Kerry demands Vick's suspension
Kerry is calling for the Falcons to suspend Michael Vick.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, strongly urged National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell to immediately suspend Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was recently indicted for his alleged participation in dogfighting.
"As we have read in the Vick indictment, poor-performing dogs are tortured, maimed and killed. This illegal and despicable activity has no place in a civilized society," Kerry, a former Democratic presidential nominee, said in a letter to the commissioner.
He added, "On behalf of millions of sports fans and dog lovers, I urge you to treat Mr. Vick’s dogfighting indictment with the very serious attention it deserves and suspend him from the League until the resolution of legal proceedings."
Kerry said he will introduce legislation aiming to eliminate dogfighting by making it illegal to send pictures or run web sites related to the sport and to own or train dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.
–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich
Animal cruelty is unacceptable...period. But these politicians calling for Vick to be suspended and/or burn in hell – is unprecedented (especially since Vick hasn't yet been found guilty in a court of law) and simply politically expedient.
It makes as much sense as the NFL howling over politicians bouncing personal checks to the GAO.
(And please save the over-dramtic statements.. NO I'm not suggesting animal cruelty = bouncing checks... simply the oddity of politicians calling out NFL players and vice versa)
I wish people would hold off on the execution of Vick until after he has his day in court. We do have somewhat of a motto "innocent until proven guilty" in this country. I think Vick should inform the owners and coaches of the Falcons that this court case might prove to be too much of a distraction to remain the starter, and voluntarily switch down to back-up, but there is currently no need for him to be suspended.
Just come back from the "vineyard" did ya'?
This kind of brutal cruelty has been going on for a while John, where you been?
This phony politician righfully was given the name "Liveshot" for a reason, where theres a story and a camera, he'll be there.
Maybe trying to get someones VP nod, are ya'?
COMMUNIST! DOES HE GET A TRIAL?
Vick needs to go now !!
I did not vote for Kerry, but he is right on this.
What kind of heart and mind do you have to have, to do such horrible things.
Again...Vick need to go now.
Suspend Vick until the trial, which sounds like it will happen soon. We need more people like Kerry and Byrd who will stand up for our innocents.
I hope people have been following T-Bone's links to the NFL and Nike and bombarding them with email about this. I sure have.
If only Kerry could work this fast on issues that really affect the American people he might just be worth his weight in gold.
Since Mr. Kerry has been a bad performer he should be sent to Michael Vick for torture, since Mr. Kerry has tortured the americian public for the past 8 years for his bad performance in the senate.
Dear Mr Kerry,
I must remind you that this is still America. You know the place where you are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Jury Trial.
It doesn't matter what a person is accused of or indicted for, until they are found guilty by a Jury of their peers, you have no business calling for anything.
Our Founding Fathers designed our system to try and prevent just this kind of thing from happening. Trial by Press and Politician! How un-American of you.
Now I do not approve of what Mr Vick has been accused of, of course I do not approve of prosing Politicians either. But, I am willing to let the Judicial System do it's job before I call for the tar and feathers.
You don't think this affects the American people. Vick's actions make us look like scum to the rest of the world. These actions ned to be addressed and Kerry is right to do so..I applaud the effort. Hopefully this is only the beginning. Time to pass tougher laws!!!!
America is surely a strange place. The health and well-being of dogs has risen to the forefront of public opinion, while the health and well-being of our troops are placed on the backburner.
kerry,s barking up the wrong tree.
there must be a fair right to tial
not by NFL but by 12 dogs of his peers
Davidkossakowski British Columbia ... "kerry,s barking up the wrong tree.
there must be a fair right to tial"
Give him a a fair trial – just suspend him without pay until then, as would happen to any of us at our jobs.
Yeah I agree with Mark. It is disturbing to know the media and general public seems to care more for dogs than for the well-being of U.S. troops that are being sent to their deaths in Iraq based on a pack of lies.
And what about millions of people in America, that have no healthcare, can not get tested for diseases, mentally insane homeless people wandering the streets, and countless other issues that effect people.
Nice to know that DOGS are viewed with such compassion but people in our own country are not.
Not to mention how people are willing to spend more money on dog food and pampering pet than pay for social services to help actual people.
A society that treats its animals with such sadistic cruelty will end by treating its own citizens with sadistic cruelty. The collectivist Kerry finally gets one right.
You can't make a website illegal, as it is freedom of speech. The Internet is what it is today because it isn't mandated, and it would be wise to keep it that way.
Jeff dont you mean Regulated?
I agree that dog fighting is cruel. I also know that I would be suspended w/o pay for a serious allegation. I like Nike's stance–holding release of the shoe pending the outcome of the case.
Next, it amazes me how many people condem the mistreatment of dogs, cats...while supporting abortion. Which is more inhumane, dog fighting or partially delivering a child and then crushing its skull to kill it???
Up in Massachusetts we call this dude senator "Live Shot Kerry" because he never misses a chance to bloviat in that Lurch voice of his. His next press conference is Tuesday in which he will announce the moon is not made of green cheese. There is NO ONE more irrelevant than this cracker.
People have no idea how many guys in the league are using street drugs, mistreating women & children, and living their daily lives not in accordance with the law. Kerry is focusing on this? Of all things? Might be a good idea to focus on issues that are affecting human beings first. Not to say animals aren't to be loved and treated properly, but hello?!
Talk about a rush to judgment.
Indict: to charge with a fault or offense : CRITICIZE, ACCUSE
Bad Florida count or not, I'm glad someone like THIS is not OUR President. By the time the truth came out about the Duke lacrosse players, he would have already had them castrated.
"Ooops. Sorry boys. Take these with you.....uh, maybe you can get them reattached or something."
If Kerry had reacted as quickly to the Swift Boat attackers during the 2004 campaign, then he may have had a chance of establishing credibility.
Today, he has NONE.
Her we go again. Senator Kerry should be leveling these same comments about every individual who is indicted by a grand jury. This is to include all those in congress.
Not that I am in favor of what Vick was involved with but what about people who hunt animals for a living and hang them in their homes for trophies? I haven't seen PETA running after them and having their jobs taking from them nor putting them in jail. I think this is a discussion that needs to be taken serious because if they are going against Vick; why not go after everybody else who violate animal rights. If Vick wasn't a Falcon; this case wouldn't even go to trial or talked about all over the world.