Sports Columnists

By Jimmy Etheridge

September 25, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

The race-baiters in this country do not want the Michael Vick racial allegations to die. It gives them reason to exist.

By Jmac

September 25, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

After reading the first comment to this story, it appears that intelligent discussions about race are in short order. You might want to reconsider your column Jeff.

By threedeep

September 25, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Let me guess, Schultz, you were not invited. Maybe all of your race-baiting blogs will be used as an example during the town hall telecast.

By BUSHWACKER

September 25, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

This thing tonight is going to do nothing but make people think White Atlantans are racist. ESPN knows it will be contreversial and its all about ratings.

What does race and “fairness” have to do with anything.

Aman broke the law, and now he’saying for it.

See how easy that was, I said a MAN.

Not a black man or white man, just a man.

When he was indicted, I bet no where on the indictment will you find the words black man, meaning the law has no idea what color his skin is.

This will only accomplish one thing, to make us look racist aroung the country, and frankly I don not care if they think we are racist, becuas eif putting men who commit crimes in jail makes me a racist, then I am a racist.

By Gordon

September 25, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

You are a fool if you actually believe Micheal Vick was indicted because of the color of his skin. Every one of my black friends is just as disgusted with this situation as I am, as they should be. I dont care what color the next Falcon quarterback is, I will root for him(Harrington and Leftwich dont count, they are stop gaps). I have no idea what ESPN is trying to accomplish, but this is an even bigger joke than that Pete Rose movie.

By G-money

September 25, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

This is old news. Most people don’t care about the supposed racila tension in Atlanta. We care that the Braves aren’t going to the playoffs, the Falcons are 0-3 (thanks to a kicker & D. Hall) & if the Hawks will actually be any good. I am sick about hearing people cry about decision that they think are based on race. It is an overused claim. ESPN, which I watch often seems to be stirring it up for tv ratings. This is all ridiculious.

By Can't believe my eyes

September 25, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

I am not a huge fan of Sharpton or Jesse, and at first agreeing with Jeff Shultz that this topic is done, but reading Marks stupid comments make me think that having this is necessary after all.

Mark you are an idiot, loser, racist. Please leave town, you are not what the majority of people from Atlanta feel about race relations, although you have certainly tried to make people think otherwise.

Loser!

By CAS

September 25, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

To all you closet Racist, You are very good at expressing your hatred behind the e-mail or blog like this..how many of you would say the same thing to a Black person in person? None..you are all cowards..say it face to face or don’t say it at all…AJC how can you let someone get away with calling a Black person a “Chimp”. Don’t you monitor this blog at all? The forum is needed more than you think. Don’t hide behind the blog, say it face to face you coward…

By Roswell Ed

September 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

I can see the casting call MO now.

We’re looking for white men whose necks are a light shade of red.

No college education required.

Likes include but not limited to:

Trailers

Wallet chains

White Sheets.

Wife beater tees.

Barbed wire tats.

Bammer hat.

Dislikes include but not limited to:

Black athletes running their team.

Laws banning kin folk from marrying.

Places that proclaim No Shirt No Shoes No Service.

Dates are allowed but they must have a huge bare midriff and a belly ring.

We’re also looking for black men whose likes include but are not limited to:

Looking good rather then winning.

Think that there is no difference between slaughtering cows for food and watching two animals fight to the death just so you can get your jollies.

Thank that everything that happens bad to them is because they are black.

Think that whitey is out to get them.

Think that Al and Jessie are still relevant.

Likes include but not limited to:

Trailers

Wallet chains

White Sheets.

Wife beater tees.

Barbed wire tats.

Bammer hat.

Dislikes include but not limited to:

Whitey

Colin Powell

Condi Rice

Bill Cosby

Al Roker

Anybody who doesn’t keep it real.

By Elmo

September 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

I would just hope that Mike Patrick will ask the audience “what’s going on with Brittany Spears”?

By ESPN Invitee

September 25, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

I am one of the few people selected to attend the town hall meeting this evening, an invite I merited by walking down a sidewalk a couple of weekends ago and being approached by an ESPN associate who practically begged me to attend. Sure, the associate, who actually was probably an unpaid intern who was secretly wondering why she ever wanted to work for ESPN, made it sound intriguing and exclusive, but in reality she was dumping fliers onto anyone and even asked us to tell our friends.

Truth be told, however, I noticed I did have one thing that merited my invitation. I was white, and ESPN needed to fill the audience with an appropriate mix.

It’s clear to me that ESPN is trying to stir racial tensions with this “town hall” shenaniganry. It’s dubious, really, and I would recommend to all who are invited, even the speakers, to not show up. What could be better for settling racial tensions than to refuse to incite them?

Shame on ESPN for using race as a ratings boost. Someone should mandate they show pre-season hockey in primetime as a punishment.

By The Real Issue

September 25, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

All racists (both black and white) suck.

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 25, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

What is the difference between ESPN’s town hall meeting and your blog, Jeff Schultz? The only difference is a lot more people read ESPN.com than your second-rate articles. Your worthless comments on the Vick situation over the last few months, which paled in comparison to the columns written by your fellow columnists at the AJC, served no more worthwhile purpose than ESPN’s town hall meeting. Feel free to continue spouting your trash articles every week, but don’t pretend like you are qualified to criticize other media outlets for being less than excellent.

By Emperor Palpatine

September 25, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Yeeesssssss, VICK SUPPORTERS!!! Let the HATE you have in your hearts for white people FLOW THROUGH YOU. You have every right to hate them for making all those confusing football rules, those hard-to-follow governmental laws on gambling and animal abuse and all those big words to make your lives so difficult.

OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH……. I can FEEL Your ANGER, your unbridled RAGE and TASTE the sweet, sweet HATE you have in your hearts for all those FALCONS FANS who dislike Mike Vick for his crimes and football performances.

Yeeeessssssssss…

Yeeeessssssssss…

The HATE is STROOOONG with you, Vick Supporters!!

Your HATRED pleases me. Each of you shall serve me well.

Only through ME can you SAVE Michael Vick!

By Rick

September 25, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Hey CAS,

I did not see Mark’s comments but if he said what you said he did then he is an idiot. Everyone who blogs is behind a computer. As a white person we are called names too but I do not see you calling out anyone face to face. Let me tell you there are as many black cowards behind these blogs as white. Anyway, this is old news. Screw ESPN for even setting it up.

By mark

September 25, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

What’s really funny is that most people think racism only can occur with white people towards black people!! There are so many double standards with this it’s not even funny! Remember that movie called “White Chicks” that starred two black so-called comedians who made themselves up to like white girls. Constantly making fun of how their (and probably most black peoples) interpretation of white girls act? Was their a public out cry of racism??? Can you imagine if two white actors did the opposite???? Who makes it a race issue 90% of the timm? Whites? American Indians? Middle Easterners? Hispanics?

Black guy gets in trouble, starts to get a bad image, committs felony, supporters blame it on “up bringing” or “it was accepted where he grew up, he didn’t know any better”, NAACP comes running, what should have been a case about a man who broke the law and made bad decisions is now a case about the world coming down on the black man.

I WONDER WHY THERE’S TENSION!! MAYBE BECAUSE EVERYONE IS TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE BLACK GUY GETTING PICKED ON EVERYTIME HE BREAKS THE LAW!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!

By Dave

September 25, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t everybody just get over it. Vick messed up, he was man enough to admit it, and it’s a done deal. Why are we not doing a story on athletes that have had it all and messed up. There are plenty of those stories both black and white. Would be much more interesting than the race thing.

By Supe

September 25, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

I would guess Post Toasties will be a big spnser of this event. Vick’s career is over. Like him or hate him, it’s over. Time to move on.

By DanCFrom NJ

September 25, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick you disgraced yourself and the NFL worse than anybody will ever do!!

You are the biggest disgraced #1 pick of ALLTIME in any sports league!!!

Remember Rae Carruth is in prison I think you guys will make great pen pals and don’t forget OJ!!!

By mountain jim

September 25, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

I agree with Najeh Davenpoop’s sentiments concerning AJC Jeff’s coverage of the MV debacle, repeatedly taking great glee in the man’s downfall, and kicking him after he was down, as well as shading the facts on numerous occasions to make his points.

Sad really. Made me wonder what MV ever did to Jeff for him to so enjoy and appreciate the demise of his career.

By Horton

September 25, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

I thought ESPN covered this during that Monday night pre-season game?

By David

September 25, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

I just want to throw this out: what does anyone think would have happened if a prominent white athlete were put into the same situation (I’m sure there are white folks that enjoy dog fighting)? Would the FBI have come in and taken over the case from the local juridiction or would the case been handled “locally”? Just asking and yes I am a black American.

By Truthman

September 25, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

I guess Mark is OK with suit-wearing racists such as Trent Lott, Strom Thurmond, Lester Maddox and Bob Barr (before he fouund out he’s mostly black).

Sounds like the idiot sitting behind me at the Conyers Frontera last Friday whining about how blacks have “black colleges where whites can’t go.” His wife, being the voice of reason, opined that the Historically Black Colleges and Universities came about because blacks COULDN’T GET INTO THE LILY-WHITE SOUTHERN SCHOOLS.

The most embarrassing thing about the entie incident is the dumba$$ was wearing a UGA shirt (I actually went to Georgia). I asked our waitress to ask him when he graduated. Of course, he hadn’t attended college. Just another stupid Georgia redneck revealing his abject stupidity and rascism.

