My letter to "The View" regardin Whoopi's comments on Michael Vick & dogfighting.

I am still trying to wrap my mind around what Whoopi said today regarding Michael Vick. It just doesn't make sense to me and her statements in my opinion don't hold any water. I have noted a few things for her to study up on before she espouses on something that she surprisingly knows little about but seems to be able to debate on national television.

First, Michael Vick is NOT from the "Deep South". I have LIVED in the deep south (I graduated from High School in Jacksonville, AL). In my humble opinion, even to the least knowledgeable person...when has VIRGINIA *EVER* been considered the "deep south"? My wife and I discussed this (she was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Selma and Prattville, AL). The Deep South USUALLY refers to the following states, and the term itself is traditionally used to imply the stereotyped "backwoods" ignorant type, though I could be wrong. These states are usually Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and sometimes Arkansas. Some people will throw in Kentucky or Tennessee but I don't see them as being "deep south" either geographically or culturally. Some people will also throw in the Carolinas, but the same thing goes with these two states as with KY and TN in my opinion.

Please have Whoopi reasearch Newport News, VA. I have taken the liberty for you folks to make it easier to verify:http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/state/virginia.html

Newport News ALSO has over 100k people...not really a "backwoods" town that would have a "culture" of illegal dogfighting. It's actually the 6th largest city in a fairly large state:http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108283.html

Furthermore, as a former Marine, I had the opportunity to be stationed for a period of time in Norfolk, VA and Chesapeake, VA which are both SOUTH of Newport News. Never once did I feel as if I were in the "Deep South". I would know...I lived there.

Moving on, she mentioned "cock fighting" in Puerto Rico. Major point to note. It is LEGAL in Puerto Rico! It is KNOWN to be illegal in all states but Louisiana currently (though there is legislation that is expected it to be banned in that state by August of 08). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockfight.

So cultural or not...cockfighting OR dogfighting...if you are doing it in the United States...you KNOW you are breaking the law.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogfighting

By Whoopi's logic, it's ok to do crack cocaine because in certain geographical areas (urban inner cities mostly, though it HAS spread out a bit) this is the culture and what people do? Sounds kinda ridiculous doesn't it... Think about that for a second. In certain cultures (African and some Middle Eastern) it is ok to remove a womans sexual genitalia or mutilate a womans sexual organs. So by her logic, it's ok to come to the United States and do that here? I don't think so. We have laws for a reason.

Mr. Vick was not raised in Puerto Rico, Thailand, Mexico, India or any other number of foreign countries where "cockfighting" is legal. and as for dogfighting, as in the earlier link I had which I will put again HERE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogfighting

Dogfighting is ILLEGAL in all 1st world countries and ALL of North America! Same as where he was raised in Newport News, VA. In the United States: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick

This isn't a matter of race or culture. It's a matter of right and wrong. Why did he use the name "Ookie"? Because he didn't want his real name used. Why? Because he KNEW it was wrong. That is why in his indictment, (page 15 #68) it states (and I QUOTE) "During the fightC.W.#3 (corroborating or cooperating witness) was criticized by a person unknown to the Grand Jury from "Bad Newz Kennels" for C.W.#3's having yelled out VICKS name in front of the crowd during the dog fight".

That's a smoking gun. It shows that they (Vick and his buddies at Bad Newz Kennels KNEW that what they were doing was wrong and/or illegal). That's why they don't film these things, or when they do, people have masks and bandanas over their faces to protect them from being recognized and/or punished for their criminal activities.

In closing, I can only say that today, I was dissapointed by what I heard from Whoopi. I've never written a show before about something like this. But after seeing some clips on ESPN, I felt that I HAD to give you my opinion. I'm neither a fan of Whoopi's nor am I NOT a fan, I've always been "indifferent" to her career to be honest. I am a Libertarian in politics, (the reason I state this is to prepare you for my next statement). However, I thought she handled herself EXCEPTIONALLY well with Bill O'Reilly (who I think is a bully and often sets up his guests to be "straw men"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

However, he has some interesting things to say regarding child welfare laws etc. I don't want to come across as a right winger or neocon either. I'm a centrist libertarian. I just hope that the folks that read this can see that I have done some due diligence, stated my case with an informed and intelligent argument and will hopefully be used to highlight the "average" American's thoughts regarding Whoopi's statements today.

Please feel free to read my blog if you want to know where I'm coming from as I will be adding THIS letter to my blog. A response from Ms. Walters, Ms. Goldberg or your staff would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and I truly hope that Whoopi can succeed in her new role, but in the future, choose her words a bit more carefully before stating opinions on such a sensitive issue.

Sincerely,

Dan Johnson
http://pocketlintandpurplepunch.blogspot.com/