The Democrat and Chronicle’s Editorial Board came out against banning Michael Vick for life. The very next day they came out and used Vick and dog fighting as yet another example of the influence of Gangsta Rap.

Yesterday’s opinion was bad enough but this one was, yet again, over the top. So - yes, we are spending too much time discussing gangsta rap as spun by the D&C. But when the D&C Editorial board contributes to the coarsening of our culture - well, it is worth discussing.

So a few questions -Mr Lawrence - why is your page writing about this at all? You say:

(August 27, 2007) — There’s little question that … Michael Vick …is finished as a rich, famous and admired sports star. That’s gone.

[snip]

…National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell chose an indefinite suspension for Vick.

At the least, Vick should be kept out of uniform until 2009.

But an indefinite suspension should not involve a lifetime ban.

If you read the Op-ed - the case is made that Vick is redeemable. I agree he is redeemble - most people are - just not in the NFL. Oh, we disagree on how the NFL should run its business - But can we leave it at that? Nope.

The next day your page writes about dog fighting being aother example of Gangsta Rap. Apparently they arrested rapper DMX with drugs, and guns and dead dogs last Friday. Then you discuss some folks from Rochester who were recently arrested:

A 28-year-old Rochester man faces several felony charges for training dogs to fight. Seven pit bulls, four ounces of marijuana, $5,000 cash and a stolen handgun were all seized from his home. Another local man, only 22, was arrested earlier this month for misdemeanor possession and intent to fight dogs.

So a question for you Mr. Lawrence - are these guys from Rochester worthy of redemption too? They are not worthy of having their names mentioned in the same Op-ed as Michael Vick paper so ARE THEY ALSO WORTHY OF REDEMPTION? Or are they, like famed civil rights pioneer Oliver Hill, simply to be used as props to support a failed argument?

Frankly Mr. Lawrence - your page arguing that a rich football player, who has let down millions of fans and jeopardized the business that really is the NFL, somehow be allowed to still participate in that sport, I believe also contributes to the coarseness of our culture. When Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritche, or Lindsay Lohan, with their well documented problems, spend less time serving their crimes than, say, a non-celebrity, well that isn’t right.

A couple of commenters in the accompanying Op-ed story chat line also point out the hypocrisy (paraphrased by me, credit to jwilliams and Alexx).

Dog fighting has been around long before RAP music. So how can that be a result? Then there are questions of where is the editorial board on violence video games, or hard core Rock music lyrics, sex, murder and violence in movies?

Mr. Lawrence - people can smell hypocrisy and it also contributes to the coarsening of our culture. Congratulations - you have become your own worst enemy by supporting/ignoring a hypocritical duel system of justice.

But heck - welcome back. We missed you and your gangsta crusade. Your page has out done itself this time.