Right now, the bidding is at $400.

I HOPE THIS PAINTING DISGUSTS YOU AS MUCH AS YOU DISGUST ME. As for NBC, I'm not going to watch your network or any other network that airs horse racing. Once again, we have a painting about hypocrisy.Why is it legal for one activity involving animals, death and betting and another activity involving animals, death and betting illegal?

I really believe more than ever that it is about culture and class of people and not a damn thing to do with the animals safety and ethics. The Queen goes to horse races with all its pomp and tradition, old Willie down the street goes to the cockfight.

The last auction's proceeds went to charity. But not this time.

The money from this auction? Will I donate to another horse charity? No, not this time. I have an adopted parrot and a bunch of stray cats to feed. The fallen race horse industry is y'alls problem, you created it, you fix it. You people invaded my mental art making space and I make art, that's what I do, deal with it. No, I'm going to roll around in the money, just like you all do. I'm gonna roll and think of all you horse racing people that race your horses, gamble and send your kids to college on that money. Thousands, millions even, you make on those horses-I'm gonna roll in it. I hope that disgust you as much as you disgust me.

If the painting doesn't sell, well that's fine too. I'll hang it on my wall and when another horse goes, I'll paint another until there are no walls left or until there is a great wall to China made of Michael Vick Rides....whoever is next.......

You know ... that really would be a pretty cool wall to China.

Michael Vick Rides Eight Belles-Georgia Red Mud Raw Art [eBay]

A federal judge on Thursday ordered imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick to repay more than $2.4 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan.

The Royal Bank of Canada sued Vick in September, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge — and the resulting impact on his career — prevented him from repaying the loan.

This was the loan Vick took our for his restaurant, which didn't work out well either. You know, Michael? Considering the debt and protests that await you when you get out of jail, you almost might be better of staying in there.

Vick Sacked With $2.4M Loan Default [ABC News]

Vick appears to be hanging in.

Michael has written a couple times. I've written him back. We have that kind of relationship. Despite the mixture of frustration, anger and disappointment in him, I believe in second chances and redemption. I would love to see Michael pay his debt to society and come out and play again in the NFL. I think he could also be a big help to ... speak to people about some of his choices.

Q: Would you welcome him back to the Falcons?
A: I would not say yes. I would not say no. At this point, Michael is in a federal penitentiary [on a dogfighting conviction] and is suspended from football. We have to move forward. We are moving forward. We have to assume he's not coming back. I do wish him well. I'd love to see him play again. It would be good for the NFL.

Vick has messed with Blank's life so much at this point that we can only assume he will return to the NFL, sign with the Panthers, win two Super Bowls and then swallow Blank's goldfish, Fish Called Wanda-style.

Has Arthur Blank Been Getting High Off His Own Supply? [Deuce Of Davenport]

Also incarcerated at Leavenworth have been:

• George "Bugs" Moran.

• Nazi spy Fritz Joubert Duquesne.

• George "Machine Gun" Kelly.

• "The Man Who Knew Too Much," Richard Case Nagell.

• 1986 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Randy Lanier.

• Bam Morris.

• "The Bird Man of Alcatraz" Robert Stroud.

Of course, Leavenworth is now being converted to a minimum security facility, and Vick is going there to participate in a drug counseling program for non-violent offenders. If he passes, he could earn early release, and be free in time for the 2009 NFL season. That's if Roger Goodell and the State of Atlanta have nothing more to say about it.

Michael Vick Applies For An Early-Release Drug Program [USA Today]

So, let's get right to it:

No. 1 Seed Ron Mexico
Suffered some weed-stashing problems.
Appears to have electrocuted puppies.
Fessed up.
Mercifully suspended by the NFL.
Checked into prison.

No. 8 Seed Isiah Thomas
Don't give a shit about these white people, bitch.
Understands what black people can say, and what white people can't.
Explained sexual harassment to James Dolan.
Got gotten by the bitches.
Successful avoided Stephon Marbury's "dirt."

So, let's see how this turns out.

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The letter is self-pitying, but, frankly, not without some justification. (Vick wouldn't be the first person to smoke weed because of a lack of affection from his father.) It also includes a character-witness letter from George Foreman and a news story about Vick helping out after Hurricane Katrina. None of this worked, of course.

It even mentions that Vick has "horses, parrots, fish tanks and lizards." It's more difficult to get those to fight.

Vick Letter To Judge Hudson (PDF)

It all came down to a bad polygraph.

