Whoopi Goldberg Says Dogfighting Is OK

That's why I said that I can understand her reasoning for saying the things she said. But I can't imagine anyone, no matter where they are from, condoning or even being "used to" animals being treated so cruelly. However, I deeply respect what you say and your opinions my dear friend, so I will try to keep in mind that she was just explaining how some things are the norm in the south (as well as other places in the world too). Thank you so much for your input hon.

I realize it's hard to understand how people can consider this behavior acceptable but keep in mind that this is a part of the country where it used to be acceptable to own other people and beat them on a regular basis. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of "Confederate" minded people in the south. Having lived there for the first 25 years of my life, I was always appalled at the people who still defended the south in the Civil War and still hate black people simply because of their skin color and see them as sub-human. None of it is right but it is a reality.

I can understand that it is hard for some to believe that this type of behavior is condoned in some areas however- if you research the history of this particular breed, no matter where you read, you will find that this dog has been a gamblers tool for centuries and was breed for this purpose. Now as you can see by my avatar- I own a beautiful American Pit Bull terrier that is MY BABY- I would never think of putting her in harms way! But the facts remain and I have included a link here, if you check out the origin section- it explains some of the history behind the Pit Bull:) http://www.dogbreadinfo.com/americanpitbull.htm I think what Vick did was dispicable and personally would never involve myself in such behavior- but in some parts of the country- much like puerto rico and cockfighting- it is more common than you think:(

Awwww....thanks hon.

Kudos to you hon! I agree wholeheartedly! Imagine the people that view cats as pests or food coming into my house or yard and seeing 12 of them....and most of them on my bed! The shock on their faces alone would be priceless! Thanks so much hon.

And to you! I just noticed a big 3000 next to your name!! You're my idol!

Thank you hon. I don't believe that anything Michael Vick did was right at all either. And even though she was apparently explaining that some things like that are normal happenings where she comes from, I just couldn't believe that Whoopi justified it, no matter how minimal a justification it was. I'm still in shock.

Please understand that explaining the reality of something isn't justifying it. A lot of things happen in various parts of the world that seem normal to the people who live there but are appalling to someone else. Whoopi wasn't justifying what the man did as being okay. She was simply explaining that this is how it is in that particular part of the country. Of course, what they were doing was wrong but if you are brought up thinking it is alright, you don't know any better. It's like the Mormon community that believes polygamy is alright. To most of us, this would be absurd to have one man and several women living as his wives but when you've been brought up to think this is a normal way to live. Other people have been brought up thinking that it's okay for a man to abuse his wife or children, even though we all know it's not. Whoopi was just trying to explain things, not condone what he did.

That's definitely a very profound thought to ponder! Thanks so much for putting a bit of a different perspective on this.

Yep, he sure did. He's a grown man for crying out loud! He KNEW better! Grrrrr!

I think you are right hon. I think her fan base just dwindled by a LOT! Thanks hon.

Thanks hon. I realize that she's not the villain in this, but I just had a hard time stomaching the explanation of how this kind of animal abuse is such a normal occurrence in the South. She is a very straightforward person, I'll give her that. But to be so matter of fact about animal abuse, even in an explanation, gets to me. Thanks so much hon.

My mom was born and raised in Virginia, and if she were here today, I know she'd be beyond offended over the description of her home state. She would probably also be stomping all over Mr. Vick and Whoopi too. Gotta love that Virginian pride and stubbornness! LOL Thanks hon.

It's so true. Yes, I'm one of the ones that didn't stomach even the explanation very well (obviously). But I understand why she was explaining it. I'm not a fan of fighting myself. I can't even try to watch boxing, because it literally makes me sick to my stomach. Thanks hon.

Thank you for responding hon. Like I've said to others in this discussion, I just can't stomach such a matter of fact explanation of why dog fighting exists in the South (or anywhere else for that matter), or of the abuse that goes along with it. But I understand where you are coming from, and I appreciate your voicing it here.

I agree 100%! Thanks so much hon.

Same here hon. Thanks so much.

I definitely know how vocal she can be about her opinions on things. I didn't realize that she was an animal activist or a pro animal rights person. Thank you for telling me that. It changes my perspective of her and what she said a bit. And I see the point that she was explaining how it's normal activity in the south. It just bugged me a lot when I read it. Thanks hon.

That's true...everyone IS entitled to their opinions. But this one pretty much blew me away! Maybe since Whoopi has so many millions of fans, she can open people's eyes to the "normality" of things like dog fighting and other cruelties to animals, and maybe she can help to change those types of things. Thanks so much hon.

Thanks for responding hon. I'm just going to have to start watching it more often I guess.