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DOG FIGHTING AND MIKE VICK
Yes…it’s no surprise that the Arlie Rufus is going to comment on this terrible incident. After all, if not for the grace of God and some good hearts, Arlie Rufus would not be here to bring attention to those without a voice.

Arlie Rufus is not here to rip Mike Vick apart before his day in court. Despite the dubious way this country’s justice department has been managed for the past few years, Arlie Rufus believes in the system and that all are innocent until proven guilty. Arlie Rufus is here to rip the freaks and psychopaths who revel in the barbaric, so-called “sport” of dog fighting. The events described in the indictment are terrible, as is what Arlie Rufus has discovered about dog fighting – that this “entertainment” is actually about sick, twisted, selfish pleasure, petty bets and chump change “prize” money. In a country where we have an abundance of legal and non-sadistic ways to entertain ourselves, there are some who actually believe the fighting to the death of two terrorized dogs is a premiere form of entertainment. Have these Godless people completely lost touch with their humanity? Have they returned to barbarian days of old when fighting to the death was put in coliseums? Some took a cheap shot at Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia for his speech on the senate floor when he labeled dog fighting barbaric. Those who poked fun at Senator Byrd should also be ashamed of themselves. His term barbaric was on the money! Whoever committed the crimes in Virginia and those engaged in dog fighting are sadistic barbarians who should be strung up in the town square.

Let Arlie Rufus make it clear – football, the Falcons and Vick are a favorite of this Atlanta resident. Sundays (and now Monday nights from time to time thanks to the excitement of Mike) are tremendously exciting thanks to seeing Mike and the birds on the field. Arlie Rufus enjoys kicking back on the couch and pulling the Falcons on to victory. But there is now a cloud – a cloud that sickens so many. Arlie Rufus knows with no uncertainty -- all dogs want and need are love and affection – and to be a part of a pack. And in return, these four-legged friends will give the same back. So Arlie Rufus is asking all of you who read this – and I hope that includes Mike Vick – to take this opportunity to bring attention to our four-legged friends. Support your local Humane Society (http://www.hsus.org/) and the no-kill animal shelters in your community. When you are out shopping near a local pet store or grocery store and you see those wonderful volunteers trying to find a home for the beautiful pets on display – considering adopting one. And if you cannot adopt, donate your time or money to help a homeless pet find a home. We (and this includes you Mike Vick and the Falcons) have a rare opportunity to make great strides in the adoption of pets across this country. This issue gives us light to tell the story about the neglected, abandoned and yes, unfortunately, tortured pets. Let’s not waste this opportunity. Instead of protesting at the Falcons and NFL headquarters, use the time to volunteer at an animal shelter. Instead of spending money to buy poster board and markers to make a sign, donate the dollars to a local humane society or animal shelter (email me if you want the names of shelters in your area…it would be my pleasure to assist arlierufus@yahoo.com). And this plea does not go out to just the protestors of Mike Vick, but to his supporters as well. If you have the time and money to hold a sign for hours in front of a headquarters, you have the time and money to help a pet get care and find a home – think about it!

We have seen our country go through so much pain in recent years. Some pain that could have been avoided (Iraq) and some that we hope taught us all about humanity (Katrina and the Gulf Coast). We are certain to face more challenges, and yes pain, in the years to come. But let us not inflict upon defenseless animals such a tragic fate. Let us instead show compassion to pets of all kinds and allow them to give all of us the love that fills their hearts. Do not let this opportunity pass.

Arlie Rufus
www.myspace.com/arlierufus

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I would like to add, because the President lied to us, has no bearing on dog fights. Please people wake up this charge is not because vick is black. it is because he is inhumane. Sick sick minds watch, and bet on this horriffic cruelty, does he not make enough money on his game. stop fighting dogs. and stop breeding pitt bulls.

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There is some serious misinformation on this post I feel the need to correct. For starters, I am a 37 year old African American who grew up in the south, and was taught to see racism under every stone. However, my education and resulting wealth has allowed me to enter the "white world" and I can truly say that racism is not nearly as pervasive as I once thought it was when I was young, uneducated and poor. For those who think this is merely about race, please keep in mind the following:

1. This This is not just about Michael Vick. Under the new federal Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, the USDA is investigating or prosecuting multiple dogfighting rings in several states and involving dozens or perhaps hundreds of individuals – most of which are white. If Vick is a relatively heavy hitter in the “industry” as alleged it makes sense that he would be caught up in this. Since the rest of the cases involve people never heard of, the media only focuses on Vick, and thus people assume it is just about Vick which is incorrect.

2. Dogfighting is not a black thing. Unlike rock & roll, jazz & other things were developed by our people and then accepted by a broader white public, poor white trash have been engaged in dogfighting for hundreds of years. Thus for those who suggest that the feds are more actively pursuing a "sport" (dogfighting) because it is part of black culture should keep this fact in mind.