During that interview an FBI polygrapher found Vick was being deceptive in denying he killed dogs. After Vick's lawyer, Billy Martin, was told this, he asked Vick about the failed test. At that moment, Martin told Hudson, Vick broke down.

"I did it all," Vick said, Martin related. "I did everything. If you need me to say more, I'll say more."

That initial hesitance to take responsibility was the reason the dog-loving judge hammered Vick yesterday, and why he's gonna ESPN's gonna make a lot of money off the Arena League in 2010.

Vick's Lies Boosted Prison Time [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
Just How Into God Is Michael Vick? [Deadspin]

ESPN's George Smith reports that Vick's also getting three years probation. Vick was in his prison jumpsuit, which should be fun to draw.

But yeah: Vick's getting 23 months, more than his co-defendants, and it's likely that won't have much time shaved off. (And he can't appeal.) That puts him back in the NFL (yeah, right) perhaps for the 2010 season. He'll be out of prison in October 2009. That's, uh, a pretty long time.

The biggest trouble with this one? Whether to go with Vick, Mexico or Ookie.

No. 1 Seed Ron Mexico
Suffered some weed-stashing problems.
Appears to have electrocuted puppies.
Fessed up.
Mercifully suspended by the NFL.
Checked into prison.

No. 16 Seed Mark Mangino
Fat.

So, make your picks. The final first-round matchup is Thursday.

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That is to say: Vick is in jail right now, but there's no guarantee that he'll receive any leniency for the early booking. It's possible that he gave up three weeks of freedom for nothing.

The sentencing is expected to be within 12 and 18 months, and, all told, if we were facing that much time, we might take time to enjoy our last three weeks of freedom. In a few months, he might wish he had those three weeks back. Of course, maybe he just didn't want to watch Byron Leftwich again. Tough to blame him there.

Vick Begins Prison Sentence Early [Atlanta Journal Constitution]

This is from the Arizona Republic. Who knows what kind of fun they'll have for us come Super Bowl time.

You remember Vick's wine restaurant, don't you? The one that was supposed to help Vick "become an entrepreneur and make [his] money grow?" Well, it hasn't turned out so well: The bank wants its million bucks back.

The bank is seeking $940,000 of the $1.3 million loaned to Vick in 2006. In a federal lawsuit, the bank says Vick, partner Gerald Frank Jenkins and their Atlantic Wine & Package LLC have failed to make monthly payments of principal and interest, and that Vick's obligations "are impaired due to recent events involving Defendant Vick."

Wait ... banks won't accept cigarettes and Playboy cutouts? Well, then we're afraid Mr. Mexico has no currency for you.

Michael Vick's Restaurant Will Soon Be No More [Lion In Oil]
We'll Take The Scrambling Eggs [Deadspin]

Warwick High School in Newport News, Virg., has decided to take Vick's old jersey out of their trophy case.

Michelle Morgan, a spokeswoman for Newport News Public Schools, said Vick's jersey was taken down last month around the time he pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges.

"It remained up through a lot of the allegations and news reports," Morgan said. "It came out after he admitted to some wrongdoings."

The good news is that Deion Sanders will always be wearing his Vick underoos.

High School Removes Vick Jersey From Trophy Case [Sports By Brooks]

The NFLPA immediately appealed the arbitrator's decision, and, frankly, we think they should. We're not sure Vick deserves that money but ... well, we'll feel a lot better about the whole business when they make the Falcons, you know, return all the money they've made of Vick jerseys for the last three year. We doubt they'll be doing that.

No matter what, it must have made a fascinating conversation between Vick and his lawyer.

Falcons Could Recoup $19.97 Million From Vick [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
You Want Me To Give Back $19.9 Million? Man, F—k That [Kissing Suzy Kolber]

100 Percent Injury Rate has discovered an odd legal loophole that could actually decrease Ron Mexico's jail time, and it's directly connected to his positive marijuana test.

By taking advantage of an obscure Federal Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) Rotational/Developmental Assignment Program (R.D.A.P.) loophole — 18 U.S.C. 3621 — Vick could possibly reduce his sentence by one year. This documented instance of substance abuse apparently qualifies Vick for this reduction upon completion of a treatment program.

The idea? Vick could take part in a substance abuse program that could take time off his sentence and allow him to spend time in a halfway house rather than prison. Proving once again what we already knew: Michael Vick is smarter than everyone.

