As I read through these 2 stories I can't help but feel confused.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick was convicted of participating in a dog fighting ring. He was vilified in the media and the public and was terminated from the Atlanta franchise and banned from the NFL. He served 23 months in prison and is now on house arrest before planning to work at a construction job and begging the NFL to allow him to play again.
Contrast
Cleveland Brown's Donte Stallworth is convicted of killing a pedestrian while driving drunk. His sentence? 30 days in prison and his driver's license has been revoked for several years. He will have to be driven to and from work. He will be out of prison in time to start training camp with the team in late July. The NFL may still suspend him for a few games. He did also pay an undisclosed amount of money to the victim's family.
Is it just me or if something severely skewed here. What are we saying about the value of a human life?
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Hi Stacy-Ann, your contrast is startling. I'm not sure what it has to do with real estate, but okay . . . I'll comment.
This seems to be troubling to you, since you blogged about it. And after reading your short, nicely written blog, I too, am troubled.
This might be something to send to MADD? I don't know why there is such contrasts in life. And it's not just between football players, but with all things . . . there's always a contrast. Very good to contemplate, and wonder.
The law varies from state to state, and I think what Vick was convicted of doing was a Federal crime and that could be why some of the sentencing seems to be a little out of whack.
There was no mandatory rehab, or alcohol diversion programs for Stallworth?
I been waiting for CNN to show the report on this story; it sounds very disturbing specially knowing that someone lost their live in this case. Maybe there's more to it, we'll see.
WOW- Good catch! What the heck! Lose of human life-- where is the outrage?
Good questions. Who knows why the contrast. I have no problem with Vick's sentence but the lack of a sentence makes absolutely no sense.
Stacey, DUI deaths are an epidemic--thousands of innocent victims die each year--yet they get little attention. I'm for mandatory jail time for DUI arrests--first offense, and serious prison time for the second. I think one of the reasons lawmakers don't demand tougher sentences, is that they are guilty too! I have NO sympathy for drunk drivers and no interest in giving light sentences.
I was surpised with Stallworth's sentencing as well.
I hate seeing people go to prison, but 30 days seemed pretty light...
Ken
Hi Stacey, Vick is a sick person and lied about it to dsave his AXX ! The DUI sentance is an outrage but shows the publics' tolerance for pro athletes !
Stacey I don't agree with Stallworth sentencing at all. 30 days is too little-Are you kidding me? As far as Michael Vick,I really can't speak on that right now. Great post.
Stacey-Ann...
Some things in life just defy explanation!
Carla - I don't remember reading about any rehab but it could have been inciuded
Diego - he paid an undisclosed sum of money to the family, money talks I guess
Debra - there seems to be no outrage
Kim - I don't know how I feel about Vick's sentence but I do know that 30 days for manslaughter is ridiculous
John - I think the fact that it happens so regularly is precisely why it got no attention whereas Vick's crime was very novel and therefore shocking.
Ken - I'm not a big fan of jail either, but there does need to be some consistency in the message we send to criminals
Bill - Not so much the public in this case because it was a plea deal and the majority of people don't even know what's going on
Lanre - I would be interested to hear your opinion on Vick one day
Richard - well said!
I saw the story with Stallworth and I too was blown away with the sentencing.
Stacey-Ann, It makes no sense. and people who are not famous or pro athletes often get treated much worse than either of these two, for a lot less.
I can't agree with you more, there is something very wrong with that. That person should be in jail for a very long time and 30 days is way not long enough for killing someone.
Stacey this is disturbing. I cannot believe that a drunk driver who hits and kills someone could possible only get 30 days and as for heading back to training camp NO WAY should he be allowed. As for Vick. I think he got the reaction he got because of his celebrity. anyone else would have been sentanced done time and returned to his life. (As horrible as dog fighting is it is not comparable to a human life being taken.)
William - I am still blown away.
Mary - This culture puts way too much emphasis on celebrity - its a sham.
George - it suggests that we value another's life very little
Paddy - I agree with you Paddy, I think Vick was made an example of.
Nope, you are dead on that this is screwed up! It is very wrong that an animals life is more valued than a humans.
Todd - If this had been my family member I would have been outraged.