‘Let He who is without sin, cast the first stone

Hey Global Grinders…

First, I want to thank you for reading my blog. Whether we agree or disagree, this is a forum for us to discuss events that are happening in our world currently. The topic of my blog is something that I struggled with because it is such a touchy subject.  But I write from the perspective of looking at a situation from all possible angles. There are very few issues that are clear cut in black and white, there are many shades of gray.  This blog is meant to be read with a completely open heart and an open mind. 

Contrite: look up the definition of that word and currently it will probably feature a picture of Michael Vick. We don’t live in a society where the law follows the adage ‘An Eye for an Eye’ anymore… We’ve developed a system of laws where, depending upon a myriad of factors, fancy footwork from lawyers and legal loopholes, you can either find Johnny Law’s foot up your ass or off scott free or in between; spending an insignificant amount of time for a crime society deems to be unthinkable and heinous.

Michael Vick found himself in a conundrum by being in all three positions: the 2001 #1 draft pick, one of the most anticipated careers and the highest paid QB (black or otherwise) in NFL history. He was exhilarating to watch on the field, even as a kid playing with the VA ‘Hokies’ and was revered by anyone who watched the sport as more than just a gifted athlete; he defined the position in which he played (a debatable but justifiable argument)
And then, with the revelation he owned and operated a dog fighting operation his house of cards came crashing down. It takes a long time to build that house of cards and as impressive as his was, this one false move and it was obliterated. Indefinite NFL suspension, loss of lucrative endorsements, impending bankruptcy, being sold out by his ‘homies’, ostracism from his community, the NFL organization and inundated with death threats … Charged, tried, convicted in both criminal court and the court of moral judgment, Vick was to face his darkest hours completely alone. And he did.

Since his release, back under the microscope of public scrutiny, he slowly tries to rebuild, hoping against hope to be given the chance to play the sport he loved, the sport that took him away from the undesirable environment from which he grew, the sport he began to take for granted til it was taken away. That’s one hell of a way to rediscover your priorities. ‘Let He who is without sin cast the first stone…’ Not a single solitary one of us can sit there and not offer this individual the chance to repent, regroup and make an offering to the betterment of his community and to society at large. The greatest acts of attrition are usually borne from the greatest acts of tragedy. And if you feel that its FORCED ATTRITION who cares? Have you always done everything with the purest of intent?

I, for one, am a die hard animal lover who bawls every time a commercial about animal cruelty comes across my tv screen; but I also understand that our experiences of personal growth and maturity sometimes comes from getting a few kicks to the teeth. I can’t even think about what those animals went through. It IS horrible; it IS perverse. But Vick is not even close to the first, last and only person to act carelessly towards our furry friends. Forgiveness lies in our hearts, or at least it should. For all of you demanding Vick’s head on a platter, if it was your brother, nephew, son or cousin who did this, you’d probably be the first one saying ‘Its not in his character to be what he’s being accused of! He’s really a good person!’ Or would you abandon them?

I will admit there is occasionally the case of forgiveness for the sake of convenience; when someone, most notably a celebrity stands accused of a crime you deem to be horrible but excuse them of it because their gift is in the form of an art you can appreciate… This is an assumptio