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Empathy Overload

It's been over a week now since I saw that video of the U.S. marine taking a puppy and throwing it over a cliff. Thinking that time would lessen the anger a bit and even out my outrage at the whole stinkin mess. I was wrong.
If anything I'm even more pissed off. Those images hit me hard. Damn hard, and not only do I want payback, I want immediate payback. I'm not so naive as to believe that's gonna happen because I know the wheels of justice turn painfully slow.

It still doesn't stop me from the following absolute rant.

I still have trouble with the fact that anyone could do something that callous and heartless. It's not that Mortari was "mean," it's that he's a monster who shrugs off an unneccesary murder like it was nothing... as if to say "Oh, well."
The fact that his friends share in the same sarcastic attitude (and don't tell me they didn't - it's all there in the video) makes them accessories.

I hear his family in Monroe received so many threatening phone calls they've had to change their number. While I don't condone such threats, I completely understand this incident sparked an extreme level of outrage from anyone with even an ounce of compassion for animals. Just the same, its never ok to target those who aren't directly involved. So if you've done that, or are still doing that please stop. This won't help the cause for animals and you certainly won't be taken seriously.

Mortari's sister recently voiced her opinion on a local call-in radio show, basically condoning her brother's behavior. My message to her is: If you're gonna be an asshole, then I'll be more than happy to treat you like one. There is no such thing as a defenseless pup being "just a dog." Your brother murders puppies for kicks; so I would treat him no better than the killer he is.

Interesting how many of you who saw the video and even some of those who didn't see it are still convinced it's been altered. It sure didn't look fake to me, considering how a puppy reacts to being held like that. But if the video is such a fake, then where the hell is this guy claiming his innocence? If he has nothing to hide, he should have been all over the place trying to clear it up if this was such a misunderstanding. The reason for that is probably because he's been caught on tape, he's in deep shit right now and he knows it.

To those of the opinion that his being over in Iraq in a combat situation somehow drove him to a mental state separate from reality. That's a load of crap as well. This guy didn't look all that shell-shocked to me. I'm sure he was messed up in the head to begin with. The lure of having a gun and getting to use it was probably why he signed on in the first place. Maybe when he didn't find the action he was looking for, that trigger finger was just itching for a gun. Maybe for whatever reason, he chose not to shoot anything. For him the "next best thing" was exactly what he did to that puppy, sick bastard he must have always been.

I'm calling for the U.S. Marines to impose a dishonorable discharge, revocation of any and all military benefits, criminal charges, court-martial and any other discipline that would apply in this case, to David Mortari.

A Little Relief

"These dogs are our partners. We travel with them, sleep with them and live with them. They are our best friends. Every dog handler will agree that there is nothing we won't do to protect our dogs."
--Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Thomas



Military working dog Zorby sits patiently as his handler, Staff Sgt. Dallas O'Dell, Task Force Semper Lex and another Soldier, reenlist him aboard a helicopter over eastern Kosovo, Aug. 22. Military working dogs perform valuable services worldwide, from rescuing people trapped in buildings to sniffing out explosives and drugs.




U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese and his military working dog Grek wait at a safe house before conducting an assault against insurgents in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents. (U.S.Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall



U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Reese and his military working dog Grek conduct a search for insurgents in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall




An Iraqi boy pets military working dog Grek in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stacy L. Pearsall)



Lance Cpl. Charles E. Byerly, a 20-year-old dog handler, shows his dog Danny, 10, some love at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, Sept. 1. He wanted to care for his four-legged companion before they head back for Danny's retirement in Camp Lejeune, N.C. Danny has deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one to Djibouti, Africa as a military working dog fighting insurgents with Marines. After the dog's retirement Byerly will adopt his battle buddy. Byerly is from Mars, Pa., and is currently serving a seven-month deployment with 3rd Battallion, 2nd Marine Regiment in the Habbaniyah area under Regimental Combat Team 5.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis



U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Vanhorn, from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division, Military Transition Team, pets a dog at the Ramadi, Fuel Distribution Center in Ramadi, Iraq, Dec. 4, 2007. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer Brook R. Kelsey)



Wounded American soldier Ryan Newberry gives a big hug to Eddie, a black lab from the American Red Cross Pet Visitation program. Newberry is recovering at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and said he really enjoyed the visit.



Melissa anxiously awaits the return of her adopted father, Lt. Col. David R. Leppelmeier, commanding officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, April 28. The puppy was a gift to the 'Rhinos' of MWSS-374 from 3rd MAW commanding general, Maj. Gen. James F. Amos. Photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.



Lt. Col. David R. Leppelmeier, commanding officer, Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, says hello to his 'little friend', Melissa, before heading to an early morning meeting, April 28. According to Leppelmeier, the puppy, which was a gift from the 3rd MAW commanding general, Maj. Gen. James F. Amos, has helped boost the morale of the entire unit in only a short amount of time. Photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr

Real Love by Real Men

Beyond Pissed

Let the backlash obliterate the guilty.



Quite a strong response here...







Of course, you'd have to see this to fully understand...

Pablo for the win

Hey everybody!

I've entered this photo of Pablo in the HSUS Spay

Day USA Pet Photo contest. You can help him win


by going to the Humane Society's Spay Day USA site, and Vote For Pablo

I'd sure appreciate your input, and Pablo will too.

Just think of Napoleon Dynamite and Vote For Pablo!

Thanks!

