About Michael Vick

[Evil Chris]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Oh, and I'm sorry. Being paid that much to play professional sports IS a right and NOT a priviledge either imho. They're human beings playing a game that people want to watch and pay a great deal of money to see. If they've trained to play and people are willing to pay to see them play, they've earned that right.

What PARENTS need to get a grasp on is that these people are NOT paid to be role models. Neither is Britney Spears and her ilk. If you like her music, fine, buy it. But we shouldn't expect her to lead a perfect life and be an example to our kids just because we buy her music. Parents need to stop making excuses and raise their kids with THEMSELVES as role models. Noone else.

Why we as a society seem to feel celebrities should be held to a higher standard is beyond me. They're people like you and I...only with more money and in most cases, UNWANTED notoriety. Film Britney on stage. Film Lennox in the ring. Why there is a market for pictures of them buying their groceries and/or walking in the park, speaks volumes about what's wrong with society, NOT with the celebrities themselves.

Nope. We'll see if it's a right or not. Vick has lost all his endorsement deals, and whether or not the mediocre US legal system finds him guilty, people aren't stupid. He'll never be what he was. If it was a "right" to play then he has lost it. Sounds more like a lost privilege to me.

It's true, these people aren't paid to be role models. They are paid to be athletes, actors, singers, etc. But what comes with that fame is responsibility. Responsibility that many of them take lightly and eventually they lose it due to their own stupidity. Celebs become role models automatically. I don't agree with it, but there it is. As a parent, I have never and will never make excuses for anything. I am my child's main role model but I cannot shelter him from the world. There are idiots out there like Vick, and it's up to me to help our son realize that he should not emulate their actions.

Unwanted notoriety? Give me a break. Out of the limelight, out of the money.
They want, need, and love the attention. There are very few who completely resist the attention.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

Nope. We'll see if it's a right or not. Vick has lost all his endorsement deals, and whether or not the mediocre US legal system finds him guilty, people aren't stupid. He'll never be what he was. If it was a "right" to play then he has lost it. Sounds more like a lost privilege to me.

Freedom is the right he's lost. With that obviously, the ability to play pro football. Once he's free again, assuming he's young enough and still has talent, he'll play again.

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

It's true, these people aren't paid to be role models. They are paid to be athletes, actors, singers, etc. But what comes with that fame is responsibility. Responsibility that many of them take lightly and eventually they lose it due to their own stupidity. Celebs become role models automatically. I don't agree with it, but there it is. As a parent, I have never and will never make excuses for anything. I am my child's main role model but I cannot shelter him from the world. There are idiots out there like Vick, and it's up to me to help our son realize that he should not emulate their actions.

This argument pisses me off so much. I don't see celebs as role models in the least. HOW can they be role models when the ideal role model for every god damn citizen is different? Is that fair to them? They smoke, they got married too young, they got pregnant out of wedlock, they got drunk, they don't go to church and on and on and on. There is NO possible way to make everyone out there happy which is why it's the parents job to instill values.

Of course you can't shelter your kid and you shouldn't. Like you said, as a PARENT, your job is to make sure they understand that the person they look up to is fallable just like you and I. You moreso of course. The kid's that ARE going to emulate those actions are the one's that haven't been given that guidance...from their parents.

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

Unwanted notoriety? Give me a break. Out of the limelight, out of the money.
They want, need, and love the attention. There are very few who completely resist the attention.

Some of them sure, I agree. Most of them? Want to perform their trade and make a living. Some loss of privacy is to be expected of course. If you get caught driving drunk, (like THOUSANDS of other regular people do every day with the luxury of virtual anonymity) yeah, your mugshot is gonna be posted all over the papers and the internet. If they don't know that, they're just plain stupid.

But I can't imagine a single one of them wants to or DESERVES to be filmed on their honeymoon, sunbathing topless in the Caribbean.

[Evil Chris]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

Freedom is the right he's lost. With that obviously, the ability to play pro football. Once he's free again, assuming he's young enough and still has talent, he'll play again.

