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Michael Vick decided to get a head start on prison life by surrendering to U.S. Marshals on Monday, three weeks before he was to be sentenced for a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. Vick, who pleaded guilty in August after three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities, decided to begin serving his sentence well before Judge Henry Hudson decides how long that sentence will actually be on December 10.
I understand the "rip off the Band-Aid fast" approach to life; It's going to hurt, but the sooner you start something dreadful, the sooner you can get it over with and move on with your life.
Yet I'm also a fan of delaying the horrible inevitable for as long as possible.
Prison is prison. It isn't a spa treatment at a five-star hotel.
It's not like foregoing your senior year of college and declaring early for the NFL draft. You're not getting a head start on a life infused with multi-million dollar contracts and endorsements, scantily clad women, VIP status, parties with the stars and lines like "Alfred, I think I'll drive the Lamborghini today."
Despite what Elvis led us to believe, jail ... does not rock.
No, starting prison early means one gets a head start on orange jumpsuits and bunking with guys named Bubba and "Finger-Licking Sal."
And those communal showers ... not so hot.
Why did Vick voluntarily sign up for the prison life, albeit an inevitable, early?
The general theory is starting prison early is a way for Vick to show the judge he's owning up to his mistakes and that he genuinely feels remorse and therefore may be rewarded with a lighter prison sentence.
Yet, according to Ronald Bacigal, a University of Richmond law professor specializing in criminal law and criminal procedure, there's not a real direct benefit to the move. "I don't think there's any benefit except getting (the sentence) started," Bacigal said. "I would think he's purely thinking about timing as far as when he can get back to his football."
What's most shocking about Vick's move is that he's voluntarily heading to jail a few days before Thanksgiving. A holiday which could have been his last time to be surrounded by family, friends, and food that doesn't taste like cardboard for a long time.
Then again, had Michael Vick stuck around for Thanksgiving this year, when his family gathered around the table, bowed heads to reflect on the gifts they've been blessed with ... what would Michael Vick have said?
Hmmmm:
"Dear Lord, I'm thankful to be an NFL quarterback, playing the sport I've loved since childhood ... Oh. Wait. I'm suspended from the NFL ... indefinitely ... Well, I'm thankful for my $130 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons ... Although I am suspended ... indefinitely ... without pay ... and I might have to repay the Falcons nearly $20 million in signing bonuses ... and I'm being sued for more than $4 million by banks claiming I defaulted on loans ... Nonetheless, I'm thankful for my ride-or-die friends, who have my back no matter what ... like the ones who turned on me in court ... Damn. This turkey's getting cold ... well, I'm thankful for the fact my ball handling skills will ensure I don't fumble the soap in prison. Amen. Let's eat."
Comments: (160)
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By: Janet on 11/27/2007 12:09AM
Why don't you white hillbilly idiots go wash and dry your sheets for your next klan meeting! Yall just can't stay away can you? You came to Africa messing with us, you all up in black voices blog messing with us. We could care less about you Klansmen. A couple of yall have chased my light skinned behind enough. Stay away will you? Don't you have some crosses to burn somewhere?
YEE HAAWWW! jerk offs
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By: Sam Commando on 11/27/2007 7:54AM
VICK ITS BYE,BYE FOR YOU BRUTHA MAN,YOU EARNED THIS ONE. LET ME SEE,HOW ABOUT WE GET TO TORTURE YOU IN PRISON. AFTER, YOU CAN TELL US WHAT YOU LIKED ABOUT IT. SOUND FAIR? I THINK SO AND SO DOES AMERICA,EVERTONE OF US! G-NITE VICK BRUTHA :) BESIDES YOU DO SMELL.
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By: Steve Whitexmas on 11/27/2007 8:04AM
I agree with COMMANDO ! sell VICK to the PIGS !!! Put it in VICKS HOLE AND TURN ON THE POWER.... !! HaHa! hes a worthless scrap of human waste ANYWAYS,so is OJ, KBryant, Rodman, Bonds, Obama, and it goes on for miles....$#@!! Beg for civil rights then you "f" it all up??? What the Hell? figure that out..$#@!
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By: Elly Pickle on 11/27/2007 8:03AM
Yea,Whitexmas is right..kudos :)
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By: Pic Dinnysmockup on 11/27/2007 8:07AM
Hey guys cool it. Vick must have needed the $$$ if he was betting on a dog.....ya think maybe? $130.000.000 MILLION isnt enough---- LoL Well now at least he can make 25 cents a day----hehehehehe :)
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By: travis on 11/27/2007 9:26AM
the nfl surported andy reed and his drug using ass kids.which he was giving them money.now they treating vick like he aint shit.these the same white people that say hunting is a sport.give me a break. va
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By: Hypocrite on 11/27/2007 4:48PM
God is in control. Powers that be can only do what God allows them to. Vick is in GOD's hands. I will not condemn him, rather I will forgive him. The bible say we should forgive. It also goes further and say we must forgive if we are to be forgiven. We will be judged in the same manner that we judge others. I pray for those who are condeming Vick. Regardless of what happens, Vick will move on. He has asked for forgiveness. The matter is in GOD's hands. I must admit I am concerned about those who place the life of a dog above the life of a human. I am concerned about those who would seek to destroy a human life and not forgive that individual. Vick's persecutors need our prayers.
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By: PETER JEANLOUIS on 11/27/2007 8:58PM
FUNNY THAT IN THIS COUNTRY A MAN CAN BE GIVEN JAIL TIME FOR KILLING DOGS. BUT FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS IN THIS COUNTRY ITS BEEN OK FOR DOCTORS TO KILL BABIES (HUMAN) EVERY DAY.
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By: jackie on 11/27/2007 11:18PM
i beleive he is sorry for what he did and is ready to start his prison term. he could of stayed out with his family but he choose to go to jail early that says a lot to me. i pray he'll get through this and learn from his mistakes. i still beleive in him he's a champ in my eyes and every one elses.
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By: Pamela Woods on 12/10/2007 1:02PM
I know all it is is just what the bible says about people is that they are fickle. They yelled praises to Jesus one day and almost in the same breath screamed out crucify him! People obviously have not changed!! Come on people and learn while you can in this lifetime to have a forgiving heart as our Creator God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has. We all have sinned so do not cast the 1st stone. We all have made mistakes and some of our's have been more horrible than others. Regardless, we all have done wrong and we are supposed to learn from our mistakes no matter how small or large they are. That is how we grow into full maturity. Age does not make you a mature adult. Experiences through trial and error does!!
Pamela Woods
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