I just returned from a trip out to the Midwest. It was nice to see Sharkey's family and spend some time with Character Builder's kids. The nieces like to play with my MacBook while we are there because they like the Photo Booth application. Photo Booth allows you to take and distort your picture with the Macbook's built in webcam. It is pretty good fun too! For Sharkey's 5 year cancer free party we setup the MacBook at the party and let the attendees take their pictures. It is pretty hysterical. So I arrived home and booted up my MacBook the other night. I have password protection set, so I need to enter the almighty password in order to start up my MacBook. Much to my surprise, my administrator icon was changed. See my administrator icon was set to Maggie:
Now when I log in, this is what I see:
Now I am not sure if Catherine (AKA Cath-O-Winn) did this on purpose or by accident somehow. But I thought it was funny that her distorted mug greets me when I boot up. I think I'll probably keep it for now, sorry Mags!
Second Chances...
The Philadelphia Eagles just gave me another reason to not be a fan, they signed Michael Vick. This is somewhat controversial in Philly. I know people for his playing think he paid his debt to society, he shows remorse, and can be a positive role model to show how someone can comeback from the brink and succeed. I do not totally agree with all of that. I do agree he paid for breaking the law and served his time, so he owes nothing there. But I do not agree with his reinstatement to the NFL. I would argue that if he did not get caught, he would still be running a dog fighting ring. But beyond the "what if's" my main reasons for him to not be reinstated by the NFL are because of what he contributed to and what his reinstatement says to the public and other players. Vick took part in twisting and destroying innocent life. People may disagree with me on this point, because it depends on how you view dogs, but to me dogs are innocent, just like human babies, and their temperament and disposition are totally influenced by man; and the twisting and training of these animals to fight each other to the death is despicable. Additionally, the way Vick inhumanely ended their lives is BEYOND reproach. I feel very strongly about this point. Even if you made the philosophical argument that dogs have no souls, and therefore do not matter in the big picture, no sentient form of life deserves the end Vick determined for eight of the canines. I would argue this act alone disqualifies him to be on the center stage and an example of professional sports excellence. Secondly, the NFL reinstating him sends the message to everyone (i.e. adults, kids, other pro athletes) that you can take part in violent, cruel, and inhumane acts and still play professional sports and still make millions of dollars. I think the NFL would have been better served by maintaining the ban on him playing and making his case the example of what the consequences are for abusing your rewards for playing in the NFL. Just like punitive damages are awarded in legal cases to deter illegal behavior, the NFL could have done the same and sent that message. NFL players are compared to warriors battling on the field for the win. Warriors battle with honor. There is absolutely no honor in any of this.
3 comments:
Welcome back. I have not wrapped my head around the Vick thing yet.
I guess my knee jerk is to point out how Ray Lewis was taken back after he participated in a murder...of another man.
Or to point to wife beaters and show how they are not only received back, but cheered.
I also think that your point of if he did not get caught, he would still be doing it is absolutely correct, but isn't that the way for most people who change their life?
william Thanks!
bogart I have heard that argument. Someone brought up Dante Stallworth's running over a man while drunk and still playing. I just think overall it is very sad that athletes and celebs have a different set of rules than the Avg Joe.
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