Forgiveness and Michael Vick

I’m sure this may rub some folks the wrong way, being a fan of football, and a fan of forgiveness, I felt the need to write it. Especially after seeing Tucker Carlson, a well known Faux News contributor, make some very ignorant comments re: Michael Vick. Of course he’s back tracked on his comments, but I felt the need to write this anyway.

We all know and remember the insidious things Michael Vick was accused and convicted of doing. I totally agree with anyone who believes his egregious acts were sickening to say the least.

“It is natural for the immature to harm others. Getting angry with them is like resenting a fire for burning.” — Shantideva

I also believe a person can learn from their mistakes. Before you get into a huff that somehow Michael Vick is different, and that he will always be a dog killer, I want you to think of what you would have done with all the other folks who’ve killed people and you’ve forgiven.

Even the UFC bows down to the Chinese!

Ed. Note: I’m a bit disappointed with the UFC and Dana White on this one. I can understand he wants to grow the marketability of the UFC in China, but this is not the way. Message to Dana, censorship is not only stupid but is disrespectful to your fighters. And, to boot, it’s not anti-Chinese propaganda dummy, it’s a Buddhist mantra.

From Fightline
If you’ve been paying attention to the promotional material released for “UFC 111: St. Pierre Vs. Hardy”, you may have noticed that on some of the posters (not the one pictured here) Dan Hardy’s stomach seems somehow less cluttered than usual. That is because “The Outlaw”‘s prominent stomach tattoo has been erased using the magic of Photoshop. The fact that his ink was artificially removed is not breaking news, and for that matter neither is the reasoning behind it. But it is interesting.

Tony Gonzalez, Staying In The Moment

From The Associated Press

Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez, who celebrates TDs with his signature dunk over the cross bar, needs just 50 yards to become the all-time yardage leader for tight ends.

“I told them I didn’t think you had to be a violent person to play football,” recalled Tony Gonzalez. “He said, ‘What are you talking about? Of course you have to be violent to play this game.’ I told him I didn’t consider myself a violent person.”

Age of Chinese gymnasts investigated

From CNN

The International Olympic Committee has asked gymnastics officials to look into whether China’s women’s gymnastics team used underaged competitors, an IOC spokeswoman said Friday.
China’s He Kexin kisses her gold medal last week after winning the Olympic women’s uneven bars.

The committee asked the International Gymnastics Federation to clarify the situation, said spokeswoman Giselle Davis. She said she wouldn’t call it a formal investigation.

China revokes visa of gold medalist, Darfur activist Cheek

From Yahoo
By Chris Chase

Olympic gold medalist and outspoken Darfur activist Joey Cheek has had his visa revoked by the Chinese embassy, hours before the speedskating champion was set to fly to China. And he wasn’t even planning on wearing a mask when he got there.

Chinese officials don’t need a reason to revoke anyone’s visa but, in their eyes, they had plenty of reasons to snatch Cheek’s. He is the founder of Team Darfur, a group of 70 athletes whose goal it is to raise global awareness of the human-rights violations taking part in the Darfur region of Sudan. China’s military, economic and diplomatic ties to Sudan have been well-publicized in the lead-up to the Games.

Bar Owners Told Not To Admit Blacks in Beijing!

From Globe and Mail – Chinese police officials have forced some Beijing bar owners to sign secret pledges promising to prohibit blacks from entering their bars during the Olympics next month, a Hong Kong newspaper says.

The police denied the report yesterday, and most bars denied any knowledge of the pledges. But many African residents of Beijing say they are facing harassment from police and discrimination from bars as the Olympics approach.

India’s Soccer Captain Refuses to Carry Olympic Torch

From Reuters – Indian soccer captain Bhaichung Bhutia has refused to carry the Olympic torch this month in protest against China’s response to the recent unrest in Tibet, an Olympic official said on Tuesday. The player has informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that he will not be part of the relay in India’s capital New Delhi on April 17, the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Bhutia, a Buddhist, comes from the northeastern state of Sikkim bordering China which has a significant Buddhist minority population.

Protest as Olympic torch is lit

From CNN – A lone protester managed to breach the tight security during the Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Greece Monday.

China’s Olympic chief Liu Qi was speaking when the protester ran up behind him. The man rushed behind the podium as China’s Olympic chief was speaking.

He tried to unfurl an unidentified banner, but was quickly apprehended by security who escorted him away.

Athletes considering Olympic boycott

From News.com.au – A number of top athletes are considering boycotting the games in China over the bloody crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

International Olympic Committee vice-president Thomas Back said several sports stars were feeling ill at ease about the Olympic Games.

Mr Bach said he understood the athletes’ concerns about the situation in Tibet but said he was advising them to participate.