Fight Club or Hunt Club?
Good Afternoon Sirs & Madams!
I wouldn't consider myself a "sportsman." I don't own a hound, fishing pole, horse, firearm, or a pickup with a NASCAR bumper sticker for that matter. However, I believe I have just read the dumbest thing that I can honestly say I've read in quite a long time; and shit, I work in public sector...
Vick-torious?
As most of you know, the Atlanta Falcon's quarterback/runningback, Michael Vick, has found himself in a bit of a tussle lately. For those who aren't in the know, or just prefer to live life fully indulged in the finer pleasures of American Idol, Michael Vick is being brought up on federal charges of "conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture..."
In a nutshell: Mikey has a house in Virginia where a couple of his ghetto cronies set up a pit bull fighting club. Bets were made, dogs fought, and dogs were destroyed by electrocution, strangulation, drowning, gun shot, as well as by the Wake of Juda's Cradle... (well, fortunately not the latter; but look it up if you want a good giggle...) Since Mikey owned the house and allegedly took part in some of the events that unfolded, he's being brought up on charges that may land him in prison for upwards of 18 - 36 months and most likely kiss his $37.5 million dollar a year football career goodbye. Latest news is that Vick plans to plead guilty; well, because he is.
"Buffy, prepare the hounds!"
An article printed today indicated that some dipshit New York Knicks guard by the name of Stephon Marbury defended Mikey comparing dog fighting to hunting. And I quoth:
Words have not be so carefully crafted and joined since Shakespeare; by the way, Steve-O pulls in $13.5 million a year; one would think that a free education would come with some of that salary. This brings up a good question: What exactly is the difference between hunting and dog fighting? and what exactly constitutes a sport?
We've already discussed the stupidity of calling hunting a sport in a past Chronicle, however, "cock/dog fighting" never was mentioned as being in the same league.
Let's take a quick look at the two types of "sport" in question:
Cocks & Dogs!
While in the Philippines, keeping it real with my peoples, I was able to witness a cock fight first person. It was interesting. The rooster handlers attach razor blade talons to the legs of the roosters, have them peck at each other, and then throw them into the ring where the roosters will peck, scratch, and flap their wings at each other until one of them either doesn't fight anymore or drops dead. Dog fighting is where you raise dogs strictly for the purpose of destroying each other. After a dog loses or is no longer able to fight competitively, it's exterminated.
I see elements of competition & conditioning, which are traditionally associated with sport; however, there are two distinguishing differences: 1) the athletes are not human and 2) the athletes are not willing participants, rather are forced to fight for their lives.
The Hunt for Bambi in November!
While I have family members who hunt animals of varying species, (may I note that they are not true "blood" related...) I would not consider anyone who hunts, an "athlete." There is no real competition in hunting/fishing other than seeing who can bag the biggest or most impressive rack. We find similar pursuits by men in across the USA; but I digress.
Questions for those who have answers, ideas, or thoughts...
Is Stephen Marbury just a fucking moron, or does he truly have a point? The animals that are hunted are usually unaware of their participation in their "sport", just as the cocks and dogs in their competition for life. However, it's only fair to say that most hunters go for the quick kill and do not torture their prey as many cock/dog fighter handlers do. So where's the line?
What do you think constitutes a sport? Were the gladiators who were forced to fight for their lives against animals and each other, athletes?
What are your thoughts about Michael Vick being "e-Vickted" from football? It just goes to show that money does not buy common sense or intelligence. However, I think he was one of the most fascinating quarterbacks in the league; a sick, thug, asshole, but the kid could run and throw like the Dickens!
Hit us with yo' mad wisdom mon!
All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as criticizing the President on his exit strategy!
I wouldn't consider myself a "sportsman." I don't own a hound, fishing pole, horse, firearm, or a pickup with a NASCAR bumper sticker for that matter. However, I believe I have just read the dumbest thing that I can honestly say I've read in quite a long time; and shit, I work in public sector...
Vick-torious?
As most of you know, the Atlanta Falcon's quarterback/runningback, Michael Vick, has found himself in a bit of a tussle lately. For those who aren't in the know, or just prefer to live life fully indulged in the finer pleasures of American Idol, Michael Vick is being brought up on federal charges of "conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture..."
In a nutshell: Mikey has a house in Virginia where a couple of his ghetto cronies set up a pit bull fighting club. Bets were made, dogs fought, and dogs were destroyed by electrocution, strangulation, drowning, gun shot, as well as by the Wake of Juda's Cradle... (well, fortunately not the latter; but look it up if you want a good giggle...) Since Mikey owned the house and allegedly took part in some of the events that unfolded, he's being brought up on charges that may land him in prison for upwards of 18 - 36 months and most likely kiss his $37.5 million dollar a year football career goodbye. Latest news is that Vick plans to plead guilty; well, because he is.
