"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind."—Mahatma Gandhi

Do you get revenge?

I'm a pretty spiteful person. I fight it daily. But I am spiteful. I will revel in your misery if you have wronged me. I will say, "Karma's a bitch" and "What goes around comes around". I won't outwardly jump for joy at your misfortune, but inside you can bet that I am. Not very Christian of me, is it? I don't know why I am that way. I don't like it. I don't enjoy it. I think it's payback....for something. On the other hand, I am forgiving....especially, but not only, if it's asked of me. I'm much less likely to be spiteful if you've wronged me and asked forgiveness. Then I might become your biggest ally.

Michael Vick is playing football again. The Philadelphia Eagles picked him up after he was released from prison on dog fighting charges. Dog fighting, to me, is atrocious, disgusting, horrific, and I would have said, unforgiveable. But forgiveness is the basis of Christianity. If we don't forgive, we're taking away God's power and ability. Sunday's sermon was on Forgiveness and Vengeance and the pastor stated, "Don't take vengeance. It's God's doing". Basically, it's up to God; it's not up to us. All will be judged. ALL. Take comfort in that.

So, back to Vick. The first game is coming up and there will be "pro-Vick" and and "anti-Vick" rallies & protests. These anti-Vick people will be expending a lot of energy voicing their opinions that Michael Vick should not be playing football. He should become a hermit. Society should never have to look at his face again. Hmmm. The man served his sentence. He was punished. He isn't done being punished. He will have to live within the law, strictly, every little movement scrutinized. As he should.

When has a person suffered enough punishment for their offense, though? Should Vick be punished the rest of his life for his offense? Or, should he be forgiven and allowed to live his life?

Vick has become a spokesman for the Humane Society. I see this as a publicity move, but a good one. I've seen the interviews. I've heard his words. I sense remorse, but I'm not sure if it's remorse for spending time in prison or for his actions that got him there. Vick will continue to be judged by his current actions. If, after time, people see that he is living his life in such a way that they deem worthy, they will then forgive him and move on to the next rally, the next protest. He will be forgotten. But any little wrong-doing and he will be judged by the public harshly and swiftly.

I don't know the answer, but I feel sympathy for the people released from prison who are genuinely remorseful and genuinely trying to do good, be good, make a better life. And I feel like if the punishment is served, they should be allowed to re-enter society and try...at least try. But so often, they aren't allowed.

Maybe we should do like Britain back in the day-- ship them to Australia.