What is wrong with NFL players?

Why in the world are so many NFL players so dumb? It's a question you have to ask these days as more and more football players are being arrested and convicted of various crimes.

The most recent mark against the NFL is the arrest of Shawne Merriman. It is alleged that Merriman choked and held against her will his girlfriend Tila Nguyen - known as Tila Tequila. This is insanely stupid if it is true, which I tend not to doubt.

Shawne Merriman is 6'4" and weighs 272 pounds or so. Tila Tequila is 4'11" and lucky to top 105 at a guess. So even if Tequila was drunk as some reports are saying, and used a baseball bat against Merriman I doubt he would notice. Thus I cannot see any reason for him choking her.

Given this news, his team - San Diego Chargers - has said they will wait to see what to do. And I'm thinking why should they wait. I mean if they really want to say something about stupid actions and deter any other member of their team (or the NFL for that matter) from doiung similar things, they need to act.

In my opinion the entire NFL needs to start acting. How many players can be named as having done acts of violence and criminal stupidity in just the last year? And of that group of players, how many are still in the NFL? Which means that pro football really doesn't care as long as they can make money.

This is not isolated to just the NFL. There are various entertainers like Chris Brown and others that just keep getting worse. All the while the entertainment industry does nothing, the legal system gives them a slap on the wrist (more often than not), and the media let's it all fade away (after they get paid for running the initial story). It's all getting out of hand.

Where is the voice of reason that says it's not ok for a man to beat on a woman? Or for someone to brutally kill animals for sport? Or to be involved with drugs? And on and on.

If the NFL wants to really make a difference they should start making some examples. Like Michael Vick being kicked out of football. And Merriman being suspended for at least a year, even if he is innocent. Because they all should be held to a higher standard, not lower ones. Fame has a price, and I don't mean the huge paychecks these entertainers get. Is it really too much to ask that entertainers abide by the same laws and common decency that everyone else lives by?

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe punishing Merriman before the facts are in is hyperreactive. But consider that if a stand is never taken to say that acting stupidly will have dire consequences, the limit of what is acceptable just goes lower each time.

Do you agree?

Pitbull attacks son of Pittsburgh Steeler

It’s sad news on any day when you hear that a child has been injured. That doesn’t change where the child has a parent that is famous or not. Because we all want children, anyone’s child, to be safe at all times.

But there is something in this story that infuriates me. The source of the injury to Pittsburgh Steeler’s linebacker James Harrison’s child was a pitbull dog. And I’ve heard these kinds of stories way to often. The breed should never be around children. In fact, I believe the entire breed should be destroyed.

But before I go on, let’s get this into perspective. The pitbull is NOT part of dogfighting. The dog was not abused, or mistreated. There have been no reports of the dog causing trouble, or getting loose, or anything that would indicate it would harm anyone. This is not a Michael Vick kind of situation. This is all about the breed.

Pitbulls are a breed of dog bred for one thing, fighting. They are known for their aggressiveness, and the injuries they give to adults as well as other dogs and animals. They are prone to sudden vicious attacks, without cause. In my experience, every pitbull will at some point turn and attack without cause at some point in their lives. And the manner of raising the pitbull, and it’s parentage have little to do with that.

Case in point, back in the mid-90’s I was working at a stock brokerage firm in NYC near Wall Street. In the middle of one day a call came in that the daughter of one of the brokers I knew had just been taken to the hospital. The cause of her injuries was the one of the family’s pitbulls.

This pitbull had been raised with the child from birth. It was bred as a family dog, and the broker was a recognized breeder. All of his dogs were raised in a gentle surrounding, with good bloodlines. Up to that point there had never been an incident with the dog. The attack occurred in the kitchen, with the mother and a family friend present.

The little girl was just 6 years old. The dog was 5. For no apparent reason the dog turned on the girl as she entered the kitchen. It bit her face, requiring plastic surgery though she face would always retain marks from the attack. But at least she survived.

Just as James Harrison’s son will survive. He was bit in the leg. He will be in a hospital for at least another day, as the injury is considered severe but not life threatening. Just as with the experience my broker acquaintence learned about, Harrison’s dog attacked without provocation. 2 adults, one being the mother of James, were also injured while trying to rescue the boy.

Why do people continue to have these animals? Especially around children? I just don’t understand it.

They are beasts at the best of times. They are popular because drug dealers in the 80’s used them to protect crack houses from police raids. They serve no purpose, and are without any merit in my opinion.

How many children will need to suffer from attacks by these beasts before they are destroyed? How many people will be attacked? How many more headlines will it take before the status of owning such a vicious and unpredictable creature fades?