It’s 2007 Georgia. 80,000 years ago, we were all Black, you fools.

Sometimes I wish we were all blind!

By YeahRight! = Elementary School Dropout

September 25, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

YeahRight! -

How often have you been “BROUGHT (TRICKED INTO COMING) HERE, FORCED TO WORK FOR NO PAY, BEATEN, RAPED, KILLED AND DEMORALIZED, THEN OSTRACIZED” in your lifetime?

Hmmmmmm??????

Racist, HATE-filled Idiot.

By trottinghometudd

September 25, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

I going to start calling Schultz, Schultzie as in “Schultzie the Bigot”.

And for the ESPNinvitee, I don’t believe a word of your post. Not because it might not be true, but because of my perspective (get it?).

By All

September 25, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Someone needs a hug.

I notice that a “Mark” enters an ignorant racist comment in every blog, to the degree that the AJC needs to block his/her IP address if they can track it.

“Mark” - Black people are living their lives HAPPILY without your ringing endorsement. You actually seem a bit jealous based on your preoccupation with the culture.

Remember this: Jesus answers prayers. Seek Him.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

I think it would be smart to suggest to the blacks that as soon as you start acting like respectable people, living like you have some morals and were raised to know the difference between right and wrong, THEN AND ONLY THEN will all these ridiculous meetings and marches go away.

MLK, JR WOULD ROLL OVER IN HIS GRAVE IF PEOPLE IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM COMPARED CRAZY REV AL SHARPTON AND CONVICT JESSE JACKSON TO HIM AND ANY MOVEMENT HE STOOD FOR !! THERE IS NO COMPARISON, AND THOSE 2 CLOWNS NEED TO SIT DOWN !!

When the black race, as a whole, learns to work, raise a family, pay taxes, stop stealing and violence, and respect one another, then maybe they can be trated like they are somebody.

AS YOU HAVE SEEN, THAT RIDICULOUS MARCH DIDNT DO ONE THING EXCEPT KEPT ALOT OF PEOPLE FROM GOING TO WORK AND MAKING A HONEST LIVING.

GO TO SCHOOL PEOPLE, GET AN EDUCATION AND LIVE LIKE YOU ARE SOMEBODY, THEN YOU WILL GET TRATED AS IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Paul from Milton

September 25, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

You know, sometimes life isn’t fair. But to some people when life isn’t fair it becaomes all about race. I’m sure ESPN will do their best to make the MV situation all about race, otherwise why would they be here? The bottom line is this - if MV didn’t fund and fight dogs over a 6 year period he would still be the QB. But he did that and he lied about it and he is where he deserves to be. If you want to make it racial then go ahead. I don’t care and I’m not listening anymore.

By Boots

September 25, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Race. Race. Race. Vick chose to break the law by hanging out with a bunch of dumb homies watching dogs fight —- and, now everyone is bemoaning his consequence in the name of race.

Horse hockey!

And, a black DA has finally receive a true bill on Vick and his band of dog fighting homies.

Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time —- and, that goes for all flavors.

By km

September 25, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Using damn right’s mentality I guess it’s ok to abuse and kill animals as long as they are your property. I guess it’s perfectly acceptable to lie to your employer, your teamates,the federal govt, and the fans of the organization that pay your salary as long as the heinous crimes your committing are against an animal that you own. Michael Vick has repeatedly exercised poor judgement and a complete lack of respect towards the people which have given him a great life. He only has himself to blame and to try to portray him and his behavior as merely a victim of racism is an absloutely uneducated and irresponsible commentary.

By Atlanta Fan

September 25, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

WHY DOES JEFF SCHULTZ STILL HAVE A JOB???

This guy is unequivocally the worst sports columnist in the country. His writing skills are terrible, all he does is bash anyone and anything, and he’s not even funny. What does he contribute to this paper?

I’m sure that Furman Bisher and Tony Barnhart are proud to share a masthead with this hack.

By CMS

September 25, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

ESPN is going to stir the pot with their show tonight. But if there wasn’t so much crap inside the pot it wouldn’t smell so bad. Face it, ATL has major racial problems and a polarizing black QB starting in the NFL gave some people (closet racists)reason to say how they really feel about black and white issues … especially on blogs.

By Mikey

September 25, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

What in the world is Britney doing ?

By dick

September 25, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

Whatever happened to DOUBLE JEOPARDY?! This is crazy…Vick plead guilty, apologized and is going to do his time. We need to eliminate charging people for the SAME CRIME under different jurisdictions. Federal, State, County, City…where does it end? Why don’t we just create a few more layers of jurisdiction and they can continue to waste MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars on a crime involving DOGS, not people. How much money / resources did they waste on forensic work digging up dead DOGS that could have been better spent trying to solve MURDERS of PEOPLE? Hunter Thompson said it best, “The American Dream is Phucked!”

By markymark107

September 25, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

I like the blog, but still very mad that you called out one of the best coaches Georgia has ever had. I bet coach Richt would beat you silly.

By TRUEfalconsfan

September 25, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

what could this townhall meeting possibly accomplish that we don’t already know? we already know that white people are smarter, thus organized and will conduct this town hall meeting, as they organize and conduct all and anything relevant to human existence. and we already know that blacks don’t want to accept accountability for their actions and blame their inferiority on racism.

if you throw a dog a bone, the dog will fetch the bone. this town meeting is just white people throwing black people a bone. and the blacks are going to go fetch it. they’re going to vent all their feelings about how the white man holds them down instead of using that energy to evolve from their slave-riddled past. and the white people who organized the meeting are laughing because they have tricked the blacks into thinking this is some kind of progress. it’s regress.

it’s so easy to hold black people down. they do most of it themselves (dogfighting, etc.) and then all whites have to do is let the world know how stupid they are (town hall meeting).

meanwhile, the mexicans are working hard until their backs are wet instead of complaining, and they will soon eclipse the black race quicker than you can say “crack pipe and watermelons.”

p.s. joey harrington’s qb rating last week was a higher rating than vick ever posted.

By JLM

September 25, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

First, I do not agree with Vick’s actions. Let’s be honest there is an element of racism. If not, then why are we silent on the NE Patriots issue…something to think about…

By Law

September 25, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

The real racist in this country are the blacks, especially in Atlanta. Blacks in Atlanta hate ALL white people just for the color of our skin. If a white does anything to a black person its a hate crime, but if 6 a’holes from Jena beat up one white kid, it’s a school fight. 6-1 is a slaughter. How about the black kids in Norfolk Va who beat the crap out of a white kid who did nothing to any of them. The kid was new to the school and the black kids beat the crap out of him. Blacks will say its a school fight, but in reality its a hate crime. Those kids should spend the rest of their life in jail, just like the Jena 6 should. To all the blacks that think there is a white law and a black law (laugh) dog fighting is illegal, selling drugs is illegal, robbery is illegal, so just because Vick didn’t kill your dog doesn’t mean he can kill his own dogs and have no penalty. Common sense seems to be one of many issues black people don’t see. To the person that told Mark to leave town because he doesn’t know the tension about race…blacks are the reason for tension in Atlanta! You should go back to where you came from and stop blaming white people for all the errors that the black race continues to make day in day out. You can only blame yourself for the mistakes you make…not white people. I can only assume that there will be a march for tonights ESPN event. It’s almost been a week since the black community marched for some stupid reason. Jesse and Al are the leaders for the racism in America and all the black people follow right behind. Thanks for ruining Atlanta and killing Buckhead!

By Rob

September 25, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

Jeff, if it’s so laughable, why are you writing about it? If the topic is completely worthless, then it should be ignored altogether, including in this newspaper.

I hope ESPN Invitee just skips this thing. It isn’t worth anyone’s attendance, and it isn’t worth watching. Hopefully, the ratings will be terrible.

By CMS

September 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

^5 Critical Thinker!

By AL

September 25, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this

Having traveled to many continents and countries in 21 years of military service. Djibouti , Haiti and all over the middle east just to name a few. Black Americans need to thank the Lord they live in America. It’s known what their ancestors endured and obsticles that are still being dealt with today. However, let me tell everyone thank your lucky stars you live here. We’ve got problems but you have no idea. I invite you to spend a couple of weeks down in Haiti , take a trip over to Africa my friend. A nation of laws has to survive not anarchy and violence. Vick knew what he was doing whether he agreed or not.

By Yes, I'm white

September 25, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

If it was Tom Brady or Peyton Manning and not Mike Vick (a black man) yes, we would have fined and suspended him for 2 to 4 games, and he would have being still playing on the team. no, it’s not right but it’s white. A blck guy and myself did the the same wrong and I got off with a warning (and I have 2 strikes) and he had to pay a hefty fine, plus do time and he had a clean record…At least I’m honest.

By dg27

September 25, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

What is so interesting are the victims of Vick who are completely forgotten. The dogs brutalized and then murdered by Vick’s own hand. This guy KILLED DOGS WITH THIS OWN 2 HANDS!!! and this went on for years!!! Vick’s own father indicated that Vick’s involvement pre-dated his college days.

So now it’s all a racist conspiracy. HE PLED GUILTY. HE ADMITTED KILLING THE DOGS. He’s not going to jail for being black, he’s going to jail because he’s a sociopath.

During the lame apology he gave, he characterized these multiple acts of violence against defenseless animals as simply “immature”. Amazing.

He has no remorse for what he did. The only thing he’s sorry about is that he got caught!

