Naked Photo Shoot in a Piggly Wiggly Dumpster

Playgirl wants Michael Vick to pose nude for the magazine and is willing make a $1 million donation to PETA as payment. Just imagine how many more pets PETA could kill with an extra million bucks! That notion probably has a dog torturer like Vick all hot and bothered. A Playgirl spokesman says:

"It’s kind of a win-win situation.”

Yeah, kind of. Unless you're a dog. Then it's more of a lose-lose.

WSB-TV Obtains More Vick Dogfighting Docs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports:

”All of the pit bull dogs were destroyed after they lost a fight or refused to fight,” an unnamed confidential witness told investigators. “The dog that won the fight was the only dog that was allowed to live.”
[...]
In April 2007, Vick tested several dogs to determine if they had the predisposition to fight and if they were capable of winning. Vick ordered six or eight dogs destroyed because they did not meet his standards. The witness said Vick personally helped drown three or four dogs, a process that took two people to hold the animal’s legs while the dog’s head was held under water. Vick also hung dogs. The witness told investigators Vick, Peace and Phillips “seemed to get an ‘adrenaline high’ when killing the dogs.”

And although Vick reportedly invested huge sums of money in the dogfighting scheme, he apparently wasn't concerned about making any of it back:

“Vick never took portions of the winning wages,” according to a summary of an interview with one of the witnesses, whose identity was redacted from the records.

Witnesses said Vick, known as “Ookie” at the kennel, would bankroll bets for others but he didn’t claim any winnings. He also didn’t take the cash prize for the winning dogs.

Apparently Ookie didn't torture and kill dogs for the money, he did it for some nobler purpose.

Hector Rules

Hector, a rescued Pitbull formerly owned by that courageous hero Michael Vick, visited school kids in MN this week to help educate them about the breed. The article doesn't tell a whole lot but the accompanying photo is worth a thousand words. Maybe next week, Hector can teach the Eagles about real courage.

What is there a sale on jumper cables?

At one of his HSUS sponsored whitewashing engagements, Michael Vick says he would like to have dogs again, "more than anything in the world":

He said he's hopeful one day he'll have a dog again. "I don't know when that day is going to come. It's up to my judge at his discretion," he said.

Maybe the HSUS will recommend to the judge at some point that Vick should be allowed to have dogs again, I don't know. But it wouldn't surprise me in the least.

Added: Apparently Vick denies electrocuting dogs, despite evidence to the contrary.

Great Expectations

When Michael Vick goes to Atlanta to play football next week, he expects a standing O:

Vick will play his first game in Atlanta since 2006 when the Philadelphia Eagles visit Sunday.
[...]
Vick smiled when asked about the kind of reaction he expected from Falcons fans.
"I'm going to get a great reaction from the crowd. It's going to be a standing ovation," he said, smiling.

Vick, let me be the first to offer you a standing FU.

Friday Night Fights

Courtesy of BET, it's Must Not See TV:

According to the Los Angeles Times, the freshly reinstated (sorry, Kendra and Hank) NFL star will feature in an eight-part documentary-style reality show to air early next year on the cable net.

The show, tentatively if not creatively titled The Michael Vick Project, will follow the dogfighting ringmaster as he joins up with the Philadelphia Eagles, rebuilds relationships with his fiancée and kids and attempts to make amends—presumably of both the court-ordered and PR-advised variety—for his 2007 arrest.

"I just want people to really get to know me as an individual," he told the paper.

I guess the same could have been said about your dogs Vick. Before you tortured and killed them.

Eagles: Can't We All Just Be Like 'Yay Vick'?

When a season ticket holder showed up for a recent Eagles game wearing an anti-Vick shirt, she was turned away at the door. Apparently her admission ticket became invalid when she decided to express her feelings about Vick's dogfighting history via her t-shirt. That must be in the fine print somewhere on the back of the ticket.

Blog Posting from Vick?

I don't know if this is actually Michael Vick's posting or an internet hoax but you can make your own judgment:

What I did was horrendous. Awful. Inhumane. And I've no excuses for my actions. It makes my heart hurt now to think about what I've done. And I'm gonna be real honest, it took a while for me to get to this place.

Sitting in a prison cell didn't make me feel remorse. It was meeting so many animal lovers, speaking with them and looking them in their eyes. Staring at them. Looking so deep into their eyes that I began to feel their pain. Allowing that pain to enter into my body is when I started to understand how bad it really was. I have been trying hard to connect with people who feel this pain,because for my whole life I was disconnected from the suffering of animals. And you might say, "come on Mike, how could you do those things to those dogs?" And you're right... I ask myself those questions every day. What kind of person does this? How does a human-being treat dogs or any animal with such pain and cruelty? And the hard part for me is the answer to these questions. Because the answer is ME. And I am trying so hard right now to become a better person, because who I was, I am ashamed of.

What is a Rape Rack?

Ever since Vick was signed to the Eagles, this blog has been deluged with Googlers trying to find out what a rape rack is and what it has to do with Michael Vick. I'm writing this brief post to answer those queries.