Owning a pitbull leaves you with one result. Given time it is bound to attack. I’ve found that to be true in every case of someone owning a pitbull. And sadly, children often are the victim of these attacks.

Canada, Australia, England, Norway, France, Singapore, Iceland and even Serbia get it. They all restrict or forbid the breed. Various cities and counties across the nation including Sioux City, Overland Park, Miami-Dade, Youngstown, and Sparta among many others get it. Even the state of Oklahoma has proposed the ban of these dogs.

I am sorry to hear of the injury to Steeler’s linbacker Harrison’s child. But I hope that if any positive can come out of this horrific attack, it is that it helps to end the existence of this breed so that no other child ever goes through this again.

DMX vs Maricopa County - the wrong one wins

Oh the joy of the holiday season just does not end. At least that is what DMX is saying right now.

Earl Simmons got a late gift in the form of a plea deal. This rapper who seems incapable of avoiding a criminal act, or police, admitted guilt to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty, one felony count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug. He has been busy indeed.

And for admitting his guilt, which no one questioned, he will receive the grand total of ... 90 days and probation.

Screw a gift, who might he have had sex with to get that sentence. And I wonder if he paid them after he got done?

Seriously. Wesley Snipes was proven innocent of all charges except 3 misdemeanors with the full weight of the U.S. Government against him and the media lapdogs doing phenomenal bits of staging to make him look guilty as hell. Snipes got 3 years.

Michael Vick got 23 months Federal and 3 years State for his animal cruelty. And he deserves every minute of that.

A minor rapper wanna-be Rico Wright got 20 years and 20 years probation for shooting a guy and making a rap about it.

Akon got community service for throwing a minor off of a stage in front of dozens of witnesses and more than a few police officers.

TI got away with voting though he is a convicted felon.

Remy Ma got 8 years for assault, weapon possession and attempted coercion. And she "accidentally" shot a woman.

Is anyone noticing a trend here?

What the hell is wrong with the legal system. If you or I were charged and convicted with any of the things these rappers have done, repeatedly, we wouldn't see the light of day for a decade - with a plea bargain. And the bigger they are, the more the legal system is willing to ignore.

Snipes was facing 17 years if convicted. He was found innocent of everything but minor issues that normally get probation. yet he will spend more time in jail than DMX and Akon combined. And I don't think either man was allowed to vote.

Considering the way the legal system has been I would have expected Wright to have walked out the door, but I guess his song didn't get a big fat record company deal first. No wonder young kids are looking at rap as a way to live. The bigger the star the more insanely stupid things you can do with little consequence. How can we expect kids to live by the rules when the people they spend unknown hours listening to and mimicking are flaunting the law and getting away with it.

I'm glad that 2008 is ending. And that we have these examples to look at as we enter 2009. I hope judges are looking over the cases in 2009 and seeing what a revoltingly perverse job they are doing.

These criminals don't deserve to be paid, or to get glorified in music videos or movies (talk about a stupid and blisteringly dumb waste of money and talent. Yet sure to make a profit). They need to be in jails, not concert halls. They need to be serve penitence, not get served drinks.

It's one thing to be Slick Rick. But there is no question of the remorse of DMX, Akon, Remy Ma and so many others. There may be an argument to be made about their sellout shuck and jive for record executives, but outright crimes should never be excused.

If I were the people of Maricopa County I would be sure to start the New Year by calling up the District Attorney's office (602-506-3411) and let them know they need to do better in 2009. And then I'd follow that with a letter to the major record labels (to many to list but you can find them on Google) asking them to have a shred of ethics in how they reap in their money. Big Oil is bad? How about the people supplying your kids with heaping doses of convicts and ex-cons as examples of success.

The year can't end fast enough.

Venus Williams joins the Starbury trend - 11.14.2007.1

I love it when I can revisit a post I made in the past to update the news and events, especially when the news is positive. I don’t get to do this as often as I would like, but today I can. What is the good news? Well it involves Mr. Stephon Marbury, Ms. Venus Williams and Mr. Ben Wallace.

For those that have not seen the original post in May of this year [Starbury sneakers from Stephon Marbury - 5.1.2007.1] I discussed the benefit of the Starbury sneaker line, sold by Steve & Barry exclusively. For $15 dollars a celebrity entertainer endorsed sneaker can be bought, and according to comments by B-Esq (from the original post)

“The new Starbury line of sneakers are much better and more comfortable than my nikes, reeboks, filas and sauconys.”