"Buffy, prepare the hounds!"
An article printed today indicated that some dipshit New York Knicks guard by the name of Stephon Marbury defended Mikey comparing dog fighting to hunting. And I quoth:
"I think, you know, we don't say anything about people who shoot deer or shoot other animals. You know, from what I hear, dog fighting is a sport. It's just behind closed doors."
Words have not be so carefully crafted and joined since Shakespeare; by the way, Steve-O pulls in $13.5 million a year; one would think that a free education would come with some of that salary. This brings up a good question: What exactly is the difference between hunting and dog fighting? and what exactly constitutes a sport?
We've already discussed the stupidity of calling hunting a sport in a past Chronicle, however, "cock/dog fighting" never was mentioned as being in the same league.
Let's take a quick look at the two types of "sport" in question:
Cocks & Dogs!
While in the Philippines, keeping it real with my peoples, I was able to witness a cock fight first person. It was interesting. The rooster handlers attach razor blade talons to the legs of the roosters, have them peck at each other, and then throw them into the ring where the roosters will peck, scratch, and flap their wings at each other until one of them either doesn't fight anymore or drops dead. Dog fighting is where you raise dogs strictly for the purpose of destroying each other. After a dog loses or is no longer able to fight competitively, it's exterminated.
I see elements of competition & conditioning, which are traditionally associated with sport; however, there are two distinguishing differences: 1) the athletes are not human and 2) the athletes are not willing participants, rather are forced to fight for their lives.
The Hunt for Bambi in November!
While I have family members who hunt animals of varying species, (may I note that they are not true "blood" related...) I would not consider anyone who hunts, an "athlete." There is no real competition in hunting/fishing other than seeing who can bag the biggest or most impressive rack. We find similar pursuits by men in across the USA; but I digress.
Questions for those who have answers, ideas, or thoughts...
Is Stephen Marbury just a fucking moron, or does he truly have a point? The animals that are hunted are usually unaware of their participation in their "sport", just as the cocks and dogs in their competition for life. However, it's only fair to say that most hunters go for the quick kill and do not torture their prey as many cock/dog fighter handlers do. So where's the line?
What do you think constitutes a sport? Were the gladiators who were forced to fight for their lives against animals and each other, athletes?
What are your thoughts about Michael Vick being "e-Vickted" from football? It just goes to show that money does not buy common sense or intelligence. However, I think he was one of the most fascinating quarterbacks in the league; a sick, thug, asshole, but the kid could run and throw like the Dickens!
Hit us with yo' mad wisdom mon!
All right, click the "comments" link below to read the responses of others, as well as share your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... it's as easy as criticizing the President on his exit strategy!
posted by Don the "Head Chimp" at
2:13 PM
3 Comments:
1. Steven Marbury is wrong. While I do not hunt either, there is a difference. In deer hunting and other sport hunting, the hunters look for a clean kill. The animals are not tortured, at least not on purpose. The dogs in this case were tortured. Also, electrocution and other methods are what I would consider torture.
2. Sporting depends on the times. I don't consider bowling a sport. Some do. I really think it's a game. To put a loose definition on it, I am going to say any "event" in which you may get drunk and still do this event is not a sport. George Carlin says a sport is when it involves a ball of some kind. I disagree, due to cue ball in pool and ping pong and golf.
Physical exertion to a level that most people can't get to.
3. It was a moral call. People love animals. I love animals. People were going to start hating the guy for it. Ticket sales, sports equipment with his name, etc. would take a turn for the worst. The reason: Money. It was a better strategy to let him go.
By
Anonymous, at 5:14 PM
You forgot to mention the NAACP's stance on the issue. As a white man, I understand it is a dangerous move to question this powerful organization for fear of being labeled a bigot, but their statements on the matter are completely irrational. Basically, they affirm that Vick should be allowed to play again and we should move towards forgiveness. I am a forgiving person and realize that Vick probably will wear a football uniform again. He will donate some ridiculous amount of cash to the SPCA or PETA and make some apologies, then will light up a defense for his usual two touchdowns and three interceptions. My issue with the NAACP is that Vick hasn't started apologizing at all. Along with his new buddy, Marbury, Vick is playing the "what did I do wrong?" game. What Vick did was cruel. He killed animals that underperformed. If he truly believed that dogfighting was, in fact, just like any other sport, wouldn't he just retire the animals from fighting and let them live? Maybe the true answer is to hold these neanderthals to the same standards they set for their animals. Don't make the playoffs, die. Throw interceptions, die. Then, maybe the backers of this "sport" will think twice.
By
Unknown, at 6:22 PM
Your writing is getting better and more interesting.
By
Anonymous, at 7:04 PM
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