He says he takes full responsibility for what he did. Good. Let’s hold him to his word (for whatever that’s worth). Full responsibility means 5 years in jail and a lifetime ban from football.

Please, this not a racial issue. To think so is to detract and minimize real racial issues that do plague this country.

By I'm Truly Tired

September 25, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

A woman of 56 has seen most of what our society has offered. RACISM IS STILL PRESENT, and is totally due to ignorance-that has nothing to do with education. Ask yourself why people are intimidated by others! The first and foremost response to the Mike Vick situation was “WITH ALL THAT MONEY”. Bottom line, White America has a serious problem with a Black Man having money…Case Closed.

By Jeeves

September 25, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

By David - I just want to throw this out: what does anyone think would have happened if a prominent white athlete were put into the same situation (I’m sure there are white folks that enjoy dog fighting)?

In that case, the angle of the media/public/government would be, “Should Dog Fighting be Legalized?”

By Truth Serum

September 25, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

This forum is an outstanding idea ! This is the perspective that so many either choose to ignore or don’t have the mental capability to understand.

We have Danny Heatly who killed a human being, got to stay with his team and the NHL and essentially got off scott free.

We have the Barbie Bandits who robbed a bank. It was reduced to a BS local theft charge????? and the FEDS have gracefully bowed out.

We have a Clayton County Cop who was going after our children as an internet predator while on duty using a department computer and he’s sitting in a local county jail. NOT A FEDS facility and NOT looking at half of the time Vick is.

The we have a rogue DA in Jena who is WORSE THAN MIKE NYFONG the duke lacross DA who has since been disbarred and criminally charged for proceding with a bogus prosecution against the white lacross players, but no one is even considering going after the outright racist DA going after the young Black men in Jena, who is guilty of the exact same conduct but worse! HE’S BRINGING BOGUS ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES unlike Nyfong who brought bogus rape charges! Where’s the American outrage that existed for the Duke Kids?? If the Black people would not have went down there. NO ONE WOULD HAVE SHOWED UP!

Then we have a Mike Vick who fought dogs. Dogs that get euthanized unjustly every day. I say this to say that that specifically denotes how much value we really put on dogs in this country no matter how much we hate what he did and claim to love dogs. The FEDS are performing a full court press maximizing the event with every resource under the sun, the State just stepped in to issue new charges and all in all, it appears as if he’s looking at more charges than if he would have killed somebody like heatly, robbed a bank like the barbies, been on the computer doing kiddie porn like the predator cop AND if he were a rogue DA bringing false prosecutions against innocent people. Now where in the hell is the justice in that? And career ruined for life? and fines and the list goes on and on but somehow, we’re not to believe that race plays no factor?

White people always say that they can’t understand why Blacks support/ed OJ Simpson. It’s not because we have love for him or what he has done.. we’re just desperate for an once of “sameness” and a “win” in the criminal justice system and are the point where we’ll take it anyway we can get it! Him geting off simply represented what has and is continuing to happen today like in the Vick and jena cases, a sense of blatent unfairness.

If you can’t understand my points, it’s only because you choose not to.

Inteliigent people of all races see that there is something troubling about Mike Vicks treatment. The only difference is, if you’re Black, you can admit it with ease becaue we live through it everyday, and if you’re white, it will take a good dosage of American courage to dissent from the others and speak up and say the truth.

Now go tell that.

By Truthman

September 25, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

No sign of intelligent life here!

Beam me up, Scotty!!

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

By Truthman - Sounds like the idiot sitting behind me at the Conyers Frontera last Friday whining about how blacks have “black colleges where whites can’t go.” His wife, being the voice of reason, opined that the Historically Black Colleges and Universities came about because blacks COULDN’T GET INTO THE LILY-WHITE SOUTHERN SCHOOLS.

If she were really on her game, she would have correctly stated, that blacks WERE NOT ALLOWED to attend. There is a huge difference.

By Todd Green

September 25, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Race has everything to do with EVERYTHING. race is a factor in the Patriots coach not being suspended for actively CHEATING. race has everything to do with punishing horses at teh Kentucky Derby (it’s a major white american male sport - no blacks allowed, except in the stables). race is all over it, from the start. Hell, his name surfaced earlier when a murder investigation was going on (Vick was not related to the murder) and nothing was ever mentioned.

the country is Racial, and it’s not hidden!

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

• By dturner - When the black race, as a whole, learns to work, raise a family, pay taxes, stop stealing and violence, and respect one another, then maybe they can be trated like they are somebody.*

What “WHOLE RACE” does that, idiot? (not name-calling, you just made an idiotic statement and it is what it is).

I have been treated like “somebody” for all of my 36 years. In the event that someone tried not to, it was addressed in the appropriate manner for the situation. Some people have been fired from jobs for their ignorance, some have gotten theirs in other manners (thank God for maturity). LOL

Do white people think they have the respect of the nation? That, indeed, is the funniest thing of all.

By Whatever

September 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Truth Serum, if I remember correctly, those white kids from Duke were crucified by the media and no one even questioned that woman’s story. Did you see all the white folks defending these kids solely because of the color of their skin??? The answer is no, but lets look at all the blacks defending Mike Vick solely based on the color of his skin. Now tell me, who is the racist here?

By Ms Texas

September 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

I think it is crazy how they are going on about this Vick case. I own several dogs (pits) or as we now call them American Bullies. I think the NFL should be all over the coach who was caught in the act spying on another team. It is so sad that when a man whether he is white or black is down we as a people continue to kick for instance the new lawsuit by RBC. We will have a dog show soon and would like people to come out and support the real purpose! People kill people and they get less time .. I am for what is right and there is something clearly wrong with this. Take care

By Happy in Conyers

September 25, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Wow. All this fuss. I don’t see anyone in uproar over the Duluth idiot that stole kittens from his neighborhood and fed them to his pit bull. Where’s PETA now?

By jacob

September 25, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

I think that their is a race issue here. These people are trying to and have almost completely ruined this mans life. And for what? Some worthless mutts…Im not one to say that a slap on the wrist is what he deserved, but does he deserve to lose his career…his house? His fans? Does MIchael Vick deserve to lose everything over bad judgement. Think about the time you make poor judgement and imagine if you would have lost EVERYTHING. It wouldnt seem fair to you either. To Michael Vick, Stay strong, Keep the faith, and it can only get better.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

To: “I’m truly tired”- you are so mislead in life about white people. we could care less how much money black people have- IN REALITY, there are not that many of them, and the ones that do have money, dont know how act and seperate themselves enought to act like they are somebody with money- so in light of that, they throw it all away, just like MV- FACE IT !!

FACT: MOST BLACK PEOPLE THAT HAVE MONEY EITHER PLAY SPORTS, RAP, DEAL DRUGS OR STEAL IT FORM OTHER PEOPLE !! THATS REALLY SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF !!!

By Truth-teller

September 25, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

My ol’ father used to say, “you can provide a child with an education, but you can’t make him learn.” And, that is true. Many of the pupils don’t have a positive home environment that fosters education, discipline and personal responsibility. Instead, single moms have difficulty with teenage boys who too often create disciplinary problems at school and drop out. This decision to drop out of school then colors everything else that follows. They can’t find a decent job, so they lack the money to buy stuff they want. So, they hang around on street corners trying to sell alittle weed. They either end up in jail on drug changes or, since they don’t have the money to buy their own stuff, they take your stuff and end up in jail. And, RACE DIDN’T HAVE A DANG THING TO DO WITH THIS SCENARIO EXCEPT THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION AND TRY TO BLAME THE OUTCOME ON SLAVERY AND WHITES.

By Truth Serum

September 25, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

HERE’S THE SHORT VERSION;

Mike Vick is looking at more charges and time for fighting dogs than;

1. The Barbie bandits who Robbed a bank and went on a video taped shopping spree across the world.

2. Danny Heatly who killed a man while driving 130MPH drunk down a side street.(but still got to play in the NHL)

3. Mike Nyfong, who abused his public trust and brought bogus felony charges against innocent white men.

4. The Clayton County Cop who was caught soliciting sex and going after our children on a department computer (while on duty).

COMBINED.

NOW WHERE IN THE HELL IS THE JUSTICE IN THAT!

By Jennifer

September 25, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

I AM A WHITE FEMALE FROM ATLANTA GEORGIA AND I HAVE A FEW THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL YOU PEOPLE??????? SO MUCH HATE IN EVERYONE AND NOT ENOUGH LOVE AND NOW I CAN REALLY SEE WHY THIS COUNTRY HAS GONE TO HELL IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I’M A HUGE FALCONS FAN…. MICHAEL VICK DID SOMETHING WRONG BUT THE MAN DOESNT DESERVE AS MUCH TIME AS A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD ENJOY GIVING HIM. ON TOP OF THAT IT’S A WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY AND I’D MUCH RATHER HAVE MY HARD EARNED MONEY GO TO SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT. THERE ARE A LOT OF DOUBLE STANDARDS IN THIS WORLD BUT WE NEED TO FOCUS MORE OF OUR TIME ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COME 2GETHER AS ONE THEN TO BE SITTING AROUND TALKING ABOUT WHICH RACE IS WORSE AND THE THINGS YALL CAN STAND ABOOUT EACHOTHER….. PATHETIC!!!!!

By LOL

September 25, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

LOL @ Peck E. Wood. Good points, but you were wrong for that name.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

tO: “jEEVES”

I must apologize to you- you must be one in quite a few who hold your own. I did misquote because I know its not every black person. I’ll re-phrase that to read: “MOST BLACKS”.

