For anyone wondering what the infamous Michael Vick is up to, I found some information from the Humane Society of the United States website.

Vick is not a spokesman for the HSUS, but they did agree to join with him in talking at least twice a year to children around the country about the hideous crime of dogfighting. The society feels that Vick served his time, which was quite severe, and that his punishment for running a dogfighting ring that caused extreme suffering to dogs made a strong impression.

Now that Mr. Vick is playing football again for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles "launched Treating Animals With Kindness (TAWK), which provides grants to animal welfare organizations to protect animals. The HSUS was selected as one of the grant recipients and received $50,000 grant for our End Dogfighting campaign."

The article goes on to say that the Vick case spotlighted animal fighting and they have been able to work with law enforcement and upgrade laws against it.

Whether Vick gave names to the federal agents of other dog fighter criminals may never be known, but hopefully he did.

The HSUS said, "Vick was a role model for many young people, and he lost everything because of what he did to dogs. His story is the strongest possible example of why dogfighting is a dead end. Just as former drug addicts are able to reach people struggling with addiction, former dogfighters are some of the most effective voices against this crime. We realized the potential that Vick has to reach at-risk youth and pull them out of the quicksand of animal fighting. That said, we constantly attempt to recruit celebrities and others to join us in our crusade to end dogfighting and other forms of animal cruelty."

I, for one, hope that Vick does not get away with letting his obligations fade. We all need to hold people's feet to the fire who do cruel things to anyone. Finally, the article stated that "Vick donated $1 million for the care and rehabilitation of the dogs at Bad Newz Kennels," but I do not think that is enough. He should make TV ads that tell young people not to take part in dogfighting.

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Here's an update on the Cherokee Nation abuse of bears. There have been two recent unbelievable events. Whatever it takes to close these places is good news to me.

The first item about the roadside zoos was that on Dec. 7, 2009, a woman named Mary Clapsaddle was bitten by one of the bears when she attempted to give him water.

This is the zoo that Bob Barker had asked to be closed, only to be ignored by the chief, Mitch Hicks and the tribal council.

From WYFF4.com:

"75-Year-Old Woman Bitten By Bear"

"CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — A 75-year-old woman who is a caretaker at a bear park was bitten Monday afternoon. Public Safety Director Gary Ledford said that Mary Clapsaddle and her son were watering the bears at Chief Saunooke Bear Park just before 1 p.m. when a bear grabbed her coat through the cage."

The story goes on to say that Ms. Clapsaddle, who is a co-owner for the zoo, had bites on her mouth, hairline and to her wrist.

"Chief Saunooke Bear Park was one of three that animal activist and former game show host Bob Barker wanted to see closed down last summer. Merrell Gregory, at Mission Hospital, said Clapsaddle was in fair condition Monday afternoon."

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According to The Associated Press, which was picked up by the Rocky Mount Telegram in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, comes the following story from December 8, 2009. "ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians pleaded guilty Tuesday to trafficking dozens of bear gall bladders against tribal law. Clement Calhoun pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Asheville to two misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors said Calhoun transported and sold 51 bear gall bladders that had a retail value of $6,600, although Calhoun's plea only mentions 28 of the cases."

The story said that Asian medicine uses bear gall bladders, but not for what. Within the article it is stated that the Cherokee laws "prohibit members from selling parts of big game animals beyond the boundaries of tribal trust lands." Mr. Calhoun might get up to two years in prison and a $200,000 fine. A very heartening part of the story said, "Federal officials said in court documents that Calhoun's case came to light during a covert U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation several years ago. Investigators at the time were trying to document illegal sale of ginseng and bear parts along the southern Appalachians."

I can understand digging up and selling ginseng, but not killing bears just to sell it for some whacko alternative treatment for humans.

You know what — let people use their own damn gall bladders and leave the bears alone.