Mike Vick Smoked Pot To Reduce His Sentence [100 Percent Injury Rate]

A urine sample submitted by Michael Vick has tested positive for marijuana, and as a result he'll have tighter restrictions on his freedom. The test was taken on Sept. 13. Because of the positive test, federal court probation officer Patricia Locket-Ross, who is assigned to Vick, asked Judge Henry Hudson to place special conditions on Vick's release, which include refraining from use or unlawful possession of a narcotic drug or other controlled substance.

We find it difficult to fault Vick here; it's a lot easier to pay for weed before you go to jail, when it doesn't cost you a salad tossing. We were wondering who that stoned-looking guy was, in the pulled down hat and shades, at the town hall meeting last night. Now we know.

Vick Tested Positive For Marijuana [ESPN]

(Photo from KSK and The Onion, of course.)

We know how the NOIS folks think about this, but some in Atlanta felt ESPN got what it deserved for trying to invent some sort of TV "controversy" that exploited racial biases.

Maybe these loudmouths represent the true voice of Atlanta, a voice which believes Michael Vick was somehow the victim of a massive conspiracy designed to run the most gifted athlete Atlanta's ever seen, a guy who was almost singlehandedly responsible for transforming the team from doormat into perpetual sellout, out of town. Maybe that's it. Or maybe the vast majority of Atlantans have had it with discussing a confessed dogfighter, and are sick to death of manufactured, made-for-TV "events" that try to drive racial wedges into a city that's got enough problems seeing beyond black and white as it is.

Man. We're pretty glad we didn't watch this.

ESPN Reminds You That Black And White People Hate Each Other [The Fynal Cut]
Vick Divides Us This I Know / Because ESPN Tells Me So [Atlanta Magazine]
It's The Falcons' Fault [NOIS Blog]

The artist seems to be making some sort of "statement" — which, proving his status as a true artist, he explicitly describes in the auction — but that won't matter if this is on your wall. All that matters it that it's Michael Vick, riding Barbaro.

Paint another one, dude: We know what we want for Christmas already.

Michael Vick Rides Barbaro [eBay]

Fortunately, we cynics did get a reward; Vick started talking about Jesus. We don't remember Jesus coming up that often when he was bringing weed on planes — ahem — and electrocuting dogs, but apparently that was when there was just one set of footprints in the sand. We want to give Vick the benefit of the doubt and believe this transformation, but it's not really our decision anyway. Vick's going to have a lot of time to figure out what's real and what isn't. Football is the least of his concerns, and, frankly, since we weren't gonna draft Joey Harrington anyway, it's the least of ours.

Michael Vick ... Born Again? [Ballers, Gamers And Scoundrels]
Michael Vick Q&A [SI.com]

At 11:30 a.m. ET, Vick is going to hold a press conference to tell his side of the story. And by "press conference," we mean "he's making a statement and taking no questions." And by "his side of the story," we mean "things that he cannot be held accountable for because he's already pleaded guilty. So that should be fun. Make sure to check back here for that.

December 10 is Vick's sentencing. By pure happenstance — we hope — the Falcons will be hosting the Saints on Monday Night Football that night. That should also be fun, and by "fun," we mean "grueling."

(UPDATE: OK, we stand corrected. There were no parsing of words, no "railroaded by the system," no ridiculousness and pseudo-apologies: Vick stood up there, took full responsibility, apologized to his fans and his league and his team, said he was immature and had a lot to learn about himself. He did not deny the charges or anything like that at all. He said he's found Jesus — "for now," anyway — and asked for forgiveness.

This is not a "sorry-to-be-caught" situation, at least what we could tell; Vick looks like he knows his life has collapsed around him, and it's his own fault. That's not enough to make up for it ... but it sure is a start.)

Jones, of course, was suspended for the season despite never being legally convicted of anything, but instead for violating Goodell's player conduct policy. Meanwhile, Vick's guilty plea on dogfighting-related charges will put him in prison for no more than five years. Upon news of the guilty plea — and therefore, legal confession — Commissioner Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely.

Aw, life's no fun with stuff makes sense.

An aside on the English language: I never cared for the word "indefinitely" in context to suspensions. He's definitely suspended. "Goodell suspended Vick definitely." Makes more sense to me.

So instead of a hilarious inconsistency from the commissioner's office, methinks the Vick suspension will surpass that of Pacman's, justice will be served, and Goodell will be able to continue ruling the NFL with further ironfistery. By the way, did you hear about his proposed rule changes for this year's NFL season?

• No substitutions
• No penalties
• No time limit

Also, hey Vick, nice signature you got there.