You know its the truth and so do the majority that I am calling out. If you treat people with respect, you gain respect and I must say that “MOST BLACKS” dont even respect themselves enough to provide a honest living and support a family that they created out of pure lust. Maybe when they start to live a life with morals and values, they will not be on these blogs for all the crimes they commit and are trying to get away with by pulling that racial card sh* !! Thats basically what it is “SH*”

By Truthman

September 25, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hey Peck.

As your buddy and mine, Hillary Clinton says, “Abortion should be safe, legal and rare.”

Maybe you and old “Sgt.” Bill O’Reilly should share a rubber room together?

By POLITICSMEDIAMONEY

September 25, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

OK, whoever you are…check this out:

Poindexter’s term ends 12/2007, Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerald G. Poindexter P. O. Box 358 Surry, Virginia 23883 Phone # (757) 294-3118 Term Expires: 12/31/2007

IF you were him, what would you like to get out of your last six months in office? “A new term, with more pay?”; “Recognition for Stopping Dog-Fighting in Surry County?”; or how about “The 6 acres that will be up for grabs if Mike Vick is convicted?”

It’s all about the media, the money and POLITICS!!! I didn’t pay Mike Vick’s salary. I don’t pay Jeff Schultz’s salary. But, Surry County, Virginia is paying (and can continue to pay) Gerald G. Poindexter’s salary.

By the way…How much has the US Government spent in Iraq? $400+ BILLION Dollars. And who is still FREE, after 6+ years) to ROAM his OWN COUNTRY? BIN LADEN. Who’s side are you on? Choose your side? The Media, Government, or your own Life (to do what the heck you want to do)? LAY OFF VICK and write YOUR PRESIDENT (W)!!!!!

By hateful fans and sport writers base

September 25, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Ajc is hateful. Jeff schultz is the kind of sport writer that got up every day to help take Vick out. Treence moore is a talk head for cox . cox knows hate sell and Moore does his part.

next how they lynched Vick in the media is what this should be about. The dogs. Peta was outraged about the killing on the pit bull dog. The same dog are going to be put to sleep. Is killing killing. Who in america has lost over 100 million for killing a man much less a dog. The killing of the dog was the door to get vick gone. He made to much money. This what this is all about. The falcon have a dog killer on the team now do you hear any body raising hell. Most sport writer have there views and when a black player step over there line they do there best to take them out in the name of sport. ESPN raido and a host of raido talk show show there hatefull view. There need to be more sport writer of color. look at the line up on sunday on fox,CBS,Abc,nbc. most are whiteand they are talking about mostly black player. do Black sport caster talk about white player like white sports caster do black not by a long shot. They Market the players they like and outkast the one they dislike.

By newton

September 25, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

It is sort of ironic that AJC is criticizing espn for their coverage of Vick. Didn’t the AJC have a long article two years ago about the brothers who chose different paths (marcus and michael). Where Marcus was getting good advice about how to avoid media and make wise decisions? How about you all feature this in the next “What ever happened to”

By jacob

September 25, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

I cant help but be amused at some of the comments that have been made. These are some of the racist people on this blog that I have ever encounterd. Im not one to use the race card every time something doesnt go my way, but I definitely feel that this is a time to do so. Michael Vick has been made an example of. There are people who kill other people everyday in crimes like manslaughter and drunk driving, and dont get half the time and or media attention that has been given to Michael Vick. A lot of people comments on this blog really back up my next statement. Racist white people dont want to see another race with NOTHING. They feel that they are the only ones that should prosper in america. There are just as many african americans that have gotten an education and have good jobs, as there are rappers and drug dealers. Not to mention that most drug dealers are white. They just use the money and the power that they have to get black boys to be there “street Peddlers” Havent we all been through enough as Americans? What do we need Sept 11th to happen again for races to pull together as one? I feel that all we want as african americans is equal justice accross the board.

By sportswoman

September 25, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

This is just a shame. this man has lost everything and he continues to be exploited. It is a sin and shame that this has continued. What he has done was not right but MY GOD we arent perfect either.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

To: Ned Terry

You will be answering to God for that comment- You better go home tonite and call Rev Al sharpton or Juanita Bynum and see if you cant get some help with repenting.

I may say alot of things, but I dont wish death on no one, not even blacks or thugs !!

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

By the way, it’s okay to think that Michael Vick is/was an idiot, that he DID break the law and that he does deserve punishment WHILE AT THE SAME TIME believing that he has/will suffer from UNEQUAL justice and media crucifixion.

Some posters seem to think you can’t compartmenatlize this case - you’re either a supporter or detractor.

Realistically, there are ASPECTS of the case, each having its unique points of discussion.

I have a dream that one day people will think. Period.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

On the topic at hand: I do fell that MV has suffered enough. I dont like him because he thought he was “untouchable” in everything he did. But, I think that Poindexter needs to sit back and leave this alone, he didnt do anything to start off with and now he needs to leave it alone and let that man be. Let him do his time for the crime and move on- MV has lost almost everything he has, that in itself is alot more than any of us will know.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

By dturner - I dont think TRUEfaclsons fan said he was “scared” of 300 monkeys in one spot- he just said it was like being in a friggin jungle !! BIG DIFFERENCE.

Hence the word “if.”

By the way, my post wasn’t about monkeys, so you’ve apparently misdirected. :)

By Truth-teller

September 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, many black athletes find themselves in the position of Lawrence Taylor: four years of college, but they are illiterate!

Until education is more important than running, tribbling, shooting, catching or hitting a ball —- or, putting together raunchy words that rhyme and playing a record backwards to make a scratching sound —- the black community will continue to be a very hostile, drug-infested place to live with black on black crime soaring and more young black men landing in jail while their girlfriends carry and try to take care of their children.

It takes self-discipline to set goals and attain them. And, that’s where the black community with it’s need for instant gratification needs the help of Reverends Sharpton, Jackson, Bytnum and Weeks. Oops! They’re too busy stirring the race pot and stuffing their pockets with the sweat and toil of those who are ignorant and gullible.

By HJ

September 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Wow,

The majority of people, black and white included, have blinders on. To say or imply that Michael Vick was prosecuted because he’s black is idiotic and to say or imply there are no racial aspects involved in his downfall are equally as idiotic.

Michael Vick was prosecuted because he broke the law (PERIOD). However, the negative media and public perception of him, partly his own fault, were shaped long before the dog fighting allegations first surfaced. This made it easy for the public and media to crucify him before many details surfaced and caused “outrage” by some that you don’t find with brutal crimes committed against humans.

I think if you do an honest evaluation of “perception” and criticism of black athletes in America, you will come to the conclusion there are partisan standards at play. Donovan McNabb spoke the absolute truth. I think that’s why “open discussion” like the one ESPN is sponsoring is great. You can fix problems, unless you first acknowledge, then discuss them.

By Ron

September 25, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Jeff you are just upset because you aren’t on the panel. You already have your chance on a daily basis to bash Vick…I guess you would love to do it LIVE… huh?

By chico

September 25, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

Ask any server in a sports bar in Atlanta if they prefer to serve whites or negroes. 90% will say whites.The negroes never tip and complain abpout the food in an attempt to get comped. Vick was known for being a terrlble tipper.

By Ebaby

September 25, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Racism exits. Stereo-types are prevalent in most blogs. Believe it or not white people. Race is part of the Vick conviction. It is part of it not all off it. His celebrity is also a major part of it. I am in law enforcement and military. I have seen brutal assaults and rapes do less time. Black on Black crime is probation. Black on animal crime is 2 years. Black On White crime is life. Punishment/Sentences should be equal across the racial boards and its not. That is a fact and can be proven.

As far as whites feeling Black American should forget about their past as being raped, beaten and killed. So since if it was done to my Grandfather/Grandmother. I should forget about it. Never! Ican still feel tha pain of my grandmother as she tells what it was like growing up in the South. I move on but I cant forget. The pain of Racism exits and permeates from generation to generation. In America Blacks are at a disadvantage. White Europeans plundered and killed the Native Americans like DOGS and enslaved to do the work. Inherently white American have the wealth, the positions in government, in business and society. Of course black have opportunities but not as many. Of course some blacks can succeed but it is a just a little harder. It easier to do something with something than it is do something with nothing. Most Whites have an advantage. I am not saying that whites dont have problems. But this country was set up by them for them. There are more good whites than bad. There are good blacks than bad. There are racist black and whites. Whites just have more power to carry out their racism. I can understand Racism but I cannot understand people not wanting to change for the better. Racism exists…. we just have to learn how, as a Country, how to deal with it. Enough about the problems. Solutions are needed. Vick’s conviction can serve some good if it forces us to think about how we treat each other (black, white, brown, women and man). We are all God’s Children.

By The Murf

September 25, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this

Why is this the only paper in Atlanta? WHY???

By joe

September 25, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

I’m not getting involved in all of this again, but to “College Football Fan” who compared the AJC’s treatment of Vick to the Oklahoma newspaper’s treatment of a college player, apparently you missed the entire point of the coach’s rant: the benched OK player was a kid in college. Mike Vick hasn’t been in college in a long time.

By SharonH

September 25, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

How lame is this? It accomplishes nothing. It only attempts to stir up an issue that was illogical to begin with

Now you know how we felt every time we read one of your columns on this matter.

