Jackson Free Press

Earlier this week on Bill O'Reilly's daily Fox News show, the O'Reilly Factor, the Humane Society blamed DMX, Jay-Z and hip-hop for promoting dog-fighting culture in America. Recently, NFL player Michael Vick, quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly participating in a dog-fighting ring. Surprisingly, John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society, drew a connection between Vick's case and hip-hop. "The growth in dog fighting has been largely fueled by some elements in the popular culture, specifically some rap videos," Goodwin told O'Reilly. "For example, there is a rapper named DMX. He has a CD named Grand Champ. There is a big pit-bull on the cover and the booklet that comes with the CD describes a champion as a three time winner of dogfights. There is Jay-Z, who had a music video called "99 Problems." The unedited version had scenes of him handling a dog in a dog fighting pit."

Previous Comments

ID

113524

Comment

WOW!!! this never ceases to amaze me...the "six-degrees of separation" theory notwithstanding..If ya wanna stir up some emotions or if its anything that African-Americans are involved in i.e this Vick case..Folks will find a way to blame hiphop for it. We're a great whipping boy...:-(

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-07-20T10:27:24-06:00

ID

113525

Comment

Well, isn't it true that if they are promoting dogfighting, they should be called out? How do you think it should be handled?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-20T10:42:59-06:00

ID

113526

Comment

I bet rap music was being played when the dogs fought and as they were being trained. Rap music makes any living organism want to fight or dance. I know every time I pull up beside a car playing loud rap music I don't want to hear, I ponder the idea of reaching over and slapping the inhabitants of the car. But because I know rappers, their musical contents, and their automatic weapons so well I just pretend I don't hear anything, because "I got 99 problems" but being stupid ain't one of them.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-20T11:00:31-06:00

ID

113527

Comment

Guess what dogs can't dance, so they fight.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-20T11:08:18-06:00

ID

113528

Comment

You might want to get on this guy first Kaze. Also, here is a thread of seemingly pro-hip hop bloggers dissing Colin Coward of ESPN radio for linking rap and dogfighting on Weds of this week. However, you also have the influx of the Hispanic sub-culture that practices dog fighting and cock-fighting which is contributing to its popularity. I'm sure there is a few Hispanic songs that glorify dog fighting. This is a good time to mention Amores perros Though I do think that some musicians and entertainers are making it more mainstream then it needs to be. This is one ghetto/white trash practice that needs to have the white-hot spotlight of sickness put on it for all to see! So, if it takes getting at the most high profile of people within the music and entertainment world to drive it deep underground, then so be it!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-20T11:23:33-06:00

ID

113529

Comment

I am sure "there are" ... Ooops

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-20T11:25:25-06:00

ID

113530

Comment

Kaze, although I appreciate you posting this to offer an opportunity for open discussion. But this, is probably the most ridulous thing I've heard since Frank said he didn't know there was a party at his house for lewis. Look here, as long as hip hop is a culture that belongs to the "underdgo", it will be blamed for everything. Why aren't these public figures blaming rock and roll and that heavy metal stuff that Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton listen to as negative influences. I've heard nothing about what she was listening to when she drove over the curb, went to rehab, checked out and went STRAIGHT to Las Vegas. Why isn't someone blaming Popular music for Brittany Spears slapping her momma in public, shaving off her hair and acting like a complete idiot at all times. So, to me this is outlandish and outrageous and it stems from the same tree of "not getting with the program" that O'Rielly fell from. These folks need to blame someone and since hip hop attracts those who are constantly blamed anyway, why not.... by that I mean young, ethnic, poor people with only hopes and dreams to feed their bellies at night...it is hip hop that offers solace and ease to terrible living situations and social issues that keep these young people (black and white) and they should be commended. So enough with the old conservative Bill Orielly's and this dude and anyone else who doesn't listen to hip hop but feels like they know it and can offer any form of judegement. Again I have to say, get yo stuff together. Save Lindsey, Paris, Brittany and that model chick who was caught with coccaine on the cover of every magazine. Surely they have to be influenced by someone....guess that's hip hop too huh....RITE!!!!

Author

Queen601

Date

2007-07-20T11:33:45-06:00

ID

113531

Comment

1. O'Reilly's a jackass. 2. Hip Hop/Rap are not blamed for everything. At least 50% of the world's ills are blamed on working mothers.