3. Keep in mind the white perspective on dogs affects their perception of Vick. Many (but certainly not all) of us see dogs as property chained up in back or used to merely protect the house, whereas white america see their dogs as family members. As such, white America sees pointless curelty to animals, especially to "mans best friend" as particularly heinous, and equate anyone who may do this as nearly tatamount to a child abuser. Thus for those who do not believe that they would react this way to Peyton Manning or another white player should recognize that alot of the sentiment against Vick may be driven purely by emotion and hatred of anyone who would do these sorts of things.

4. The arguments about putting people before dogs are beside the point. The amount of hipocracy and inconsistency in popular American sentiment goes way beyond this to arguments about hunting, capital punishment, etc. All of this cannot be defended, but like it or not, rightly or wrongly, the fact of the matter is that when it comes to dogs, people see them differently. Yes, there is a double standard, but please recognize it is what it is.

5. Those who think dogfighting is no big deal may not fully apprehend how sadistic this "sport" truly is. Until two weeks ago, I too could have cared less about two dogs tearing each other up. However as I did some research into it, I found a sadistic world not only involving "pry bars" and "rape stands", but also of the horrifying concept of "bait dogs". I found out these bastards will steal peoples pets, tape their mouths shut so they cannot injure their prized pit bull, and then throw them in the ring as bait to get torn apart. I promise you, I am no bleading heart type at all - however, after looking into this, the images I have seen of the sheer inhumanity to these poor animals will forever haunt me.

My point here is we all need to have some perspective about the charges and how people feel about them before we start suggesting this is driven by race. As an attorney I truly believe Vick deserves the benefit of the doubt until the facts come out and would be happy to defend his constitutional rights if necessary. But it is the emotional part of me that recognizes that if he is indeed guilty of this, he should pay and pay dearly.

Please also note, as an attorney I truly believe Vick deserves the benefit of the doubt until the facts come out. But it is the emotional part of me that thinks he is guilty as sin and should pay for what he did.

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Vick you will make it through this, but we have to start taking responability for our actions, some time we may need to change the crowd we hang with. You know everybody is always waiting for you to mess up, a person in your position. . . the jury is already out and back in and have you guilty.I'm on your side one way or the other. Atlanta will be lost without you.All of you protester just need to sit it down somewhere. . you probably got a dead body in the back yard some where!!

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America once again shows that it is a nation of double-standards.

I see many hunting shows on television of where these guys are in the woods shooting deer or other game for sport. Why aren't White folk as vehement about that? Is that not cruel to animals.

I do not condone what Michael Vick has done, I have a problem with White America dictating and defining what is right and wrong in a disproportionate manner.

One cannot say it is OK to kill "Bambi" or other game for sport and sanctioning dog fighting is not OK. Both are wrong.

Historically, White folks have had a free reign of the planet and do whatever they please. Stop with the double standards. Either all of it is OK or none of it.

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Vick should suffer at every level. Emotionally, financially and professionally. He should lose everything. There is no excuse. A role model? I am horrified. HE GOT CAUGHT!! There should be no amount of money to get him off. Then he played the blame game. How stupid does he think we are? How stupid was he to risk everything he worked for? Didn't he make enough money? I feel for his mother the shame and hurt she must feel. What an embarrassment to his race his family his team and his fans. I am so glad my favorite number is not 7. Anyone who does this should be jailed. All torture and abuse needs to be punished to the fullest the law allows to end it. If there is no punishment there is no need to stop!!!!!!

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First, "Innocent until proven guilty" refers to the jury in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion. Second, we black people need to start thinking more critically and objectively. We know that much is based solely on race; conversely, much isn't. Sometimes the issue is class. Sometimes the issue is social status. Sometimes the issue is just I-don't-fuckin-like-you. Why do we stand behind low-lifes just because they're black? Why is this case based on racism? Why can't we distinguish between race and other concepts such as crime, or class? Why do we stand for animal abuse and murder because of race? Third, they weren't "just dogs." They were lives, and their lives ended in murder at the hands of humans. Fourth, so what that his cohorts "snitched." They were trying to save their own asses and, inadvertently, they did the right thing, whether they meant to or not. Fifth, even if Vick didn't have direct hands in murder, contrary to the affadavits of his buddies, he did, indirectly, by financing the venture. Sixth, he didn't know what was going on? Come on. A kennel named Bad Newz? What would you think went on there -- good news? Seventh, It's possible to love animals and people at the same time -- it's not an either/or situation. Eighth, it's possible to advocate for multiple issues at the same time as well: Iraq War, poverty in the US, an inferior educational system, humane treatment of animals. Last, for those of us who might be dissatisfied with whatever his sentence will be, just remember that Cosmic Justice / payback / what goes around comes around -- whatever you call it -- is a bitch (how fitting). That's my two cents.

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kill vick,just like he killed the dog's

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It's about time we as black folk clean out the bad apples like Michael Vick. Let 'em rot.... if we wanna be part of this family we call America, then we gotta take responsibility for our actions. Black, white, red, green - what Vick did was outrageous. Time to have our kids look to real role models instead of these phonies.

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