Comments on: Whoopi Goldberg: Dog Fighting Part Of Vick’s Cultural Upbringing http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631 Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:24:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: ann http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-56665 ann Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:49:20 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-56665 I grew up in the north, and have spend my adult years in the Hampton Roads area. This is a far cry from the Deep South. With the large number of major military bases, the area is very transient. I have witnessed more racial tolerance and equity since living here, than I ever witnessed up north. I did not see Whoopie Goldberg's segment, but culteral or not, he still knew it was wrong. What whopie said reminded me of the comment that former sportscaster "Jimmy the Greek" made that got him fired. I grew up in the north, and have spend my adult years in the Hampton Roads area. This is a far cry from the Deep South. With the large number of major military bases, the area is very transient. I have witnessed more racial tolerance and equity since living here, than I ever witnessed up north. I did not see Whoopie Goldberg’s segment, but culteral or not, he still knew it was wrong. What whopie said reminded me of the comment that former sportscaster “Jimmy the Greek” made that got him fired.

]]> By: Shelly http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-55289 Shelly Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:56:55 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-55289 I agree with most of these comments. Vick knew it was wrong and illegal and the fact Whoopi was making excuses for him is inexcusable. Shame on her. I will never watch the View again, they lost me as a viewer. I agree with most of these comments. Vick knew it was wrong and illegal and the fact Whoopi was making excuses for him is inexcusable. Shame on her. I will never watch the View again, they lost me as a viewer.

