OT: Michael Vick Enters Guilty Plea

[CatEyes]

admits to funding and killing.

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story/_a/vick-admits-involvement-in-killing-dogs/20070824122309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

[NealIsGod]

admits to funding and killing.

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/story/_a/vick-admits-involvement-in-killing-dogs/20070824122309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

Bye bye, Vick. I'm glad Adalius Thomas blew your knee out a couple years ago.

[chf34jmac]

Um Just curious. What exactly is a "Guilty Pleat"?

[CatEyes]

Um Just curious. What exactly is a "Guilty Pleat"?

bait for the anal

[WIX]

Hey Mike, goodbye to the millions and welcome back to the trailer court. Pull up a stool beatch !

[larryfromnextdoor]

wow,, i cant believe he admitted it even if he got a plea.... i hate that folks have been
experimenting on animals for many years,, scientist giving animals diseases or even in the '60s,
seeing how they react to cosmetics, ect.. so disguting..

even in death, it has been stated that cattle companys will buy euthanized pets , boil them , and pour
the fat over cattle food to fatten them up for sale,, or the fat is bought by pet food companys
to be used for pet food.. the pet owners wouldnt know this when leaving their pets for the last time.,, dont know if its
really true , it would be nasty if so..

this commercial gets to me... Sarah McLachlan Animal Cruelty Video.. there are some crazy animal abuse vids on you tube.. uhmm..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc

[Ms_M]

wow,, i cant believe he admitted it even if he got a plea.... i hate that folks have been
experimenting on animals for many years,, scientist giving animals diseases or even in the '60s,
seeing how they react to cosmetics, ect.. so disguting..

even in death, it has been stated that cattle companys will buy euthanized pets , boil them , and pour
the fat over cattle food to fatten them up for sale,, or the fat is bought by pet food companys
to be used for pet food.. the pet owners wouldnt know this when leaving their pets for the last time.,, dont know if its
really true , it would be nasty if so..

this commercial gets to me... Sarah McLachlan Animal Cruelty Video.. there are some crazy animal abuse vids on you tube.. uhmm..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc

That Sarah M. commercial gets me every time. Some people are just assholes.

[CatEyes]

http://sports.aol.com/story/ar/_a/nfl-suspends-vick-after-plea-agreement/20070824122309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

NFL Suspends Vick After Plea Agreement
By DAVE GOLDBERG and LARRY O'DELL,AP
Posted: 2007-08-24 19:38:28
Filed Under: NFL
RICHMOND, Va. (Aug. 24) - No matter how nuanced his confession for involvement in dogfighting, Michael Vick got no leniency Friday from the NFL.

Vick admitted in a plea agreement to financing an illegal dogfighting operation and that "collective efforts" caused the deaths of at least six dogs.

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Atlanta Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay, just hours after Vick filed a plea agreement that portrayed him as less involved than three co-defendants and guilty mainly of poor judgment for associating with them.

Vick acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He admitted that dogs not worthy of the pit were killed "as a result of the collective efforts" of himself and two co-defendants.

Goodell wasn't moved and didn't bother to wait until Monday, when U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson will formally accept the plea and set a sentencing date likely to land Vick in prison for one to five years.

The commissioner said Vick's admitted conduct was "not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible." Even if he didn't personally placed bets, Goodell said, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player."

Goodell freed the Falcons to "assert any claims or remedies" to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.

The commissioner didn't speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell may meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings.

"You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's personal conduct policy," Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell's decision and said:

"We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life."

Earlier Friday in Richmond, Va., a "summary of facts" signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge.

"While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.

"Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement said.

Vick and his lawyers said his involvement was limited when it came to the enterprise known as the Bad Newz Kennels.

"Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role," Vick's defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. "Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident."

Vick's summary of facts said he provided most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants - Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.

When the dogs won, the statement said, gambling proceeds were generally shared by Taylor, Peace and Phillips.

"Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels," the court document said.

According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.

"Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.

In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines.

Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday's hearing.

Martin said Vick will "speak to the public and explain his actions." Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.

The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent. The three co-defendants later pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Vick.

Taylor was the first to change his plea, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring's gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights.

The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL's most popular players.

Animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick - even protesting at NFL headquarters in New York - and sponsors dropped him.

"It is fitting that the NFL has suspended him," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "He's now a role model for something terrible, and it's not appropriate that he suit up in an NFL uniform."

Associated Press Writers Matthew Barakat in McLean, Virginia, and Michael Felberbaum in Richmond contributed to this report.

Cat

[yak]

I'm guessing his lawyer is telling him what to do; the loser is too stupid to be contrite.

In the "More Shit" department:

Sheriff raids DMX' home, seizes dogs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_ ... ome_raided

[larryfromnextdoor]

I'm guessing his lawyer is telling him what to do; the loser is too stupid to be contrite.

In the "More Shit" department:

Sheriff raids DMX' home, seizes dogs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_ ... ome_raided

this fighting "pits" is just huge! ugh..

[Ms_M]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

[larryfromnextdoor]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

they are still out millions from what they initially paid out to him..

[Ms_M]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

they are still out millions from what they initially paid out to him..

Yea, but at least they aren't paying anymore. I can SO live with that.