A rape rack (aka "rape stand" or "breeding stand") is a torture device used to force a bitch in heat to allow a male dog to breed her against her wishes. As a breeder, I have always believed "bitches know best" - that is, most bitches will mate willingly with most dogs and if my bitch ever refused a particular male, I would follow her lead. Mating is an instinctive act for dogs and therefore, if a female wants nothing to do with a certain male, I have to believe she may instinctively have a reason for it. And if I'm wrong in my thinking - so what? I'd still never force a bitch to be bred against her will. Luckily I've never encountered that problem.

The idea of justifying the use of a rape rack because it "protects the male" is hogwash. Normal dogs need no extreme "protection" during mating such as this evil device provides. And if a female is so aggressive she refuses all suitors, well obviously that is not normal and you wouldn't want to breed from her anyway.

According to published reports, authorities found a rape rack (among other things) on Michael Vick's property during the 2007 dogfighting raid.

Charity Begins at Home

See now, this is funny.

Wayne Pacelle of HSUS says this about Vick's deal with the Philadelphia Eagles:

Michael Vick admits that what he did to dogs was cruel and barbaric, but now that he has served his time, he wants to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. He has pledged to make a long-term commitment to participate in our community-based outreach programs to steer inner-city youth away from dogfighting. At events with Michael in Atlanta and Chicago, we've seen him deliver a powerful message against animal cruelty. Like so many other major American cities, Philadelphia has a serious dogfighting problem, and groups like the Pennsylvania SPCA have excellent programs to combat dogfighting locally.

Vick commented today that he'd like to continue his animal welfare activities locally. But a local Philly news station reports this:

Fox 29 was there when the top leadership of the Pennsylvania SPCA tried to drive into the Novacare Complex on Friday morning.

The group wanted to attend the Michael Vick press conference and to kick-start a dialogue with Eagles management.

But they never got past the gate and security turned them away as the newest - and most controversial - Eagle made his press conference debut.

[...]

[...]SPCA leaders say they're dumbfounded no one from the Eagles contacted them before dropping the Vick bombshell.

Vick spoke at the presser today saying good sounding things about being a part of the solution, not part of the problem (just like it says in Pacelle's press release). My thoughts on redemption are complex but to simplify: If you truly wanted to do good and help dogs and demonstrate that you're a changed man, wouldn't you just, you know - do that?

For Those about to Boycott, We Salute You

Update, 8-15-09: The Eagles have apparently removed their list of corporate sponsors. Game on bitchez.

Original post:

Here is a clickable list of corporations who sponsor the Philadelphia Eagles. Take a moment to contact the ones you do business with and let them know why you'll no longer be supporting them.

Contact the Philadelphia Eagles directly here.

Hey HSUS - They're Gonna Let Squeaky Fromme Out, Can You Do Anything for Her?

Another coincidence of timing: Vick makes two closed-door appearances for HSUS which are taped for a 60 Minutes story this Sunday and he gets signed to the Eagles on Thursday night.

Michael Vick has many to thank for getting his old job back as NFL quarterback, not the least of which is HSUS:

But they [the Philadelphia Eagles] also understand that they did every bit of research they could to support their decision. They spoke extensively with Goodell. Reid spoke with Dungy. The team spoke with the president of the National Humane Society and everyone who had a voice in the outrage that surrounded Vick's involvement with dog fighting.

1. HSUS was hardly "outraged" that Vick killed Pitbulls. In fact, post rescue, HSUS advocated that all Vick's Pitbulls be killed, in keeping with their (now supposedly former) policy of death for all seized Pitbulls.

2. The Eagles didn't speak with everyone:

Shenanigans! I Call Shenanigans on you Vick/HSUS!

The AP is reporting that Vick showed up for work at an HSUS event today in Atlanta. But apparently you had to know the secret password to get in:

However, several members of the community were barred from entering the building. The human (sic) society also refused to allow The Associated Press to enter.

What's the HSUS trying to hide now? Are they so ashamed of hiring Michael Vick that they have to keep the press and others from covering it?

HSUS: Vick Enablers

While many people are understandably distraught over the idea that someone in the NFL might give Michael Vick a job, it's worth mentioning that someone at HSUS did give Vick a job. And obtaining that position with HSUS was an important element in getting Vick reinstated to the NFL. Vick is set to play a role in the HSUS dogfighting campaign which is managed by another convicted felon, John Goodwin. Vick's history on killing Pitbulls is clear. So is Goodwin's. And neither Vick nor HSUS has ever publicly expressed remorse over their Pitbull killings. In a way, I guess you could say they were meant for each other.

My question is this: Will the general public hold HSUS accountable for giving Vick the job which, in part, enabled him to get reinstated to the NFL so he might get his old job back? Or will all the wrath be directed at whatever team signs him?

Death for Underperformers?

Dear Michael Vick,

Is it ok to kill dogs if we feel they are in some way "underperforming"? Maybe a rescue dog underperforms in an evaluation, for example - exhibits fearful behavior during the test. Or maybe a competition dog underperforms in the venue of the owner's choice, for example - doesn't win.

