with regard to your google search, i would say that driving 100 MPH on lenox road is not a mere speeding offense. it is speeding AND reckless driving. i don’t believe GA defines a particular speed as falling within the definition of reckless driving, leaving it up to the discretion of the cops, but for heatley to drive that fast, at night, after a few drinks, on a very windy lenox road is very obviously reckless driving and does not deserve the “oops, accident” excuse.

as far as OJ is concerned, he killed two humans and I think we can all agree that while he may have “gotten away” with it, he has been appropriately discarded in terms of public perception by most reasonable people. those that celebrate him are nuts.

also, i recently read a take on why the demonizing of vick is pretty unreasonable which for the most part relays my opinion better than i can on the topic, written by gregg easterbook:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrookpreview/070828&sportCat=nfl#falcons

read the section on the falcons and it pretty well summarizes the point i was trying to make.

I just found this out from a google search:

Second degree vehicular homicide encompasses all vehicular homicides without intent to kill that involve any other violations of the laws governing the operation of motor vehicles. For example, a death resulting from a failure to yield to oncoming traffic, speeding, or driving too slowly, unless such constituted reckless driving, could be charged as a homicide by vehicle in the second degree.

Second degree vehicular homicide is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment or other confinement for up to 1 year, a fine of up to $1,000.00, or both. However, at the judge’s discretion, punishment may be suspended or a probation sentence may be received.

Heatly was not drunk during the incident, and I also feel that he got off light, but it looks like the sentence handed down (3 years probation, fine and community service) was in line with the offense. Mike Vick, Q, T, and P-funk however, were looking at numerous federal FELONY indictments. Mike got tied by the big boys, not some low budget, bumbling county DA and he got burned.

Also, if we’re looking at a comparable case - how come nobody has brought up OJ? Hell, he killed (gutted) two folks and if I remember right, people cheered in the streets when the verdict was handed down. So for some folks (not anyone here, to be clear) to make these asinine comparisons of what MV did (torture and kill dogs, operate and fund a multi-state gambling ring) to licensed hunting (legal btw), eating meat and killing flies is just flat out bullsh#t. These claims that he would he got a stiffer fine than if he had killed somebody, is bulls#t. OJ killed two people and he didn’t even get a slap on the wrist.

Although the dogfighting and dog executions are reprehensible, what the Feds took Mike Vick down for was that he was the big fish bankrolling and participating in an illegal multi-state gambling ring. He was the key to crushing these operations throughout the south and northeast. Only now is the media reporting the REAL KEY to the Federal prosecution of Mike Vick, which was to turn him states witness. Howard Bryant at ESPN was the first writer to really delve into this aspect of the case:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=2990177&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Mike Vick is not a victim. He is a 27-year old man who must face the responsibility for his actions. The local heads of the NAACP and SCLC are fools to suggest otherwise. As a Falcons fan and human who used to root for Vick, I say good riddance to bad rubbish….

Dany Heatley is a PERFECT analogy and highlights how badly Vick is getting demonized in comparison. Heatley was charged with first degree vehicular homicide, which is a felony and carries with it considerable prison time. But, he was allowed to plead do a misdemeanor, receive only probation, and also received the trade out of town that he requested. Paul Howard, the DA, is black, but the news media almost treated Heatley as one of the victims. Vick, on the other hand may very likely lose his NFL career over this dogfighting conviction. No matter how you slice it, dogs are not people. I do not condone anything Vick did and believe he should be punished with the prison time he has coming, but if you kill another person through reckless conduct as Heatley did you should not receive less punishment than a person who kills a dog.

But these crimes can not be compared in any way.

Vick was a top vetted athlete. He was not chosen for his brains. He had others do the thinking for him and got a huge contract. With his money he could have invested and put away a good chunk for his retirement funds. Instead he thought up dog fighting as a way to make money.

Vick is in the public, adults and children watched him. Some looked to him as a role model. As a role model, he should have been above reproach. Which would garner more money for him, in ad contracts and what not. Now, he’s infamous.

Marbury has made comments. I’m boycotting him. I don’t want any products he endorses.