NFL STAR ACCUSED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY. In this piece I wrote last month, I poked fun at Dennis Kucinich for devoting a section of his congressional website to the link between human violence toward animals and violence toward other humans. Obviously though, there can be a connection, which is why today's story about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is especially disturbing. Vick is being charged with "violating federal laws against staging dogfights, gambling and engaging in unlawful activities across state lines." He and several other men created a dog-fighting ring in which animals fought to the death. Under-performing dogs were violently killed. One was doused in water and then electrocuted; another was hanged. I've never been a football fan, in part because it seems so violent. And I can't say this news makes me more likely to enjoy the game. --Dana Goldstein
