And we're back ...

Just in time for loathsome thug and Atlanta Falcons soon-to-be ex-quarterback Michael Vick to plead guilty to federal charges related to "helping run an interstate dog-fighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" from 2001 through April 2007." ("Vick agrees to plea deal in dog-fighting case," Hollywoodreporter.com). Mr. Vick will likely do prison time for his offenses and this is hopefully the end of his NFL career.

Personally, I would grant Vick the option of avoiding prison if he would accept the alternate sentence of being doused in bacon grease and thrown into a pit full of starving pit bulls. See how he likes it. I'm not a big fan of people who torture animals for their own sadistic amusement.

However, this is Apology Index, not the Creative Alternative Sentencing Blog, so our interest in this story is twofold. First, it connects to the very first apology we covered on Apology Index, when Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins made some ill-advised statements in defense of dog-fighting and, by extension Vick. Portis later reconsidered his views.

However, Vick's guilty plea also brings with it an apology.

Well, sort of. It is one of those mouthpiece apologies. The kind we get when the person who actually needs to apologize is either too dumb to say the right thing or under indictment. Sometimes both. So we have this from Vick's attorney:

"After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asks that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him," lead defense attorney Billy Martin said in a statement.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his action and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter," Martin's statement said. ("Vick agrees to plea deal, prison possible,"CNN.com)

Presumably "everyone who has been hurt by this matter" includes the dogs Vick helped hang, electrocute, drown and shoot.

Court documents released last week showed that two of Vick's alleged partners said he helped kill dogs that didn't fight well, and that all three men "executed approximately eight dogs" in ways that included hanging and drowning.
(CNN.com)

On their behalf, I would like to say "Bark you, Vick."

We may get a more extensive fake apology from Vick's team later. And perhaps he will mumble something apologetic at his sentencing hearing. Developing.