By Dee

September 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it ironic? ESPN…the same medium that propped him up is the same medium that relishing tearing him down. What a joke indeed.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

By chico - Ask any server in a sports bar in Atlanta if they prefer to serve whites or negroes. 90% will say whites.The negroes never tip and complain abpout the food in an attempt to get comped. Vick was known for being a terrlble tipper.

LOL. You all do a wealth of research when you’re out… especially regarding negroes… “Most” this, “90%” that. The preoccupation is interesting.

By joyce

September 25, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

I WORK IN AN EQUALLY INTERGRATED ENVIRONMENT AND WE WORK TOGETHER WELL. WE ALL WANT THE SAME THINGS FOR OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COUNTRY. I DON’T SEE COLOR; I SEE GOOD OR BAD. IF ONLY REASON COULD PREVAIL AMONG US! PEACE.

By steve

September 25, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

wow! mention race and off we go! man, what a bunch of whack jobs, race baiters, and bed wetters. enough is enough. stop the crap and get on down the road.

By midnite

September 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

The white man is not responsible for Mike Vick’s undoing. Vicks upbringing was his undoing. Sadly he was too stupid to rise above his past life.

It is not racist to state the facts. You few radical supporters epitomize the black subculture that exists in America. You few people support anything that is against the law, fail to support the decent, law abiding black athletes, stars, and politicians that are classy and respectable. Shame on you people.

Mike Vick is liar and is going to prison and doubtfully will never suit up in a NFL uniform again. So keep on supporting him and teach your illegitimate children to do the same lawless deeds, just don’t get caught. That attitude is why you will always live in government housing and never amount to anything.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

By The Murf - Why is this the only paper in Atlanta? WHY???

Damn good question; I feel your pain.

I don’t think a day’s passed by when I didn’t wish we had something more respectable/readable/interesting/accurate.

By Truth-Telling-Teacher

September 25, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Black families will turn out in huge numbers to watch a football game, BUT WILL NOT COME TO A PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS AND ACADEMIC FAILURE.

Folks, this is the root of the problem. Education trumps ignorance and the need to maintain a VICTIM?ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY!

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

I must be out of the loop. Is “monkey” supposed to enrage someone? It just makes the typist seem ignorant. I’m sitting here crackin’ up, envisioning the Jerry Springer types.

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 25, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

In the last three hours, 107 hard-working citizens of Metro Atlanta have stopped by ajc.com largely to comment on the issue of Michael Vick and race.

*Jeff Schultz, do you still think ESPN’s town hall meeting is a waste of time? You really think there aren’t people who want to discuss this issue, and hear it being discussed? Still think the issue is “dead”? Let me remind you once more, a LOT more people watch ESPN/read ESPN.com than read your column, meaning that if 107 people took the time to comment here in three hours, a lot more people than that will take the time to watch ESPN’s town hall meeting. *

Being neither black or white, I don’t really have a defined opinion as to how much race impacted the Vick dogfighting scandal. But I will say this, for you to pretend that the race issue is “dead” is truly laughable. Once again you set lower and lower standards for sports journalism with every article.

By Patrick

September 25, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

if you start your statement like this ” black/white people are __” you are making a unfair generalization about a large group of people. i.e you are stereotyping thus your have just made a racists comment. (doesn’t matter if it is negative or positive)

By Falconfan

September 25, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Since it’s an none issue then why are you writiing about it. You sound a little resentful yourself. Why don’t you channal your hatred toward something else and let it die. Try a better column.

By mark

September 25, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Truthman- are there in colleges TODAY that are known as “white colleges?” Didn’t think so. Suit wearing racists…you mean Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson?

Goldman-so what if OJ was set up!! Does that give someone the right to hold someone at gun point???? OJ murdered two people and got off scott free!!!! People who are innocent don’t lead police on a high speed chase!!!! Which by the way is also a crime!

Truthserum-

Ron Artest, and Stephen Jackson going in to the stands and fighting fans! How much jail time did they do for assault?? You can’t just go in the stands and start beating the crap out of people who you THINK threw beer at you!!!

Stephen Jackson fires a gun several times in the air outside a night club!! This isn’t the old west!!! HOw much jail time did he do??

Tank Johnson had how many gun charges? 5? Pacman Jones? really? Don’t try and explain to me that only white celebrities get off with minimal penaties!!

Blacks are always the victim!! ALWAYS!!!

How is it racism in the case of Vick when you have Tom Jackson and Emmitt Smith saying that Vick was foolish, should’ve known better, and needs to grow up????

By Ms tee

September 25, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

I dont agree with what has gone one with Vick and friends either. But I must say that it is a Witch hunt and “they” keep diggin they want to take everything from this young man jail isnt enough for him they want him to also be flat broke when he gets out without a career as well…Go figure maybe he should have been President Bush’s good friend to and he would have walked free….we have young men dying everyday behind the lies that came from the White house go and dig up information on them …..

By Git-R-Done

September 25, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Rather than complain about Atlanta having only one paper —- since Atlanta is over 50% black —- why not start a black owned newspaper where you can re-write history and have glowing articles about black athletes that totally ignores their criminal behaviors. And, the editorial page could continue to blame black short-comings on slavery and white oppression.

Jeff is not your issue. The truth is the issue you’re having a problem with.

By Jackie

September 25, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

People like Jeff Shultz and those who look like Jeff always chime in there is no problem when it comes to race with athletes or the regular old joe…..truth is people, there are and will always be race disparities because white people refuse to accept the reality of what black people endure as a race. Sure, you don’t think anything has race undertones…tell you what, try being black and then explain.

By fishtales

September 25, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

Roswell Ed…shove it up your a$$. You act all “classy” on the UGA blogs but you just had to add that “Bammer hat” comment didn’t you? Shall I count the amount of rednecks present at a UGA game? I thought not. Blow it out your piehole.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

To: Truth Telling Teacher: You hit the nail on the head- Thousand of African Americans show up for all sports events, if they would take half the time and teach their children right from wrong, the world would start to heal. Thats where the downfall begins. And it doesnt stop.

By Enough

September 25, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

How about they just open the Dome say Saturday and all the whites and blacks that want to duke it out show up? Charge admission so poor Arthur can recoup some of his billions and let the idiots on both sides of the debate have at it. Then we can put an end to it. Schultz can lead his brigade and the guy Rose can lead his brigade into battle. Good ratings and probally better entertainment than the Falcons will be this season. Really all nonesense, there was rush to judgement, there was blind loyalty but its America and thats what we do. Its how we are trained to be, divided over stupid issues, while the real stuff gets fluffed. Real Falcon fans just want a winner, period. Fake fans and sports writers want controversy and the AJC and ESPN provides it. Schultz how can you rag on ESPN while this story is the only way you get read. Yourself, Wyche and Moore have tried to prop your career up on this. Must hurt like hell not to have been invited to participate. Just keep getting your info from the white Falcon players and D-Hall and keep this team divided. D-Hall is purposely trying to sabotage Petrino and get shipped out of Atlanta before his involvement in the Vick fiasco surfaces. This guy is mad because they got rid of his buddy Mora. The Falcon Nation will be okay once we post a few w’s and rid the team of snakes like D-Hall, Brooking and Dunn.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

By mark - Truthman- are there in colleges TODAY that are known as “white colleges?”

Yes, PWC’s - the P is for “predominately” just as the H in HBCU is for “historically.”

The acronym is used all over the place. Point?

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

By Git-R-Done - Rather than complain about Atlanta having only one paper —- since Atlanta is over 50% black —- why not start a black owned newspaper

Atlanta has black papers. We were talking about another Atlanta-ALL-INCLUSIVE paper. Try again… someone might bite.

By Mike

September 25, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Ok Peck E Wood, while your argument sounds good at first read; let’s take a look at some facts:

1. Gambling on dogs is legal in America just like you said. However, it is not legal to bet on the torture of animals, dogs or cats, in the United States. I think all of us would agree that forcing dogs to fight to the death would qualify as torture. There is a big difference between a greyhound running in circles chasing a bunny rabbit and pitting two dogs against each other until one is dead. The humane society does kill lots of animals each year due to over population and lack of funding by government and citizens. One can argue that this is not right but at the same time, let’s remember that these animals are killed by injection or other ‘humane’ means. If you want your local humane society to kill fewer animals each year, you may want to donate some of your paycheck each week. I’m sure they money would be greatly appreciated.
2. While the Greyhound racing industry has killed thousands of dogs over the years, I can guarantee you they don’t do it by lifting them over ones head and slamming them to the ground or by electrocuting them until they were dead. I know this because it would be mean the end to dog racing if this sort of treatment was allowed by dog tracks. Many greyhounds live as household pets to their owners and most tracks adopt their own rules to ensure greyhound welfare. Also, let’s not forget programs dedicated to the adoption of Greyhound dogs. You can do a simple Google search to find an adoption program near you.
3. Your Death Row Center for animals comment I won’t even address.
4. Abortion is a right to chose in America. Until that law is changed, your comment on this subject is dubious at best.
5. You’re right. Not a peep from PETA about abortion. But there are countless organizations and individuals who voice their displeasure over such things as abortion and death row convicts. These issues have been in the forefront of American media since the dawn of time. It is only recently that the so called sport of dog fighting has been cast out of the shadows and onto the center stage. Now that the momentum has picked up on the brutality of dog fighting, one can only hope that more organizations and individuals will get involved in making this ‘sport’ a thing of the past.

By Brown-Eyed Girl!

