National (Dog) Fighting League

Well, that's certainly the headline the NFL would be wise to avoid after this story. Now that accused animal-abuser Michael Vick has plead guilty, maybe he will be quickly banned and his many supporters shamed. From an AP article yesterday:

RICHMOND, Va. – Michael Vick agreed Monday to plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, a deal that leaves the Atlanta Falcons quarterback facing up to 18 months in prison and puts his NFL career in jeopardy…That would be a higher penalty than is usually recommended for first-time convicts, and reflects an attempt by the government to show that animal abusers will receive more than a slap on the wrist for their crimes, the official said.

You can read my full commentary here. Needless to say, I take a very dim view of animal cruelty and the people who commit it. And beyond that, it bothers me how we (in the US, at least) have a conniption over drug use or performance-enhancing chemicals, totally out of proportion, while those who abuse animals or family members often face little or minimal punishment…