Three young men did something really stupid in Saskatchewan last week. They went out and indiscriminatly shot ducks, ducklings and loons on a pond, even shooting from a car window. Then they did something even stupider. They made a video of their crimes and posted it on UTube.
Of course they were caught and now appear in a Saskatoon courtroom. Almost as interesting is the public reaction. From death threats, to suggestions of floggings, long jail terms and huge fines the public has been outraged.
It appears you can do something to another human but if you mess with fish, fowl or our four legged friends you better be prepared for wrath.
Quarterback Michael Vick is a great example. Recently released from prison after two years and still young, he is ready to resume his National Football League career.
Only problem, all thirty NHL teams have passed on his services because he was convicted of running an illegal dog fighting ring. This is the same National Football League that has welcomed back sex offenders, assaulters and both drug dealers and pushers. Ofcourse in Vick's case no team is willing to take the chance of offending dog lovers by reinstating the fallen quarterback.
It makes for an interesting study as to where our compassion lies. Why are we more outraged when animals are the victims and less when people suffer?
The Saskatchewan duck poachers made a stupid error in judgement. Michael Vick got caught up in something that he should never have been involved in. The question is, do they deserve a second chance? Punishment to be sure. No-one would suggest otherwise but death threats and floggings. Thats a little over the top.
The latest athlete to fall from grace is Patrick Kane of the Chicago BlackHawks.
Alledgedly and I stress alledgedly, he is charged with beating up a taxi driver when the driver didn't have twenty cents change to give him. Ofcourse he is innocent until proven guilty, but we haven't heard much about it. It makes me wonder how outraged people would be if he had beaten up the taxi driver's dog?
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