September 25, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark, The opposite was done over 20 years ago in a movie called “Soul Man”. White guy took pills so he could appear as a black man.

By Jackie

September 25, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

For Jeff Schultz and those of you who look like Jeff….understand this, we have a BIG race problem in this city, this country and this world simply because white folks don’t like to deal with the race disparity that they impose upon black people. Talk about race people, understand the view of black people (athletes, commonfold, etc.)We always have to do better to succeed and still it’s not enough.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

By dturner - if they would take half the time and teach their children right from wrong, the world would start to heal…

This coming from a “person” who uses monkey to attempt to describe people. What a hypocrite.

By King Donko of Punchstania

September 25, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Shultz- You’re a joke. As is ESPN, but that is an entirely different matter. Is it possible for AJC readers to petition management to have you banned from expressing your ignorant opinions? Again, you have made it obvious that you are clueless about sports, society, and life in general. Go away.

By dturner

September 25, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

I THINK ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS SHOULD TRY AND RE-THINK THEIR ACTIONS AND WORDS WHEN IT COMES TO THE SLAVERY ISSUE- FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD, i I dont really know the truth, I wasnt born yet)IT WAS A VERY CRUEL AND TERRIBLE PART OF TIME TO GROW UP IN, I’M ACTUALLY GLAD I WAS NOT ALIVE……. BUT, THINK ABOUT THIS…Not any one of us who are blogging today was alive then, your mother and father wasnt either, we only know what happened back then from history books and by word of mouth. So, while all of you are mouthing off about what happened back in the slave days- remember this: When we were little, we used to play a game, and I’m sure at one time or another all of us heard of this: You take a line of people, start at the beginning and say a thought or saying….THEN, pass it along until it gets to the end of the line. Statistics show…EVERYTIME the last person would repeat the thought and it would NEVER be the same as it was when it began…

THAT BEING SAID, HAS IT EVER OCCURED TO ANY OF YOU AFRICAN AMERICANS THAT SOME OF THE STUFF MAY BE MADE UP TO FIT THE NEEDS OF BLACKS WHO NEVER MADE ANYTHING OUT OF THEMSELVES, GIVING THEM A REASON TO CONSTANTLY FAIL AT LIFE ?????

I’m not saying that none of it is true, but we dont REALLY know because we were not there !!! So, it looks to me like we as a society would try to base our thoughts and feelings on what we experience and not what people say.

TO ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS, TRY IT, YOU MAY FIND THAT YOU LIVE A MORE PEACEFUL LIFE.

By BUSHWACKER

September 25, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Hey “Damn Right” he killed 8 dogs so actually if you break it down and assume he gets 18 months thats just over a month and a half for conviction.That’s not much!

But even if the “punishment” is tougher because of race like you say, WHAT’S YOUR POINT???

If you don’t break the law you won’t go to jail!

By Boots

September 25, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

If you think middle-class job opportunities are not available for educated blacks, obviously, you have never been to a government office, the post office, social services —- the black experience with government agencies has drawn them there for jobs and most federal, state, county and city government jobs are held by blacks. This is Affirmative Action on steroids!

By bwildman

September 25, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

I have a question, why we as humans’ beings can’t sit down and have mature conversation without racial connotations?

By GoodScout

September 25, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Any newspaper that prints columns by Terence Moore has no right to act self-righteous about race baiting.

By jimmy joe

September 25, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Wow, Atlanta seems like a real dump of racism and anger. Thank God I live in the North.

By Ed

September 25, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Not at all surprising since ESPN’s “play-by-play” announcers avoided every play on the field during the Falcon’s first home exhibition game. Instead they spent four hours decrying the plight of Michael Vick. Nothing short of race baiting by a Yankee trio who could have cared less about the law violations.

By die hard cowboys fan

September 25, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

0-3 dang shame. And they mad at D-Hall because he is sick of tired of losing. Let Leftwich play on Sunday and maybe he can run for a change.

anyway Jeff this was a funniest piece..but I believe in the Braves will come back and be the either the wild card or division champ.

Is there a possibility the Falcons can go 13-3??? After all I do believe in Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and I am a firm believer of God.

Amennnnnnnnn. Church!

By dturner

September 25, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

To: jeeved

I used the work “monkey” to describe a bunch of adults sitting in a bar acting like they are in the jungle.

I never would describe a child of any kind as a “monkey”, regardless of color.

I’m glad I could clarify that for you.

By Murphy

September 25, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Espn has become a joke. I looked all day monday for some falcon highlights.Never saw any.I watched their primetime show where they [used to] show highlights of each game. All they showed was Deangelos 3 penalties and Carolinas following touchdown. They didnt even mention Harringtons Great passing performance. Your Right Jeff,its all about entertainment and controversy. They should just show wrestling.

By ESPN to Jeff schults

September 25, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

This happened in West Virginia, USA .

She was Tortured and Raped for a whole week, by Six White individuals, Three males and Three Females Between the ages of 20 and 49.

CNN normally does not reveal sexual assault victims’ names. But Williams, who is hospitalized, and her mother, Carmen Williams, wanted her identity revealed.

Police said Bobby Brewster raped Williams, forced her to lick blood and drink from a toilet, and told his mother to kill Williams if she tried to escape. Authorities previously said Williams was also forced to eat rat and dog feces.

According to criminal complaints filed in the county, Williams was assaulted, stabbed in the left leg, choked with cords and beaten for at least a week. When she was found, big parts of her hair had also been torn off of her scalp. Williams says that Alis ha Burton 22 cut her ankle with a knife while saying, ‘That’s what we do to N**** around here,’ police records show.

‘I don’t understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter,’ Carmen Williams told The Associated Press on Tuesday from her daughter’s hospital room. ‘I didn’t know there were people like that out here.’

Deputies received a tip and Saturday visited a home owned by Frankie Brewster in Big Creek, West Virginia. As the deputies spoke with a woman on the front porch, ‘a female inside the residence limped toward the door with her arms held out, saying ‘Help me,’ ’ according to a news release from the sheriff’s department. ‘It’s something you’d expect to see in a horror movie, not in Logan County,’ Abraham said. ‘She was subjected to unendurable torture down there.’

The six are charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and battery. If convicted of kidnapping, a suspect could face a sentence of up to life in prison. The penalty for first-degree sexual assault is 15 to 35 years. Abraham said he is seeking the maximum sentence on the kidnapping charges. In addition to the Brewster’s, the suspects are Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, West Virginia; and George A. Messer, 27, Karen Burton, 46, and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, all of Chapmanville, West Virginia. ‘They all have previous records and have been arrested numerous times,’ Sheriff W.E. Hunter said Tuesday. ‘They are familiar to law enforcement.’ Frankie Brewster was charged with first-degree murder in 199 4, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of an 84-year-old woman. She was released in 2000 after serving five years in prison, according to court records cited by the AP. All of the six individuals that are involved in this case are accused of 108 different cases of crimes all combined. All six were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and all requested court-appointed attorneys, the AP reported. Investigators are still looking for two other people suspected of driving Williams to the home, according to the AP.

Carmen Williams had not reported her daughter missing, saying Megan Williams often disappeared for weeks at a time.

Carmen Williams said she is ‘horrified’ by her daughter’s injuries. ‘She wakes up crying, and the first thing she hollers is ‘Mommy,’ ’ she said.

By It's called History

September 25, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

For you morons who said Jeff Schultz was calling blacks chimps and monkeys, you are either uneducated or just stupid. When he talks about a “Monkey Trial”, he is referring to the Scopes Trial in 1925. The trial was about teaching evolution in school and since evolution is equated with humans evolving from monkeys, it was called the “Monkey Trial”.

Schultz is not making a racial comment, so get over it.

By RIP

September 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

This may be a ploy of ESPN, but they got the idea from the AJC’s own Terrance Moore. In his very first report on the story he brought up the race issue. If you guys could relate to him that he is not getting a job at ESPN because he blew it with this reporting of the Vick case.

At first we were building this on race until he admitted his guilt. Can you fault us for believing in innocent until proven guilty. On the other hand others like the President have lied about WMD, just about anything else that comes out of his mouth and etc.. and alot of you still believe in him.

Anyway the Falcons will win the next two games because the Texans nor Titans have a running game.

By samiam

September 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

This is crazy. MV did a crime so he must do the time. I’m not sure what race has to do with it. I’m a black guy and wrong is wrong. There are people that think most black people beleive that he was setup or the law is wrong. he broke a law, plain and simple. This case is not about black or white.

By Boots

September 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

We can’t have intelligent race conversations because I can only deal with the “here and now.” I can’t undo what was done 150 years ago and I can’t change the way you think and feel about your reality. If you want to sit down and talk about how we can work together to make this a better world for all inhabitants, let’s meet. Let’s talk. I just have no interest in a btch session and the retelling of an endless litany of why you’re held back and disadvantaged and can’t make it —- well, that’s a waste of my time.

By Chocolate City

September 25, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

welcome to Chocolate City folks.

That’s why I live in Vanilla Village

By John

September 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Jacob says ‘I feel that all we want as african americans is equal justice accross the board’.

That’s part of the problem, you set yourself up to be seperate as in ‘african americans’. We should all be Americans and then we can move on in this world. You set yourself apart from mainstream America.

