Vick and the Humane Treatment of Animals

"Our beef was raised humanely," is the kind of line you're increasingly likely to read in the finer restaurants. I have to confess to feelings of ambivalence on this. One, they are animals so what does it mean to raise them humanely? Two, if you are going to slaughter the poor creature for food, is it really better to end a happy life than a miserable one?

Which brings me to Michael Vick, the talented quarterback who did time in prison for sponsoring dog fights. I know that the dog lovers are going to hate me for this, but in a country of carnivores, how egregious is it, really, to sponsor such fights? I'm sure of two things: the dog fights are beastly affairs and they are less repulsive than what goes on in a slaughterhouse, something some of us condone each time we eat meat.

Vick spent time in prison for his crime. And then, finally, a team has signed him - while people protest. I'm not sure why this is so controversial. He is supposed to have his life ended because of this crime that already took, what, two years of his life?

I am weary of protesters who essentially wish they were the judge who sentenced the criminal. Some folks wish the sentence had included more time (what? life for a dog fight? really? if not life, how many more years or months would have made you happy?) or prohibited him from making a living once he was released (another absurdly punitive sentence). Vick did time. Lost a lot of money. Lost the opportunity, likely, to set some career records. And now he's out, ready to work again. This issue is over. The point has been made. Let the man get on with his life.