I agree with what you said about his apology, although i don’t believe that a heartfelt apology is a great indicator of true remorse nor a newly elevated consciousness. I don’t think Vick is smarter or more sympathetic now, simply because he seems repentant and saddened by his new situation. He could kill a dog as easily now as three years ago.

1. He lied about the matter, only until recently. Realistically, though, was he supposed to confess, when asked about this by some reporter? Has anyone EVER confessed to a reporter? The camera is no Golden Lasso.
2. Contrition and Apology? Without an admission of guilt, there was going to be no apology. So, now that the plea deal has been reached, Vick can speak. But, there are some who demanded this earlier, and demand more of it now. But, is it only athletes who are supposed to apologize for their crimes? Did Kenneth Lay apologize for Enron? Did Paris apologize? Scooter Libby? Will Tim Donaghy be expected to? I doubt we’ll ever hear his voice. What’s the difference? I think it’s more than just the matter of Vick wanting to resume his career. There’s a greater social issue.
3. How bad IS dogfighting? I’m glad and relieved that Vick is being prosecuted. Because he knowingly committed a crime. That’s the bottom line. But, if we look at this completely objectively, just how heinous is this crime? Dogfighting is portrayed in films (Snatch?). It’s portrayed as a ‘bad-ass,’ underground activity. But, with only marginal criminality. Animal cruelty? How many cows have been killed since you began reading this post? How many burgers, steaks, chickens were consumed by the judge and prosecutor this year? How many animals have been killed by hunters? What is more glamorous than Safari? How many dogs have been killed and consumed in China and Korea and elsewhere? How is the American Dog so much better than a foreign dog or any other animal? I actually read a hunter’s justification of his murder online recently: “a well-aimed shot is about as humane as DEATH gets.” But, how many animals die by a well-aimed shot? They more likely are just shot. How accurate would you have to be, at 200 yards, to place a shot in the proper part of the brain to assure instant death? Not realistic. Whatever. It’s all killing. Some of it has ‘tradition’ on its side. Some of it has convenience and habit on its side. Some of it is villified. But, it probably depends on where you are in the world to decide which is which. It’s a ‘relative’ matter.

None of this excuses Vick. He lives in the US. It was wrong according to the laws of this land — the land that pays him and worships him — and it was wrong over a long period of time. Not a matter of a “poor decision.” It’s a poor system of thought. He deserves punishment. How much, though? That’s where the justice will be measured.

That said, Vick put himself in this situation, and if people want to react the way they have, that’s their right. He doesn’t “deserve” anything, except the sentence he has coming to him. It would be nice if people let it play out and see if some good can come it down the line, but nobody has the obligation to do that.