C'est la Vie, Michael Vick [With Malice]

Last year, Vick's brother was nominated for the Hall, but he fell just short. Despite the stingy nature of the voters this year ... we'd have to think his older bro's got a pretty good shot. But what do we know? The real question: Could he give an induction speech from jail? We do love that he's coming up for nomination the day of his guilty plea. That makes sense.

But is he a Hall of Famer? Seventy five percent is the threshold for induction. Vote below: Polls will be open until next Monday morning.

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Yep, the Arena League boosters are already sensing opportunity.

If Michael Vick wants to revive his career and establish any kind of credibility to his image, he will need to find a home on a football field, and be a model citizen. If I'm Michael Vick, I give Commissioner Baker a call and beg him for a chance to restore himself by playing in the AFL. Vick is a number one overall pick for a reason. He holds several NFL records, led his team to several deep playoff runs, and can be a game changer when things look bleak. If Vick were given a chance to play in the Arena Football League, he would most certainly succeed. It would be a great draw for the AFL fans across the country, and as long as Vick is sincere in his efforts to redeem himself, could be a great figurehead for the AFL.

To AFL owners, go on and take a chance. Everyone deserves a second opportunity to redeem themselves. Who knows, the gamble might end up in a giant payday: an Arena Bowl Championship.

Of course, by "giant payday," we mean, "500 bucks, plus expenses and a decoder ring."

Why Not Vick? [Arena Fan]

The Hokies named the hall after Vick when he made a "sizable donation," and since they don't plan on returning the money anytime soon, they see no reason to change the name.

The Hokies retired Vick's jersey in 2002, the year after the quarterback was drafted out of Tech by the Atlanta Falcons. The number itself is still given out to players. [Athletic Director Jim] Weaver said that although he doesn't condone Vick's actions, he doesn't see a need to lower No. 7 from a place of honor at the Lane Stadium.

"He earned that when he was here, before he ever was involved in these activities," Weaver said Monday.

Wait, they retired his number but still give it out to players? How is that retiring it? Oh, and the vet school isn't near that Hall, is it?

By the way: Stephon Marbury would like to clarify ... himself.

Despite Mixed Emotions Vick Hall Will Stand [Sons Of Sam Malone]

Anyway, to risk continuing to be Insensitive Bastards by actually discussing Ron Mexico's impact in football terms, but Lion In Oil brings up a great point: It turns out that the Chargers' trade of Vick's draft slot might have been one of the NFL's great trades.

[The late John] Butler, who built the Buffalo Bills teams of the early 1990s and went onto San Diego before dying of cancer in 2003, however, was weary of signing a top pick with top pick money at quarterback right after the disastrous pick of Ryan Leaf by the Chargers in 1998. So Butler, after being unable to come to terms with Vick before the end of the draft, made the shocking move of trading an instant superstar and got a player he was very high on, Tomlinson along with a third-rounder that year, a second-rounder the following year, and Tim Dwight.

Remember, too, that the Chargers picked Drew Brees in the second round that year, who turn out pretty great himself, albeit not for the Chargers. Wherever you are, Mr. Butler, we salute you. We hope you have some pit bulls as pets up there.

A Look Back At One Of The Great Trades Of All Time [Lion In Oil]

Therefore, you can now buy Vick's old fishing boat. Only 20,000 smackaroons!

You are bidding on a 2002 Aquasport 205cc Osprey fishing boat owned by MICHAEL VICK. The boat is 22 feet in length, 8 and a half feet in width and is powered by a Yamaha 150. Comes complete with GPS System, Marine Radio and numerous fishing pole holders, coolers and live wells. It can carry as many 8 adults and has the ability to pull water skis and wake boards. This package includes EZ Loader Galvinized Trailer with Power Winch and Certificate of Title signed by MICHAEL VICK as pictured.

Man, can you imagine what he did to those fish? Is it possible to get fish to fight each other?

Oh, here's how to deal with the guilty plea.

MIchael Vick's Fishing Boat [eBay]

Of all the aftereffects to come out following Michael Vick's announcement that he'll be pleading guilty, the one that amazes us the most is that he's gonna have to admit, out loud, that the indictment against him is true. That's not something one can spin; he's gonna have to say, to a judge and to the world, that he electrocuted puppies.

