The Confession Heard Around the World

Several weeks ago, Tom Leykis did a live remote from Barracuda night club here in Portland.

It was here that a woman, apparently from the Phoenix area, called the show, and confessed that the suicide her boyfriend had committed was actually a HOMICIDE committed by the woman herself.

And now, the Phoenix police are looking for her. Even if the call's a prank, she's still in deep ca-ca. So either way, she loses.

Here's the audio from that confession:

Sounds a Bit Hypocritical, Doesn't It?

A man from Reno, Nevada- 54 year old gregory Lee Rumora- says that he's a vigilante against internet child porn.

So, apparently, he can't seem to explain himself when police found child porn with his lovely mug on it. Rumora also tried to extort an unidentified LA radio personality out of $30,000.

He's in the Washoe county, Nevada jail on suspicion of extortion and posession of child pornography.

Godspeed, Ed...and You Too, Robert

Today in New York, the great Ed Bradley was eulogized at Riverside Church in New York City. Among those who spoke glowingly- deservedly so- of Ed were former President Bill Clinton; jazz musician, and close friend Wynton Marsalis- who co-founded the Jazz at Lincoln Center Museum with Bradley, and Aaron Neville. Entertainer Bill Cosby also spoke. Bradley's close friend, singer Jimmy Buffett sang Do You What It Means (to Miss New Orleans)?

Bradley died November 9 from complications from leukemia. He was 65.

Last night, we lost another great. For those of us who remember the TV series M*A*S*H, the sitcom was, of course, a spinoff from the hit comedy movie of the same name. Both, of course, dealt with the Korean War.

The man who directed the movie version of M*A*S*H was none other than Robert Altman.

Altman directed many films, from Nashville (1975) to Gosford Park (2001) over a 50-plus year career. He also directed television episodes of Bonanza and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Actors would line up- even take a pay cut, if needed be, to work with the caustic and irreverent writer and director. His relationship with Hollywood was- at best- chaotic, but Altman refused to compromise quality for the sake of entertainment.

His final film was this year's adaptation of Garrison Keillor's popular stage show A Prarie Home Companion, which came out in May.

Altman died last night in Los Angeles at 81.

Uh-Oh...It's Another Episode of FOOT-IN-MOUTH-DISEASE!

I'm bringing stupid back/
Those fucking niggers don't know how to act/
Those dumb ass crackers/they just want to...
Get your stupid on/Get your stupid on/ Get your stupid on...
(In the tune of Sexyback...with apologies to Justin Timberlake)

Excuse me...hi, your tour guide Darren here, and as you can see, I have parodied Justin Timberlake's Sexyback to a more vicious tone, if you will. Of course, my apologies to Mr. Timberlake. But I couldn't help but to parody the tune due to the fact that, yes, another celebrity has done it again.

As if Mel Gibson's drunken tirade against Jews wasn't enough, now comes word that Seinfeld alum Michael Richards, who played Kramer on the hit 1990-1998 NBC sitcom, did a little stand up this weekend at LA's Laugh Factory comedy club. Only, the stand up act kind of bombed. Just click on the title and watch.

A couple of black hecklers dis Richards, next thing you know, we're back in Mississippi, circa 1950.

Sure Richards has the right to show his true colors- or perhaps he was pretty frustrated (over not having a hit TV series) Being a bomb at stand up, man, what is it? One minute he has the audience kind of in stitches, the next, half of them want him off the stage (the other half wants him dead).

Apparently, Mr. Richards hasn't learned from Mel's little predicament, has he?

I may have to take a break from watching Seinfeld. But if you find it in your hearts to forgive him, go ahead. I'll forgive, but definitely won't forget.

Click to http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/richards-im-really-busted-up/

Ed Bradley- An Appreciation

How can one describe the illustrious Ed Bradley? Sure, he had many firsts- the first African-American White House Correspondent for a major broadcast network, among other things. But there is no one word anyone can describe the man colleagues called " Mr. Cool". There is no one label you can put on the man who began his broadcasting career as a part time DJ in Philadelphia (he moonlighted as a DJ while teaching sixth grade). The man raised in a tough Philadelphia neighborhood, who went on to greater heights as a reporter, and for 26 years, a correspondent to TV's longest running magazine series has been lost today to leukemia.

Vote Like You Were Dying

Today, true believers, is Election Day. This means that many Americans are out at the polls voting for the candidates who they believe are best for the responsibilities of taking care of their states; cities; congressional and senatorial districts, and other offices.

