, to discuss the use of alternative energy. In the course of the conversation he also congratulated Lurie and the Eagles for giving Vick a second chance after his serving his sentence for being part of a dog-fighting ring.
While the main quote—“I think he should have been executed”—makes for a great, attention-grabbing headline, the full transcript is amazing when read in context, especially when Carlson (pictured above) brings religion into the equation, obviously thinking it will back up his stance, when in reality it exposes him as the hypocrite he is.
“President Obama, it has been confirmed by the White House, called the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, and during the course of their conversation thanked him for giving Michael Vick a second chance. Now I’m a Christian, I’ve made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way, and I think, personally, he should have been executed for that.”
(Thankfully, Carlson’s guests—golfer Ben Crenshaw, Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez and Fox News correspondent Doug Schoen—had much less extreme views.)
If you happen to be in the minority who thinks Vick shouldn’t have received a second chance to play in the NFL after he served his time (which would be punishment on top of punishment), please realize you’re advocating a minimum sentence of life without parole for animal cruelty—remember, while jail is meant to be there as a punishment, it is also there as a vehicle of rehabilitation. If an accountant is convicted for the same crime, serves his time and tries to get a job, will you protest the local business who tries to employ him?
While no one will ever defend the crimes Vick committed, he has paid his debt to society, was a model prisoner while doing so, and is now moving forward in a positive manner with his life. His story really should be celebrated, not torn down.
I BEG AMERICANS TO STOP WATCHING FOX NEWS. THAT CHANNEL IS FULL WITH IGNORANTS WHO THINK THEY KNOW BETTER THAN EVERYBODY ELSE. THEY SPREAD THEIR IGNORANCE AND PEOPLE WITH NO INTEREST IN THE FACTS BUY IT. THE MOST MISINFORMED PEOPLE IN AMERICA ARE FOX NEWS VIEWERS. WELL INFORMED PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON REAL AND FACTUEL INFORMATION TO MOVE THE COUNTRY FORWARD. FOX NEWS SLOW PROGRESS.. CHINA IS PASSING US BY.
Sure, FOX News is full of it in general. They practice yellow journalism in the time-dishonored Hearst tradition, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. The notion Mr. Smith advances — that somehow, failure to award a golden NFL opportunity to a convicted felon is equivalent to a “life sentence without parole” — is transparently specious.
Everyone’s personal history follows them into their careers. Try getting a job — any job, even in entry-level retail — with a Bad Conduct Discharge from the military, and you’ll see how long it takes shame to rinse out. That’s not a “life sentence.” That’s freedom of association.
The NFL may “get up with fleas” from Philadelphia’s dubious choice, but it’s unlikely. Professional (and college) sports have long offered consequence-free rewards to the athletically talented. Hollywood does the same. As a society, we’ve decided to enshrine those people as examples of the American dream.
Sounds like Mr. Smith bought straight into that mythology. That’s not slavish jock-sniffing. That’s freedom of the press.
I disagree with his conclusions, but anyone who throws rocks at FOX is at least off to a reasonable start. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is the Arabic expression of freedom of association, I suppose.
As for Joe K., you really need to hire a proofreader if you desire to establish yourself as more thoughtful than your chosen adversaries. Memorizing and attempting to replicate the rants of MSNBC won’t make up for skipping all those classes.
Tucker Carlson, I prefer Cockkk Sucker Carlson del Hannity. Where was the concern when that “hail Hitler” Bart police officer murdered that defenseless man in the back. So indeed, we are counted as dogs. The law is the right hand of God, and if the right hand of God offends Him, He will cut it off. Therefore all who withhold justice from the needy and the poor and subvert justice by taking brides will likewise perish.
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