By half white

September 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

To stupid Mike and others alike..Dog fighting is a white sports that’s been around longer than football itself and will continue going on. The same place where Mike got busted, within 2 miles, you can easily find 8 places that have dog fighting. Guess what? You’ll never hear about them, because whites run it. AsK the feds or the local police about those? And to dumb Mike, you say the different is the dogs are being torture to death. Okay..Do you mean like bull fighting? C** fighting? Bear hunting? Deer hunting? Mike Vick should have been fined, suspended 2 to 4 games and put on probation as well as asked to to community service for HS… Tha’s it stupid people who just can’t understand why the race card is being played. If it was a black coach, you racist people would have fined him, discredit any progress he accomplished and then fired him. Ask Barry Bond how it feels to be champion? You racist won’t even acknowledge it. However, Mark McQuire record, before Bonds shattered it was top news every day for months… I plead the 5th

By Ivel

September 25, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

This blog is not about MV anymore it’s about white people unforgiving hate toward blacks

MOST WHITE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS THINK LESS OF BLACK PEOPLE AND TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND US OF THAT FACT. 1. Blacks are given longer sentences compared to whites for the same crimes 2. White doctors are more likely to run a test on white person than he will run on a black for the same issue. 3. Blacks are turned down for loans more often than whites with the similar credit scores and history 4. The majority of the drugs purchased and sold in this country are by whites but a large number of those jailed for drugs are black.

MOST BLACK PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS DISTRUST WHITE PEOPLE BECAUSE TIME AND TIME AGAIN WE ARE REMINDED WE SHOULD.

By shajuan

September 25, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

i wished we all could get along blacks and whites. vick did a crime and admitted to it. end of story this is not a racist case. i am an african american woman who don’t watch sports. i would like to ask all the racist people to stop sterotyping all black people and start saying that some black people are lazy, some black people are uneducated,don’t just say and think that all of us are like that. and you guys(white people) don’t know all of us like that. yes we still the naacp around judging from some of the comments coming from this post. and all black people don’t steal, all black people don’t walk around acting like fools everybody on this planet needs to start respecting each other. last of all everyone is going to have to answer to GOD about the mistreating of his people!!!!!!!!!

By crass realist

September 25, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

You know, I am almost starting to feel bad for Michael Vick. The Virginia indictment is simply “piling on”. The Surry County DA obviously sees a way to grab the spotlight ala Mike Nifong.

Enough, already! Let the man serve his sentence and get his life back. He has already been punished beyond belief - but no man is beyond redemption.

To all of you who want to continue to denigrate him, just remember, “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.

By Youjustmadcauseyou

September 25, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

You just made Schultz cause you didn’t think of it. HUSH.

By Foghorn Leghorn

September 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Mike Vick is not going to serve federal time for fighting dogs. He will serve federal time for the interstate commerce charges. Quit using the “he only hurt dogs argument”. Mike became a coward and is ratting out the rest of his buddies in the dog fighting industry. I bet there will be a outbreak of herpes at whatever federal prison he goes to.

By Tim

September 25, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Well, I have read this entire blog from today, and I come away with one conclusion. I will never visit Atlanta. Seems to be full of racist hatred from both sides.

By jeeves

September 25, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

*By dturner - I used the work “monkey” to describe a bunch of adults sitting in a bar acting like they are in the jungle.

I’m glad I could clarify that for you.*

Thanks, so am I. That is indeed different. (Even though I’m sure it was just a ROWDY FOOTBALL crowd at a SPORTS grill, which will always be a little diffent than a crowd in church on Sunday morning).

Still, thanks for the clarity.

TIM - come on to Atlanta, it really doesn’t play out like it seems. Don’t let 50 or so posters on a blog represent the other 5+ million who are probably above most of this.

By Carroll

September 25, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Tim: you are dead-on right! In fact, I briefly moved back to Atl this summer and quickly realized it was not the home that I grew up in throughout the late 80’s to early 90’s. You walk around the town and you can feel the hate and tension. If you’re ever wondering, check out ANY Falcons blog, and see how quickly it deteriorates into a black v. white bickerfest. Best bet is to just stay away.

By Joe

September 25, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Wow. This column is sarcastic and steps over the line. Nobody needs this…regardless of race. Vick undoubtedly made mistakes, which he is paying dearly for. All the ESPN piece will do is highlight the obvious. And that there is a serious race division, distrust and in many cases a dislike. And that is true everywhere in America and is not just isolated to Atlanta. I was at a youth sporting event this weekend in a northern city where an opposing coach used the “N” word referring to a youth player. And for no other reason than to be hateful. Absolutely sickening. What is wrong with this world? Racial prejudice and bigotry begins and ends with each of us, Black or White, and we have to find a way to stop this madness. Time for each of us to take a hard look in the mirror and decide its time for tolerance and acceptance.

By James

September 25, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

For some people race is not an issue and they will never understand how race place a part in the legal system and the governement. But the reality of it is that it exist and it plays a part.Look at the normal cases for cruelty to animals and you will understand. He meaning Vick, had no other choice but to admit because they were coming with more charges. Period. after his friends whom he helped through life in all aspects of life, turned on him for their personal gain and the government personal gain. Do the math.

By LET LEFTWICH RUN???

September 25, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

In response to the guy above that suggested the Falcons let Byron Leftwich take over the Falcons team and “run”, I’ve got news for you:

Byron Leftwich is about as mobile as my grandmother, and she’s been dead for 14 years.

Just because a quaterback is Black doesn’t make him “mobile”. To believe otherwise is RACIST.

By white Guy

September 25, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

All the guy did was just kill a few stinking dogs who cares white people, have some children, dogs & cats are not people geeeeeeeeeeeeeees.

By Learn to forgive

September 25, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

To Chico

It appears that you are not compassionate enough to realize that GOD made all people and we do including you make mistakes. This is Mike Vicks season of isolation and I can guarantee you that when it is all said and done, he will come out in victory. Not to the world though:)

By Torpedo

September 25, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Even Mike Vick openly said he messed up, his attorneys would have used the “racist” card if they could have, yet to my best knowledge, they didn’t. Come on!! let it go, is time to be held accountable for your actions!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Torpedo

September 25, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

BTW, there have been plenty of African Americans that actually think that Vick deserves what he got, are they considered racists too?

By Jimbo

September 25, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

The Vick issue is dead as are the dogs. Everyone (ESPN,NAACP,SLC)wishing to keep it alive is doing so only to make money off the accused. With each tirade or comment comes additional publicty not for the animals but for the organization who keeps it alive. They are the only ones to benefit. Without the story they loose money from a potential donor in the figure of Vick.

By Rod

September 25, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Everyone that feels passion about Vick, the town hall meeting and everything involved with this case have racist views. Yes that includes everyone everyone in here reading and following all of this garbage. I really feels weird though, me being a white man seeing a lynching mentallity, and a piling on mentality of the people. Anyone that enjoys Vicks plite only deserves the same.

By Rod

September 25, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

SOURGRAPES??? Sorry you were not invited to the town hall meeting Shultz. They probably only wanted 1 or 2 race baiters on the panel.

By Chris

September 25, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Damn, this sucks. There’s like 3 Chrises on here. I’m going to have to start using a new name.

By Gnupe

September 25, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Chris,

Hey buddy, you got to get better jobs than bartending and pizza delivery!! $ 2.32 won’t getcha a gallon of gas!! LOL

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Gnupe, I’m in real estate now, but I was a youngster once upon a time. Nothing makes you more bitter toward the world than working twice as hard for half as much from people who treat you like crap.

Talk to the people behind the bar at Fox Sports Grill. They’ll tell you how it is.

By POLITICSMEDIAMONEY

September 25, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

OOPS…I got a few facts incorrect. Mike Vick has 15 Acres of land in Surry County, Virgina. Attorney Poindexter is getting Attention in the Media, Money from the County/State of Virginia and you can bet he’ll get some of that land to build condos. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MEDIA, MONEY and POLITICS.

BUSH is still building his GAS/FUEL Pipelines in IRAQ…and he had dinner with Iraq’s President, who is Bin Laden’s cousin. We’re all LOSING (Americans that is).

FORGET about VICK…and make sure, the next time you go eat Chinese Food, it’s not made of dog meat(dead dog or cat).

By football girl

September 25, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Anyone who uses this blog to state anything racist is ignorant. I plan on complaining to the AJC about the responses that are on these blogs. I am an African-American woman who graduated from college with a 3.88 GPA. I am also a Kindergarten teacher and I don’t appreciate a lot of these racists responses that are even allowed to be published. What in the world is the (5) minutes for? What Mike Vick did was a cruel act. But all of this? Please. I challenge everyone to put this same type of passion into protesting THE WAR ON IRAQ. Although many people don’t want to admit it, we do live in a world of double standards. It’s sad, but true. Bill Clinton acted inappropriately with Monica L. and was impeached, George B. is sending and sent troops to IRAQ under false pretenses. I really appreciate the response from Critical Thinker. Once Mike Vick does his time (whatever it may be), he should be allowed to go back into the profession that he has made his living. It is no different than Danny Heatley, Martha Stewart, Ray Lewis, Jamaal Lewis, and other PERSON (WHETHER BLACK OR WHITE) has been able to do. People need to wake up and get it together!

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

OK, football girl, since you’re so educated, why can’t you realize that this is a sports blog, not a political blog?

I’ll tell my brother the Marine that you don’t give a damn what he and his fellow soldiers are doing to solidify your freedom and to help provide the very same liberties that you enjoy to others around the world.

I’m glad you’re so proud of your academic achievements. You go, girl!

