Score one for good taste: Nike suspends release of Vick shoes

I hope Nike actually stands by their decision not to go through with their promotion of Vick's shoes. I am proud that I raised my son to wear his ballcap to keep the sun out out his eyes and to wear his pants where his underwear don't show. He walks like a man and when he shakes your hand, you know that a person of character shook your hand. I raised him to respect women because they deserved the respect that he showed his own mother. One of the most important things I expected of my son was to treat all living things with a sense of decency. For the life of me, I cannot understand how any person can treat animals, or even be involved, the way that is alleged that Vick did. It sickens me. And before you think that I am just another tree-huggin' liberal member of PETA...the fact is that I am a former Marine and a retired police officer. I just refuse to accept Vick's "culture" that that's just the way life is.

Here's where you can email the Falcons:
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/About/Contact_Us.aspx

Nike is not going far enough. They have stated they will STILL SELL his current merchandise in stores!!!!!!!!!!

It is always interesting to read the comments that are posted when some allegation is made against a black individual. Historically, the dominant "culture" renders a guilty verdidct before the trial ever begins. A black person has a very slim chance of getting a fair trial in this country. Times certainly have not changed that tradition.

Not long ago, Don Imus openly made some very derogatory and abusive comments about a group of black college basketball girls. It was amazing how the majority of whites who spoke to the issue did not see the need for him to be removed from his position. In their opinion, a sincere, heartfelt apology should have been adequate to resolve the matter.

Vick has not been cruel to human beings, but to animals, and yet everybody seems to want his head before any verdict is rendered by the court. I am not an advocate for any person who would practice subjecting animals to any form of cruelty. But I do think that we should have more regard for how we treat one another than we do for how one treats animals.

Nike has taken the appropriate action for now. There is no need for them to totally sever their relationship with Vick on the basis of mere allegations. However, if in the course of the legal proceedings it is concluded that he is guilty, I am the first to say that should then sever their relationship.

I think that they should continue with the release of the shoes and donate the profits to Pit Bull Rescue, I'm sure they would appreciate it.

T Smith -
I do not care what color he is! It is pretty hard to ignore what was found on his property. Any blatant dis-regard for life - whether human or animal is disgusting. Animals cry and scream and plead for their life when tortured - how can anyone be OK with that??? It tortures me everyday to think about it.Many people who treat animals in such a way are also known to abuse children or become serial killers. It is a thrill for them to torture and kill any living thing. So do not be so sure that just because it is an animal this time that he will continue to treat humans kindly.

I would be horrified to read that they had killed the animals by electrocution or shooting them, but those are comparatively humane compared to throwing a dog to the ground and beating it to death. To me, that was unforgiveable.

Comparing the heartless killing with bare hands of an animal with no way to defend itself and someone saying something in (albeit extremely) poor taste is just ridiculous (see Message #3 re: Don Imus). I am glad that he was removed from his position, but to even speak of the two situations as if they are vaguely similar ... just mindboggling.

Anyone that could throw an animal to the ground repeatedly to kill it could do the same to a human being, be it a baby or a child, or a woman. He needs to be in psychiatric counseling to take care of his problem and cavalier attitude towards life. But I'm sure they can do that while he's serving his well deserved sentence. I wish I could believe his "apology" but frankly I think he's reading something someone wrote for him to say. If there is a hereafter, then I'm sure he'll get his eventually.

I really dislike it when someone brings up that we don't worry as much about people as we do animals. Don't you know that most serial killers started out abusing animals ... it's just the beginning for them. If we paid more attention to these people at their start, then perhaps there would be less violence toward people in the end.

Respect for life is respect for all life, and he had none. He does not deserve to play NFL football, he does not deserve a good life until he is truly repentent and makes amends for what he did. He has a been a very very bad person and he deserves the maximum sentence allowed. I don't care what color he is ... it's irrelevant.

IF he is truly sorry, then volunteering (not just sending money) at a local humane society would be a real good start, as well as taking responsibility for the 50 some odd dogs that are now facing most likely a death sentence. He could make sure they have as good a life as possible for the rest of their natural lives. Then, I might start to believe that he is truly remorseful about what he's done.