BAD RAP: Let ' s send the Obamas this book

If, like me, your head nearly exploded when reports came out that President Obama had thanked Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeff Lurie for giving Michael Vick a second chance, Donna Reynolds over on the BAD RAP blog has a suggestion.



She made it after reading my column about the issue and about Jim Gorant's book "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption" on SFGate.com today. In it, I wrote:

The Philadelphia Eagles must be happy they took the chance on signing convicted dog fighter Michael Vick. Protests and boycotts by animal lovers never gained much traction. Just last week, President Obama personally thanked team owner Jeff Lurie for giving Vick a second chance.When Vick told an Atlanta newspaper that he wanted to get a dog, the head of the country's largest animal welfare organization said he thought that might be a good idea.



And, of course, he's doing a great job on the field, which I guess is what a lot of people mean when they say he's redeemed himself for his past crimes. I don't know, because I don't care about Michael Vick's second chance, no matter how many football games he wins. And here's why:



"As that dog lay on the ground, fighting for air, Quanis Phillips grabbed its front legs and Michael Vick grabbed its back legs. They swung the dog over their head like a jump rope then slammed it to the ground. The first impact didn't kill it. So, Phillips and Vick slammed it again. The two men kept at it, alternating back and forth, pounding the creature against the ground until, at last, the little red dog was dead."



Those words were written by Sports Illustrated editor Jim Gorant in "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption," the best and most important book about animals written in 2010.



[....]



I'm neither a sports fan nor a social worker, and I freely admit that that I care more about his victims than I do about Michael Vick.



But unlike many dog advocates, I don't want to see him put back in prison, denied his right to vote, kicked out of the NFL, beaten, kicked or bashed in the head. I certainly don't think he should be executed, as right wing pundit Tucker Carlson suggested on Fox News recently.



I just think his defenders should read this book before deciding what they think about Michael Vick's big comeback.

Which gave Donna an idea: Why don't we all send a copy of Gorant's incredible book to the Obamas?



Sure, it might be better if we sent the fifteen bucks to a pit bull rescue group. But consider this: Not only will Gorant make some money (a nice way to support his many efforts to keep the focus not on Vick and his magical football-playing ways, but on his victims), but, if you use this link, so will BAD RAP, which was responsible for evaluating and rehabbing many of the surviving Vick dogs.



And if we all get out there and spread the word, and enough people hear about this, and enough books pile up, and my colleagues in the media pick up on it... maybe, just maybe, the President might make a little statement thanking all the hardworking rescuers out there for giving Vick's dogs a second chance, too.



Hey, a girl can dream, right?



Here's the link to buy the book and give a portion of the proceeds to BAD RAP: The Lost Dogs



Here's the address and phone number for gifts to the Obamas:



Mr. President and First Lady Obama

THE WHITE HOUSE

1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20500-0004

United States

202-456-1414



Amazon's system wants the "DC" in the box for "state or province." Just FYI.



So go buy a book, then drop by the BAD RAP blog and let them know you did.



Tell your friends. And, you know... everyone else, too.

Comments

[Liz Palika]

I just did it, too, and sent it in the name of Kindred Spirits Dog Training as we had three of the Vick dogs come through training with us.



One of which did awesome and is now a wonderful family pet. The other two were very damaged and will always have to be protected from themselves.



And I mentioned that, too, in the personal message.

[Gina Spadafori]

YAY!!!!



Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC) :



1 The Lost Dogs: Michael Vic... $15.60 1 $15.60



Shipped via UPS



--------------------------------------------------------------------

Item Subtotal: $15.60

Shipping and handling: $0.00

Total: $15.60

Paid by Visa: $15.60

--------------------------------------------------------------------



This shipment was sent to:





Mr. President and First Lady Obama

THE WHITE HOUSE

1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20500-0004

United States



via UPS (estimated delivery date: January 06, 2011).

[Nancy]

Great question from that little boy! Yes, I would still be a criminal. Sheesh!

[CeliaSue Hecht]

Thank you, fyi when I called the White House, the gall was actually very receptive, interested in what I had to say and wrote down the name of the book, too. She apparently had gotten a lot of ugly calls. I made her laugh, was polite, and respectful, so I stood out. let's make a difference, for the dogs, yay !



I met three of them, have a pit bull mix myself who I rescued from the hands of a homicidal maniac. Reading Gorant's book, and looking into the lost dogs eyes tells one all they need to know about vick. am sick of vick.



Tell your local media and national media about the dogs.



There is a beautiful video about the proud history of pit bulls. Watch it, too, send it to the white house, too...



ok am done.

[Gina Spadafori]

Whheeeee! I did it! That was fun! I hope he gets 10,000 copies by Monday!

[Christie Keith]

A couple of people commented they're addressing their book to Bo!

[Gina Spadafori]

Delivery estimate: January 7, 2011



1 "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption"

Jim Gorant; Hardcover; $15.60



Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

Gift wrap:no

Gift note:Mr. President,



Many people deserve second chances. Michael Vick is not one of them.



Sincerely,



Gina Spadafori

(Yes, I voted for you!)