Now, for the record, I voted weeks ago- I live in Oregon, which is a vote by mail state. I'll tell you how I voted, and why I voted the way I did in one of my other blogs, "The Week in Brief". I'll also give you the results of the races and ballot measures here in Oregon and a few other states.

But let me tell you why I believe that you should go out and vote today.

For years, I've been hearing people bitching about the officeholders and measures they don't agree with. I sak these people, "did you vote?" A good number of them tell me "no", then I ask why. Some don't believe that their voices count. Others believe that their candidate won't win no matter whether they vote or no.

But to those naysayers, I tell them, "your voice does count". After all, if you don't vote, you have no right to gripe about why this candidate won, or why these measures passed. If only these people would just give up their apathetic attitudes and go out to the polls- or in the case of the states of Oregon and Washington- mail in their ballots (or send those ballots to authorized drop spots at such places like the county election headquarters, or even the public libraries). Even if the candidates of your choice don't win, or the measures you opposed passed (or vice versa- the measures you supported failed), at least you can rest easy knowing that you've used your voice at the ballot box.

And if you're like myself, African-American, it's your responsibility to get out there and vote. No matter the weather- hey, we've been deluged by torrential rains the last two days here in Oregon and Washington. Still, a lot of us black folks are still voting today- or even if you're a bit infirm, get someone to help you get to the ballot box. No matter how long the lines, no matter how bad you're getting intimidated- and I've heard at least one or two reports of this (some incumbents will do dirty acts just to keep their office). And no matter how negative those political ads of recent weeks (a lot of black folks were pissed at the one lampooning Harold Ford, Jr., Democrat Congressman out of Tennessee, running for the US Senate against Republican Bob Corker. They saw it as racist. See my entry "How Nasty Can You Go? Let The Mudslinging Continue" by just clicking here at http://www.alexthegrinch.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-nasty-can-you-go-let-mudslinging.html). Just go out there. Vote. A lot of blacks have fought- and some even died- for this right to vote. Don't you dare take this right and responsibility for granted.

May the candidate and ballot measure of your choice, win, but even if she or he doesn't, at least you can go to bed tonight knowing that you have performed your civic duty.

It's Gonna Be a WHAT?!!

Is Faith Hill pissed that she lost to newcomer Carrie Underwood in last night's CMA Awards?

Underwood, winner of the 2005 American Idol competition, won female vocalist of the year. Faith Hill apparently took offense, turned to the camera, and appeared to say "What?!!"

Now, Mrs. Samuel Timothy Smith (Tim McGraw's real name. Of course Tim's daddy was the late Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw) aka Audrey Faith McGraw (her real name. Perry's her maiden name) insists that she was joking when she did her act. I don't know, baby. It sounded like a call out for fightin' baby (cue song, "You ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)", by Loretta Lynn. Only substitute "Award" for "Man" and have Carrie sing the song...).



Shifting gears, today is, of course, election day. Go out and vote (I'll tell you why in my next entry).

Ted Haggard- New Pastor of the Church of Pussies

Last week, a gay escort stepped forward to mention that the Rev. Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, had sex with him, gave him a massage and took meth. This in response to Haggard's support for an amendment in Colorado, Amendment 43, that would put into the Colorado constitution a law that marriage would be only be between a man and a woman. (The paranoia ensues, folks...).

This weekend, Haggard resigned as pastor of New Life, a 14,000 member church. He wrote in a letter that he had "committed sexual immorality..." and that he was a "depraved man."

I call him a man who is running away from who he is- a gay man.

Yes, true believers, the good reverend is what I'd like to call a gay man in deep denial. He has been taught to hate himself, use the Bible as an excuse to hate the very thing that God made him- a man who happens to like men. Oh, sure, Haggard is a married dad of five, with a lovely wife who is probably a bit less loving and supporting amid these revelations. But the question I must ask Teddy Bear (can I callyou that, Ted? Thanks...) is (cue song "How Long (Has This Been Going On)" by Ace) Yes, Ted, how long have you harbored sexual feeling toward guys? How long have you've been craving dick over pussy? How long have you known that youjust daydreamed that you were in a nightclub in Denver, dancing among hot, sweaty, and gorgeous hunks?

I see that the Exodus International- the scam that calls itself an 'ex-gay' ministry (of course, there's that <33% success rate you've got to take into account...hmmm...)- has worked for you, Ted.

Look, Ted Haggard, whether he believes it or no, has just admitted that he's gay. Nothing wrong wioth that. Except that he's beating himself over it instead of embracing it. God still loves him, and God has a place for him to pastor. It could be a branch of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, or Reconciling Congregations of the United Methodist Church. Hell, the United Church of Christ openly accepts gay men, as does the Universal Unitarian Church.

