I have always been one to believe that first impressions are not always accurate, that people make mistakes and deserve forgiveness. I think even in some extreme circumstances people who make amends, show their sorry and try to change deserve a second chance. If you screwed up at work, said the wrong thing to your significant other, if you had a horrible day and treated someone else poorly as a lash out result.... But if you train and fight Pittbull's then bury the dead carcasses of the innocent in your backyard while you're a multi-million dollar successful superstar.... you DO NOT deserve a second chance! Especially not in my city!
Now of course I am talking about the Eagles recent signing of Michael Vick, granted this is not a photography or fashion oriented post, but it is about Philadelphia, it's about respect, and it's about the impression the Philadelphia Eagles (and their fans) subsequently portray to the world. This city is highly centered around it's sports teams and they've always been a source of extreme pride, even when they're losing we stand by them, we support them, we reminiscence about the good times and we look forward to the next parade.
Last year I witnessed one of these parades. The Phillies won the pennant and the whole city came together in a flash instant. I watched Frankford Ave and Cottman Ave explode into a feeling of pure unfiltered bliss. I watched a 19 year old preppy drunk white mall girl run up to a guy who looked a lot like Notorious B.I.G. and high five him in the street as his "gangsta stare" gave way to a little smile. I watched the old, young, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, Muslim all pour into the streets to celebrate a common source of pride, the Philadelphia Phillie's.
We thought ahead after that night... Could the Flyers, Sixers or Eagles be next? We dreamed big and watched as eventually the other side of the state reminded us that they have talent in Pittsburgh too, some of us even celebrated the Stealers and Penguins winning, just because it was still Pennsylvania... That's pride.
Then yesterday our beloved Eagles betrayed us. I never thought they could really do anything to make me hate them. I never thought our fan-dome would waiver, I mean when they sucked on the field we complained, but we loved them. But Family comes first in this city. My dog is part of my family, and I know most of Philadelphia feels the same way. I am not sure of the numbers but just walking around with your eyes open shows you how many people here have and love their dog. Pittbull's are extremely plentiful as well. This is a city that has Doggy day care's, doggy spa's, upscale doggy treat boutique's, Eagles Jersey's for dogs....
How dare you sign that man Eagles. Signing him wasn't just controversial, it wasn't about giving someone a second chance, it was backstabbing all your fans, the people that loved and supported you and condoning his behavior. Some people deserve a second chance, some deserve life in prison. Michael Vick is the latter. Even if he deserves a chance to try and live amongst society (which I don't feel he does), he SURELY does not deserve to do it in the upper tax bracket's as a celebrity athlete.
Or maybe I am wrong... Maybe this IS the punishment... I mean the Philadelphia fans are known to be the toughest, craziest, most psychotic in the world... The people that through batteries at Santa Clause, the fans that beat up the Buffalo Sabre's.... maybe just maybe the whole point of bringing him here was to have our fans rip him to shreds... I guess that's worth the price of that contract. I'm curious to see how this unfolds... To see how many Pittbulls show up in the Link' parking lot... I personally don't know what the Eagles are thinking but Michael Vick in Philadelphia is unacceptable and embarrassing. My pride in the city is not tarnished, but my love for the Eagles is absolutely damaged forever. I do NOT care if you win the Superbowl. I wont be at that parade.
Let's go Flyers.
Jeff Cohn
Fashionandadvertising.com
JeffCohnPhoto.com
Friday, August 14, 2009
Second chances ? (a non photography blog)
Labels:
Jeff Cohn,
Michael Vick,
Philadelphia,
Philadelphia Eagles,
Philly Fans,
Pittbulls
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yr amazing jeff!
ReplyDeleteWhat this monster did to torture his tame non agressive pits bull dogs that did not want to attack or cause harm to anyone living thing. A trusting dog programed to be mans best friend to be kill3ed by electricution, drowning, and the curelest of ways to kill living things Is a clear and present danger to both human and K9
ReplyDeleteHe and his 4.5 million dollar home was a death camp for dogs under cover. His remorse is that he lost his money and previous job. His history of long term K9 torture and killings we a death sentence to loving animals in this rabid killing machine. His past Drug deals and perhaps Money laundering and union money fraud are the kind of things humans can forgive ... but along term pattern of K9 torture and killings are not kind of inhumanity this is excused by a 2 or 3 years in jail and a multi-million Eagles ticket to return to NFL Football give national tv coverage as if he were out for a few years on some non violent drug conviction. This man is a discrase to the human and K9 race and should not be allowed to return to NFL Football and teach millions of children , their fanily and dog lovers that you can go from being a National monster dog killer and K9 torturer to National football Star role model The Eagles are in humain as Vick
Dog Lover - to speak on behalf of mans best friends who can't