Welcome to Philly, Michael Vick

Before we all go off half-cocked about signing "convicted felon" Michael Vick to a two-year deal with the Eagles, a little perspective, please.

Michael Vick, by all accounts, gives back hugely to the downtrodden neighborhood from which he came. He came from a culture that does not pamper its pets by sending them to doggy daycares with optional massage and movie packages. Michael Vick, much like the Pennsylvania Amish, came from a place where animals were not members of the family, but were used for work, companionship, and amusement. Michael Vick spent 18 months in jail for his mistaken belief that dog fighting is still acceptable in this society.

But lets take a look at what is acceptable in this society: It is acceptable to weep and send flowers to Barbaro, an ailing horse, while elsewhere, Terri Shiavo is being starved to death at the direction of the State. It is acceptable for Woody Allen to continue to make movies after he leaves his wife for his stepdaughter. It is acceptable for Ted Kennedy to leave Mary Jo Kopechne to die in the Chappaquiddick River and still be qualified to write health care legislation for the country.

Ours has become a society where animal rights often trump human rights, not only in matters of the law, but in matters of societal interest. As we continue to move away from a monotheistic society, we move closer towards our pagan roots, worshipping the environment and treating animals as equals or betters.

This is not to say that I think animal cruelty should go unpunished, but to point out that the punishment has been meted out and served. Michael Vick is never going to fight dogs again; wasn't that the point of putting him in prison?

He paid his debt to society, now let him play football.