Author

kate

Date

2007-07-20T11:36:34-06:00

ID

113532

Comment

That's funny Kate....at least I hope you were making a joke....but you didn't add that about 35% of the 50% are SINGLE WORKING MOTHERS...

Author

Queen601

Date

2007-07-20T11:51:43-06:00

ID

113533

Comment

OReilly is a dipstick. I'm still waiting on the public to tire on him, and he gets fired. It's cruel thing to engage in dog fighting, to hang dogs, etc. Research has shown that many people who later kill people engaged in dog or animal cruelty first. Depraved heart in both situation as far as I'm concerned.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-20T11:57:31-06:00

ID

113534

Comment

If working mothers, whether single or not, don't start doing better we men may have to take over. Why don't y'all marry men with more money so y'all can stay at home to raise the children. Better yet why don't y'all make more money so we men can stay at home and raise the children. Just wondering!

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-20T12:05:44-06:00

ID

113535

Comment

Ray, what works for some doesn't work for others. I've known many moms who were just plain happier when they had jobs outside the home than they were as full time stay at home moms. I've known dads with no real inclination to be the "breadwinner." Queen rightly points out that many working mothers are single. Many are not. If you're talking people making minimum wage or even double minimum wage, both parents are probably going to have to work. However, the media is going to have to decide if the cause of all troubles in America comes from: Young, black men playing rap and hip hop; Single working mothers Single "welfare queens" Affluent working mothers. So far, the jury's out. Maybe we can find a single mother who's also a rap artist, and blame her for everthing.

Author

kate

Date

2007-07-20T12:12:47-06:00

ID

113536

Comment

Kate that comment you responded to was just for you. I admit it doesn't make much sense. I expected to be told off. Have you changed or what?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-20T12:17:44-06:00

ID

113537

Comment

Ray, frightening as it is, I'm starting to understand you. Garrison Keillor once did a great schtick on how men have been working for the past couple of decades trying to convince women that they *want* to run the world, so the men can stay home and drink beer all the time. It's pretty funny.

Author

kate

Date

2007-07-20T12:38:32-06:00

ID

113538

Comment

Shaving your head, getting a DUI, and then getting help is on par with the sadistic practice of dog fighting? Excuse me while I adjust my 'rape stand' for my overly aggressive bitch who doesn't want to mate right now! Seems like people would rather shoot the messengers instead of looking at the real problem. Dog fighting sux! It is cruel. It is useless. And, it does predicate extremely violent behaviors. Those who practice it are losers and should be put in pits. I don't give a rats ass if you are a rapper or a country singer, you fight dogs, you are scum. As it stands, right now the press and the public has more 'pop evidence' of dog fighting through hip-hop music and other entertainers. When 'Bubba" in TX gets busted for the same thing, it doesn't catch the news radar. But, Bubba doesn't have a hit album climbing the charts with him and his grand champion pit bull on the cover either. It's the game of fame even if there are 10 times as many Bubba's! Dig deeper folks, find out more about this barbaric practice, and expose the tobacco chewing red-necks doing the same stupid crap. The Feds are making this priority #1 right now and tightened laws. They have busted several dog fighting rings, one in Ohio of recent that doesn't get the publicity that a M Vick does. NPR has a good piece on dog fighting just out. They get on the rappers too though...

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-07-20T13:06:01-06:00

ID

113539

Comment

How 'bout we get on anybody glorifying dog-fighting and call it a day?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-20T13:37:58-06:00

ID

113540

Comment

I'm not concerned about race, creed, national origin or what they're listening to. Fighting animals is criminal, and should be punished. Vick earned his hate.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-20T17:32:15-06:00

ID

113541

Comment

I don't feel sorry for this fool. All this idiot had to do was throw a ball downfield for a few million dollars a year and be set for life and he goes and does something like this. I got a better punishment...put his naked butt in a pen with 20 hungry Pit Bulls trained to dog fight and cover him with some delicious dog food. That should do it. (evil grin)

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-07-20T19:18:13-06:00

ID

113542

Comment

I knew Vick's younger quarterbacking brother is crazy. I'm sorry to learn Michael likely is screwed up too.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-21T09:28:14-06:00