How Mike Vick and Dante Stallworth Exposed a Flawed Legal System

Something just doesn't rub me the right way concerning the glaring differences between Michael Vick's and Dante Stallworth's circumstances. Michael Vick, of course, dealt with Federal and State charges but a good portion of that was served concurrently. Stallworth, on the other hand, dealt with the State of Florida, which is one of the most aggresive criminal law states in the land.

Vick was reported to have killed several dogs. No telling how many were killed outside of his hands. Usually, when dogs lose a fight, they are killed immediately following the fight. I got that from several sources straight from the street.

In the end however, I'm having a hard time reasoning how a man who actually killed a human being receives less legal penalties, and still maintains his place on the Cleveland Brown's roster. How does this work?

I'm not trying to place more emphasis on human life than dogs but this blog HAS to go that direction. My brother and I talked about this situation, we felt as if Stallworth should have received the treatment that Vick did and vice versa.

A hard working 57 year old man was killed at the price of a man who was inebriated way beyond the legal limit. Meanwhile, the NFL, drills players over and over again on these kinds of issues. Simply put, Stallworth getting a taxi would have saved a man's life.

But I don't see the protestors in Stallworth's situation. I don't see the outrage on how Florida's legal system smacked him on the hand. Yes, a 30 day sentence is a smack on the hand. Heck, he only did one day anyway.

"Stallworth was given a 30-day jail sentence and reached an undisclosed financial settlement with Reyes’ family. Besides jail time, Stallworth’s sentence included two years of house arrest, eight years of probation and other restrictions." -AP

I understand that there was no true mens rea with Stallworth. In other words, he didn't intend on killing the victim. Vick on the other hand had a solid mens rea and dogs died because of it. But it's sad we live in a time where people defend dogs over human life. Miami should have been outraged by Stallworth's actions. The Browns should have cut him from the roster. At what point do we take a stand and say, you need to be punished so you don't do this again?

Instead, Stallworth is back at home and can already leave the house to train for his return to the game. For the most part, he's living comfortable again, something Vick didn't have an option on. I can't put my finger on it, but these circumstances smells like injustice to me. Are you catching the same whiff?

Michael Vick: Another Victim of Black Exploitation

I know sometimes I can be a little edgy about my views on race. So instead of speaking on the Gates situation, I'm going to tackle the "Michael Vick Story." And though the race card doesn't have such a bearing impact, in my opinion, there are minuscule elements that still embody the situation as a whole.

As it relates to Vick's hideous actions, I disagree totally. There is nothing anyone can say that would convince me otherwise. Moreover, what probably was a minor decision to Vick ended up having major impacts. According to U.S.A Today, Mike forfeited 70 million dollars in his 10 year, 130 million dollar contract, lost millions in endorsements and paid 928,000 bucks in restitution for the state taking care of those abused pits. Briefly put, he owes creditors 20 million.

Now, some African-Americans want to pull the race card out. And no doubt, there is a time to do so. But I don't think this is good situation to pull it on. When you look into some of the details of how dumb Vick got in the treatment of the pits, it doesn't leave much room for the race card.

For example, in the indictment, it is documented that dogs were hung, drowned, and electrocuted. To put it bluntly, thats piss poor.

So lets all hope that Vick learned his lesson. The commissioner is giving him a second chance, so lets hope he's marijuana free and done with dog abuse (for his sake).

The problem I had with the "Michael Vick Story" is how the media exploited him. If you didn't see Vick on the Cover of U.S.A. Today, you missed a sad and gloomy front page. It was so sad and gloomy that I felt compelled to purchase the paper. And what the heck is Vick doing on the cover (featured article) of the USA TODAY anyway!

In lieu of all the issues this country is having, why is Vick on the cover of a nationally syndicated newspaper? Ahhh, the race card unfolds just a tad bit. Seems to me that he's been humiliated enough (by his own actions and that fact that he's broke). Then you want to put him on the cover of the U.S.A Today with his head down and eyes shut. NO FAIR.

I tried to let it slide, but under the picture it read, "A pretty stiff penalty: Michael Vick, leaving federal court May 22 in Norfolk, Va., has lost more than 70 million and spent about 18 months behind bars on a dogfighting conviction." Then to make it crazy, to the right of Vick's article was "Fed says jobless rate may hit 10.1%-Still it sees end of recession this year." Now you tell me what's more important, the recession ending and the current unemployment rate, or Michael Vick. It's a no brainer if you ask me. Apparently the chief editor didn't feel the same way.

In conclusion, let us not pull the race card out on a man that made dumb decisions and subjected himself to the rule of the law. But let us recognize that the media has exploited Vick to the upmost and he doesn't get to see any of that money. Sad indeed.