While there was some news on this story, major media didn’t focus on the positive news, or the other positive actions by Mr. Marbury. Even now there is more attention to is sex life and initial comments about Michael Vick. But that takes away for the real story I think deserves attention.

There is the massive, NBA leading donations to Hurricane Katrina relief, the gift of sneakers to New York City high school varsity basketball players, and free haircuts to youth at Coney Island. Yes, negative news grabs headlines, but only when that is the focus of the news. The positives may be less sensational, but have far deeper impact.

And that impact in terms of the Starbury sneakers has grown. As I mentioned in the beginning, Mr. Marbury is now being joined by Ms. Williams and Mr. Wallace. Both of these star athletes are coming out with their own $15 endorsed sneakers. In fact Ms. Venus Williams will also be coming out with an entire line of clothing, each piece of which is priced at or below $20. And I think it’s about time.

I said before,

“I don’t fault anyone for making or endorsing a product and getting paid for it. Even better if they actually support and/or believe in the product. But ripping-off kids is wrong no matter what the reason. And it’s insulting when a multi-millionaire exploits fans, especially those in the least economically capable communities, to make another buck. Even the worst stockbrokers I worked with or knew of in the market would NEVER take money from kids and orphans. To make it blunt, profits in excess of 200% for a piece of sporting equipment that can’t survive the wear and tear of daily use beyond 6 months or so, and targeted to children and young adults, is exploitive.”

At $140 the new LeBron James’ Nike sneaker is exploitative, to me. It’s not worth the price. It’s taking advantage or the status and celebrity youth see in Mr. James. I again say I don’t fault him for getting paid, I just think he and others can do it more affordably for the very targeted African American community consumer.

I support the efforts of Steve & Barry, Ms. Williams, Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Marbury. I hope that their efforts make an impact with other companies, and gain massive popularity among African American kids. I suggest that on Nov. 15, everyone goes out and checks out the EleVen debut, which is the clothing line from tennis star and celebrity Venus Williams.

There are things in life that we want that cost a lot of money, like an education. A basic and essential item, clothing and footwear, should not be one of them. And I’m happy to say that a trend appears to be growing that agrees with this thought.

Reflections on Bill Cosby's words 3 years ago - 9.24.2007.2

3 years later and finally Dr. Bill Cosby is getting some respect for his statements about the Black culture and community in America. It’s about time.

At that time, and since there has been a huge outcry that Dr. Cosby should not have said what he did and has since. I’ve never understood why. He was speaking the truth and it was as obvious then as it is now. In fact it’s been true for a lot longer than just when he made his statements.

But the fact was that more than a few were either embarrassed, in denial, or oblivious to these facts. How I am unsure. A casual observation at high schools around the nation, or prisons, say everything right there. The Black community had become complacent about the advances made in the 60’s and was doing nothing about the wholesale commoditization of the culture since the mid-90’s.

Perhaps the impact that Dr. Cosby was speaking about can be summed up in these words

“If we can get outraged enough to trek by the busload to Jena, La., then the dysfunction destroying our communities from within should compel the same outrage -- and the energy to do something about this black implosion.”

Strong words. And appropriate. I would add that if we can feel a national outrage by the words of Don Imus, revulsion by the idiotic definitions of Snoop Dogg, endangered by the torture in West Virginia, and angered by the lack of compassion provided by Michael Vick, then we must look to the roots of those problems and what we can do to correct them. Sitting by passively allowing these things to exist cannot provide answers, or more accurately answers that will engender a positive response.

The major news media has no interest in discussing the positives in the Black community, apparently. Universal condemnations of OJ Simpson and Michael Vick, excusing acts of denigration (Don Imus) or completely ignoring them (How long was Michael Richards in the news?), and promotion of the worst aspects of rap music and videos seem all that they are interested in. When that is the message being presented by the news on a daily basis, coupled by the virtual non-existence promoted by television programming, we need to step up in our communities to provide the positive impetus that is desperately needed.

I mentioned

Of the centuries that our ancestors struggled to gain the right to read and be treated as equals, is the only benefit our chance to compete in games for the selfish monetary return it provides? I cannot agree that the only benefit of the past efforts is our increased ability to entertain the masses. Dr. Martin Luther King did not dream of an equal chance to ‘shake dat ass’ on an iPod. Mr. Malcolm X did not want to defend his life and family “by any means” so that his children could sell drugs, or have ‘baby-mama drama.’ Mr. Jackie Robinson did not endure the stresses of proving his abilities to hostile crowds so that drop-outs would have the inability to read about his challenges; and Mr. Richard Pryor didn’t make us laugh and think about what was inadequate so that the youth could use a term that is the single most offensive term in the English language as a greeting because they haven’t learned enough to know the words meaning and history.

