Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Demand Justice Now

Justice for Mimi - Prosecute her Killer! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/37/justice-for-mimi

When Antoine Draper sent his two year old pit bull, MiMi, to live with his brother for a while, he said it was like parting with one of his kids. "From a puppy I fed her with a bottle. From the time she was born," Draper said.
Just days before Christmas, Antoine Draper received a phone call that made him sick to his stomach - someone had set Mimi on fire while she was giving birth to puppies. The dog was still burning when Draper got there - and he knows who did it.

Mr. Draper filed a police report and brought witnesses with him, but to this day, Mimi's killer - his brother's ex-girlfriend - is still free. Mimi's remains are still in the yard.

We are asking you to please arrest and charge the person responsible for such a cruel and heartless act. Someone with the ability to commit such a heinous act without thought or provocation is also a threat to humans.

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=7770986

**Please do not sign Anonymously! Petitions have much more impact with actual names! Thank you!**

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Oh F-ing Please!

Suspended Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for his guilty plea on charges related to dogfighting, plans to enter a drug treatment program that could reduce his time behind bars.

"Mr. Vick has been transferred from the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Virginia to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons minimum security facility in Leavenworth, Kan.," his attorneys, Billy Martin and Lawrence H. Woodward Jr., said in a jointly issued statement Monday. "Mr. Vick hopes to participate in programs offered at that facility, including the Bureau of Prisons drug treatment program."

Vick, who failed a drug test while awaiting sentencing in the dogfighting case, is eligible for a federal drug treatment program known as the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP). Inmates are involved in intensive treatment that lasts six to 12 months, with a minimum of 500 hours of treatment.

Upon completion of the program, the inmate's eligibility for early release based on previous criminal

convictions is determined. Vick did not have any previous convictions before his dogfighting case.

The RDAP accepts inmates, and they are eligible for early release even if they have not been convicted of drug-related offenses provided they meet a series of qualifications. Vick meets those requirements.

Animal rights activists were not happy that Vick may not serve his entire 23-month sentence.

"The drugs were completely irrelevant to the actual crime here," said John Goodwin, the Humane Society's deputy manager of animal fighting issues. "If this was drug rehab or a narcotics-related event, that's another thing, but the issue of killing these dogs is an entirely different matter."

According to Criminal Justice magazine, which is published by the American Bar Association, the program is known as the 500-hour Comprehensive RDAP. Some qualified offenders will be eligible for an early release benefit of up to 12 months. The Bureau of Prisons average is 8.5 months, usually coupled with an extended halfway house stay or home confinement.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Monday that Vick had been transferred to Leavenworth, but would not confirm that Vick would be entered into the drug program. Vick was moved from Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Va., where he has been since reporting to prison before being sentenced Dec. 10.

For now, Vick's prison number is 33765-183, and his projected release date is July 2009, which would be the full 23-month sentence.

An 8.5-month reduction on top of a possible reduction of 15 percent for good conduct means Vick could be released before the end of 2008. He faces an April 2 trial date in Virginia on state dogfighting charges.

An early prison release would allow Vick to apply sooner for reinstatement to the NFL. He is suspended indefinitely but is still on the Falcons' roster. A suspension by the NFL for the conviction and failed drug test is possible.

The Falcons refused to comment. They have attempted to distance themselves from the fallen quarterback, but because of severe salary cap ramifications have kept him on the roster. The team has sought to recover almost $20 million in salary and bonuses from Vick. The grievance is under review by Judge David Doty in Minneapolis.

From the outset, Martin has stated his goal was to get Vick back to his NFL career as soon as possible. Successful completion of the treatment program would give him a better chance of returning to the NFL in 2009 after missing two seasons.

"Mr. Vick looks forward to being reunited with his family upon completion of his sentence," Martin and Woodward said in the statement. "He is hopeful that following his release, he will have the opportunity to resume his career as a professional football player."

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Anti-Cruelty Initiative

The ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Initiative: A Lifesaving Agenda

Let me tell you exactly how the ASPCA is fighting cruelty to animals, and why they need your support to continue and expand their lifesaving work.

In 2007, the ASPCA handled over 3,500 cruelty investigations, rescued hundreds of animals, answered over 50,000 phone inquiries, responded to 8,200 emails and conducted numerous training seminars across the country. In addition, they are leading the way to expand and provide training to all levels of local law enforcement and animal welfare professionals. Through a series of courses and seminars, over 3,000 agents, in communities such as yours, have been trained in animal cruelty laws and case handling.

The ASPCA is dedicated to helping entire communities implement proven programs that increase adoptions, teach respect for all living things and continue the fight against animal cruelty. In the last year, their team faced unprecedented challenges and broke new ground. During the pet food recall crisis they were there serving as a resource for thousands of pet parents. When dog-fighting allegations involving Michael Vick arose, they were there bringing an end to the brutal conditions those dogs suffered and ensuring that those responsible would be brought to justice.

2007 also marked the launch of ASPCA: Mission Orange -- a focused effort to create a country of humane communities, on community at a time, where animals receive the compassion and respect they deserve and no adoptable animal is euthanized simply because of a lack of resources or awareness. In less than a year, ASPCA Mission: Orange is already beginning to have an impact. Across all of their targeted communities they have raised the adoption rate 10%, which represents thousands of animals whose lives were saved thanks to these efforts.

The ASPCA is the driving force behind writing and passing tough laws. They have been successful in 43 states in making animal cruelty a felony. But we, in support of the ASPCA won’t stop until the remaining seven adopt similar legislation.

You can help by supporting federal and state legislation giving greater protection to animals and harsher punishment to abusers. For specifics on how you can make a difference in your state, please visit their website at http://www.aspca.org and click on the “lobby” tab, where you can join their online Advocacy Brigade. Then contact your legislators and let them know how you feel!

From education and care to adoption and rescue, The ASPCA is making a life-changing difference for animals across America. Whether its something as simple as providing a comfortable bed or as involved as providing emergency medical treatment and rehabilitation for a cruelty victim, every dollar makes a vital difference in the life of a homeless or abused pet.