Mob Justice?

Here in the newsroom we refer to the Michael Vick story as a 'big talker." As in a story that most everyone is talking about. And most of what we're hearing are angry people calling for everything from major prison time for Vick, to the end of his NFL career.
So far, few have been willing to take any part of Vick's side in this sordid tale , in part because we love dogs, but also because I think we lack courage. It takes some heart to stand in the face of the mob and say, "Not fair!" and to do it for a guy who is charged with a despicable crime. That's why I'm publishing most of this email from Dianna in Alexandria.

I am an animal owner and do not believe in cruelty to any of God's creatures. I am, however, a bit disenchanted over the way Michael Vick is being demonized.
....I have yet to hear any of our lawmakers tremble with emotion over the senseless killings and deaths of children and teens on urban streets in America everyday. Mr. Vick is a newsworthy story at the moment for America. Mr. Vick fits the profile of those who should be cast into the fiery furnace, convicted without due-process, forced to give up life and career, tried and convicted continuously in the court of public opinion long after the verdict has been rendered.
America has a crowded agenda of the highest priority - the welfare, safety and education of our children. Mr. Vick is way down on that list and we as Americans and the judicial system need to understand that. Mr. Vick needs to be chastised perhaps, if the charges are found to be actionable, but he does not need nor deserve to go to jail or lose his career. Let us rewind the tapes back to the Civil Rights Movement when the dogs were unleashed on human beings. Where were the placards then? Where were the concerned citizens of America?
...Mr. Vick's actions do not warrant a prison sentence or the ruining of his career. There are criminals walking the streets of America who need to be arrested and incarcerated. America is ruthless and unforgiving for the wrong things. America sees forgiveness in shades of color. Mr. Vick is a young man who was a few days ago, a hero, because he was entertaining "America" and filling the pockets of corporate sponsors. Now this same young man has been abandoned by all who professed to love him. He may have had a lapse in judgment, for allegedly being involved in the alleged infraction, but it does not warrant his being imprisoned or forfeiting his career.
If the smell of blood is so poignant in the nostrils of America, then perhaps a remedy more suited to the alleged crime would be to have Mr. Vick donate monies to the prevention of cruelty to animals. Then perhaps, the recipients of those monies could donate some of it to the prevention of cruelty to children. This nation will serve no one by sending this young man to prison. He is not a criminal. He is a young man who has perhaps made a mistake. America needs to learn how to teach, embrace and forgive for its history of punishing certain young men and forgiving others is deeply rooted in its misplaced priorities.

Dianna from Alexandria

Thanks, Dianna, for trying to inject a note of reason and sensibility into all of this. Nobody condones what Vick allegedly did-and I think jail time could be just what the doctor ordered if he is convicted. But lets be real: Vick is not a murderer, nor did he hurt any other human being. This crime calls for serious punishment but not without some perspective and the possibility of mercy as well.