What causes such violence toward innocent?
Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007 | 10 p.m.
Dan Thomasson's recent column and several others about cruelty to dogs published these past two weeks is a thought-provoking occasion to inquire as to why humans debase themselves in their cruelty and brutality toward animals.
Is human cruelty to dogs (and children) the result of a “missing gene” that wires humans to be empathic toward vulnerable creatures, such as children and animals? Are psychopathic torture and cruelty to dogs, cats and children the result of “poor childhood” factors in which the individual has not learned the difference between civilized and uncivilized, moral and immoral conduct?
Another question: Why do some individuals come to the defense of the victimizer -- as in the case of Michael Vick -- and trivialize his crime? Are they also subhuman in their endorsement of the victimizer, as in “Birds of a feather flock together”?
Can money (such as Vick's NFL contract of $130 million) transcend and overcome earlier-learned psychopathic behavior? It hasn't in Vick's case. Apparently you can take the guy out of the criminal subculture, but you can't take the criminality out of the guy. In my opinion, Vick's sterling athletic ability on the field cannot even begin to make up for his savage subhumanity.
Paula Stone, Henderson
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Corrections officer with Metro killed in U.S. 95 crash
- System fails to catch contractor’s family tie with county
- The pull of a drug, a push to the brink
- Where to watch UFC 106
- Findlay guard Joseph scores 33, talks about UNLV
- UNLV and Southern Illinois will be guarded tonight
- Bishop Gorman takes Sunset Region title in win over Cimarron
- Fighters make weight, Dana White talks Rampage/Rashad
- Basic’s magical season continues with trip to state semifinals
- Reid clears major health care hurdle, daunting weeks ahead
Blogs
Culture and Entertainment
UFC 106 walk-in music: Griffin changes his tune, secures win over Ortiz
The Kats Report
For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material (7 Comments)
Elsewhere
Sands China raises $2.5 billion in Hong Kong IPO (2 Comments)
Marquardt v. Sonnen scheduled for UFC 109
Bloggity, Bloggity, Bloggity
Will a fourth consecutive title by Jimmie Johnson be good or bad for NASCAR? (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: And then there were four
Top Chef Episode 12: On keeping it simple
- Live chat
- Tuesday, noon PST
- Chat with Krista Creelman
- Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question
Calendar »
- 22 Sun
- 23 Mon
- 24 Tue
- 25 Wed
- 26 Thu
-
The Four Tops at The Orleans Showroom
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
The Chase at Downtown Cocktail Room
Downtown Cocktail Room | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Lady Gaga album release party at Revolution Lounge
Beatles Revolution Lounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Food drive at Christian Audigier
Christian Audigier The Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Above & Beyond at Moon
Moon Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati













Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.