27 JUL 07: I.D. OUR VICK

To borrow some police detective slang, Michael Vick was easy to identify Thursday. He was the one wearing a nice suit to federal court in Richmond, Virginia - but without his usual hair braids. And for some odd reason, Vick was NOT wearing the Nike shoes he usually endorses.

(The lack of braids probably shouldn't be a surprise - because without Vick, the chances of the Atlanta Falcons making a long playoff run will go way down.)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pleaded NOT guilty to federal dogfighting charges. He's free without bond, and his trial was scheduled for the Monday after Thanksgiving - giving him time to make amends to animal rights groups, by organizing a benefit turkey shoot.

Michael Vick's big salary means he can afford big-name attorneys, and a couple were with him in court Thursday. One of them was Billy Martin, who once was a lawyer for Monica Lewinsky. How ironic -- this is another case where stains on the clothing could be critical evidence.

Billy Martin pointed out to reporters that none of the accusations against Michael Vick have been proven in court yet. Of course, he'd probably say the same thing after a ruling by a federal appeals court....

The federal court hearing attracted a big crowd Animal rights groups declared Michael Vick "sick." Supporters said he should be given a chance. And journalists wondered if some other famous Atlantans would show up as character witnesses - such as Bobby Brown or Whitney Houston.

As if the scene outside the courthouse wasn't strange enough, a Richmond radio station handed out dog treats to the spectators. I don't think some of the animal rights protesters will be satisfied until they can chew personally on Michael Vick.

Michael Vick's arraignment happened to occur on the day the Atlanta Falcons opened training camp. Supporters and opponents of Vick were outside that complex as well - but you'll understand if some of the opponents happened to wear New Orleans Saints jerseys.

ESPN football insider Chris Mortensen said Thursday he expects Michael Vick to miss the entire N.F.L. season. If he's acquitted of the charges, he could return next year - and claim the biggest "Vick-tory" he's ever had.

Chris Mortensen also says the Atlanta Falcons have ruled out signing free agent quarterback Dante Culpepper, to replace Michael Vick. If you're familiar with Culpepper, you know he would force the team management's thinking to change a bit. Instead of watching dog kennels, they'd be keeping Culpepper away from West Point Lake.

Have you noticed how some sports announcers have slipped up with their cliches, while talking about the Michael Vick case? I heard one ESPN Radio host describe a similar case in the courts, and actually say: "I'm not going near that puppy."

(At least Michael Vick's attorneys aren't promising to fight the federal charges with "dogged determination....")

Amidst all this, another football team opened training camp Thursday - Glenwood School in Phenix City. It's already time to prepare for the Alabama high school season. Only at Glenwood, the main concern involving dogs is keeping them from (ahem) piddling on the field.

E-MAIL UPDATE: Here's a thank-you note (of sorts) based on Thursday's topic:

Hi Richard,

Glad you could join us at my going away dinner. It was really fun. I was so happy to see so many co-workers. . .made me smile.

I just read your blog. . .you really remembered 98% of our conversation, I am impressed. But I have one minor correction. . .I'm actually going to be volunteering with an Amsterdam mission organization, not YWAM. When I mentioned YWAM, I was just saying that they too do a separate outreach in the red light district....

Take care,

Your favorite redheaded jew-ta-rican

Admittedly, I did NOT take a notepad to write down the words of Deborah Singer at her farewell dinner. For one thing, the tables at Chili's can get so filled with food that there's no room for even a napkin.

OVERHEARD OVER HERE: It's poker night in one corner of Columbus - and when it's time to turn three cards over for "the flop," three aces show up.

The dealer who turned over the cards turns to the woman on his right. "You cut those cards pretty well, didn't you?"

As you might have guessed by now, not much Columbus news inspired us Thursday - but here's what we noticed:

+ An afternoon thunderstorm dropped more than an inch of rain on the Columbus Airport - while the downtown area barely had a drop. It's time the candidates for President addressed this inequality! Someone should propose a "no neighborhood left behind" program.

+ Columbus Police officially named Michael Registe as a suspect in last Friday night's Cross Creek killings. If Registe wants an apology from Chief Ricky Boren at this point, he's going to have to surrender first.

+ WRBL reported the Georgia Ethics Commission voted unanimously to investigate State Senator Ed Harbison. He's accused of improperly reporting campaign donations - and if all five members found cause to hold a hearing, they may have found something "stinky-Pugh" here.

(It's been about a year since a woman challenged Ed Harbison's campaign ethics, based on a check of his credit card records. It now appears that listing a donor's name as simply "Master Card" isn't good enough.)

+ WXTX "News at Ten" reported Muscogee County schools are three choral teachers short. Thinking back to my high school choir director, this seems like an easy job. Simply wave your arms to the beat all day - and if one section can't get in tune in an hour, throw the baton at them and complain.

+ A new children's park was constructed on the grounds of the Salvation Army center on Warm Springs Road. It was made possible by a nonprofit organization called "Kaboom!" With a name like that, you'd think the park would be built at Fort Benning....

+ An annual competition in aerial robotics began at Fort Benning. WRBL showed scale-model helicopters being flown around by remote control - which is going to make "R-C cars" look like a really ordinary gift come December.

+ Instant Message to Tyler's Restaurant in downtown Phenix City: I saw your sign - "AC EGG CHEESE COM 3.19." Personally, I prefer to keep my eggs and cheese refrigerated and not air-conditioned.

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