Portis apparently is not a dog lover

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Grim21Reaper

Clinton keeps it real and says funny/stupid things all the time. I wouldn't give his comments a second look.

Nothing that Portis said here was funny......nothing.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

Nothing that Portis said here was funny......nothing.

So Portis isn't bashing Vick for his alleged knowledge of dog fighting... who the hell cares?! Portis grew up in an area where he witnessed dog fighting from a young age, and it was apparently accepted in the community. What is he supposed to say? He doesn't care that Vick might be involved in dog fighting, but he should lie and say that he does care?

This issue is not as cut and dry as some people want to make it out to be. I'm a dog lover myself, but I personally don't care that a bunch of nasty, trained killing machines are fighting each other. I guess that makes me a bad person for not piling on the Michael Vick bash wagon.

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

So Portis isn't bashing Vick for his alleged knowledge of dog fighting... who the hell cares?! Portis grew up in an area where he witnessed dog fighting from a young age, and it was apparently accepted in the community. What is he supposed to say? He doesn't care that Vick might be involved in dog fighting, but he should lie and say that he does care?

First of all, the issue is not that Portis chose not to bash Vick........he actually came to his defense and said that even if he was engaged in this illegal felonious activity, he doesn't see it as a big deal and people should mind their own business.

Second, growing up in an area where you witness a particular illegal activity being prevalent does not make the illegal activity any less illegal or the behavior any less disgusting. By your reasoning, it would be appropriate to support a white supremacist's actions because you grew up in an area where everyone was a member of the kkk. Or, it would be appropriate to condone Michael Irvin's use of crack/cocaine because where you grew up there was a crack whore on every corner. After all, shouldn't we just turn a blind eye to criminals and "mind our own business?" The position is preposterous.

Third, regarding the question of what should he say?: Nothing, would be a good start. "No comment" comes to mind. "I'm reserving judgment" would be ok with me. Pretty much anything except for, "big deal, so someone is treating animals with inhuman (in every sense of that word) and unadulterated cruelty......so what if it's a felony......so some dogs are being tortured and killed.........so what if the community is being put at risk........mind your own business and let's let the criminals in our society do what they want." Plain and simple, Portis's statements were stupid and ill-advised.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

Second, growing up in an area where you witness a particular illegal activity being prevalent does not make the illegal activity any less illegal or the behavior any less disgusting. By your reasoning, it would be appropriate to support a white supremacist's actions because you grew up in an area where everyone was a member of the kkk. Or, it would be appropriate to condone Michael Irvin's use of crack/cocaine because where you grew up there was a crack whore on every corner. After all, shouldn't we just turn a blind eye to criminals and "mind our own business?" The position is preposterous.

Whether you want to believe it or not, the majority of people that grow up in areas where racism is an accepted norm are generally racist themselves or have a much higher tolerance for it than most people. And poor or unethical treatment of human beings is not even close to the same thing as poor treatment of pit bulls, no matter how much some of you try to relate the two.

The Michael Irvin issue is a completely different ballpark. The only people effected by his cocaine use is himself and his family. Why would I, or anyone else have anything to say about it?

Anyway, I agree with dmek. Why do Clinton Portis' social opinions matter? He's not an elected official or a law enforcement officer. He's a damn football player. His opinions don't mean dick. And I'm still not convinced the original issue isn't being blown out of proportion more than normal because Michael Vick is the culpret.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Anyway, I agree with dmek. Why do Clinton Portis' social opinions matter? He's not an elected official or a law enforcement officer. He's a damn football player. And I'm still not convinced the original issue isn't being blown out of proportion more than normal because Michael Vick is the culpret.

Exactly.

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Whether you want to believe it or not, the majority of people that grow up in areas where racism is an accepted norm are generally racist themselves or have a much higher tolerance for it than most people. And poor or unethical treatment of human beings is not even close to the same thing as poor treatment of pit bulls, no matter how much some of you try to relate the two.

The Michael Irvin issue is a completely different ballpark. The only people effected by his cocaine use is himself and his family. Why would I, or anyone else have anything to say about it?

Ok, so for the record, you would be in favor of any potential role model like Portis (or any other Redskin for that matter) supporting the actions of anyone committing any felony they want as long as it doesn't effect you directly if they happened to witness the commission of that felony in their neighborhood growing up. Got it.


Any yet somehow people are surprised that crime rates grow generation after generation.......I can't imagine why.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

Ok, so for the record, you would be in favor of any potential role model like Portis (or any other Redskin for that matter) supporting the actions of anyone committing any felony they want as long as it doesn't effect you directly if they happened to witness the commission of that felony in their neighborhood growing up. Got it.


Any yet somehow people are surprised that crime rates grow generation after generation.......I can't imagine why.

I don't care what Portis says. I'm pretty sure he's allowed to say whatever he wants in the United States of America where the Bill of Rights allows him that freedom. Does that mean that if a future "role model" makes a similar comment my future children will start promoting dog fights? If it does, that would be more a reflection on me as a parent than the person that said it. I try not to blame my problems on what a celebrity says, or what's on TV, or any of the random garbage that the media tries to pass off as "news.

And you're correct. My attitude is the reason crime rates go up. That's a logical statement...

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

I don't care what Portis says. I'm pretty sure he's allowed to say whatever he wants in the United States of America where the Bill of Rights allows him that freedom. Does that mean that if a future "role model" makes a similar comment my future children will start promoting dog fights? If it does, that would be more a reflection on me as a parent than the person that said it. I try to blame my problems on what a celebrity says, or what's on TV, or any of the random garbage that the media tries to pass off as "news.

And you're correct. My attitude is the reason crime rates go up. That's a logical statement...

