FOX: Portis' bark deserves a bite in the bum

[bubba9497]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6836960?print=true


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Portis' bark deserves a bite in the bum

Kevin Hench / FOXSports.com


Is it not sufficient for man to absorb the useful labors and lives of the inferior creation, without superadding excessive anguish, want and misery?
— Julius Ames, The Spirit of Humanity

If somebody is too stupid to understand the fundamental immorality of dog fighting, you're never going to be able to explain it to him.

So don't waste your breath on Clinton Portis.

You could show him scripture, wherein man's dominion over animals comes with an insistence on "holiness and justice."

Heck, you could even give him a copy of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man in the hopes that he might see a parallel in the inhumanity between Ellison's battle royal — a brutal free-for-all fought by black men for the entertainment of whites — and a bunch of men standing around and cheering as two dogs tear each other apart.

But none of it would take. So this isn't a column with an educational purpose. This is a more retributive exercise with the aim of adding just a sliver of anguish and misery to the otherwise great life of multi-millionaire jackass Clinton Portis, written on behalf of my dog Sam.

In what could have been a completely inconsequential off-season interview, the idiot Portis, for no apparent reason, decided to weigh in on behalf of Michael Vick and in favor of dog fighting.

When I saw the headline I thought it must have been one ill-conceived comment — perhaps blown out of proportion or taken the wrong way — but, oh no, Portis went out of his way to reiterate again and again in different ways that he has no problems with dog owners fighting their dogs.

If you thought Ted Koppel tried to throw Al Campanis a lifeline, check out how many times the interviewer gives Portis opportunities to backtrack.

On the topic of Vick facing possible charges for dog fighting, Portis opened with, "I think people should mind their business, you know. I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, his dog, if that's what he wants to do, do it."

When apprised by the startled interviewer that dog fighting is a felony, Portis was fairly incredulous. It seems to be the first he's heard of that development within our justice system. But he's ready with a rebuttal.

"It can't be too bad of a crime. There's a lot of stuff that's crimes, you know. It's killers on the loose over here and you want to hunt down Michael Vick over fighting some dogs."

Well said, Clint. Well said. But he was just getting started.

"I think behind closed doors the same people who do all the judging are probably some of the harshest people around. They're Internet predators and everything else."

Smart. Use the Karl Rove strategy, go on the attack. The people — law enforcement officers, district attorneys, judges — condemning others for dog fighting are Internet predators. Nice.

Come to think of it, we've got to get Chris Hansen and his crew to surprise the gang at one of these dog fights. Those would be some choice interviews. Smart crowd, the dog fighting fan base.

[Forever21]

I can't help but love that article.

I love CP and he's our franchise back but this is something I will forever hold against his person.

He's an amazing football player but obviously not an amazing human.

Guess it was too much to think he was both.

[.Guy.]

I love all the people who are flippin out about his comments. It's his OPINION. Let it be. Who cares what he said. Does it affect you? NO. I have a dog and what he said hasn't bothered me at all. Obviously I'd never do any of the dog fighting stuff but holy heck, you guys are out of control. And more so then what he said. "This is something I will forever hold against his person", you must be kidding me. Why be so sensitive? If your friend said something like that would you stop being friends? Why? because his opinion differs than yours and you consider him "stupid" for having that opinion? Grow up. It's his comments. Doesn't change the way I look at him. I actually feel sorry FOR him because of all the freakin outrage that it's caused on this forum and on the news.

[KingGibbs]

Originally Posted by .Guy.

I love all the people who are flippin out about his comments. It's his OPINION. Let it be. Who cares what he said. Does it affect you? NO. I have a dog and what he said hasn't bothered me at all. Obviously I'd never do any of the dog fighting stuff but holy heck, you guys are out of control. And more so then what he said. "This is something I will forever hold against his person", you must be kidding me. Why be so sensitive? If your friend said something like that would you stop being friends? Why? because his opinion differs than yours and you consider him "stupid" for having that opinion? Grow up. It's his comments. Doesn't change the way I look at him. I actually feel sorry FOR him because of all the freakin outrage that it's caused on this forum and on the news.