But whichever church Ted Haggard chooses to pastor in say, a couple years or so (after he goes through the 'denial/grief/acceptance' bit...and after his divorce from his wife becomes final, should that come to pass), at least he'll be in good company. Praising God among those hot, gorgeous hunks. One of them being his new husband, no doubt.

Let's Talk About- and Visualize- Warm Weather

Right now, I'm in a state of boredom. I'm feeling tired, and...I'm ready to fall asleep. Now if I wasn't at the (Multnomah County Central) library, I would just go ahead and nod off. But I can't do this. So...

It's no secret that I'd much rather be elsewhere right now. Elsewhere being Los Angeles; Miami; or even Bora Bora. Lying in the sun, feeling the warmth on my skin. Sipping margaritas or pina coladas, surrounded by hot buxom ladies. Being softly killed by kisses, bare breasts, and kitties in the middle. Ah, yes. The life I desire. (Oh, don't forget, all of this being taped and/or filmed...after all, I need the footage for my self-taught lessons in using Final Cut Studio 5.1...).

So, as I put up- for a bit longer, at least- with the return of the winter rainy season here in the Pacific Northwest (and perhaps three to four months in Alaska at a seafood processing plant on, perhaps Dutch Harbor in Unalaska), I can be rest assured that before long, I'll be atop of the world in a condo; dancing to, say, Latino and black hip-hop. And, of course, seeing different babes nightly (okay, not every night. I need the break from time to time...).

I'll be in the sun sooner than I think. Believe it!

Prince- The Comeback. But At What Cost?

Prince Rogers Nelson- the artist forever known as just his first name- is opening a club in Las Vegas, Club 3121. It's located at the Club Rio hotel and nightclub on Flamingo Rd.

While I celebrate his success- hey, once a Prince fan, always a Prince fan- I kind of question this move.

You see, Prince is- or was, I don't know. I'll have to ask him directly- a Jehovah's Witness.

Let me admit my dog in the fight. I was once raised in that faith, in my youth. As almost everyone knows, the Witnesses don't celebrate holidays; vote in elections; have sexual relations- same sex or opposite sex- outside of marriage. They don't believe in same sex relationships- let alone same sex marriage. And although they're allowed to enter bars and nightclubs- provided that they're of the legal age, of course- such actions are highly discouraged. For the record, I haven't been associated with the faith for over 15 years (though my mother and at least three of my siblings are in the faith).

Which is why I must ask Prince why is he running one.

Now, if he's been disfellowshiped- excommunicated- then that's one thing. But if he's still a JW, are the elders at his church comfortable with him doing this. If not, I think Prince should seriously think about what he's doing.

Now Am I Glad That I Didn't Vote For Kulongoski?

In 2004, a rumor was confirmed in political circles. The rumor being that Neil goldschmidt, who was Oregon governor from 1987 to 1991, had sex with a (then) 14-year-old girl- all while mayor of Portland (1973-1979). Before the revelation- and subsequently Willamette Week (Portland's alternative weekly) reporter Nigel Jaquiss winning his Pulitzer for bringing down Neil- Goldschmidt was ashining star in local; state; and even national politics (he was President Carter's Transportation secretary).

In this online magazine, Counterpunch (http://www.counterpunch.com), Fred Leonhardt, who was the speechwriter for Goldschmidt, mentions that a lot of people knew of Goldschmidt's shenannigans. Including the current governor, Theodore Kulongoski (who's about to receive his retirement gift from the voters this coming Tuesday...maybe...). Leonhardt reportedly told Kulongoski- when the latter was Oregon's attorney general- about Goldschmidt's sexual dalliances with babysitters, and that later on, Kulongoski reluctantly wanted to keep Goldschmidt "...at arms length because he asks me to do unethical things..."

So, my question to the soon-to-be-ex-governor(?), did you know about Neil's pedophiliac tendencies? If so, why are you still sitting on this? Sure, if you were to speak the truth, Neil could have destroyed you. And you probably wouldn't be sitting at Mahonia Hall (the governor's mansion) today (and you probably won't be sitting there too much longer if voters have a say in the matter on Tuesday). If you knew about this, and you're not telling us, Ted...I don't know how you could sleep at night- let alone during the four years you've been running the state of Oregon (into the ground, but running Oregon nonetheless...).

Of course, this does parallel the recent Mark Foley debacle (you know, where Foley sent pornograph e-mails to male pages. No report of Foley ever sleeping with the boys. which is more than I can say about Goldschmidt fucking teenaged female babysitters...).