I'm back

I never promised I'd do this daily. That was the hope, of course. But I got distracted.

Anyway, Michael Vick's federal sentence ended today. He's now eligible to petition the government of the NFL for a redress of grievances.
Like most Americans, I think Vick has done his time and should be reinstated, but I break from Vick's cadre of apologists in one respect: I don't necessarily think his sentence was excessive.
Michael Vick was not sentenced to 23 months in the federal system for fighting -- or even for killing -- dogs. He was sentenced to 23 months for fighting and killing dogs and for lying about it.
That combo is critical.

Remember the timeline: On Aug. 24, 2007, he entered the guilty plea and held a press conference in which he vowed to change his ways. While awaiting sentencing, he lied to investigators and failed a drug test.
He was essentially thumbing his nose at the system.
What's a judge to do in that circumstance? Ignore it? If so, he or she is essentially telling the investigators that their work has no meaning.
Henry Hudson simply had to go for the high end of the scale at that point.

Now the sentence has expired. NFL majordomo Roger Goodell can still look like the law-and-order guy and let Vick play without further restriction. Vick has done his "extra" time. He imposed it on himself.