TALK TO THE DADDY

Hello. Come on in. The daddy writes about current events, literature, music and, once in a while, drops something on you from back in the day to make you pause and ponder, stop and stare, and begin to wonder. Who knows? You may start to pace the floor, shake your head from side to side, then fall down on bended knees in a praying position and cry, "Lawd, have mercy! What is this world coming to?" Check yourself! But this blog is NOT about the daddy. It's about you: your boos, your fam, your hood, your country...our hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. So let's make a pact: the daddy will put it on the track if you'll chase it down and hit him back. Together, we can definitely take it to another level. Shall we?"

Friday, August 14, 2009

MICHAEL VICK: IT'S UP TO YOU NOW

"I sat with the man, but I still don’t know what’s in his heart. He told me he did terrible things to dogs. He said he grew up with dogfighting as a boy, and that he never sufficiently questioned it as he grew into manhood...He said this experience has been a trauma and he’s changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity. If he makes the most of it, and demonstrates a sincere, long-term commitment to the task, then it may prove to be a tipping point in our campaign to eradicate dogfighting."
--Wayne Parcelle, Humane Society

Dear Michael Vick:

It's all set now. You rightfully served two years for bankrolling a dogfighting operation. You kept your mouth shut. You made overtures to the Humane Society, offering to do what they wanted you to do.

Unlike some who get in trouble, you accepted help from Tony Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts and the most respected man in football. You accepted the reinstatement decision of NFL Commissioner Goodell. But now comes the hard part: living the life of a new Michael Vick.

Listen, Michael. The Daddy comes from the South. He knows that where you lived, men raced and bet on dogs without giving the possibility-- no, the probability-- of animals being harmed a second thought. He knows that this brutal treatment of dogs and other animals was a part of male culture. It is no excuse but an explanation of a hidden but very real part of brutal, even psychopathic exercise. But that's where you can be of special value.

Michael, you are set to make about 1.5 million dollars this football year and up to 6 million next year. But you know this is all secondary now. You know now that, in addition to football, you will have a new mission now: to do anything and everything possible to stop dogfighting: to talk to men, especially young boys, to educate them about the importance of taking care of animals and how it is not "manly" to race, maim, injure or kill animals for sport.

Michael, as a celebrity, as an athlete in a very "manly" profession, you are the perfect person to teach youth that being a man can also include being kind to animals.

Listen, you cannot bring back the animals you helped maim and kill. But, you can help stop dogfighting and save thousands of animals in the future.

It's up to you now.

The Daddy

13 comments:

achoiceofweapons said...

DBS,
I totally agree. Mr. Vick now has the chance to do some real good but also to illustrate the unfairness of the NFL policies and the the ineffectiveness of the Union. Roslinberger (Pittsburgh) has been accused of something sexual yet he is able to play. Vick was sidelined before the season began when charges had not even been filed yet. Plaxico Burgess is suspended! Adam Jones is suspended and Duece Macallister is suspended yet Rosilberger plays. Romanowski played and wasn't suspended. So it definately will be interesting to watch.

Somebodies Friend said...

This whole thing is just a mess. Hopefully everyone will learn from their mistakes.

I'm not even going to go into what I think of the Union. It'd be a post all it's own.

Mike said...

It should be noted that there are significant differences in the Vick case, on the one hand, and the Rothlisberger and Burress cases on the other. Intent, deliberation, number of incidents and time periods come to mind right away. (I neither know nor care much about the other cases Mista J mentions.)

Now let's hope Vick can make something good of all this. Let's hope he takes that new mission you mention seriously and succeeds in making a difference for the better.

Side note: I think Donovan McNabb deserves way more respect than he seems be getting.

Vigilante said...

Good on the Eagles for giving this man a 2nd chance. This MLB fan says,

GO EAGLES!

Anonymous said...

Amen. A great post as always. Let's hope he does the right thing during his stay with the Eagles and wherever his career takes him.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

RJ: I hope he plays well for the Eagles this football season and thereby gets to play at least another them. This will give him the platform to talk to people, especially black youth in the inner-cities about dogfighting. Kids are more likely to listen to you when they see you playing ball on Sundays.

Corey said...

MacDaddy! Just touching base! I need to say your posts have been excellent as usual! This Vick post is so Point On that I wished you would actually send it to him so that he could read it, the Lowrey post really touched my heart and he deserves all the love we can possibly give him, and the Baldwin posts just totally blew me awy - especially the last one where the commentary was as riveting as the text. As a result, I'm ordering a copy of The Fire Next Time, which I haven't owned in YEARS, and need to read again now that I'm more mature - a little! I think that may be one of the issues younger people may often have with reading Baldwin - he's just so deep and many times we just aren't THERE YET to fully receive him!

I'm really, REALLY looking forward to ordering your book, too!

Thanks for being a friend!

Unknown said...

Hope he can stay away from the dogs this time.

http://showusproof.com/proveit/PollFactory/polls/vick/vick.php

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Propero: He's working with the Humane Society in the Philadelphia. He can talk to inner-city youth about this issue; and I think they'll listen. Blessings.

Kentucky Rain said...

Daddy this is a great post. I have softened my position on Vick, at least with regard to what he can do for tortured animals everywhere. As a result I am laying down and watching what he does. I will reserve further judgment. Thanks as always for your thoughtful words.

Note to Vigil:

Screw the Eagles:-)

Kentucky Rain said...

P.S. Daddy do you mind if I cross post this over at my place tomorrow? I have read it over and over and I think my readers could benefit from your most thoughtful words.

Mac Daddy Tribute Blog said...

Madmike: Feel free to use any of my articles to crosspost. No problem.

Kentucky Rain said...

Daddy I thank you. I am just sort of watching at the moment to see what happens.....