BOYCOTT Nike until they stop sponsoring Michael Vick!

RideRocket

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I know many of you don't care for Bill O'Reilly, but he had an interesting piece last night on his show regarding the Michael Vick issue. His guest was an editorialist for the Kansas City Star / Tribune (something) whose basic premise was that the hip-hop / rap / gangsta image has taken over and corrupted too many of our youths. In turn, many pro athletes have adopted this image (because they grew up being influenced by this culture). Whether they like it or not, pro athletes are role models for younger kids. Although much of the 'culture' is directed at blacks, it impacts our entire society regardless of color.

I love playing basketball but outside of an occasional college game, I can't stand watching the NBA because it portrays a 'thug' image. Specifically to the NFL, I hope that Roger Goddell (the new commissioner) sticks to his guns about cleaning up the image of the league his top priority.
 

IntoxicatingToxin

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I know many of you don't care for Bill O'Reilly, but he had an interesting piece last night on his show regarding the Michael Vick issue. His guest was an editorialist for the Kansas City Star / Tribune (something) whose basic premise was that the hip-hop / rap / gangsta image has taken over and corrupted too many of our youths. In turn, many pro athletes have adopted this image (because they grew up being influenced by this culture). Whether they like it or not, pro athletes are role models for younger kids. Although much of the 'culture' is directed at blacks, it impacts our entire society regardless of color.

I love playing basketball but outside of an occasional college game, I can't stand watching the NBA because it portrays a 'thug' image. Specifically to the NFL, I hope that Roger Goddell (the new commissioner) sticks to his guns about cleaning up the image of the league his top priority.

I think I know the editorialist you are talking about... Jason Whitlock. He was on Oprah not long ago (after Don Imus) talking about the same thing. As far as I know, a couple years ago, the NBA made a HUGE change as far as what it's athletes are allowed to wear. No more "bling", no sagging pants, etc... I thought it was interesting.
 

RideRocket

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I think I know the editorialist you are talking about... Jason Whitlock. He was on Oprah not long ago (after Don Imus) talking about the same thing. As far as I know, a couple years ago, the NBA made a HUGE change as far as what it's athletes are allowed to wear. No more "bling", no sagging pants, etc... I thought it was interesting.

You are right about his name - I just looked him up and that's who O'Reilly had on his show - Thanks!
I really liked his message and thought it was spot on about the influence of gangsta rap on sports.
 

yngjock20

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Jason Whitlock is a douche. He thinks that he knows what he's talking about, but he doesn't. No amount of "research" and "studies" and "articles" can give you the real idea of what the street mentality is like.

This is kind of unrelated, but I think the whole Anderson Cooper series on "Snitchin'" was retarded. I was personally grossed out by the idea of trying to separate loyalty by making it a "cultural" thing. I think Jason Whitlock was interviewed during that series as well. Apalling.
 

Flyeyes

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Excuse my ignorance,but these sportstars are not household names, in my native of England.However, I can only imagine how I would feel if David Beckham did such a hanus and disgusting act in the name of "sport". Although, Im not keen on dogs, Infact I damn near hate the blasted things, I wouldn't subject one to the cruelty of a dogfight and strongly beleive any individual who treats dogs or animal in this way deserves all they get in the way of the judicial system. Is there an online petition we can sighn, to boycott Nike/ Micheal "The Prick" Vick.
 

RideRocket

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Jason Whitlock is a douche. He thinks that he knows what he's talking about, but he doesn't. No amount of "research" and "studies" and "articles" can give you the real idea of what the street mentality is like.

This is kind of unrelated, but I think the whole Anderson Cooper series on "Snitchin'" was retarded. I was personally grossed out by the idea of trying to separate loyalty by making it a "cultural" thing. I think Jason Whitlock was interviewed during that series as well. Apalling.


So you don't think that many professional sports athletes have adopted a 'gangsta thug' attitude? The kind that glorifies smoking pot, disdain for authority, and denigrating women?

How would you explain the image that pro athletes are protraying? The run-ins with the law from gun possession to drugs to DUIs to etc?
 

SpeedoGuy

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Whether they like it or not, pro athletes are role models for younger kids. Although much of the 'culture' is directed at blacks, it impacts our entire society regardless of color.

Rocket:

I agree with this. Whether they admit it or not, college and pro athletes are public representatives of their teams, schools and sponsors. If the teams, schools and sponsors look the other way while their athletes display boorish behavior, then they're complicit. Enablers, in other words.

Ultimately its up to the fans and consumers to hold sporting organizations to account. If the fans continue to shell out dollars regardless of athlete behavior, nothing will change. Based on what I've seen so far, that's what I'm guessing will continue.
 

yngjock20

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That's not what I said and they didn't "adopt" that after they got out into their respective leagues.

BTW, let me reiderate that NIKE has officially dropped Michael Vick as a endorser and they have dropped his shoe line. He was to release a fifth shoe in the Air Zoom series this summer, but it has been called off. Also, his contract was dropped and he loses is multi million dollar paycheck.
 

Dr. Dilznick

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So since I've never bought anything by Nike (not for any actually reason, I just haven't) I can't make a specific effort to avoid buying them in the future if they are found guilty of something which I personal object to?