]]> By: JLLH358 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54945 JLLH358 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:32:29 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54945 I live in Louisiana and have never heard of the "hog dog" fighting thing. I'd be willing to bet it's not that common, but of course some in the media will believe ANYTHING about the deep South - that we're ignorant, racist, and regularly attend and engage in animal fights. SOME MAY, but not all by a long shot!! There are some serious stereotypes that exist about the South and it takes very little "evidence" for some to believe them completely. Most of the Media take one instance and generalize from there. I live in Louisiana and have never heard of the “hog dog” fighting thing. I’d be willing to bet it’s not that common, but of course some in the media will believe ANYTHING about the deep South - that we’re ignorant, racist, and regularly attend and engage in animal fights. SOME MAY, but not all by a long shot!! There are some serious stereotypes that exist about the South and it takes very little “evidence” for some to believe them completely. Most of the Media take one instance and generalize from there.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54836 Anonymous Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:56:38 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54836 It's incredible to justify anyone's actions based on culture or "not knowing any different". Is it okay to hang nooses from a tree because your culture doesn't know any different? Is it okay to burn crosses on someone's lawn because your father, grandfather, great grandfather did it? Is it okay to send a bunch of black students to the back of the bus because this is what was taught from your parents, that blacks are inferior? Is it okay to refer to a black person as a nigger, spear chucker, ape, jiga-boo, porch monkey, or other deep degrading words that still bite and sting when spoken to someone that is black because you don't know any different and your family used them for hundreds of years? Is it just fine for a well known comedian to get up in front of an audience and say to a group of black people that if it was 50 years ago you niggers would have forks stuck up your asses, just because he was too drunk or "didn't know any better" because of his cultural upbringing? Black people have to remember that just because white people unfairly and terribly unjustified them in the past with unthinkable acts, does not make it right for a black person, just because they are black, to do anything they want to, and the black brotherhood or black sisterhood will fully back them. If anything this rekindles the hate for blacks from whites that has long ago been forgotten, he racial disdain that they lost decades ago. Innocent creatures like dogs have done nothing to harm anyone and how dare someone support something so wrong as dogfighting because their race can do no wrong. Let's face it, dogfighting is a brutal demonic act that knows no racial borders, whites do it, blacks do it, asians do it, spanish do it, but the focus of it as portrayed in the media is it is a "black" or ghetto and slum thing that blacks do. It is made even worse by no black person coming out totally against it. It is most unfortunate that more black people that are mega famous just do not come straight out and condemn dog fighting as evil acts that are wrong no matter whom does it, any race. Black people like Whoppi Goldberg that do not just come out and condemn an act as wrong as simply being wrong, makes her race look like look savages that do not regard the law of the United States as something that ONLY applies to non blacks. There are many millions of black people that are horrified at the acts of torment on any living creatue, and especially man's best friend, and for the sake of black people they should be more vocal in their views against dog fighting and any form of unfair cruelty to anything. It should be noted that pit bull dogs are not only the victims of dog fighting, there are many thousands of black people that have lost their pet dog to the theft of their animal to be used as "bait dogs" that are not even allowed to defend themselves. Black people by not expresing their outrage at a cruel crime are really causing deep problems for their race by making white people that truly think of dogs as family members, as just pieces of something to be used and abused by black people. This of course is not true, with only a small portion of black people engage in dogfighting, but the perception if this is different. In the case of this racial thing, most white people do not discriminate against black people, they have stopped this many years ago. Now this dogfighting thing has given whites a reason to take out their frustrations of whatever is going wrong in their lives on blacks because they see blacks as being so unfair by not immediately condemning dog fighting. If you don't believe this, ask many people how they feel about blacks and dogfighting and Michael Vick, as opposed to a year ago, and you will be guaranteed if no one is around to hear them, many racial slurs will fly. For some of these very famous black people to come out and openly condemn dog fighting as an evil thing would so much help get rid of dog fighting, but also help curb this racial tension that is beginning to grow, and help dimish this untrue notion of black people as unfair to anyone and anything that is not black. It’s incredible to justify anyone’s actions based on culture or “not knowing any different”. Is it okay to hang nooses from a tree because your culture doesn’t know any different? Is it okay to burn crosses on someone’s lawn because your father, grandfather, great grandfather did it? Is it okay to send a bunch of black students to the back of the bus because this is what was taught from your parents, that blacks are inferior? Is it okay to refer to a black person as a nigger, spear chucker, ape, jiga-boo, porch monkey, or other deep degrading words that still bite and sting when spoken to someone that is black because you don’t know any different and your family used them for hundreds of years? Is it just fine for a well known comedian to get up in front of an audience and say to a group of black people that if it was 50 years ago you niggers would have forks stuck up your asses, just because he was too drunk or “didn’t know any better” because of his cultural upbringing?
Black people have to remember that just because white people unfairly and terribly unjustified them in the past with unthinkable acts, does not make it right for a black person, just because they are black, to do anything they want to, and the black brotherhood or black sisterhood will fully back them. If anything this rekindles the hate for blacks from whites that has long ago been forgotten, he racial disdain that they lost decades ago. Innocent creatures like dogs have done nothing to harm anyone and how dare someone support something so wrong as dogfighting because their race can do no wrong. Let’s face it, dogfighting is a brutal demonic act that knows no racial borders, whites do it, blacks do it, asians do it, spanish do it, but the focus of it as portrayed in the media is it is a “black” or ghetto and slum thing that blacks do.
It is made even worse by no black person coming out totally against it. It is most unfortunate that more black people that are mega famous just do not come straight out and condemn dog fighting as evil acts that are wrong no matter whom does it, any race. Black people like Whoppi Goldberg that do not just come out and condemn an act as wrong as simply being wrong, makes her race look like look savages that do not regard the law of the United States as something that ONLY applies to non blacks. There are many millions of black people that are horrified at the acts of torment on any living creatue, and especially man’s best friend, and for the sake of black people they should be more vocal in their views against dog fighting and any form of unfair cruelty to anything.
It should be noted that pit bull dogs are not only the victims of dog fighting, there are many thousands of black people that have lost their pet dog to the theft of their animal to be used as “bait dogs” that are not even allowed to defend themselves. Black people by not expresing their outrage at a cruel crime are really causing deep problems for their race by making white people that truly think of dogs as family members, as just pieces of something to be used and abused by black people. This of course is not true, with only a small portion of black people engage in dogfighting, but the perception if this is different.
In the case of this racial thing, most white people do not discriminate against black people, they have stopped this many years ago. Now this dogfighting thing has given whites a reason to take out their frustrations of whatever is going wrong in their lives on blacks because they see blacks as being so unfair by not immediately condemning dog fighting. If you don’t believe this, ask many people how they feel about blacks and dogfighting and Michael Vick, as opposed to a year ago, and you will be guaranteed if no one is around to hear them, many racial slurs will fly.
For some of these very famous black people to come out and openly condemn dog fighting as an evil thing would so much help get rid of dog fighting, but also help curb this racial tension that is beginning to grow, and help dimish this untrue notion of black people as unfair to anyone and anything that is not black.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54833 Lynn Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:47:57 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54833 Here's the transcript from the show on Tuesday: http://www.ktu.com/pages/WMVControversy.html?feed=213636&article=2599724 Incidentally, unless I am totally off base, Vick did not grow up in the south. From what I have read, he lived in Virginia until he was an adult. [Someone correct me if they know otherwise.] Here’s the transcript from the show on Tuesday:

