Myth of redemption
Re “Forgiveness” (Your Views, Aug. 21): So let me get this straight: Orchestrating the torture, electrocution, drowning and hanging of dogs now count as the building blocks of “an excellent winning example” of faith, forgiveness and determination? Who knew the road to moral greatness ran through a dogfighting ring? Michael Vick’s “advocacy” for animals is laughable. Nearly a million dollars paid for the dogs’ care was not philanthropy. It was court-ordered restitution. His cameos with the Humane Society and brief lobbying stint for one anti-dogfighting bill? Convenient photo ops and token gestures — the kind of bare minimum required to polish an image, not to heal a conscience.
His foundation for at-risk youth? Admirable, but irrelevant to the horrors he inflicted on defenseless dogs. It looks less more like a strategic PR campaign.
Let’s not confuse forgiveness with reward. If God has forgiven Vick, that’s between the two of them. But Norfolk State University’s decision to place him in a leadership role tells young people that accountability is optional, that cruelty can be washed away if you rebrand yourself well enough.
Coaches are supposed to model integrity. Instead, NSU has chosen someone who once modeled violence and indifference to suffering. This isn’t leadership. It’s moral amnesia.
If redemption stories inspire us, fine. But let’s not pretend that Vick’s limited, court-directed gestures make him a hero. By elevating him, NSU has sent a dangerous message: commit atrocities, rebrand and you too can be rewarded. Forgiveness may be divine, but this hire is disgraceful.
Pat Orange, Norfolk
Outrage?
Re “Historical integrity” (Your Views, Aug. 22): I find it ironic that a recent letter stated we shouldn’t allow our history to be erased or sanitized by President Donald Trump. Yet, he never mentioned how the Black Lives Matter rioters and even state Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth defaced and destroyed many historical statues in 2020 in their effort to erase history they didn’t agree with, or more to the point, didn’t align with their agenda.
While I agree that America has a difficult and complicated past that must be remembered and taught to generations yet to come, we should also remember those whose destructive outbursts destroyed a good piece of our history while escaping criminal or civil penalty that accomplished nothing of significance.
Jimmy Frost, Virginia Beach
Democrats
The Democrats are in tough shape. They seem to have lost the huge following that gave them an edge in past elections. The odds are against them if they have to depend on the opposition, both Republicans and independents in a few swing states, abandoning the current government’s reckless policies. Most people resist admitting their mistakes. Democrats have to find a way to recapture public confidence in their ability to provide enlightened leadership.
Some people assume that President Donald Trump will fall flat on his face, or that because congressional Republicans have put all their chips on this huckster, they will go down with the ship. But a lot of pundits believe that won’t be easy. Republicans might find another candidate who will champion their cause. A “red wave” is not a long shot.
The ugly truth is that a huge swath of voters have rejected what has become the standard Democratic platform. Some believe in many of the progressive goals, but are suspect of the means proposed to achieve them. The Democrats need to retool. And the time to begin is now.
Keep your eye on Sherrod Brown. He’s running to regain his Ohio senate seat. If he succeeds, he may become a paradigm of sorts. Brown is a moderate Democrat in a swing state. That has to be the target group for Democrats in the next presidential election. If they had done that last November, Kamala Harris would be president.
Dave Boraks, Onancock
