A Tale of Two Plea Bargains ...

A Tale of Two Plea Bargains ...

Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig plead guilty, stood in front of cameras, and tried to make believe that his admission of guilt and signature did not matter. He has been unapologetic in his attempts to cast himself as a victim. Craig has claimed that he was “entrapped”. In order to be entrapped you have to do it in the first place. Larry, that is an admission. That tells everyone all they need to know. Larry Craig would have you believe that his signing his name to a guilty plea was the same thing as pleading “No Contest”. It’s not and his ongoing antics make it clear that he is desperate to cloud the issue to try and make it go away when all he has done is fan the flames.

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick plead guilty, stood in front of cameras without a script, and apologized. In the process he chose to take a public account of his behavior. He made no excuses. He is going to go to jail and has little chance of being reinstated by the current NFL Commissioner Roger “suspend and fine everyone without mercy” Goodell. Vick’s choice to admit his guilt and face the public and take his punishment like a man is refreshing, even if his crime was grotesque.

I am a believer in redemption and forgiveness, especially when people take open account for their own actions. Michael Vick will see his redemption long before Larry Craig.