http://www.ktu.com/pages/WMVCo.....le=2599724

Incidentally, unless I am totally off base, Vick did not grow up in the south. From what I have read, he lived in Virginia until he was an adult. [Someone correct me if they know otherwise.]

]]> By: Lynn http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54828 Lynn Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:33:12 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54828 It's true, dogfighting occurs all over the country. Not limited to the south. However, check this out. Hog dog fights are not new; they've likely been around for more than 25 years. The HSUS believes that hog dog fights regularly occur in at least ten states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas where feral hogs are a nuisance. http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/hog_dog_fighting.html It’s true, dogfighting occurs all over the country. Not limited to the south. However, check this out.

Hog dog fights are not new; they’ve likely been around for more than 25 years. The HSUS believes that hog dog fights regularly occur in at least ten states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas where feral hogs are a nuisance.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field.....hting.html

]]> By: JLLH358 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54736 JLLH358 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:00:32 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54736 I have seen animal rescue shows on Animal Planet where pit bulls were rescued from dog fighting rings in - MICHIGAN - not the deep south. Yet, I would NEVER insinuate that this is part of the culture of the north or that people in Michigan see nothing wrong with dog fighting. Sorry, but that is just an ignorant stance to make about ANY region! As a Southerner, I find it offensive that some here are actually buying this trash. IT'S NOT PART OF OUR CULTURE!!! People in the South love their animals too - as I'm sure many in Michigan do as well. There are abusers and animal lovers in every region. None has a monopoly. I have seen animal rescue shows on Animal Planet where pit bulls were rescued from dog fighting rings in - MICHIGAN - not the deep south. Yet, I would NEVER insinuate that this is part of the culture of the north or that people in Michigan see nothing wrong with dog fighting. Sorry, but that is just an ignorant stance to make about ANY region! As a Southerner, I find it offensive that some here are actually buying this trash. IT’S NOT PART OF OUR CULTURE!!! People in the South love their animals too - as I’m sure many in Michigan do as well. There are abusers and animal lovers in every region. None has a monopoly.

]]> By: deanwithana http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54695 deanwithana Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:36:44 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54695 Well, Whoopi really needs to sit back, think about her comments and think good.........MV's father even came forward to say that he warned MV that "he should not be messing with those dogs"......also, MV lied when he was caught.....so he very well knew that this was wrong. Also, I don't care where you are from in the USA.....we all know that drowning or hanging any of gods creature's is completely and totally unacceptable...... So at this point, it is because he is from the south.......next it will be because he is black.........please spare me.......regardless of south, north, east, west......black or white.........right is right and wrong is wrong........down with Whoopi and MV!!!!! Well, Whoopi really needs to sit back, think about her comments and think good………MV’s father even came forward to say that he warned MV that “he should not be messing with those dogs”……also, MV lied when he was caught…..so he very well knew that this was wrong. Also, I don’t care where you are from in the USA…..we all know that drowning or hanging any of gods creature’s is completely and totally unacceptable……

So at this point, it is because he is from the south…….next it will be because he is black………please spare me…….regardless of south, north, east, west……black or white………right is right and wrong is wrong……..down with Whoopi and MV!!!!!

