Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Bryan Miller on Plaxico Burress

NJ.com has a post up by Bryan Miller, Executive Director of Ceasefire New Jersey, about NY Giants receiver Plaxico Burress. Pulling no punches, Bryan quotes himself when he wrote that Plaxico should be inducted into the "Stupid Gun Owners Hall of Shame." How did he earn such distinction?

given his incredibly dumb and dangerous behavior, namely shooting himself in the leg with an illegally carried handgun in a Manhattan nightclub

In all fairness, I must say the fact that it's all true should not excuse the fact that Bryan's resorted to a little name calling and sarcasm, things which I continually strive to eradicate on my blog.

Having become aware of rumors that the Manhattan District Attorney's office is possibly going to go easy on Plax, Miller has this to say.

I also called on the Giants and the NFL to suspend Plax until his trial is complete and permanently expel him if convicted. I renew these calls today.

I tend to agree, but I wonder if there's another way. I wonder if there might be a way for the NFL to communicate the message that illegal guns and the gangsta persona are not cool. By not suspending him, do you think they sent the opposite message?

I don't follow American football so I don't know this guy. Is he as talented as Michael Vick? When I saw some of Vick's videos, all I could think of is what a shame for a guy like that to have to go to prison. Is Plaxico that great? Should that matter anyway? What's your opinion?

Please leave a comment.

16 comments:

  1. "the fact that it's all true should not excuse the fact that Bryan's resorted to a little name calling and sarcasm,"

    Yet if you continue to read Miller, that's all he really has.

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  2. I don't follow American football so I don't know this guy. Is he as talented as Michael Vick? When I saw some of Vick's videos, all I could think of is what a shame for a guy like that to have to go to prison. Is Plaxico that great? Should that matter anyway? What's your opinion?

    I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I'm a huge fan of (American) football. Burress is a talented receiver--no one that tall should be able to run like that. That said, Vick, had he had a brain in his head, might have redefined the quarterback position (which is already considered the most important position on a football team).

    As to your "should that matter" question, not just no, but HELL NO! Evil committed by enormously talented people is no less evil than that committed by anyone else, and any justice system that fails to recognize that is not worthy of being called a "justice" system.

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  3. Third, I don't think Bryan has only name-calling and sarcasm. In fact I think he practices some restraint, unlike some of our friends, present company excluded.

    45, I actually agree that people who commit crimes should be held accountable, but in the case of extremely talented people in the sports or entertainment field, depriving them of the opportunity to continue making their contribution not only hurts them but society at large. In some cases, Michael Vick for example, and maybe even this guy Plaxico, perhaps some alternative punishment which would allow them to continue playing would work best. Much higher fines and stricter government supervision might punish them, protect society from further offenses and allow them to keep playing. What do you think?

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  4. I think the punishment should be the same whether you're a pro-athlete or just a joe off the street. Showing favoritism towards the famous, law enforcement officers, or any other well connected person only perpetuated the "some are more equal than others" problem that exists with our gun laws.

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  5. You should watch some of Bryan's 'debates'. He shows little 'restraint' for a public figure.

    Like I said, he's doctored so many claims and numbers on his site that he doesn't even try to respond when he gets called out on them anymore.

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  6. I dunno, Mike--I'm a huge football fan, remember, and even I don't think that sports are important enough for it to make sense to think of a professional athlete's "contribution" to society as being particularly important.

    Besides, I think Vick will eventually play in the NFL again--if not sometime in 2009, then in 2010. If that doesn't happen, he'll almost certainly play in that new start-up league--the United Football League.

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  7. mikeb,

    So what crimes that "talented" people commit would elicit a jail term from you?

    Mruder?
    Rape?
    Child Molestation?
    Embezzlement?
    Bank Robbery?
    Assault with a gun?
    Assault without a gun?

    How bad do we let "talented" people get before we remove them from society?

    Also, who gets to decide who the "talented" people are?

    Football players?
    Bowlers?
    Badminton?
    Golf Caddies?
    Actors?
    Strippers?

    Your comments are truly mind boggling, obviously not anything like the blind justice that the framers of our country intended.

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  8. Strippers?

    Hmm--that might be worth considering, on a case by case basis. I'd have to carefully observe them exhibiting their talents, though, so I could make an accurate judgment.

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  9. 45,

    That is one case I wouldn't try to get out of jury duty for.

    I would have to tell my wife that I'm only doing my civic duty.

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  10. but in the case of extremely talented people in the sports or entertainment field, depriving them of the opportunity to continue making their contribution not only hurts them but society at large.

    If I break the law there are consequences. Those consequences should not change based upon who I am or what I do for a living. (especially when we're talking about people who are playing a GAME for a living)

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  11. Jeffrey Dahmer could have been the next Einstein for all we know.

    However, his actions precluded him from being a productive member of society.

    45 & Bob,

    I know the Strippers would get some good comments. And I think it helps make the point, I mean after all they are entertainers and their contribution (and ours) help society as a whole, doesn't it?

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  12. Reputo,

    I know some people that are absolutely amazing; the artistry and skill they display rivals painters and sculptors.....of course their work is in lawn care.

    Do the people who maintain lawns, create stunning visual displays of color and texture, awesome combinations of scents contribute to society?

    I say yes...maybe even more so than the people who "play a game for a living", eh?

    So....should they not be punished for their crimes? Should they be given a pass like MikeB wants to give Michael Vicks or Plaxico Burress?

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  13. Can't speak for anyone else but I think anyone who is talented at throwing a pigskin at other people or has some noticable skills at putting an orange ball through a hoop should have more Rights than doctors, scientists, chemists or that lowly scum that serves us meals.

    I mean, what kind of society would we have if the lowly commoner had the same rights as an athelet???

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  14. Hold the presses. I think you guys are right. Talented athletes and famous celebrities cannot be given special treatment in the courts. I agree.

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  15. Bravo, Bravo!

    There is hope for mikeb afterall. It only took 13 comments of snark to get him to change his mind.

    So, what next, lets say we tackle the banning guns issue?

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  16. "I wonder if there might be a way for the NFL to communicate the message that illegal guns and the gangsta persona are not cool."

    I'm absolutely perplexed that you would limit this sage advice to those involved in the NFL.

    I would advocate that illegal guns and the gangsta persona should be shown as "not cool" to everyone in the country.

    But if you just want to limit this life saving message to those who throw footballs, catch footballs and run with footballs, lemme know how well that works out for ya.

    It's almost like you're saying that those who earn their living by playing a game, have lives worth more than those who earn a living in some other fashion.

    On second thought, forget the word "almost" above, you ARE saying an athletes life is worth more than the common Joe.

    Truly disturbing.

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