I feel no different today. I would hazzard to believe that Dr. Cosby would agree. The fact that others are also joining in this mindset is a positive. Perhaps that is the best news, after 3 years. That there are positive moves being made, and that the community has gotten over the minor reasons to avoid Dr. Cosby’s words and are now embracing them. If that is the case I look forward to the next 3 years.

This is what I think, What do you think?

Counting 5 years plus - 9.10.2007.1

5 years and counting. What might that refer to? Could it be the Iraq war? It could also be the amount of time since R Kelly was supposed to go to trial for the alleged rape of a minor. It might be the amount of time that Michael Vick will be facing for his crimes.

Now hear is the tough question. Of those 3, which is the most prevalent in the media when discussing African Americans? The correct answer is OJ Simpson of course. But the second answer would be Michael Vick.

Whether it’s about how much time he will serve or if he will be allowed to re-enter football, it’s the main topic of discussion. I can’t imagine what might be worse.

Well that’s not true. The major news media could be focusing even more on the every move and comment made by OJ Simpson. Given that he has consistently given the major news media, actually tabloid fodder by definition yet covered as if it were major news, more than enough to discuss over the years. Still it’s a waste of time and space.

But where is the news on R Kelly? Why is there no seeming concern about his actions? There is a self-proclaimed pedophile being kicked out of Seattle and California (now living in Oregon at last report) yet an accused pedophile continues to go through his daily routine without a whisper of news on his case. Something is very wrong with that.

It’s similar to the news on Mr. Wesley Snipes. Huge announcements by the government on his indictment, while he is in a foreign country and cannot respond. Big media coverage, framed to look like a spontaneous move by law enforcement though it was an agreed upon surrender to law agents, and multiple legally neutral but implicitly accusatory statements were made then nothing. No word on his claims the charges are false. No word on his fight against, what I see as, trumped up charges. Nothing on the nature of the charges that sound as incredulous as the manner in which they were applied.

But when it comes to the war, the only commentary is what Senator Obama feels about how quickly we should end the war, and that we shouldn’t be there in the first place. Let me note something.

We shouldn’t have been in Iraq for the reasons we went there for. I was not convinced by the claims of WMD’s. There was no question that Saddam was a bad man, doing horrendous things to his people. There is no question that as far back as during the Presidency of Clinton, America was actively taking military action against that nation. Given that, it doesn’t matter.

Anger over why we started the war will not end it. Displeasure with President Bush will not alleviate the repercussions of the war. Pointing the finger of blame may make some feel better at night, but it does not factually improve anything and creates a means for some to gain political clout on the cheap by pandering to this emotional response. Why the war started has less to do with anything besides a stumping point for politicians.

Continued in part 2...

Michael Vick gets jail, Lindsey Lohan gets away Part 3 - 8.22.2007.3

Continued from Michael Vick gets jail, Lindsey Lohan gets away Part 2...

Why are minorities upset with the legal (note that I did not use Justice) system in America? Can you see any reason why there could be any claims of imbalance in the execution of the law? I know some would say that it’s just because of the fame of these people, except fame seems not to always balance the scale. And that says nothing of the less famous cases, like the 2 teenage White girls that were videotaped as they robbed a bank. Caught 2 days later, after they were on a spending spree in the mall openly discussing the robbery, the felony charges were also dropped without more than a whisper from the media that had previously been interested (for a day) in this case. Amazing that others were arrested for conspiring on this bank robbery as well, and they were charged with felony crimes. Oh, did I forget to mention this was in Atlanta, this year, at least some of those given felony charges were Black, and that the Blonde White girls were 18 and 19 so capable of being charged as adults?

It’s not the law I am upset with in all these cases. It’s not the crimes that were committed, allegedly in some cases. It’s the treatment of these cases by both the media and the legal system. How dare they pick and chose what charges count and for who. I would never get these breaks or assumptions of innocence.

I would not have such lax media coverage. The media would be up my ass, discussing my high school grades and every girlfriend I ever had. They would ask every person I ever worked for, and guys I served with. They would seek out every secret or misstep I ever had and all the while discuss how horrible I was and that everyone should have seen it coming.

With the legal system I would probably be shot, or at least beaten, during the arrest. I’d get enough of a bail to equal the GDP of some nations for what the above were all charged with. The D.A. would try to portray me as a drug kingpin, and I’d be charged each drug count separately just so I could qualify for the 3 strike rule (mandating extreme lengths of prison confinement), not to mention the DUI charges. The prosecution would claim I’m a drunk and addict, using the system to try to avoid punishment. I’d get more years than I’ve been alive to date.