]]> By: nora http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54687 nora Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:47:26 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54687 SICK VIC. SICK VIC. SICK VIC! YES. that statement by Whoopi was an INSULT to anyone who lives in the south and is an animal lover OR just plain sensible and just. Whoopi, I always enjoyed you very much in the past, but now all you are associated with will be TAINTED. HORRIFICALLY KILLING and TORTURING dogs and bait animals IS NOT SPORT. It is murderous BLOOD LUST. SICK VIC. SICK VIC. SICK VIC! YES. that statement by Whoopi was an INSULT to anyone who lives in the south and is an animal lover OR just plain sensible and just. Whoopi, I always enjoyed you very much in the past, but now all you are associated with will be TAINTED. HORRIFICALLY KILLING and TORTURING dogs and bait animals IS NOT SPORT. It is murderous BLOOD LUST.

]]> By: toni http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54580 toni Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:09:51 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54580 Right is right and wrong is wrong. It doesn't matter where you live. If Ms Goldberg wants to quantify her statement, she should do it SOON. Personally, I have always thought she was an OK performer but I could have cared less about her opinions. She CHOSE to interject herself into a discussion about dogfighting and MV's rationale for his behavior. Not exactly a smart career move. I hope she remembers who opened up that door. Right is right and wrong is wrong. It doesn’t matter where you live. If Ms Goldberg wants to quantify her statement, she should do it SOON. Personally, I have always thought she was an OK performer but I could have cared less about her opinions. She CHOSE to interject herself into a discussion about dogfighting and MV’s rationale for his behavior. Not exactly a smart career move. I hope she remembers who opened up that door.

]]> By: Kristy http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54572 Kristy Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:53:13 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54572 Guys, before you lash out at Whoopie, make sure you see the WHOLE video and not just snippets that are floating around (it was on ABC's View website yesterday.) While I don't care for her ignorance about "the South" (I live in GA darling, and I've never even been approached about animal fighting,) I think she was trying to intellectually discuss how HE may not have thought he was doing anything wrong. She certainly didn't condone his behaviour. I still don’t her like implying that this is a “deep south” culture issue (she says she would feel different towards him if he was from NY.) My impression was that she isn’t defending Vick, but that she thinks that it never occurred to him (because of his culture) that it was a bad thing to do. That it was how he was raised and he never knew different. BS I say, because in order to knowingly be deceptive about something means you know that it is wrong. At least to some degree. Personally, I think she is trying to over-psychoanalyze the issue as it pertains to Vick. And unfortunately, it will probably harm her as people will hear news stories or see clips without seeing the whole discussion. This is not like he is some back woods southern boy that has never been around anything different. If that was the case, he wouldn’t have gone through so much to try and hide it for so long. Let’s remember, even though he went to Virginia Tech to play football, the fact remains that he was in college where I am sure he was exposed to more than some “poor dumb southern culture.” (Can you tell that it still pisses me off that she implied that?) Anyhow, I think Whoopie was trying to discuss "how could this happen" and assign a reason. Human nature tends to make us want to explain things. DO I think she is wrong in her theory? ABSOLUTELY. But I don't fault her for trying to make sense of it. Guys, before you lash out at Whoopie, make sure you see the WHOLE video and not just snippets that are floating around (it was on ABC’s View website yesterday.) While I don’t care for her ignorance about “the South” (I live in GA darling, and I’ve never even been approached about animal fighting,) I think she was trying to intellectually discuss how HE may not have thought he was doing anything wrong. She certainly didn’t condone his behaviour.

I still don’t her like implying that this is a “deep south” culture issue (she says she would feel different towards him if he was from NY.) My impression was that she isn’t defending Vick, but that she thinks that it never occurred to him (because of his culture) that it was a bad thing to do. That it was how he was raised and he never knew different. BS I say, because in order to knowingly be deceptive about something means you know that it is wrong. At least to some degree.

