Sebastian said ...

Okay so again today in the news is the story of President Obama’s comment regarding Michael Vick. The President DID congratulate Philadelphia Eagles president Jeff Lurie for giving Michael Vick a second chance. He did NOT suggest, imply or infer that what Michael Vick did was no big deal. He didn’t say he supported Michael Vick. He actually made no direct comment about Michael Vick himself in any way shape or form. The truth is that Michael Vick is STILL being vilified because of his past indiscretions with animals. This man has paid his penance. He did his time (19 months of hard time I might add), paid his fines, lost untold fortune endorsement deals that have been pulled, did his community service and yet he is STILL being persecuted. Do we live in an America so shallow, fragile and unforgiving that this man doesn’t deserve forgiveness and the right to move on with his life? Wait. I forgot, this is the same country where the head of the SPCA in Richmond VA (the same state where Michael Vick was caught, arrested and convicted) left her dog Louie baking in her car in 90 degree heat over the summer which ultimately caused the dog’s death. No one had too much to say about that because it was an ‘accident’ (some might call that negligence). Some might say there are racial undertones present here. Some might say what Michael Vick did is unforgivable. Some might say that no matter what, President Obama will always be on the wrong side of the news cycle. No matter what one might say, is any of this newsworthy? Really? I ask you, have any of us NOT made a decision or taken an action we have thought better of in hindsight? Let that man live … SMH

It seems these days that no one seems to care about doing what’s right and people are more concerned with doing what’s easiest. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD do that something. As an adult, I dated a girl once that used to call her mother collect and when her mom picked up she would hang up. Then her mom would call her back so my friend had no responsibility for the call at all. That was beyond my comprehension. I told her that as a grown woman making a decent salary it was unacceptable to contact her mom that way. I told her you make enough money to call your mother on YOUR dime, not hers, and just because she allows you to do it, you should be ashamed of yourself for doing it. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do that something. Needless to say that was the beginning of the end for her and me.

I come from a family of people where your word was your bond and it was about doing the right thing. It doesn’t seem like anyone cares about that anymore. What can we do to get to that? I give you the charge to try and figure out how to do that in the coming decade. Peace …..