"...this entire industry [underwear] industry -- is really just about pleasing men. "

So says Ms. Hepola, to which I reply: perhaps, and if so, so what? You complain about the big beige bra being ugly, even though it's functional. Or, you'd rather just wear running bra. That's fine. But when you're with your lover, you want to look sexy. What's wrong with that?

Do you think us guys wear plain old white boxers when we have hot dates? We keep in mind that our date might see us in our undies, and if we care about making it a sexy night, we wear something with that in mind.

On the other hand, if it's a boring old work day, we may not be so particular.

Nothing wrong with both types of underwear. Dress for the occasion, right?

Every other species on this planet is confronting a planetary emergency, all thanks to one particular species: us. Instead of whining about the fate of our poor, misbegotten species, let's apologize to all the other species that have suffered, are suffering, and will suffer due to our arrogance and indifference.

Frankly, the last species I care about is our own, but if we manage to save ourselves in the process of saving the rest of creation, then maybe we can start over with a little humility and maturity.

23 months for torturing and mudering dogs seems light to me, but it's something. If it results in ruining Vick's career for good, even better.

I doubt Vick is the only pro athlete who engages in dogfighting. I hope the various leagues will be as strict with their own players the next time such a scandal is exposed.

A number of letter writers have shrugged off dogfighting as no big deal, while others think Vick should not have been punished either at all, or as harshly as he has been.

I and many other people disagree. Cruelty to animals is a crime for good reason. Animals are as capable of suffering as people, and in a civilized society, protecting them from cruelty is a matter of common decency.

It is a good thing that Michael Vick is being held accountable for his crime. This is the only way that dogfighting will be stopped. Not that long ago bloodsports such as bear- and badger-baiting were legal. Working horses to death was legal, too. It was only through the concerted activism of caring people that these activities

were criminalized and relegated to the dustbin of history.

Now it is dogfighting's turn. This cruel and indefensible crime must be eradicated to the fullest extent possible. The conviction of a high profile dogfighter like Michael Vick is a good place to start.

I've read through these letters with interest. Some writers advise you to stand up physically to your nut of a neighbor. Those writers know how to fight and have fought people before. If you were like them, I'd say go for it.

If you're not, if you're the average, basically non-violent person, their advice will get you killed. Your nut of a neighbor is most likely an experienced violent fighter. He won't crumble mentally under the stress of a fight. His killer instinct is there. His skills are there, honed and tested. This is no place for you to learn how to fight, because this guy won't back off if you call a time out -- he'll just kick you when you're down, literally.

I think it's fine advice for you to take a martial arts class. Maybe in 5 years, you might be ready to fight this guy.

Until then, if I were you I'd form a good relationship with the police. I'd stay away from this guy whenever possible. Most importantly, if I were you I would be armed. Weapons even the field. You're in luck, being a mechanic. You have every legitimate reason to have a wrench or other heavy tool on you. They are legal implements (unlike, say, a concealed knife), and you can wield them against your nut of a neighbor with devastating force.

I hope this all works out peacefully for you. I hope the cops take care of this guy and his sadistic, monstrous son, but until then, you need to act like this guy is a rabid dog. Be wary, and carry a weapon.

Good luck. Mean and violent people are the scourge of this Earth.

P.S. If you encounter this guy, stay more than an arm's length away from him. He can't hit you if he can't reach you. If he gets closer, move away and tell him to stay away. If he doesn't, get ready for the worst.

I appreciate your comments, and I can guarantee you that if Salon ran a story on rodeo or greyhound racing, the letters pages would be filled with letters condeming both of those very cruel industries. However, this column was about Michael Vick & dogfighting, so it is unfair to bring in any and every other scenario involving cruelty to animals (though I am glad that you did mention those two).

Of course the big difference here is that dogfighting is illegal.

On that point, you and others have alleged that there is a racial element to the Michael Vick case. Perhaps, though I've yet to see anyone offer anything but anecdotal evidence to support that charge. I can guarantee you that if a star white player was caught engaging in dogfighting, PETA and other animal protection groups, and individuals such as myself, would have been equally vociferous in our outrage. Cruelty to animals happens on a daily basis, and the perpetrators are often white; these cases rarely make the national news, but believe me, local activists are all over these cases, writing letters to the prosecutor, etc., regardless of the race of the alleged criminal.