Vick's Dog Gone

The lamestream media told you:
Michael Vick is getting what he deserves for having engaged in the cruel dog-fighting business, and we can all feel better about our moral superiority over this highly paid football player, even though he happens to be a person of color.

The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Mr. Vick, whose 15-acre Virginia farm had about 60 dogs, was almost too small to matter, but it was sufficient to get "news" readers charged up and it sold a lot of airtime and newspapers. Real coverage of dog fighting, which has been doubling in popularity every year since 1998, is essentially non-existent. In 2004, more than 1,000 pit bulls were seized in a single Maryland county alone.

According to the Humane Society, "professional" dog fighting (U.S. figures only) involves about 40,000 owners and trainers, with an additional 100,000 street fighters routinely participating in the popular activity. Organized fights attract hundreds of spectators with multiple bouts on the card and elaborate rules. Based on hard "news" coverage, attacking a single unlucky football player is obviously more important than dealing with this controversial sport, which has received zero coverage since.

Part of the popularity comes from the highly respectable field of rap music, promoted primarily to youngsters. Angry stars growl for the camera and are featured prominently in pop culture by media giants. Snarling fight dogs are featured in "music" videos and ads and, "hip hop culture has decided to brand them and make them part of their image," according to the American Kennel Club, a point omitted from lamestream reports.

Kids, interviewed by a Florida community relations officer, frequently tell him they can't wait to get their first fighting dog, but no mention of Vick's small operation was included.

Tags: dog fighting, Humane Society, Michael Vick, American Kennel Club