Most people don't understand what racism is.

Simply put, it's a hatred or intolerance of another race -- a belief that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

Today, it seems like any criticism hurled at someone outside one's race is automatically labeled as racism.

Of course, nothing could be further from the truth but the specter of racism is often used by educated con-men on a bully pulpit concerned with padding their own egos and power.

As a white man with a column and radio show, I have been vilified for taking strong stances against a disgusting human being -- Michael Vick.

Why?

Because he happens to be an African-American -- a fact that is inconsequential to me. If the ex-Falcons Quarterback was a fellow Irish-American, none of my beliefs would chance one iota.

I don't hate Michael Vick because he's black and I certainly don't think I am better than him because I'm white. I pity him because he hanged and drowned dogs and I think I am better human being than him because I have the moral compass to understand that's wrong.

A simple explanation and while logic often flies in the face of ignorance, too often the ignorant rule.

Take, Stephon Marbury and Roy Jones, who feel the need to defend the indefensible.

"I think it's tough that we build Michael Vick up and then we break him down," Marbury said to Albany's Capital News 9. "I think he's one of the superb athletes, and he's a good human being. I just think that he fell into a bad situation."

Jones went even further...

"People tend to talk so hard against people. They make it such a bad thing, like dog fighting is worse than killing someone," Jones said in Newsday.

"I'm not a dog fighter. I've never been to a dog fight. But just because they have the animals doesn't mean they are fighting the animals. Michael Vick doesn't have that kind of time to train and raise dogs... I like bulldogs and I like their mentally.

"They are making this so bad, but really two dogs fighting can happen in anyone's backyard or on the street. It happened in my backyard, two of my dogs fought and one died."

I guess all the evil racists of the world built Vick up so they could tear him down.

Sure a more reasonable explanation would be that things like drowning and hanging animals disqualify you from the "good human being" club to most.But, maybe people like me just don't get it...

"Fighting animals don't necessarily get mistreated," Jones told the Green Valley News. "They get treated just the way I get treated."

Yep, I must have missed when Jones hot hanged, electrocuted and drowned after losing to Antonio Tarver...

I guess I was busy writing about all those million dollar paydays he got, or attending various roundtables designed to destroy Vick...

Oops.