It’s this discrepancy, and lack of equal attention that pisses me off. The fact that I, and my family and friends, could not get this kind of treatment if I paid for it. This is insane. It’s maddening.

How dare the D.A. not follow-up the drug charges against Lindsey Lohan. How dare they minimize the flaunted abuse of the law. How dare the major media treat this like some kind of kids fluff piece. And some question why minorities distrust and avoid the legal system. What reason do we get to embrace it? What equality comes from it?

I do not condone breaking the law. I love my nation, and have served it. I believe in this nation, and even with all the glaring flaws find it to be the best in the world. That does not mean that I am happy with the slaps in the face I’ve lived my life experiencing. When the Sean Bell murder receives the same attention as Lohan getting 6 felony drug charges dropped, which is none, I am disgusted.

I don’t want to write more about this now.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Michael Vick gets jail, Lindsey Lohan gets away Part 2 - 8.22.2007.2

Continued from Michael Vick gets jail, Lindsey Lohan gets away Part 1...

You might expect that this would be serious. Felony charges, drugs, multiple DUI’s, injuring a passenger, reckless driving, a verbal altercation, and a history of negative issues and the use of rehab counseling as a façade to avoid legal punishment. Of course it seems you would be absolutely wrong.

But let’s reflect on what case might this be like. To be fair I will pick another White, skinny, often drunk and potentially drug-addled, woman of similar age. To go one step further I will find someone with a similar level of ability, and respect of the law. Let’s see. I guess I’m let with Paris Hilton.

Well what do we see? Paris was arrested, through an act of idiocy she did herself, a denial of responsibility (blamed her assistant for not telling her she could drive though she had the papers in the glove compartment of her car. Guess there was no Black men on staff or nearby.), jail time given (45 days) and an act of lopsided justice in that 3 days were served initially. I know, every minority gets to have this same type of reduced charges, and minimized jail time.

You might say but how is that like Lohan? Why could we be wrong that felony drug charges are serious and imply a long sentence? Because it seems that the Los Angeles D.A.

“…almost certainly will not file cocaine charges in connection with Lohan's DUI bust Memorial Day weekend in Beverly Hills, the site [TMZ] said.

…July 24 arrest … could charge Lohan with felony cocaine possession, and bringing cocaine into a correctional facility — also a felony. But the D.A. is inclined not to file those felony charges either, sources told TMZ. “

Isn’t that nice. All the drug charges from 2 arrests within 3 moths of each other apparently will not be pursued. They are just going away. I bet you have had that happen to you. I bet you’ve read about similar things happening to your brother/cousin/son/father. I bet the non-famous first-time offending college student with a DUI and a joint let in the car by another student got the same kind of leniency. I’m sure that hundreds of African Americans are treated with the same kid gloves.

Like Mr. Michael Vick. Even though he is famous, and at least as rich as Lohan, he is easily having several felony charges completely dropped in his case. I bet that the D.A. in his case is planning to completely ignore the federal charges he was initially arrested for, especially since no drugs were involved. Not that there is any media attention on this.

I mean it’s not like there has been continuous news on Mr. Vick (who I continue to see as guilty, and I stand by my initial thoughts on his case) since charges were rumored. Just the same as there has been continuous news on Lohan, and the massive coverage on the news that the D.A. will be dropping the drug charges from 2 different arrests (which would be 6 charges in all). It’s all over the web and the major news media.

Continued in Part 3...

Michael Vick gets jail, Lindsey Lohan gets away - 8.22.2007.1

There is a lot of news out today that is irritating me, but I’ll try to get to it all. The first item is Lindsey Lohan. I will start by mentioning I’ve never seen a movie with her in it, never seen her music videos or any of the Disney stuff she did when she was in her teens. Basically I know nothing about the young woman beyond what I have seen in news reports of her various drunken escapades, and crimes. If my opinion of her is beneath that of rappers, you can see why.

What I do know is that Lohan has often been in the company of equally drunken and insipid Paris Hilton. She had 3 car accidents in 2005, of which at least one was considered intentional yet she was not charged. [You try that and see if you aren’t arrested.] In this year Lohan has been to drug rehab 2x, in January and in May after being in another accident where she was charged with DUI; but there were no drug charges made even though she was found in possession of “useable” amounts of cocaine.

Let me pause. What in the world is a “useable” amount of cocaine? Isn’t that possession of an illegal substance? Would ‘useable’ also equate to distribution weight? Possession is enough to get a charge, and easily would be enough to get me, or any other Black man or woman, charged and in jail. I have never heard of ‘useable’ amounts of drugs referred to when any rapper, or Black celebrity, has been found in possession of drugs. Who is this skinny White girl doing to get off these charges, could be one thought some might have.