[CatEyes]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

they are still out millions from what they initially paid out to him..

Yea, but at least they aren't paying anymore. I can SO live with that.

The NFL has told the Falcons to take whatever recourse necessary to recover monies.

My vote is that they take it out of his ass.

Cat

[yak]

The NFL has told the Falcons to take whatever recourse necessary to recover monies.

My vote is that they take it out of his ass.

Cat

With a dog on each cheek biting it.

[m]

I hope they throw the book at Vick in VA, too.

Besides the brutality to the dogs on a regular basis for entertainment,

or the horrific practice of using other animals as bait for the dogs to tear apart (other dogs, cats, raccoons… tied up in canvas bags),..

It's frankly scary how "normal" dogfighting is for so many people.
You know it's a huge and entrenched problem when even someone as mainstream as Jamie Foxx tries to defend Vick with “everyone did it.”

(p.s. I can't even watch the Sarah McLachlan commercial, lol. That song, alone, has always been a tearjerker for me, and then when you add those faces!! Just breaks my heart.)

[Ms_M]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

they are still out millions from what they initially paid out to him..

Yea, but at least they aren't paying anymore. I can SO live with that.

The NFL has told the Falcons to take whatever recourse necessary to recover monies.

My vote is that they take it out of his ass.

Cat

I like that, as well. Some are trying to make this out to be a race thing, or that he's being made an example of, SO WHAT?! What he did was wrong and he should pay for his actions.

EDIT: The hits keep coming....

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3522641

[Ms_M]

I love the Big Dogs brand... Their latest t-shirt:

[squirt1]

I have a relative that works for the Falcons. I told him OOPS , weeks ago ,as this is federal charges and therefore he is history.

[NealIsGod]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

Not me. This new commish means business. He wouldn't even talk to Vick's lawyers to let them know what kind of punishment he was going to hand down before the plea. I think the players are getting the message that they need to keep their noses clean.

[chf34jmac]

That's why I am really starting to dig the AFL. The code of player conduct is so much more strict. One fuck up and they are history. Go to arenafootball.com and look at the players code of conduct. They have it posted right on their website for the fans to see. Pretty amazing at how transparent they are for the fans. They hide nothing, it is all right up front. Class organization.

[nikki]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

Not me. This new commish means business. He wouldn't even talk to Vick's lawyers to let them know what kind of punishment he was going to hand down before the plea. I think the players are getting the message that they need to keep their noses clean.

Good to hear. I hope he continues with the zero tolerance attitude throughout his tenure. Did anyone watch Real Sports on HBO? They did a piece on dogfighting and it was really horrible to watch. I cried through most of it. Vick deserves whatever shit life hands him after this. You really have to wonder about a person who is capable of such actions against a defenseless animal. My husband was listening to a radio program last night and Vick was being interviewed. He said the listeners and the announcers were really ripping him a new one on the air. He's practically in league with OJ now. I know there's a difference in the two crimes, but it seems he'll probably be ostricised just like him for the rest of his life. Sadly, it'll be well deserved.

[NealIsGod]

I just read online that not only has the NFL suspended him indefinitely - they suspended him WITHOUT pay. THAT really surprises me - but am glad to hear it.

Not me. This new commish means business. He wouldn't even talk to Vick's lawyers to let them know what kind of punishment he was going to hand down before the plea. I think the players are getting the message that they need to keep their noses clean.

Good to hear. I hope he continues with the zero tolerance attitude throughout his tenure. Did anyone watch Real Sports on HBO? They did a piece on dogfighting and it was really horrible to watch. I cried through most of it. Vick deserves whatever shit life hands him after this. You really have to wonder about a person who is capable of such actions against a defenseless animal. My husband was listening to a radio program last night and Vick was being interviewed. He said the listeners and the announcers were really ripping him a new one on the air. He's practically in league with OJ now. I know there's a difference in the two crimes, but it seems he'll probably be ostricised just like him for the rest of his life. Sadly, it'll be well deserved.

Yup, I agree. He will be forever tied to animal cruelty and will never play in the NFL again. I doubt the CFL would even take him now.

[CatEyes]

That's why I am really starting to dig the AFL. The code of player conduct is so much more strict. One fuck up and they are history. Go to arenafootball.com and look at the players code of conduct. They have it posted right on their website for the fans to see. Pretty amazing at how transparent they are for the fans. They hide nothing, it is all right up front. Class organization.

That's the way it should be.

Whatever happened to "sportsman like conduct"? It also included conduct that reflected well on the community.

And nothing that Vick has done reflects well on anyone.

As a society, we turn professional athletes into icons, like gladiators. That in itself is a form of exploitation. For many young people the only hope of ever making any money is becoming a pro athlete. And it is just not going to happen for most of them. However, the "pro" attitude is copied (at least the attitude as they see it) and more and more of the "gladiator" type activities become acceptable.

We have to stop.

Some say the race card is being played.

Others claim that dog fighting runs rampant through pro-sports and that the non-black players are being over-looked.

My plea to anyone who knows of anyone (black, white, purple) who participates in this horrible crime, please develope a spine, stand up like a man and point them out ........ fuck the "can't squeal" mentality.

Cat