We knew Vick was in deep trouble when he became a story that people who don't care about sports started to care about. It's the Nancy Grace Rule: Once a sports story crosses over to the cable gabfests, it's not about sports anymore, and it has nothing to do with Vick, or the Falcons, or the NFL (or, to use another example, Duke University). All that matters is that the woman down the hall of your office who wouldn't know Peyton Manning if he were standing in front of her is suddenly saying, "He should have to go through the same thing he put those dogs through," even though she couldn't tell you what position Vick plays. That, friends, is when Vick was toast. We'll find out just how toast on Monday.

Top 10 Losers In The Vick Scandal [Five Tool Tool]

"After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick has asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding charges pending against him," Vick attorney Billy Martin said in a statement. "Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.

We lose out on the trial of the century, but hey: At least Tim Donaghy will now have someone to talk to.

By the way, as we begin to say goodbye to the whole ordeal, we thank the fine gents at Log's Blog have developed a drinking game for you to play while reading the gruesome Vick indictment. It has potential, and it will keep us warm during those cold winters days of no trial.

Oh Pretty Prince Of Parties, Where's The Party Now? [Log's Blog]
Michael Vick Indictment [The Smoking Gun]

It feels like the end of an era. Not just the end of a once exciting NFL career, but the end of any trust athletes could have in their posse. Aren't these guys supposed to be protecting them?

Perhaps athletes now will be more mindful of their circle, more discerning even. At least we can hope. Athletes often believe in their own invulnerability. And some of them will continue to do so. But when they do, they should only think of Vick, who, sadly, looks to have lost it all - for his posse.

We're not big Entourage viewers, but if Turtle sold Vince out to the feds on a drug bust, that would inspire us to tune in, regularly.

Vick Fallout: End Of The Posse? [Ballers, Gamers And Scoundrels]
Vick's NFL Future Could Be Bleak [ESPN]

(UPDATE: The Smoking Gun, as always, is all over it.)

With Vick under the gun in every possible way, his lawyers — one of whom, in a symptom of just how crazed this case has become, felt obliged yesterday to point out that he is a dog lover — are almost certainly going to take a deal that limits Vick to one year in jail, or something around that. The idea is to salvage his NFL career, or what's possibly left of it.

We're not sure if jail time served counts as part of Vick's suspension, or if he has to sit through another suspension when he gets out of jail ... but it looks like he's going to jail. Imagine that.

Vick Attorneys Negotiating Plea [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Ookie Is Screwed [Rumors And Rants]

Well, we might be in luck. Vick appears to see the writing on the wall. His co-defendants are testifying against him, and any potential jury pool clearly is not gonna be leaning in his direction. (If they're white, anyway.) Therefore, he could be considering a plea agreement.

Sources told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators on Monday afternoon. The attorneys planned to speak with the quarterback in the evening to see what direction he wants to go in.

They say he has until Friday to decide, or the appropriate trial documents will be filed. So, it's possible this could be over faster than we realized. There might be no place left for Vick to scramble.

Vick Must Decide Whether To Accept Plea Agreement [ESPN]

King says the larger concern for commissioner Roger Goodell is allegations that people were gambling on the dogfights, which sort of makes sense; if you're going to watch two animals rip each other the shreds, you should at least have some money riding on the outcome. The supposed suspension, according to Yahoo!, should come down this week.

We would point out that Vick has yet to be convicted of anything, therefore making it odd that you could deprive him of his livelihood, but, of course, Goodell's making a habit out of this, Pac Man Jones, et al. (We'll be back to Pac Man in a bit, by the way.) It's probably unfair, but it's consistently and fairly unfair, so, there's that.

Meanwhile ... we repeat: Vick's not gonna ever start an NFL game again. Fortunately, you can still gamble on those.

Vick Suspension Near [Yahoo! Sports]
Newsmakers [SI.com]

(UPDATE: The NFL is officially denying the Yahoo! story.)

It starts with one dog in Memphis. With that ... the revolution begins.

A Memphis, Tenn., man is in critical condition after his dog shot him in the back. Police say King George, a 150-pound Great Dane, accidentally knocked a .22-caliber pistol off his owner's end table around 2:30 a.m. The gun went off, hitting his 21-year-old owner in the back, MyFOXMemphis.com reports.

"I knew he was smart, I didn't think he was that smart," the victim's fiancee, Miesha Lucas told MyFOXMemphis.com. "He was always protective. I didn't think he would be like that."

When you get home tonight, take a look at your dog. Take a good look. Don't think his lack of opposable thumbs is gonna stop him. Because it's not.

Dog Shoots Owner In The Back [Fox News]