I think that it should be the maximum sentence, and I think the maximum should be more than 5 years, I think it should be at least ten.
I think a good 2 years will fit.
** WARNING: A PENGUIN EDITORIAL RE: THIS TOPIC **
I voted for 2 years.
Anyone here that knows me is aware that I'm a loyal member of the ASPCA, Humane Society of North America, I serve on the board of the New Zealand Wildlife Preservation Society and founded the Humboldt Penguin Conservation Project.
Even the thoughts of what Vick and his thugs subjected these defenseless animals to is disgusting beyond comprehension and moral value; I also am sympathetic to the decisions faced by prosecutors and the Sentencing Recommendation Division of the U.S. Marshall's Office.
To me, the ideal goal of criminal sentencing should be a formulation of punishment in accordance to the ultimate best interests of our society.
Here's my reasoning:
If Vick serves the minimum of one year; the sentence is simply too lenient considering the crime. A portion of judicial punishment should serve as a deterent.
However, given the maximum of 5 years, I'm afraid that the young athletic stars and today's new generation in general will have grown past the age and time when Vick's actions and consequences would have had its greatest impact on societal influences. The story of the rise and fall of a football superstar including details of his horrific crimes and the ensuing punishment and the lessons to be learned should be fresh and relevant to those whom Michael Vick had influence. Especially those kids he never met.
If the sentencing results in 2 years of prison time, followed by extensive probation; I feel the "story" of Michael Vick and his life after accepting responsibility for haneous crimes and admitted mistakes will be much more of a lesson to this generation.
Should Michael Vick be allowed to return to play in the NFL?
I say, "YES," for at least a couple of reasons. Again, more and more, media attention is what's foremost in our daily thinking and analysis. While still within the morally developmental stage of kids and young professional athletes who (at least at one time) admired Vick and had placed him in role model status; they can witness the resulting atonement and our human nature for second chances.
I have no study in this area nor readily available correctional system statistics; but I have a theory that in a greater than realized persentage where serious crimes are commited by young repeat offenders -- those impressionable minds (under constant peer influence) easy convince themselves that "I've been arrested twice. There's no second chance, so I might as well continue to live the only life I've known and where I can at least be admired by my friends in 'the hood.'
A Michael Vick comeback might very well extend the message that people make mistakes. Part of dealing with those msitakes is to realize that there are second chances and that making one, two, or three mistakes doesn't mean that you have no choice but to continue to make those mistakes until you end up dead or incarcerated for the rest of your life. You do have the ability to stop, learn, and change.
A feeling of hopelessness will never spawn the acceptance of inspiration and will never provide the reason to make yourself a better person.
~ R Cannon
Where's the death penalty option? What he did was just plain barbaric.