[mikken]

Done!

[Tom F.]

I am not a sports fan and certainly don’t agree with making sports personalities heros or roll models just for their athletic abilities. Mr. Obama should read at least the one passage you quoted from “The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption” by Jim Gorant. If Mr. Vick is “Reformed” what is he personally doing for the betterment of the treatment of animals? Just donating some money to me would be a cop-out maybe he should be required to attend to the needs of all the animals at the local shelters.

[Christie Keith]

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Qty Item Price Shipped Subtotal



--------------------------------------------------------------------



Amazon.com items (Sold by Amazon.com, LLC) :



1 The Lost Dogs: Michael Vic... $15.60 1 $15.60



Shipped via UPS



Tracking number: 1Z8E26R80390500494



--------------------------------------------------------------------

Item Subtotal: $15.60

Shipping and handling: $0.00

Total: $15.60

Paid by Visa: $15.60

--------------------------------------------------------------------



This shipment was sent to:





Mr. President and First Lady Obama

THE WHITE HOUSE

1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20500-0004

United States



via UPS (estimated delivery date: January 06, 2011).

[dottie]

What a great idea! There's one on the way from me, too.

I don't for a minute believe that Michael Vick is sorry about anything but being caught. Guess his comment to the little boy pretty much confirms that.

I do hope the media gets wind of this . . .

[Gina Spadafori]

Reminds me of something I heard on the radio about A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani scientist who sold nuclear materials to rogue states. The book author being interviewed was asked if Mr. Khan was still engaged in such matters.



"No," the author replied. "But only because he's under house arrest."



I figure the same is true with Sick Vick. If he could return to dog-fighting, he would, but he's watched closely to be sure what he does and says follows the script that has been written for him.

[Kathleen Weaver]

Do you have a link for the Kindle where they can get a portion?



Thanks.

[Lis]

Sent a copy. Did not address it to Bo; he's not the one who needs to read it.



The thing is, I even agree with the point Obama was making: Ex-cons need to be able to get legal work after they're out of prison. It's better for all of us if they can. And Vick is a high-profile, well-known example.



But he should have known that Lurie would use that passing comment in a conversation about something else for all the PR value that could be squeezed out of it. There needs to be a clear bright line drawn between giving him a job doing the only legal thing he has any skills for, and treating him as some kind of shining example of redemption.



He's not. He's a sociopath who tortured dogs for the fun of it, over and above the already criminal behavior of fighting them. Far better that he play football than go back to his other profession--but he's not a hero, he's not acceptable in civilized company, and he should never be allowed near a dog again.

[Nancy]

I did it!

[Danielle]

Done!

[Donna]

Thank you for inspring this little action Christie. I don't know why we didn't think of doing it before. I suppose we were too busy trying to peel our jaws off the floor last week.

[Carol]

Thank you Christie for writing this important article. I live in "Eagles territory" in south jersey and cannot get away from the daily praises of how Michael Vick has "paid his debt to society" and "turned his life around". Would be far from what his victims both dead and alive -scarred for life, and their new caregivers would say. I don't understand how the ability to throw a ball can excuse torturing innocent creatures. (of course I do ...$$$$$).

Recently the news showed Vick on one of his publicity talks at a local school, and when asked by a young boy if he hadn't been caught would he still be doing those things to dogs. Vick paused then said - to be honest, yes if I hadn't been caught I would still be fighting dogs. Repentant .... not. Champion - role model...I think not.

[April]

Shipping Address:

Mr. President and First Lady Obama

THE WHITE HOUSE

1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20500-0004

United States

Shipping Method: Standard Shipping

Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible

Subtotal of Items: $15.60

Shipping & Handling: $3.99

------

Total for this Order: $19.59





Shipping estimate for these items: January 7, 2011 1 "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption"

Jim Gorant; Hardcover; $15.60



Done.

[Jeana]

Not only will I will be sending it to the president but also Michael Vick. I don't Vick to think just cuz he is doing well in his career people haven't forgotten that he is a murder! That Mr. Vick is why you should never have any animals.

[Marcy]

I did what I could do, and emailed the President at the White House site. I used the quote from Sports Illustrated. I told him that I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, but not at the possible expense of another animal's life.

[Ericka]

Great idea!

[Susan Miccio]

Great article. Great idea. Mine's on its way.

[Dawn]

Done. What an awesome idea - thanks!

[Nicole Rattay]

@ Liz Palika -Thanks for sending Pres. O the book! Just for the sake of clarity, two of the Vick dogs came to your training class when they were fostered with me. Both are doing very well. One is in a forever home and working on agility training, and the other is in a multi dog household and still waiting patiently for a forever home. I have a third foster dog, Iggy, who remains very damaged courtesy of Mike. He will live with me for the remainder of his life.



I do love this idea of sending the books...Good work all!

[Leslie K]

Great idea ! Just sent mine.

[CathyA]

Jeana,

Don't send it to Vick, send it to his coach!