(This isn't about their policies, manufacturing or dog fighting, I'm against all of those, this is just to illustrate that it is possible to boycott someone even if you've not previously bought from them)
Sure I can. I haven't used or promoted their products, but I haven't been actively avoiding them, either.

boycott - Definitions from Dictionary.com
You're right, my argument is based on some kind of fuzzy language math. Hadn't actually checked M-w.com.


People can consent. Dogs cannot consent.
A better comparison would be between dogfighting and sport fishing.
 

burns1de

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This is in addition to past charges of public profanity and smoking marijuana in public.

'Public profanity' is a charge?? WTF???? I've done those two things a lot, often at the same time.

"That's a FUCKING GODDAMN good blunt, son!"

Please don't boycott me.
 

Shelby

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People can consent. Dogs cannot consent.

I'm not a fan of boxing or UFC, but at least those guys are getting paid and are free to walk away from the sport if they choose.

Huh? These dogs LOVE to fight. They can't WAIT to get in the ring. Does a dog need to consent to be taken hunting? How would he do it, in writing? lol. I'm fucking lost.

Also boxers and fighters are indeed free to walk away. But it's difficult for them to do so when they can make much more money risking brain damage and permanent injury for our entertainment. I suppose when the trainer lets go of the dog he could turn and haul ass instead of obeying his instincts. Then he could go try to find his own food and probably get ripped to shreds by a pack of coyotes or starve. Ah, freedom.
 

rob_just_rob

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Huh? These dogs LOVE to fight. They can't WAIT to get in the ring. Does a dog need to consent to be taken hunting? I'm fucking lost.

Also boxers and fighters are indeed free to walk away. But it's difficult for them to do so when they can make much more money risking brain damage and permanent injury for our entertainment. I suppose when the trainer let's go of the dog he could turn and haul ass instead of obeying his instincts. Then he could go try to find his own food and probably get ripped to shreds by a pack of coyotes or starve. Ah, freedom.

Shelby,

I understand that you like to play this role here. But it's painfully apparent that you either don't know what you're talking about, are being wilfully obtuse, or both.
 

transformer_99

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Terrible about the animals, no sympathy for Vick. We see this done to people on this planet too. Life is pretty brutal when you really break it down to it's baser elements. Take UFC for instance, yeah I know, tell me it's a career choice, but the reality of the brutality of the sport itself sells. You even have the early athletes, the one's that became champions in the sport start their own gyms like boxers and perpetuate it for profit. In the end it's a prostitution with it's own version of pimps.

The NFL is no different, brutality of tuning in to watch someone get knocked senseless is what that sport's attraction is too. Recently, it's amazing how many have died a lot younger than they might have otherwise. You had Walter Payton, Reggie White, Andre Waters, Mike Webster, the list is just incredible. If you were to simply look at the very sport and career of Vick himself, he is oddly a parallel of his dog fighting ring. That's not intended as a defense of his behavior, just a perspective of the cold hard baser elements of the career and life of the man. Divorce from the fact that he gets millions to be this athlete. And as disgusting as his gesture was going into a tunnel after a game, the fan that taunted and antagonized him to elicit that response is simply evidence that life, no matter how refined we'd ideally like to envision it should be, is this brutal and cold.
 

wldhoney

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Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons football team has recently been charged with owning and operating a dog fighting business in Virginia.

This man is not a role model for the youth of our country. Michael Vick is a disgrace to humanity. This is in addition to past charges of public profanity and smoking marijuana in public. I find his behavior to be abhorrent, despicable, and common.

His primary sponsor is Nike. I have been a loyal Nike customer since I was in high school; but no more. I will be letting all my friends know of his despicable deeds and encouraging them to BOYCOTT NIKE until they terminate all dealings with Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons.

MICHAEL VICK LINKS

Nike sponsorship Michael Vick - Google Search

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/18/vickmedia_0719.html

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/18/0719vickjudge.html

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/06/0706vick.html

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html

http://deadspin.com/sports/nfl/michael-vick-likes-to-watch-dogs-kill-each-other-255534.php

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/falcons/2007-07-18-vick-business-impact_N.htm




[URL="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10260774"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10260774[/URL]

I don't buy their products, but they don't know that! I will be happy to join in and write a lovely, polite "michael vick's a d***" letter. :biggrin1:
 

Principessa

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Shelby,

I understand that you like to play this role here. But it's painfully apparent that you either don't know what you're talking about, are being wilfully obtuse, or both.
My money is on both

Please don't boycott me.
I would never boycott a cock as beautiful as yours. :flirt:
 

RideRocket

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Since we're sort of on the topic of dogfighting, I just watched an interesting documentary (via Netflix's Watch It Now feature) done in 2005 called "Off the Chain" about dogfighting. Here's a quick synopsis:

"Director Bobby J. Brown (no, not Whitney's Bobby) spent three years as an embedded cameraman in the secretive world of underground dog fighting, gaining the trust of inner-city men who spend their spare time sparring pit bulls. This fascinating documentary is the fruit of Brown's dangerous labors, telling the story of a misunderstood breed that at one time was considered a first-rate family pet but has lately developed a nasty rep."

Absolutely sad what is done to these animals. If he's guilty, I certainly hope the new NFL commissioner lives up to his promise about cleaning up the image of the NFL regardless of whether it's some no-name thug or star quarterback thug.