Welcome to N.Y., Michael Vick

In which the author thanks Michael Vick for inspiring a life-changing decision.

     Recently  the Darcy Family Compound* celebrated the apex of its fiscal year, the income tax return, with new eyeglasses for the people and a much needed trip to the vet for our fat ( sorry, metabolically challenged) cat Torre. His ears had become odiferous and were immune to web researched home remedies involving apple cider vinegar or peroxide.  The nice vet took good care of Torre and suggested he have “senior blood work” done as it could indicate potential age related deterioration of his liver or kidneys. “He doesn’t have a liver or kidneys,” I thought, “He’s a cat.”

      When I told people this, they thought it was an odd response for a vegetarian but it really isn’t.  I don’t worship animals; I won’t go into debt for expensive blood tests for them. People have dominion over animals and I feel we should take care of each other and our shared planet.

      “Diet for a Small Planet” was written in 1971 by Frances Moore Lappe and in reading her book I learned that much of the world’s grain is used to feed cattle. This seemed very wasteful to me so I quit eating beef.  Trees are cut down to create more grazing land in many places and in Vargas, Venezuela this practice contributed to mud slides that killed 25,000 people in 1999.  That incident confirmed to me that I had made the right decision but I still ate chicken or pork occasionally.

     Eventually I gave up pork as two major religions were against it and I did not want to be caught on the wrong side of a theological dispute.

     When the incident of competitive dog fighting came to light due to the arrest of Michael Vick I found out about a culture previously unknown to me. Naturally I was horrified and soon learned that it has been a popular “sport” in the U.S. since the 1750’s, employing breeders, trainers and managers. It was particularly popular with the police force and a section devoted to selling fighting dogs was frequently in the Police Gazette.

     Michael Vick soon became one of the most hated men in (and out) of the NFL and his name is known even among those who do not care about football.  Aaron Hernandez of the Patriots has been accused of murder and he is not a household name at all. Many professional athletes such as Ahmad Brooks and Rod Smith have committed acts of violence against women.  I don’t think there have ever been fans at the stadiums holding up hate filled signs about their transgressions.

     Bethany Withers of the Harvard Law Review writes that “conviction rates (among athletes) are astonishingly low compared to arrest statistics.” Her research showed that athletes tend to get preferential treatment from police and judges, which happened to O.J. Simpson.  For years, since his USC days, his violent behavior was covered up or excused due to his athletic ability and personal charm. Men want to be like the pro athletes, or be their friend and are reluctant to arrest or sentence them.

     Unlike many of the domestic  violence prone athletes, Michael Vick went to jail and appears to have made a sincere effort to understand what he did was wrong, and why. I believe he has repented as he regrets his past conduct and has not repeated it.  He has also atoned for it through his apologies, his 548 days in jail and his charitable works, especially with the Boys and Girls Club. Although I am sure he has publicity agents and others guiding him to do the right thing, he has also been working for years to help young people understand that there is a better way to satisfy a craving for excitement and make money.

     Reading about the abuse of fighting dogs versus the abuse of cattle, chickens and pigs, I see no difference.  Cattle are stuffed with drugs, confined to small areas, hit with electric prods and then their miserable lives are ended. The chicken and pork industries are extremely polluting to both land and water.  I lived in Vermont years ago and did partake of the venison.  I didn’t like it, but I think if a person is going to eat meat, it should be something they killed and butchered.  I had simply been letting others do the killing for me. Eventually I came to realize that I, as a meat eater, was on no moral high ground and attribute this late in life revelation to Michael Vick. Thank you, Michael! 

      Eagle’s owner Jeffrey Lurey, a dog lover, spoke with Woody Johnson prior to the trade and assured him he thought Vick’s conversion was genuine. “He is a wonderful teammate and great in the locker room.  Everything you would want.” Noted Central Islip Jet’s fan Justin Eugene feels Vick may have an important role mentoring Geno Smith, if the younger one truly wants to learn. I am rooting for him to be an awesome quarterback, to replace or work with Geno Smith and, for the sake of my long-suffering Jet fan cousin Jimmy in Staten Island, lead the Jets to the Super Bowl.

*Compounds. They’re not just for Kennedys anymore.