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I concur wholeheartedly. The fact that he's black and a "thug" only add's fuel to the fire.

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It should be considered offensive to woman that if he were a rapist, his punishment would probably be less severe. The insensitivity in the statement is due to its factual nature, and it hits a chord. Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth.

Unfortunately, in the baby-boomer-can't-hurt-anyone's-feelings world we like in today, he'll lose his job.

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Nike didn't drop Kobe (rape charges), but they dropped Vick (dog fighting).

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He also would have been much, much better off having his posse ruthlessly beat and stab to death two men on the streets of Atlanta, then aiding the getaway and coverup of the evidence. Or maybe killing someone while driving drunk, then a little while later getting caught driving drunk again.

As for killing his pregnant girlfriend, fleeing, and being found hiding in the trunk of his car at a sleazy motel in Tennessee - it's probably a toss-up.

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There's no need for the reporter to apologize. Perhaps he should've said, "it is better to be an alleged rapist than an alleged dogfighter," but can anyone honestly dispute the reporter's argument?

How else to explain the Kobe and Vick situations?

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maybe if he said it like you did it would be fine. but, give a writer a microphone...it sounded like he was advocating rape.

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I'm sorry bj, but that's apart of the problem. Many American's can't think for themselves so they digest hook, line, and sinker what the media tell's them. It's the reason why the Vick story is popular, why Bill O'reilly is popular, and Bush is president.

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that's right 7 cause we really get the truth from the NY Times and John Kerry.

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7 so close yet so far..but maybe thats what you wanted

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Thats right #7 its all Bush's fault. I am sure him and Karl Rove were there and bet on the dogs and used the evil hurricane making machine on them. Heck they did not even send enough busses to get all the dogs out...sheesh

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I wonder if he said what he did in response to Vicks former teammate Patrick Kerneys situation. The guy was supposedly "dead asleep" while a rape occurred in the next room at HIS home, and never heard a sound. Penalized? No. I think the worst part about Kobes rape trial is not that he fought to establish his innocence, but rather to discredit the victim. Personally, and i say this as a white person, this whole issue stinks, and i mean to high hell, of racism. If Michael Vick were white, this wouldnt be anywhere near as media overblown as it is. People have been dying to vilify this guy for years. I love the moral lynch mob practice used by citizens nowadays. This reporter merely told the truth but to a certain level, leaving out the even harsher fact that because of this witch hunt mindset in our white hypo-christian majority, Vick wouldve been screwed either way. Im sick of people saying something on this, and then watching it spun into the complete opposite. Emmitt Smith is NOT an idiot for saying Vicks the gateway to a bigger deal. Just as Greg Biffle should shut up about throwing anyone under the jail before due process. Rape isnt a funny subject at all, and neither is dogfighting, but imo? Rape is worse, for even as a dog lover, watching a woman endure a traumatic experience such as rape is a horrible ordeal.
I just think we as white people love to tarnish the credibility of black athletes in our attempt to establish moral/racial superiority.
Thats perhaps the biggest crime.

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Why does it have to be a contest of which is worse? Rape is horrible. Forcing dogs to fight is horrible. I think the reason the Vick incident is getting so much attention is because we've reached critical mass in how we expect sports role models to act. It's unfortunate that the NBA and NFL didn't make appropriate decisions during previous delinquent acts of players but they have now. Whether the attention is due to people's disgust of animal cruelty or not, I'm happy it's getting so much attention and I'm fine with it being the tipping point to show a societal trend to hold sports' role models accountable for their actions.

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Kobe was the victim of a gold-digging tramp. He didn't rape her!! Why did she GO TO HIS ROOM if she wasn't planning on a huge blackmail for sex scam??
On the other hand, we have a multi-millionaire betting on and killing dogs for a couple thousand dollars. That just doesn't make sense.
Maybe Vick should have hired Mike Tyson to fight the pit bulls. At least then Tyson could have developed his ear biting technique to the fullest.

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Well, did Don Imus get a break? No, and neither should this reporter!!! In this age of Political Correctness no one gets a break. I don't like it and don't agree with it, but that is the way it is.

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I question your professionalism and merit as a "journalist" if you cannot see how using such inflammatory language as an insensitive bastard like Paul Zeise has done will not have gross repercussions.

Your rationalization for his statements show that in fact, you DO have an understanding of what you assume was his intention. Whether or not this is grounded in sheer speculation (making you no better than any one of the commenters here - myself included), or if it is grounded in conversations you may have had with Zeise is irrelevant. You have an understanding of his predicament, you seem to believe that both dog fighting and rape are heinous acts, and you have the hubris to say "I don't see what's so insensitive or offensive."

Mr. Smith, I am not denying you or Zeise your opinions. Your opinions are yours, and I am merely providing my thoughts. This country is partially based on the willingness to accept and respect the differences of others. The strength of your convictions is undermined by your poor choice of words. I'd also suggest you think about this. While there has been considerable outrage at the details of Michael Vick's criminal indictment, he will enjoy his 6th Ammendment Constitutional Rights to a fair trial. That much is NEVER in question.

Where are the voices of support for Michael Vick? Are his fans that scarce, are they that poorly organized, or both? Are they afraid to stand behind someone they lionized? Part of the cost of doing business is understanding what motivates your customers. If the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh TV station that had him as a commentator choose to voice their concern and apology for his insensitive and offensive remarks, how much worse would it be if they didn't apologize and animal rights and human rights organizations protested? How much negative publicity and loss oof revenues would that cost both the Post-Gazette and the TV station?

I will not discuss the merits of any business responding to protests, but if Nike, Reebok, Donruss, and anybody else that has made money with or becuase of Michael Vick chose NOT to do business with him, don't blame me because I was better organized than you. Where was your protest letter campaign and your outrage?

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