Back to the point. Shortly after getting out of rehab, on July 24th, Lohan gets into a drunken car chase. She is arrested for DUI again. At the jail her pockets are searched, cocaine is found and those charges are added. Throughout this time Lindsey Lohan claims that she was not driving the car (which she did not own) but that a Black guy in the car was the driver. She failed to mention that this same Black guy was injured by her when he tried to get her to stop driving. She also claimed the drugs were not hers, and I do recall that she mentioned that the also belonged to the Black guy.

Pause again. Has anyone besides me noticed the default answer to situations used by various criminals, that are non-African American, to blame a specific or ambiguous Black guy for a crime they committed to avoid penalty? Do you recall the mother, in the middle of a deserted highway that claimed a “big black guy” carjacked her with her kids in the backseat, and then drove the car into a body of water killing the kids? There was a national outrage, everyone searching for this mysterious black guy. Until they realized the mother did it herself. There have been many other cases but you get the point. Luckily this time, the Black guy was believed (probably since he was injured by Lohan). [He never got an apology for that accusation by the way]

Back to the case at hand. Lindsey Lohan was charged with DUI again (2nd time this year, and less than 3 months after her last arrest) and 3 felony drug charges. This time the term “useable” was not combined with her drug possession. Imagine that.

Continued in Part 2...

The latest lawsuit against Michael Vick - 8.14.2007.1

Ok, this is too much. I’ve heard wild stories and the like over my nearly 40 years but this has gone too far.

It started after Michael Vick was arrested for running a dog fighting ring. A big deal and many were quite upset. Some though were upset because they somehow concluded that this was just an attack on a rich African American. While I will submit that Mr. Vick is rich, and Black, neither takes away from the crime he is alleged to have committed. Dogfighting is a vile crime, and ANYONE who is involved should face the legal penalties that are available. As much as some may wish, Mr. Vick is culpable on some level at the least and probably guilty as charged based on the facts known.

But the story does not end there. The latest news is not about his ongoing legal dilemma. It’s not about the fact that sponsor have fled from him like rats on a sinking ship. It isn’t even the debate on whether or not he should play football this season (come on, of course he won’t and should not). No, the latest news is that Mr. Vick has been accused of being an agent of Al Quida.

Yes, court papers have been filed stating that Mr. Vick swore an oath to Al Quaeda, ran the dog fighting ring as a means to generate income and used those proceeds to buy missiles off of eBay to be used against America. This has all come out of a lawsuit seeking $63 billion billion dollars in damages.

I’m not making this stuff up. It’s real. Notice I didn’t say credible or serious. All of this was found in the legal documents filed by Jonathan Lee Riches. Riches is a ‘guest’ of South Carolina penal facilities. He accuses Mr. Vick of violating multiple laws including:

• Copyright infringement (what possible copyright does Riches own that Mr. Vick infringed on I really want to know)
  
  
• Violating the 14th Amendment – which determines national citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons – (how can Mr. Vick affect Riches 14th Amendment rights?)
  
  
• Violating the 8th Amendment – cruel and unusual punishment – (I’ve not heard of that being applied to animals before but I’ll almost give him that)
  
  
• The 6th – speedy and public trials – (when did Mr. Vick become a judge?)
  
  
• Not to forget the 5th, 4th, 2nd and 1st Amendments as well – I just don’t need to go on do I?
  

It gets better. Mr. Vick is accused of stealing this convicts pit bulls, and after having them fight, sold them on eBay. The proceeds from these dogs were used to buy the missiles mentioned above from Iran. But Mr. Vick was not done with inmate Riches, the then stole his ID to buy dogfood and supplies under the assumed name. But this has been a long term fued with Mr. Vick as inmate Riches alleges that some of the crimes were from 2001.

Now I have to say the best one is that Mr. Vick is alleged to have used microwave testing on imate Riches. That is just the icing on the cake.

By the way, inmate Riches plead guilty to credit card fraud.[As best as I’ve been able to confirm his identity.]

Mr. Michael Vick has enough real problems to keep him quite busy. This fluff will obviously go nowhere. But perhaps it will give Mr. Vick, and you my readers, a moment of levity in your day. Beware the jailhouse lawyers, they are almost as bad as the real ones.[Had to pick on lawyers, it was just too easy.]

This is what I think, what do you think?