Personally, I think she is trying to over-psychoanalyze the issue as it pertains to Vick. And unfortunately, it will probably harm her as people will hear news stories or see clips without seeing the whole discussion. This is not like he is some back woods southern boy that has never been around anything different. If that was the case, he wouldn’t have gone through so much to try and hide it for so long. Let’s remember, even though he went to Virginia Tech to play football, the fact remains that he was in college where I am sure he was exposed to more than some “poor dumb southern culture.” (Can you tell that it still pisses me off that she implied that?)

Anyhow, I think Whoopie was trying to discuss “how could this happen” and assign a reason. Human nature tends to make us want to explain things. DO I think she is wrong in her theory? ABSOLUTELY. But I don’t fault her for trying to make sense of it.

]]> By: Sylvia http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54537 Sylvia Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:50:37 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54537 Using "Whoopi logic" I guess it's ok for anyone who grows up in a gang-infested area to go around shooting people because that's just part of their regional culture, or child abuse because, well, that's just how it is in the deep South (or where ever). Whoopi is a talented entertainer but her personal views/beliefs are disgusting. What Michael Vick participated in using dogs is a dog holocaust - still defending it Whoopi? You should be ashamed Using “Whoopi logic” I guess it’s ok for anyone who grows up in a gang-infested area to go around shooting people because that’s just part of their regional culture, or child abuse because, well, that’s just how it is in the deep South (or where ever). Whoopi is a talented entertainer but her personal views/beliefs are disgusting. What Michael Vick participated in using dogs is a dog holocaust - still defending it Whoopi? You should be ashamed

]]> By: Stefani http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54503 Stefani Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:12:40 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54503 There is a huge difference between doing drugs and forcing two dogs to rip each other to death. No comparison. And no upbringing is an excuse for NOT KNOWING forcing two dogs to fight to the death, and/or beating or eloctrocuting the losing dog, is wrong. If you don't KNOW that is wrong, you are missing something, I don't care what your culture is. As for Whoopi, I will take her at her word that she did not mean to make excuses for him. Just remember: There is a fine line from explanation to rationalization to excuse. It often gets blurred. Stefani There is a huge difference between doing drugs and forcing two dogs to rip each other to death. No comparison.

And no upbringing is an excuse for NOT KNOWING forcing two dogs to fight to the death, and/or beating or eloctrocuting the losing dog, is wrong. If you don’t KNOW that is wrong, you are missing something, I don’t care what your culture is.

As for Whoopi, I will take her at her word that she did not mean to make excuses for him. Just remember: There is a fine line from explanation to rationalization to excuse. It often gets blurred.

Stefani

]]> By: Lynn http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54491 Lynn Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:37:53 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54491 As suspected, today Goldberg clarified that she was only presenting a POV that some people might have regarding how Vick came to be involved with dog fighting. She does not condone it at all, nor does she feel this POV is an excuse. It is simply a thought as to how a particular frame of reference in early years can influence what an adult does and how he perceives animals. As suspected, today Goldberg clarified that she was only presenting a POV that some people might have regarding how Vick came to be involved with dog fighting. She does not condone it at all, nor does she feel this POV is an excuse. It is simply a thought as to how a particular frame of reference in early years can influence what an adult does and how he perceives animals.

]]> By: Barb http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54474 Barb Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:11:51 +0000 http://www.itchmo.com/whoopi-goldberg-dog-fighting-part-of-vicks-cultural-upbringing-2631#comment-54474 I just happened to switch the channel right as this subject came up on the View yesterday. I knew Whoppie's comments were going to start a rage, mostly because people read into things, but IMO she was just making an observation. She wasn't defending his actions at all, just brought up the fact that dog fighting is a 'culture' thing in the South, and she didn't say that it was right, just that it was a fact. I just happened to switch the channel right as this subject came up on the View yesterday. I knew Whoppie’s comments were going to start a rage, mostly because people read into things, but IMO she was just making an observation. She wasn’t defending his actions at all, just brought up the fact that dog fighting is a ‘culture’ thing in the South, and she didn’t say that it was right, just that it was a fact.

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