By Jerry

September 25, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

The only racial aspect to this story is the fact that the Surry County, Va, prosecutor is black. It’s a classic case of a politician piling on!

By Jase

September 25, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Just watched the first segment of the “Town Hall” meeting. I feel very safe saying about 75% of the audience is pro-Vick based on appluase…one gentleman was sporting a “Free Michael Vick” t-shirt in the front row. Somewhat depressing to know that I live in a city filled with so much ignorance. The only person to blame for M. Vick’s situation is M. Vick.

By Boots

September 25, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Just turned off the Town Meeting after hearing Whoopie Goldberg’s ignorant statement again.

After hearing the comments and watching the crowds responses, the ignorance and lack of understanding proves to me that racial dialogue is impossible at this time.

In a nutshell by black friends, MV7 broke the law and is being punished according to the mandates of the law. The issue isn’t how much punishment someone else gets. The issue is Michael Vick pleading guilty it an involvement in interstate dogfighting and gambling for six years and is going to be punished.

It’s not a WHITE CONSPIRACY. Vick broke the law, copped a plea and will have to pay the price for his stupidity. Period. End of story!

By TPM

September 25, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

I wish the people in the crowd at the town hall meeting would have showed as much support for the two teenager who got 10 years for microwaving a puppy as they did for Mr.Vick. I guess you pick your battles.

By W. Pier

September 25, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Schultz, I wonder why so many so-called sports reporters appear to have a vendetta against young men plucked from inner-city, urban America, with regards to their behavior off the field. I have to be honest, I wonder if it is because there is some sort of deep-set bitterness that they may be holding on to resulting from (perhaps) feelings of inadequacy (dating back to their days of being overlooked as athletes in junior high and/or high school). I realize that you are paid to write a story, but must it be pathetically predictable? Are you all now the guardians of morality in sports? Has your child’s favorite ‘minority’ hurt their psyche because he made an egregious error in judgment? Thank God, the God I serve is more forgiving that most Americans. I can see why people don’t trust sports columnists these days. A lot of you are in to sensationlizing a story. News flash, dogs are not humans, and thus do not warrant the same, or in this case, better rights than humans! If I hauled off and slapped the teeth out of your wife’s mouth because I didn’t like what you printed in your column, I’d get off with a misdemeanor. Please don’t insult the intelligence of people by not calling this Michael Vick saga what it is… a sad and pathetic attempt by the powers that be to humble a young man who does not value the life of one animal the way the powers that be do. Turkeys shot out of the air, deers hunted and shot with rifles and/or bow and arrows, fish getting their jaws ripped apart by hooks, etc… are shown on the same sports stations that created the superstar persona that Mr. Vick had enjoyed previously. It is hypocritical, not only of them, but of you and any other person who hunts to judge this man harshly. I disagree with what he did. It was reprehensible, in deed, but, in my book, it is also forgivable… because dogs, though designated as ‘Man’s best friend (which is shameful enough), are still animals… canines… like wild wolves that are shot all the time on farms all across America.Just because you may happen to be an animal lover and don’t like what occurred, doesn’t mean that you have to be like the ‘beast’ you purport Mr. Vick to be, by penning damning articles relating to the incident. I can’t speak for all people, but, in the future, please stick to sports… or leave it the hell alone. Please be so kind as to pass this on to all your other ‘supposed’ fair and balanced sports journalist.LET’S PLAY BALL…without the politics.

W. Pier Lawrenceville, Ga.

By kgod999

September 25, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

but if espn offered you a job shultz, u would be gone in a heartbeat. shut up

By James

September 25, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

Can someone answer this question, PLEASE…Since you all claim to be so well educated, with high morals and are perfect parents, how do you explain to your young kids that you support an “intelligent, articulate and honest man” like George W. Bush??

Oops, one more question, what things do you tell them about Barrack Oboma to make them think he’s a bad person, thug and unintelligent???

Intelligent answers PLEASE..I’m sure it will be hard with so much trailer trash on this blog…but please try!!

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 25, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

They should just let that white woman on the panel talk for an hour. She is the only person in that entire room who can look at this situation neutrally.

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

Well, W. Pier, if you slapped the teeth out of my wife’s mouth, you wouldn’t be charged with a misdemeanor. Your family would be charged with a funeral.

So if you think that means I value human life more than a dog’s you’re right. But a crime is a crime, moron. No one is comparing what Vick did to anything done to a human. He killed dogs, and is charged with such, so move along.

And stop standing behind “God.” You are filled with hate, but you think if you preface something with “God,” you can say and believe anything you want. Not so.

By Lady T

September 25, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

I was upset reading these posts until I meditated a minute and realized that most of you are offsprings of the same folks that hung black men from trees, burn their bodies and took their kids along to watch…even smiled for the cameras. Then you have the nerve to be outraged over PITBULLS….

I feel sorry for you because you don’t know any better…God help them Please!!

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Hey James, this is a sports blog, not a political blog, retard.

Since you’re so educated, what do you tell your children to explain why daddy can’t even post his thoughts on the appropriate web site? That is, if you are actually around your kids to tell them anything.

By jameskpolka

September 25, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

One thing every commenter has in common: You’re all illiterate.

Harder to verify, but it sure seems all the commenters are men.

Is it the football? Does watching football make men illiterate? Is it the cheap industrial beer?

We need to get to the bottom of this. I hope Jeff Schultz, ESPN and this crowd of subliterates check into this right away.

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Lady T, how dare you say something like that? Do you know what a small percentage of the white population actually participated in those actions? You are a piece of refuse.

You invoke the name of God? How would God feel about you saying that all white people are evil because of the actions of the few? And what does God say about things like forgiveness, compassion, and healing?

You invoke the name of God? May he strike you down with a lightning bolt for doing so.

By Jerry

September 25, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Hey, The poster formerly known as Chris…

Not only am I white, but I’m half-a-Jew. Now tell me the holocaust didn’t happen, moron.

By gobucks2006

September 25, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

I watched show. The audience was the joke. I presume the Cynthia McKinney fan club was out drinking near the GWCC so they all dropped by. The were rude and vulgar. Maybe people should stop investing so much in sports athletes, celebrities and movie stars and actualy try to read a book or learn a job skill. But it’s so much easier to blame George Bush or the republican devil of week for all your problems.

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

No, Jerry. I am not Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

What would make you even make a statement like that? And you call me a moron…

By Steve

September 25, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

UNREAL PEOPLE!!!I can’t believe how out of control you animals are. I have never seen such rude people. It is OK for you blacks to voice your opinion but the second a white person speaks you boo, his, interrupt? Amazing. You all belong in a cage. Vick is scum. The good news is that you all made yourselves look very stupid on TV by acting like animals.

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Gobucks, read a book? Are you serious? When did they start selling books at the liquor store or CD shop?

By DJ55

September 25, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

The situation Vick finds himself in has more do with politics, modern media and his being a high profile individual and less to do with the crime itself. Race was not the issue in pursuing Vick. His involvement in dog fighting, as abhorrent as it was, gave PETA, the ASPCA, and many animal rights advocacy groups their golden headliner - one that puts their issues on the front page. It also gives the prosecutors and law enforcement a bullet on their resumes.

From what I have read people within these animal rights organizations as well as some in law enforcement knew as far back in 2001 that Vick was involved to some level in dog fighting and did nothing to stop him. They wanted the BIG fish and they waited until he dug a deep, deep hole. They let the evidence build and the abuse continue. They could have intervened, they could have stopped him, and they could have warned him that he was being watched and will be prosecuted - they had the power to have prevented the further abuse or killing of dogs. But NO, they needed more evidence; they needed Michael – their FRONT PAGE HEADLINE.

It is a shame the AJC sports columns and blogs can’t be about sports and how MV and Petrino are thriving in the new offense (or not).

By john

September 25, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

Town meeting was a joke. A little more African Americans than whites so of course the crowd was pro Vick. Funny how he is getting all this credit for pleading guilty now after he had no choice by the same people who said he was not guilty to begin with. Bottom line either you will support this guy no matter what or you will not. He broke the law, if you do not like this law then talk to your Congressman, so he will pay the price. Oh, and I guess his press conference was a joke since he told Terrence he was only guilty of trusting the wrong people. He still does not get it he should have been the role model to lift those guys up not the other way around.

By Jerry

September 25, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Well, poster formerly known as Chris, if you’re NOT a moron, then why make all these stupid, racist comments?

By ken

September 25, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

There are so many things i can say, but first of all let me apologize to all people of color for the ignorant remarks that some of the white people make. I am a white male and cannot beleive it. Its so easy to see why we (white people) are the mosted hated race on the earth. I think its all a misunderstanding about Michael Vick, the black people that i know do not defend Michael Vick or his actions, they are just as appalled as everyone else. However what they are upset about is the veracity and all of the hate that this has brought out in people. Treat people the way you wish to be treated and all will be right with the world. As far as the racists who always say “blacks should stop bringing up the past and forget it”. Would you ask the Jews to forget Holocaust? Think before you open your mouth with all of this evil venom while you hide behind a keyboard on a computer.

By Jerry

September 25, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

Amen, Ken.

By The poster formerly known as Chris

September 25, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Ken, speak for yourselves, not others. The people on this blog are adults. If they make a statement, it is probably because they want to make that statement and have no wish for your “apologies.” Worry about yourself there, bud.

And come down off your pedestal. Your holier-than-thou routine has been tried before, and it’s dead.