You're absolutely right, he can say whatever he wants. And the First Amendment allows us to talk about how incredibly stupid it is for him to make the statements that he made.

My problem is specifically with the "mind your own business" attitude. The precise reason society doesn't "mind its own business" when it comes to the commission of crimes is that doing so results in anarchy. To defend Vick by saying there is nothing wrong with what he's doing if he's on his own property committing felonies is absurd. To justify the behavior as somehow ok because you don't agree with the law and because the boys in your hood growing up all used to do it is even more ridiculous. That logic would have us letting criminals off the hook or "justifying" their behavior soley based on their life experiences. Not only would that be a completely inequitable result (presumably, I'd somehow be more culpable than Vick because I didn't grow up in a slum that had a bunch of degenerates promoting dog fighting), but it is also the very attitude that perpetuates continued commission of the same crimes from one generation to the next. If you can't see that connection, then I'm at a loss. I really don't know how to make it any clearer to you.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

First of all, the issue is not that Portis chose not to bash Vick........he actually came to his defense and said that even if he was engaged in this illegal felonious activity, he doesn't see it as a big deal and people should mind their own business.

Second, growing up in an area where you witness a particular illegal activity being prevalent does not make the illegal activity any less illegal or the behavior any less disgusting. By your reasoning, it would be appropriate to support a white supremacist's actions because you grew up in an area where everyone was a member of the kkk. Or, it would be appropriate to condone Michael Irvin's use of crack/cocaine because where you grew up there was a crack whore on every corner. After all, shouldn't we just turn a blind eye to criminals and "mind our own business?" The position is preposterous.

Third, regarding the question of what should he say?: Nothing, would be a good start. "No comment" comes to mind. "I'm reserving judgment" would be ok with me. Pretty much anything except for, "big deal, so someone is treating animals with inhuman (in every sense of that word) and unadulterated cruelty......so what if it's a felony......so some dogs are being tortured and killed.........so what if the community is being put at risk........mind your own business and let's let the criminals in our society do what they want." Plain and simple, Portis's statements were stupid and ill-advised.

Very well put PSUSkinsFan, could not have been expressed any better. Who cares? There are many, many people who care, and they also consider it their business when a felony is being committed. Where one grew up is a poor excuse to use as justification for being able to understand why one would be associated with such behavior. To speak of Michael Vick in any sentence with the words "role model" is disgusting within itself.

[Oakland Red]

Ficticious news story:

PORTIS COMMENTS ON WHALING AND OTHER CULINARY MATTERS
Associated News

By Stanley Winston
Hampton Roads, VA
May 21, 2007

Clinton Portis today commented that he had eaten whale meat while on a recent trip to Tokyo, and enjoyed it immensely.

Many fans of the Washington Redskins were immediate in their condemnation.

"Who the hell is Clinton Portis to say he enjoys eating whale meat?" said Al Pischotti, longtime Skins fan. "Doesn't he know that that whale meat comes from a whale that might another whale's parent? How can he be so insensitive to say he enjoys eating someone's parent and creating orphans in the process?"

Redskins fan Al Iddle concurred: "Portis likes making orphans?" He shook his head in apoplectic anger. "I'm just glad we signed Ladell Betts to a contract," he shouted.

Later, Portis was asked what he thought of a buffalo burger he ate at Ted's Montana Grill, owned by CNN founder and sports mogul Ted Turner. "I thought the buffalo burger was juicy and quite tasty actually. I give Ted's Montana Grill four stars."

Many Redskin fans were beside themselves with fury. "How can Clinton Portis say he likes buffalo burgers?" Janice Bulbright vociferated. "Doesn't he know that buffaloes are slaughtered so that he can have his juicy little plate at Ted's Montana Grill?"

While on his recent Asian trip, Portis took the opportunity to visit Peking, where he was surprised by the numerous Redskins fans who greeted him in the streets. When he accepted their offer of fried dog at a local bistro, Danwei Dachshund, they were thrilled to say the least.

"Clinton Portis is the best running back in the NFL, " Redskin fan Gao Zexu opined. "He very graciously ate dinner with us, and shared stories of his team's games and his wonderful plays. We were all very honored to welcome and host Clinton Portis, and share some delicious dachshund with him."

Clinton gave the Danwei Dachshund restaurant "four stars."

On the home front though, dozens of Redskin fans were picketing the entrance to Redskins Park, beside themselves with anger and resentment about Portis' controversial travels and culinary interests.

Many Redskins players and coaches were puzzled. Clinton Portis was asked for his reaction. "If people are going to get upset like this, that's cool. They are definitely energetic." He smiled and added, "I was hoping they'd save that energy for the Dallas game, but they know what rings their bell."

A Redskins trainer passed by the chanting crowd, quietly shaking his head as he gazed at the scene. A reporter asked him for his reaction. Turning to the front door he waved and said, "I don't have a dog in that fight."

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

Nothing that Portis said here was funny......nothing.

That is why I had a slash and stupid attached. I think he was trying to be funny and because there is zero real news out there, this became a story.

Unless Clinton is fighting dogs himself, this is a non-story.

If anyone is actually offended by this, grow a pair. Athletes are entertainers. If you actually look to most athletes to be some type of role model, sorry, but you are an idiot.

That is the truth and, sometimes, the truth hurts.

[724Skinsfan]

Well this is the dogfighting thread....you don't have to keep posting in it if you are not interested.

Huh? Common sense? Where?!?

Anyway...If you derive enjoyment out of forcing or attempting to force animals to fight one another and reap financial benefits then that, my friends, is a problem with your character.

Portis didn't seem to me to come across as totally endorsing the act just trying unsuccessfully to lighten up the criticism towards Vick. I've never leaned towards CP's words as a source of inspiration in the past and still won't.