OJ is an example, but not the root, of a problem - 8.1.2007.1

So OJ decided that he needed to open up his mouth again. As is being reported by everyone, yesterday OJ was interviewed online. Of course he needed to discuss his book If I Did It. Why in the world he would do that, I have no idea. But he has and every news media has picked up on it.

This is of course in retaliation or because of the fact that the Goldman family has gained control of the rights of the book. I’ll get in to the Goldman family in one second.


While everyone is focused on the fact that OJ continues to defend his innocence, there are aspects of the conversation that are not being spoken about. So far I have not been able to find the entire interview online. Looking at what’s been shown by the news media one of the actually interesting parts of what he has been speaking about has been completely obscured.

That commentary deals with the perception of the news media on African Americans accused of a crime. Whether it’s Mr. Michael Vick, OJ, Bobby Cutts, or the Duke Rape case victim we see that the media has the immediate reaction to assume absolute guilt. [I realize that I have commented strongly about Mr. Michael Vick. I have also mentioned that I believe he is innocent till proven guilty. But if he is not, I believe he needs to be prosecuted severely. My concerns and anger are to the nature of the crime no matter who committed them and in this instance Mr. Vick is culpable to some degree.]

As I mentioned in the Bobby Cutts case from the first day the media virtually declared that Mr. Cutts had to be the guilty party with out any knowledge of what was happening. In the Duke rape case from the first day the major news media proclaimed the absolute innocence of the three Duke Lacrosse players with out any more information than the rape had been alleged. In the case of OJ Simpson the media has been completely incredulous through out the entire case and in the ten years since, that he is the modern day Jack the Ripper.

But I wonder where is the major news media outrage about who killed Amadou Diallo, who killed Sean Bell, Abner Louima, and various other victims. Why is it I know more about any African American accused of a crime than any and every non-black suspect of a comparable crime? I presented a comparison of Mr. Cutts and the father who killed his wife and two young children in their car, which occurred at the same time. I’m willing to bet most people today can tell me how many kids Bobbie Cutts has, how many girlfriends he had, where he worked, and why he left his jobs but can’t name the gentleman I just referred to. I bet 99% of people can’t name the ages of his two children that were killed. Why is that?

Continued in Part 2...

Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick Part 2 - 7.19.2007.2

Continued from Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick Part 1...

It can be argued that the media is unbalanced in discussing African Americans, with or without fame and money, that they shine a spotlight at. Guilty or not bias exists. I’ve discussed it often on several cases including Jessie Davis and the Duke Rape case".

This is not that. The fact that Mr. Vick has money has nothing to do with dogfighting that occurred at one of his homes. The fact he is black has nothing to do with the accusation that he may have suggested, or helped to, electrocute a dog for fighting badly.

The government did not make Mr. Vick run, or allow to be run, dogfighting on his property. The Feds did not incite Mr. Vick to allegedly bet on the outcome of fights. The local, state, or federal law officials did not promote the drowning, electrocution or other tortures inflicted on these dogs – some of which Mr. Vick has been accused of doing. This is not a witch-hunt.

Would this have gotten the same media attention if this were a White male that was poor? No. Would the same charges exist? Yes. Would there still be an indictment based on the same accusations? Definitely. Is it still a display of a lack of humanity and compassion? In my opinion, yes.

With all the issues of racism and prejudice in this nation today we don’t need to create false issues. Emotional connection to an athlete on your favorite team, or the success of a Black man, is not reasons to excuse poor potentially criminal behavior. That same argument is the one used to excuse gangsta rappers for the language they use and the violence that often accompanies them.

I disagree with Ms. Rose, respectfully. Mr. Vick is culpable at the least. Dogfighting is reprehensible. Comparing one abuse of animals to another is, in my view, silly. To claim racism in an issue that does not involve it weakens the justifiable arguments where it does apply.

I will say it again, as a Black Puerto Rican man of nearly 40, I am familiar with racism. This isn’t that. The fact that Mr. Vick is Black, rich and famous make this a big media brouhaha, but still valid. No amount of wishing, nor accusations of prejudice change that.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Comments on Sandra Rose discussing Michael Vick - 7.19.2007.1

I can’t believe that anyone would stand up for Mr. Michael Vick, or dogfighting. While I understand that ALL are innocent before the law, and Mr. Vick has not convicted of anything; yet I cannot believe that he has no culpability in this situation, and that if the charges as made are correct he deserves to be punished harshly. I’ve already commented on this once.

Yet it seems that at least Ms. Sandra Rose will take the opposite position to mine. It seems that Ms. Rose thinks that the charges against Mr. Vick are related to his stature as an athlete, his salary, and his race. Ms. Rose even nullifies the cause of the indictment, dogfighting, stating that

“Why is dog fighting a felony in Virginia when bestiality or Zoophilia is perfectly legal in the same state?”

