Michael Vick: Is There Room for Forgiveness? Mark Buehrle Says No

Will there ever be forgiveness?  We can all agree, I hope, that what Michael Vick did during those dog fighting days in the early 2000’s was horrific.  Terrible.  Disgusting.  Even Vick looks back at what he did and admits that it’s unbelievable that people can do that to animals. 

But in our culture, when a person commits an act like this, we sentence them to an appropriate punishment.  Mike served this punishment and then some.  In order to be forgiven, we look for people who have not only served the appropriate time, but also take it upon themselves to help make the community a better place. 

Often times, this community benefit is realized by helping people avoid committing the act the offender had committed.  Mike has done this.  He’s worked with local Humane Societies and has given speech after speech telling youth the mistakes he made and the price he’s paid. 

So here we are. Mike’s served his time.  He’s given back to his community.  He’s done everything that we as a society look for.  He committed a terrible act and he’s redeeming himself.  Let’s face it, we generally have no expectation that someone coming out of prison will do anything but re-offend.  We expect them to remain the person they were before they went in.  But what happens when they don’t?  What happens when they do all of the things we wish they would do?

If you’re Vick, we hope bad things happen to you.  

"He had a great year and a great comeback, but there were times where we watched the game and I know it's bad to say, but there were times where we hope he gets hurt," MLB pitcher Mark Buehrle said. "Everything you've done to these dogs, something bad needs to happen to these guys."

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances. But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale," says Tucker Carlson, standing in for commentator Sean Hannity.

Wait.  Didn’t we establish that we punish people with the hope that they rehabilitate and become a better person?  But when they do, we call for the execution?  We hope they get hurt?  

Clearly, to Carlson and Buehrle, there is no room for forgiveness.  No tolerance for a second chance.  Yes, what Mike did was beyond understanding, beyond terrible.  But doesn’t Mike deserve a chance to make amends?  Will there ever be a place for forgiveness for the guy who did exactly what we as a society demand?