What freedom has he lost? He's not in jail (yet). With the track record for athletes and the law, unfortunately he'll not do any time but I doubt anyone will take him on in the NFL again, Ron. Would you?

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

This argument pisses me off so much. I don't see celebs as role models in the least. HOW can they be role models when the ideal role model for every god damn citizen is different? Is that fair to them? They smoke, they got married too young, they got pregnant out of wedlock, they got drunk, they don't go to church and on and on and on. There is NO possible way to make everyone out there happy which is why it's the parents job to instill values.

Of course you can't shelter your kid and you shouldn't. Like you said, as a PARENT, your job is to make sure they understand that the person they look up to is fallable just like you and I. You moreso of course. The kid's that ARE going to emulate those actions are the one's that haven't been given that guidance...from their parents.

You're stressing the obvious. Of course good parenting makes all the difference but this goes without saying. Fact remains that athletes and celebs become role models as a matter of coruse due to all their media exposure (TV, movies, product lines, endorsements, etc.). There is no getting around it. They are role models whether they like it or not, and they need to like it or at least get their minds around it because they are getting paid to be what they are.

If you have a problem with your parenting skills, there is help out there Ron.

[Ronaldo]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

What freedom has he lost? He's not in jail (yet). With the track record for athletes and the law, unfortunately he'll not do any time but I doubt anyone will take him on in the NFL again, Ron. Would you?

If he's found guilty I think he will do time. If he's found NOT guilty or even placed on probation, he's too good to not have a team take a chance on him. The only way someone wouldn't would be if the NFL banned him for life.

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

You're stressing the obvious. Of course good parenting makes all the difference but this goes without saying. Fact remains that athletes and celebs become role models as a matter of coruse due to all their media exposure (TV, movies, product lines, endorsements, etc.). There is no getting around it. They are role models whether they like it or not, and they need to like it or at least get their minds around it because they are getting paid to be what they are.

If you have a problem with your parenting skills, there is help out there Ron.

They're not getting paid to be role models. Period. You and others may think that's an obligation they have. I disagree. They're paid to play football or sing or whatever it is they do, not teach your kids right from wrong. That's your job. Unfortunately it sounds like YOU'RE unsure of your own ability to parent if you're worried about your kid modeling themself after someone they see on TV. Just don't let him watch Leaf games Chris, and he'll turn out just fine...believing he has the ability to succeed. Unlike the Leafs.

[Evil Chris]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

They're not getting paid to be role models. Period. You and others may think that's an obligation they have. I disagree. They're paid to play football or sing or whatever it is they do, not teach your kids right from wrong. That's your job. Unfortunately it sounds like YOU'RE unsure of your own ability to parent if you're worried about your kid modeling themself after someone they see on TV. Just don't let him watch Leaf games Chris, and he'll turn out just fine...believing he has the ability to succeed. Unlike the Leafs.

ha... hey, you're the one who seems to doubt their parenting skills. For me it's an obvious ingredient here. One that need not even be discussed.

But, I think you misunderstand. I never meant for you to think I said that celebs are paid to be role models. What I am saying is that they are. Without choice. The media has made them that way and if one is to become a celeb, be prepared to have your every move scrutinized.

[lulu]

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

ha... hey, you're the one who seems to doubt their parenting skills. For me it's an obvious ingredient here. One that need not even be discussed.

But, I think you misunderstand. I never meant for you to think I said that celebs are paid to be role models. What I am saying is that they are. Without choice. The media has made them that way and if one is to become a celeb, be prepared to have your every move scrutinized.

i agree with chris on that one. like it or not, they become larger than life to kids. the media makes it so. as cyndalie said, his career is done.

i'm also of the mind that most athletes are over paid. i'm all for enterntainment. i work in adult. i know this may sound contradictory but there's something about teachers in the US making bogus money and falling health care systems vs 1 individual who gets paid millions of dollars to play a sport that just doesn't sit well with me.

[Terrence]

Vick is a dispicable individual who deserves to rot in jail.

Terrence

[Panky]

I'd like to see the legal system step up to the plate and make an example out of him.