Let me take a stab at answering the question she has posed. Perhaps bestiality has not been rampant in Virginia, thus requiring no law. Perhaps the good people of Virginia have no need for a law of this nature as it does not occur. Perhaps if this is a major concern, a law covering this can be made. I honestly can say that I have never wondered if my state, or any, has laws against bestiality as I would hope that it is not something that is occurring. [Let me correct this a bit. I understand, but have not confirmed, that bestiality is a felony in Virginia. Enough said to that.]

That said, cruelty to animals, particularly dogfighting is against the law. The public has agreed that this is not

“… something dogs do naturally anyway”

The breed of Pit Bulls was created just for the ability to fight. They are tortured in their training, killed (and in this case viciously with the intent of inflicting pain) for lack of performance, and in general abused. That is not natural. Arranged fights and provoking trained animals to fight is not natural. Anyone who lacks the compassion to treat a pet kindly, to kill without mercy, to inflict pain for greed (there is massive betting in this genre – and Mr. Vick has been accused of betting upwards of $40,000 on various dogs) and pleasure is a dangerous person that might do the same to a human being. It’s not a far stretch.

Beyond that, this is not a Black thing. Like many African Americans I am aware of bias in the law. I have encountered situations where the law, or officers enforcing it, has been abused or ignored to my detriment. I like many have lived with the various forms of racism that occurs in this nation. This isn’t one of them.

It can be argued that the current charges against Mr. Wesley Snipes are racially motivated, on top of the fact of his income and entertainment stature. It can be argued that the media has created an unfair atmosphere about his case.

Continued in Part 2...

Michael Vick of Atlanta Falcons indicted - 7.18.2007.1

What can be said about Mr. Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons? After a 3 month investigation, Mr. Vick has been indicted on charges related to dogfighting. Mr. Vick has denied all the charges.

This is another blow to the NFL, and seems to be a part of the recent mass of athletes that have violated various laws. While I presume Mr. Vick is innocent, and unlike some in the media I actually believe that, this is a bad situation. The fact that a dogfighting ring was found at a house owned by Mr. Vick is troubling. Even if it was run by family members and he had no knowledge of what was happening, he is culpable. He needed to know what was going on in his property.

Dog fighting, and the people that run it are sick individuals. To breed and train animals to fight to the death for the sheer pleasure of those watching is barbaric. This is an event that has its roots in the old South, and the reason that the Pit Bull was created. Twisted desires creating an animal equally as perverted.

Allegations have arisen that claim Mr. Vick was actively involved in the training and death of several dogs. If that is proven in fact, then the NFL must immediately eject him from professional football. Like drugs this is a zero tolerance issue. I’m no PETA advocate, but I also disagree with animal cruelty, especially in a form like this. I can only hope that further investigation finds that Mr. Vick’s claims are correct.

I don’t care if the NFL season is affected. I don’t care if Atlanta wins or loses. This is a crime, and no preference should be given, if he is guilty. IF he is innocent, then he deserves an apology, and a public explanation as his livelihood has been detrimentally affected. The news media should remember that.

Already there is a surge occurring in the media to proactively convict Mr. Vick. Today I have seen Mrs. E.D. Hill of Fox News equate Mr. Vick to Pacman Jones and essentially claim both are thugs. (She directly called Pacman a thug, the implication to Mr. Vick was not a direct statement by understood by her commentary). That was at 11:30 this morning. What will happen by 7pm?

And the media is not limiting itself to sports athletes. Mrs. Hill also attacked the colleges that the athletes attended. Without naming which colleges (which I feel was a copout) Mrs. Hill claimed they were responsible for placing thugs into sports. I for one am unaware of a college that is actively recruiting thugs to improve their sports programs. Obviously the fact that as younger, less educated players enter sports the lack of discipline shines through their ability to play a game.

Not withstanding the attacks on colleges, or the growing lack of discipline of sports athletes, the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons cannot stand by and do nothing. Already ESPN has reported an informant that claims Mr. Vick was an active bettor at these dog fights. The reported information states he would bet upwards of $30,000 at a time.

To take life, for nothing more than the sheer please to do so, and to place a price on that life makes my stomach turn. An educated, disciplined, successful, entertainer should know better. But Mr. Vick did not finish college, his discipline on the field is questionable and off the field even moreso. I hope these charges are incorrect, but if that is not the case he needs to have a harsh penalty that is equal to what he is alleged to have done.

This is what I think, what do you think?