Michael Vick

In an impassioned plea, Michael Vick asked the federal judge for leniency in his dog cruelty case.

Mostly the part that is garnering so much attention (and I read the entire letter) is when he characterizes himself as a "shy...animal lover."

Isn't that sweet?

I envision a little boy with braces playing in his suburban front yard with his golden retriever; however, that is only the imagery Vick wants us to see, instead of the reality of his deeds, which are engaging in brutal, inhumane dog fights to the death and torturing dogs to death for sheer pleasure.

Additionally, he stated to the judge--in the same letter--that he has a problem saying "no" to a crowd, so he has a pack mentality. His justification goes further to say that he just didn't know being cruel to animals was a crime.

My daddy always told me that ignorance of the law is never a viable defense, but manipulation of the facts and character assassination of the prosecution's witnesses are.

So what will be Vick's fate? Personally, I hope he gets the maximum sentence allowed by law, because all golden retrievers frolicking on the front lawn aside, it is tantamount to gross atypical social behavior to garner pleasure from the torture and destruction of an animal.