While this isn't directed towards everyone who is in your age group, your age says it all. Grow up boy.

[Forever21]

Originally Posted by .Guy.

"This is something I will forever hold against his person", you must be kidding me. Why be so sensitive? If your friend said something like that would you stop being friends? Why? because his opinion differs than yours and you consider him "stupid" for having that opinion? Grow up.

grow up? That's funny...

I am not being sensitive...Portis condones something that is wrong on a human level...the enjoyment of watching two dogs tear each other apart...I don't care if he watches dog fighting or not...condoning it is nearly as bad...

How would you feel about someone saying that they don't think that touching young kids isn't that big a deal? Hey if it's their kid then they should be able to do with it as they wish and everyone should mind their business.

Yeah that is extreme but I think some of the people here need an extreme example to get through their thick ignorant skulls.

Or how about someone saying that it's ok to be a racist/homophobe as long as you keep it to yourself? It's not ok...

[MSJHWT]

I watched the intereview, it's kind of funny Samuels seems like he can't beleive what CP is saying at the beginning of the interview....and then honestly I can't tell if Clinton is being serious or if it's some twisted joke he's playing.

If that's the real way Clinton thinks, I'm very disappointed in him.

[Gregpeck99]

I think its hypocritical to pile on Portis for his remarks ... he (and Vick) have been nurtured in a system that worships violence and physicality for the enjoyment and appetite of millions of "football fans." So whadda you expect? The sanctimonius "holier than though" BS from the media is as sickening and predictable as Portis's sick remarks.

[LifelongSkinsFan]

This says all that needs to be said:

If somebody is too stupid to understand the fundamental immorality of dog fighting, you're never going to be able to explain it to him.

[EnFoRcEr_uPu]

Who gives a ****? This is being blown so far out of proportion it makes me sick. The point he makes in his interview makes perfect sense to me...this **** happens every day of the week on numerous occasions, but it's Mike Vick, "gotta make a big ****ing deal about it".

I never once heard him say that he thinks it's a good idea, or that he takes part in any of those activities, yet people act as though he said just that.

[rincewind]

Pretty harsh article, and well deserved. Only problem I have is that the writer puts some words in CP's mouth. But, oh well, you say something as completely idiotic as what Portis said, you better expect some rash backlash such as this. Portis is an ass.

[Snackbar]

Its an embarrasment to the entire Redskin Nation. These are supposed to be college edumacated people.

[stwasm]

The writer's parallel to Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" really brings the point home. While I'm not going to "hold it against him for the rest of his life," I was very disappointed in him for his comments.

[Taylorfan2179]

I love CP, but he messed up. If he was joking, which many on this board have said, in their infinite closeness with CP. But if he is that stupid to joke about that, while sounding serious, it just bit him in the rear.

[grhqofb5]

Originally Posted by Gregpeck99

I think its hypocritical to pile on Portis for his remarks ... he (and Vick) have been nurtured in a system that worships violence and physicality for the enjoyment and appetite of millions of "football fans." So whadda you expect? The sanctimonius "holier than though" BS from the media is as sickening and predictable as Portis's sick remarks.

I know..... Since they grew up in less than ideal circumstances, witnessing violence as children in their neighborhoods and now having to endure a whole new form of violence in the atmosphere that is the "NFL", it's only logical that they would form an affinity for something like dogfighting. Maybe we should give all NFL players a pass when they beat their girlfriends as well. Wanna murder someone? I guess I'd have to withhold any criticism there as well. They're circumstances are just so harsh....

[rincewind]

Originally Posted by grhqofb5

Wanna murder someone? I guess I'd have to withhold any criticism there as well. They're circumstances are just so harsh....

Well, as long as you play for the Ravens or played for the Bills you already get a free pass on this one...