[LR]

I haven't read all the comments here, so maybe this has already been suggested, but I'm thinking that I am just as angry at Wayne Pascalle of HSUS for supporting Vick. As a leader in the animal rescue arena, his position on this matter is extremely disturbing to me and, therefore, I'd like to see a pile of these books show up at his home or workplace.



At the very least, we could all cut and paste the quote at the top of this article accounting Vick's hands-on killing of the poor red dog and send that to Wayne with our own suggestions on how to protect innocent dogs from people with contempt for animals.



Obama might simply have been ignorant of the full scale of Vick's crimes (maybe not), but I know for sure that Wayne is fully aware of the heinous behavior, which makes his cheerleading even worse.

[Dee Donovan]

Thank you so much for organizing this venue for dealing with the rage and HOPING to affect change!



I don't understand WHY anyone would ENJOY dogfighting, (or cockfighting or bullfighting or fighting at all). That's something that still puzzles me. Must be some kind of sickness. Inflicting pain.... football... inflicting pain... football... any connection?



Perhaps it can be a legal defense, like the twinkie defense: they "get their jollies watching maximum pain and torture of innocent vulnerable living beings". Or an addiction: "Oh, he can't help it, don't blame him, he's addicted to maiming dogs."



How many much lesser crimes have much greater punishments?



What would the response have been if Vicks had been caught with a child slavery ring, armed them with knives and razors and forced them to fight to the death? Or attached lasers to dolphins in a giant tank? I can just hear the screaming fans watching the flesh fly, what wonderful fun!



Okay, maybe I'm a bit over the top. Maybe not. I'm damned angry, though, that's for sure. I'm not usually an "activist", but you can count me in!

[Venniey]

Did it! What a great idea. I had already sent email to the White House. I am sure this book arriving to the White House in droves will catch his notice. Love the idea of addressing it to Bo. It helps to spread truth.

[CeliaSue Hecht]

you guys rock !!! am entering you all in my contest, to win a great prize as a thank you for stepping up to the plate...



fyi, 100+ books have already gone out to the white house, as of fri. jan. 7, 2011... (counted here and at badrap's facebook page)...



my contest:



http://celiasue.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/contest-update-100-lost-dogs-on-their-way/



LR, vick and pacelle are lost causes, i think... all they care about is PR and money waste of breath... imho.

[LR]

Still, the fact that Pacelle is the CEO of HSUS demands that some kind of demonstration be mounted. I just found a petition calling for his immediate resignation...so if folks from this site at least sign that and share with friends, that would be great. There is also a powerful article by Nathan Winograd which I think everyone should take a few minutes to read.



So many people contribute to HSUS because they assume that the organization helps animals. My mother always sent them a contribution even though their money was tight because she felt like she was helping the dogs and cats in trouble. Somehow the word needs to get out about the reality of what their money goes to support. (if anyone knows of an organized effort to this end, please let me know).



Here's the link for the petition--Thanks!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Demand-Wayne-Pacelle-of-HSUS-Resign/

[Lis]

I've received an email notification from Amazon that my package couldn't be delivered, and is waiting at the local post office--in DC, that is. Anyone else?

[Leslie K]

I got the same email from Amazon.

[Lis]

CeliaSue, thanks, I'll talk to the post office--Tuesday, I guess, since tomorrow is a holiday.

[CeliaSue Hecht]

Lis, could you check with the post office and let us know, another gal said her post office told her that actually the book was still at the white house going thru their security protocol. thanks.

[Nancy]

I also received the email from Amazon.

[Leslie K]

I spoke to my local post office & they said the White house has its own post office. Thats where the books are, so they might be going through security checks. They suggested waiting a few days & calling that PO at 1-202-456-2541.

[DA]

OK so, before I say my piece let me start by saying that what Vick did sickens and angers me as much as any of you out there. However, I am going to play Devil's Advocate a 'lil bit and say this much. If Vick really is repentant and desirous of change, (and I have seen or heard nothing that says otherwise, quite the opposite in fact), than we should be supporting those efforts, not bashing them. People really do sometimes change, even if they do not want to. If nothing else, Vick knows that for the rest of his life he will be watched for any tiny sign of animal abuse. Maybe that isn't good enough for most of you here, but if even one abuser is redeemed, one dog saved from that horror, then the world is a better place by that much if no more. So to that end, I will not bash Vick any further at this time, I honestly feel he may have learned his lesson and not just the one about getting caught. Finally, please do not bash ME for wanting to have hope, wanting to try to see the better side of someone.

[H. Houlahan]

I believe in evidence-based redemption, not faith-based.

[David S. Greene]

DA, I think it's a credit to you that you continue to wish for the best. I admire those who can overcome the histories of miscreants and still hold out faith for redemption. I honestly want to believe your faith will be rewarded, but....



In the Vick case, I agree with Heather. Vick's an athlete, and athletes live in a world of results, not words. It isn't how good you look in the uniform or what you say about your team, it's what you do on the field. Results speak for themselves, and the animal rights community needs (and deserves) to see evidence beyond what to date has been little more than empty rhetoric.



Sportsmen such as Mark Buehrle and Tony LaRussa walk the walk for animals every single day. All Vick has done to date is talk the talk. That doesn't cut it.