Bless the Beasts and 2 more positive things :)

Bless the Beasts and 2 more positive things :)

A friend of mine on LiveVideo (from South Carolina) has come up with what I call the best idea I've heard all year..

Yes, we have new pics!

Autism Awareness

The band Five For Fighting has submitted a beautiful song to raise autism awareness. You can help the cause by simply clicking on this link and watching the music video... each hit on the video generates a small bit to further legislation in getting health insurance companies to cover costs of treatment for thousands of children who are falling through cracks in the system.

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!**

video

Here's Moopy!

moblogging

and ain't technology grand?

new way to blog

let's see if this works, shall we? Hmm...

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."

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.

Anti-DogFighting PSA

Reminder: Micheal Vick sentencing scheduled Monday, December 10, 2007.. Tomorrow.

Michael Vick

... has voluntarily surrendered to authorities early and is serving jail time at this moment in hopes judge Henry Hudson will hand down a lesser sentence based on Vicks latest show of remorse. He doesn't fool me, I'm still pushing for the maximum sentence possible.

Despicable

This absolutely needs to be said. It happens all the time on YouTube as well as LiveVideo. To be honest, I'm so effin' tired of seeing all these monsters on the sites glorifying animal abuse. Three cheers to Nash, 1 White Crow of LiveVideo for also pointing this out.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/1WhiteCrow/CF64E3BEAC654B1A94A793F3444AB651/despicable.aspx

For our troops

... past, present and future.



Free Comments & Graphics Codes

Worldwide shit

It happens more than I'd like for it to.

Last night I tried to watch a movie and up to a certain point it was relatively decent. Then it took a nose dive right smack in the middle... and became more lame by the second.
But that's not gonna be what I'm writing about today.

The fact is that before I even started this blog last night, I clicked on some other sites. Now usually they're what I think are important. And that part still remains true. They are important. But lately what happens is that I read this stuff, and it overrides everything else thats happening at the moment. Everything is blocked out by this dark cloud that I find every single time.
People abuse animals, that's been going on for hundreds of years. Its a fact, it's the actions of sick people that motivate me to try putting a stop to it. There's just so damn much of it, not just here in the city and state where I live. Not just in the U.S. It's much worse in China, Spain, Puerto Rico.. anywhere you can think of.
There are entire societies who think nothing of torturing a stray animal, or entire breed, or exploiting certain dogs for financial gain. The lengths they go, the intricate ways they find to inflict pain and death.
Sometimes it just gets so overwhelming. Frustration can build and this feeling of never really being able to help. Yeah, I know its easy to feel that way, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop. I go through this like maybe once or twice a week. Just thought I'd let you know a little of what its like.

Bait Dog Needs Help in Pensacola

Please repost and speak out against the vile criminal activity called FIGHTING WITH DOGS, damn the insane people that do this to animals...
----------------- Bulletin Message -----------------
From: Kathi "DONT DUMP THAT DOG.COM"Date: Nov 2, 2007 6:39 PMYOU MAY NOT WANT TO LOOK AT ALL THE GRAPHIC PICTURES OF THIS BOY, BUT THEY MADE ME CRY AND THE ONE THAT UPSET ME IS THE ONE IM POSTING. THE REST YOU CAN LOOK ON YOUR OWN. AFTER ALL THE ABUSE AND PAIN HE'S BEEN THROUGH, LOOK AT HIM NOW, HE IS SMILING!! HAPPY!! OMG ONLY A TRUE PITBULL CAN BE THIS WAY AFTER HAVING HIS FACE AND HEAD RIPPED APART. HE NEEDS HELP FOR HIS VETTING AND DESERVES EVERY PENNY.

From: Tina-Marie - Rescuer for LifeDate: Nov 2, 2007 6:22 PMPLEASE CROSS POST --

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR SURVIVOR - BAIT DOG!!You may have seen a previous post on him. He's been to the vet and is safe with Laura, the woman who found him, but he needs donations and a Forever Home. He stands on his hind legs, gently places his paws on her shoulders and gives her kisses.Please send DONATIONS to:Chemstrand Oaks Veterinary Hospital10229 Chemstrand Rd.Pensacola, FL 32534 (850) 474-1922 The wonderful compassionate vets are Dr. Elliot and Dr. D'Ambra!Here's the link to the TV news coverage filmed yesterday at the vet clinic where Survivor is being treated.
Go to the Video List on the right and scroll down to DOG ABUSED AS BAIT DOG FOR DOG FIGHTING
VIDEO OF SURVIVOR AT VET
LINK TO PHOTOS OF SURVIVOR AND LAURA'S

OTHER RESCUES WHO NEED HELP:
LINK TO PHOTOS - GRAPHIC
One is a BLIND pit pup confined to a cage all his short life and another is a starved boy Laura found like she found Survivor. She is an Angel to the dogs in her area. Please be an Angel too...Laura says: "I'm asking folks to call the Escambia Co. Animal Control at (850) 595-3075 to ask them to step up enforcement for dog fighting! Also, the address for Pensacola News Journal is opinion@pnj. com or call (850) 435 8542. The Escambia Co. Sheriff's Office is (850) 436-9580. Ask folks to call WEAR ABC TV Pensacola to thank them for the great coverage, although they did leave out that dog fighting is a FELONY, which most people don't know.(850) 456-3333."Laura CattertonVolunteer with Jr. Humane Society Pensacolawww.jhs.petfinder. comthecattertons@ aol.com (aol.com)(850) 384-149