The freedictionary.com defines “double jeopardy as: “one of the oldest legal concepts in Western civilization. In 355 b.c., Athenian statesman Demosthenes said, “[T]he law forbids the same man to be tried twice on the same issue.” The Romans codified this principle in the Digest of Justinian I in a.d. 533. The principle also survived the Dark Ages (a.d. 400–1066), notwithstanding the deterioration of other Greco-Roman legal traditions, through Canon Law and the teachings of early Christian writers.”
“The law forbids the same man to be tried twice on the same issue.”
This has been a foundation and a staple component of law for close to 2500 years, yet we sit here smug and secure in the new millennium barely acknowledging the fact that certain laws governing our so-called “civilized” society don’t permit a man or a woman to be tried twice for the same offense.
However, the “court of public opinion” has no “statute of limitations” or penalty ceilings in regards to inflicting multiple penalties on individuals over and over again for the same offense.
Take the case of current Pittsburgh Steelers QB Michael Vick.
Vick was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers less than a week before Pittsburgh was scheduled to face the Buffalo Bills last Saturday afternoon in an NFL preseason game in Buffalo. With just a mere 48 hours to prepare, the newly signed QB entered the game and played two series, completing 4 out of 5 pass attempts for 106 yards.
“I didn’t know it was going to be that early,” the beleaguered QB explained; “I was able to get in and get some reps early, which was good because it was against Buffalo’s first-team defense.”
However before Mike Vick could even take his first snap, there were protesters stationed outside of the Steelers practice facility located on the Southside section of Pittsburgh as well as close to 20,000 fans signing a petition decrying the acquisition.
Well, well, well what do we have here?
Laws against Double Jeopardy don’t seem to be relevant during this period of “pseudo-enlightenment.” Many people with questionable “racially insensitive” views are attempting to disguise and cloak those feelings by pretending to be animal rights activists’ instead of revealing their genuine feelings about the very sensitive subject of race and the man at the center of the controversey.
Change.org the questionable organization that collected the signatures against Michael Vick’s employment had this to say: “Michael Vick is a convicted felon and no-class piece of crap. He is also a terrible QB which is why he has no team. Let’s unite as Steeler fans – as NFL fans – and stop him from playing on our team! Steelers fans united! Sign to keep Vick from ever wearing the coveted Steelers uniform!!”
It seems to me that change.org wants to change things back to the past. They are not conservatives, they are “preservatives.”
What do you preserve a corpse with? Formaldehyde was the chemical of choice the last time I checked. These people are dead heads, with views that were in place even during the middle-ages. Many of them are spiritless and Godless pretending that they care.
If they were all about animals why label Michael Vick as “a convicted felon?”
Here is another quote from a so-called change.org Steelers lover. “”I have been a loyal Steelers fan for over 50 years and I am sickened to think that the integrity that we, the Steeler Nation, have been so proud of is in jeopardy. Art Rooney Sr. is probably turning over in his grave at the thought of having this felon on the team. Michael Vick didn’t have the guts to attempt to brutalize someone that could defend themselves, but brutalized a species that could not stand up against him. Go to hell Michael Vic … that is where you belong, not Pittsburgh.”
This sentence bears repeating; “Art Rooney Sr. is probably turning over in his grave at the thought of having this felon on the team.”
No, I think some of the attitudes and biases of a few of the people that patronize and cover the game would have Art Rooney Sr. turning over in his grave. “The Chief” would probably not be uncomfortable giving Michael Vick or any other athlete of any race, color or creed a second chance and an opportunity to earn a living. He has passed that attitude down to his son, Dan Rooney and his grandson Art Rooney II.
Ask President Barack Obama, Mike Tomlin or the late Bill Nunn Jr. three African Americans who have benefitted from the policies of inclusion implemented by both of the Steelers owners in the past.
According to targetofopportunity.com, P.E.T.A. the group that has vilified Michael Vick the most vehemently is far more heinous than Vick. “PETA kills animals.” The website says; “The organization that is for the Ethical Treatment of Animals kills animals by the thousands.
In Norfolk, Virginia, from 1998 through the end of 2003, PETA killed over 10,000 dogs, cats and other pets. That is more than five defenseless animals every day.”
The Rooney family, Steelers GM/Director of Player Personnel Kevin Colbert and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin know more about Michael Vick than him just having been convicted of participating in an illegal dogfighting operation. They know that he has already been tried and convicted and has paid his debt to society.
Aubrey Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com He is also a contributing columnist for urbanmediatoday.com Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe
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