Considering that you have never publicly expressed remorse nor accepted legal responsibility for the cruelty you inflicted to your dogs, and taking into account the USDA report on your criminal case, I assume your answer is an unqualified YES. To use your words, "They got to go".

But what are the best methods for killing dogs? I know you personally have employed hanging, shooting, electrocution, drowning and repeated body slamming to kill your dogs. But now that you've partnered with HSUS, I'm wondering if you still feel those are the best methods or if you've been influenced to believe that an injection is more appropriate? Or should I say, an injection after a dog has been given an unfair evaluation which determines he should be killed, preferably after farming the dog out to a third party so the blood is not on your hands?

If my assumption that you remain in favor of killing underperforming dogs is wrong, please let the public know in clear terms. And if that is the case, definitely get as far away from HSUS as you can, since their actions would seem to be at odds with your changed beliefs.

The NFL Straps Youth of America to Rape Rack

Michael Vick has been reinstated by the NFL. That is - the dog torturing, dog fighting, dog killing Michael Vick, who has never publicly expressed remorse for the horrific cruelty he inflicted upon his dogs, is once again primed to be in a position as role model to young people everywhere.

The NFL can suck it.

HSUS + Vick, Up in a Tree

To be honest, I thought HSUS would back out of this stunt before it got off the ground. Apparently not:

"He's going to be contributing to our anti-dogfighting campaign next week." Pacelle said of Vick, who vowed to spread the Humane Society's anti-dogfighting message with inner city teens. Pacelle refused to elaborate on further details.

Refused to elaborate. Gee, what a promising start. I'm all like, filled with hope n' stuff now.

Although HSUS tried to set it up from the outset as a "no way WE can lose" situation, not everything is about HSUS. To me, this is about a pile of dead dogs. Dead dogs whose blood is on the hands of HSUS and Michael Vick and others who are directly responsible for killing dogs abused in fight rings. Vick tortured and killed dogs, HSUS has historically done it "cleanly" by going to court and "advising" shelters to kill bust dogs, even puppies still nursing from their dams.

Now that both Vick and HSUS have been busted for their dog killing (Vick by the justice system, HSUS by the court of public opinion), they want to say they've changed. And they're teaming up to stop dogfighting. Sorry but - cover your ears children - no fucking sale.

My parents taught me that the first step in righting a wrong is to make a sincere apology. Not a "sorry I got caught" apology but an unscripted "I'm sorry for what I did because it was wrong". I haven't heard anything of the sort from either Vick or HSUS. Vick offered a vague apology of sorts at the time of his guilty plea but there was no mention of the dogs he tortured and killed. HSUS of course - *crickets*. (Although they do have the audacity to demand Vick demonstrate sincere remorse.)

I am by nature a forgiving person. I think most people are. If I hear an apology from someone and it feels sincere to me, I am eager to forgive. That doesn't mean I forget, it means I am open to hearing whatever comes next. As of the start of these shenanigans with HSUS and Vick teaming up to stop dogfighting, I am so not there. All I can see is two remorseless peas in a pod, with dollar signs in their eyes and blood on their hands.

Winograd on HSUS Partnering with Vick

From Nathan Winograd's post "In Bed with Monsters":

Can anyone imagine the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence embracing wife killer O.J. Simpson to help him regain his image? Can anyone imagine the National Organization to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children embracing pedophile John Geoghan to help him regain his image? Can anyone imagine the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network embracing rapist Josef Fritzl to help him regain his image? It is unthinkable. And yet we in the animal movement, under Pacelle’s direction, are threatening to do this very thing, to having our movement embrace our version of Simpson, Geoghan, and Fritzl as a spokesman. It is beyond obscene. It is unthinkable.

Yep.

Pacelle tried to couch the partnership in terms favorable to HSUS, regardless of the outcome:

If he makes the most of it, and demonstrates a sincere, long-term commitment to the task, then it may prove to be a tipping point in our campaign to eradicate dogfighting. If he demonstrates a fleeting or superficial interest, then it will be his own failing, not ours.

But you can't have it both ways. You don't get to declare "We win" or "He loses". The fact is that the HSUS has not demonstrated a "sincere, long term commitment to the task" of saving bust dogs. If and when they do that, maybe some of us will be interested in participating in their efforts. For now, teaming up one dog killer with another just makes my filing easier.

Not so hahaha

In Debbie Downer news, the AP is reporting that Michael Vick will work with the HSUS on an anti-dogfighting campaign. I wonder how these two will get along based on their histories. Cos Michael Vick apparently only wanted some of his Pitbulls dead which obviously is in sharp contrast to the HSUS who has worked to get all Pitbulls they can get their hands on killed. And as far as I know, Vick didn't consider Pitbull puppies still nursing from their dams to be a menace to society whereas HSUS - well you know, the death thing again. As for the HSUS calling for all the Vick dogs to be killed instead of rehomed, I guess that's just water under the bridge.

AHAHAHAHA!