| Nov. 20th, 2007 @ 07:20 am Do we really have to say it? |
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Current Mood:  disappointed
Yesterday, Michael Vick surrendered himself to custody, prior to his sentencing, and with a minimum sentence, time off for good behavior, and time served, Michael might be in a halfway house by next August. Bank rolling a dog fighting operation is indefensible. Culling wounded and weaker dogs with a group of your friends is heinous. Still, even as the dehumanized caricature spends his next ten months in jail, hopefully in solitary confinement, dogs will continue to be neglected by breeders, irresponsible owners, and dog track operators.
Last week, Barry Bonds was indicted for perjury (among other charges), for his alleged involvement a performance enhancing drug ring. The indictment, which has been simmering for years, may prevent Barry from playing baseball professionally ever again.
A few weeks ago Marion Jones surrendered her Olympic medals and tearfully admitted her complicity in a doping scandal. I'm not the most competitive person, with an occasional Scrabble game notwithstanding, but people who thrive on the need to win have, in general, always seemed to give off the same vibe as cocaine addicts. For Marion and Barry, if Barry is convicted, I think the business of winning hads more to do with their decisions than say softball guy stretching a double into an inside the park home run on Friday night after a couple of beers.
Here's my problem, though. Each of these high-profile cases illuminate serious problems within our culture, but there are so many more vile criminals who never pay for their crimes. Dick Armitage never stood for trial, and Scooter's sentence was commuted for his involvement and subsequent perjury in the leaking of Valerie Plame's identity. Hell, people have probably been tortured, or worse, over the last six years at the behest of the current administration, and they may never be made to answer for their crimes.
I wish Americans who love their dogs would love their own Constitution nearly as much. Also, I'm sure glad Mark McGwire and Floyd Landis never used performance enhancing drugs. Now, who wants to hit the dog track with me? |
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