Will the Portland Trail Blazers Choose Ohio State's Greg Oden?

The Portland Trail Blazers hit the jackpot last night when they got first pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. This means that Rip City could choose one of two great players- greg Oden, Jr. of Ohio State, and Kevin Durant of Texas- and complement an improving lineup.

The heavy money's on Oden. He's 7-feet, a strong defender. 15.7 points per game on average. Makes about 62% of his shots. Very versatile on the boards. Agile. And an unselfish player- just like Brandon Roy, 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year.

But just in case Portland passes up Oden, Kevin Durant is very impressive, with 25.8 points per game.

Either way, the Blazers will have a franchise player that will likely- in a few years- bring back the days of the 1976-1977 World Championship season. Whoever the Blazers choose on June 28, you can count on the Rose Garden being filled to the rafters again. Especially if they go with Oden. Then you'll be hard pressed to find even a ticket for the nosebleeds.

Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

The Legacy of Jerry Falwell

YouTube/fowleryo/Fox

I bet the good reverend wishes he went out like that.
As we all know, the Reverend Jerry Falwell has died this afternoon, at 12:40 PM ET (9:40 AM PT) at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was supposed to attend a meeting, but instead, was found unconscious at his mansion on the campus of Liberty University- which he founded in 1971. He was taken to Lynchburg General, where he was pronounced dead. The hospital confirmed that he died of sudden cardiac arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death . Falwell suffered from heart related problems- just two years ago, he was treated for blocked arteries and a viral infection.

Statements have come in already.

First, this statement from close associate Pat Robertson, leader of CBN in nearby Virginia Beach:

My wife and I have sent or condolences to Macel Falwell and her family. Jerry has been a tower of strength on many of the moral issues which have confronted our nation. Liberty University is a magnificent accomplishment and will prove a lasting legacy. Jerry's courage and strength of convictions will be sadly missed in this time of moral relativism. I join with the tens of thousands of his friends to mourn the passing of this extraordinary human being.
-Rev. Pat Robertson, CBN.com


Two of the Republican presidential candidates have weighed in:

An American who built and led a movement based on strong principles and strong faith has left us. He will be greatly missed, but the legacy of his important work will continue through his many ministries where he put his faith into action...Ann and I have had the honor to meet and talk with Reverend Falwell and get to know him as a man of deep personal faith and commitment to helping those around him. He will be forever remembered.
-Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor.

I join the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University and Americans of all faiths in mourning the loss of Reverend Jerry Falwell...Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country...Our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Falwell's family at this difficult time.

YouTube/robola/NBC News
-US Senator John McCain (R-Arizona)

Even the Civil Rights activist, Reverend Al Sharpton, whom had many disagreements with Falwell had this statement:

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Reverend Jerry Falwell. Though he and I debated much and disagreed often, we shared a very cordial and warm friendship. I visited him in Lynchburg, dined with him, and even talked with during personal crises. Though we were as politically opposite as two people could be, I truly respected his commitment to his beliefs and our mutual belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I stated to my nationally syndicated radio show, I pray for the Falwell family and join the nation in mourning the passing of this religious leader.
-Reverend Al Sharpton

Just a few accolades, if you will, for the late, great Jerry Falwell.

But say what you will about the man who was born in the same city in which he died, Falwell was larger than life- both literally and figuratively. Watch what he has to say on Glenn Beck on CNN Headline News:

YouTube/gpbakalov/CNN

Falwell talked disparagingly about gays and lesbians; abortion supporters, and feminists. In other words, he said that he loved people who were gay, lesbian, and pro-choice, but his actions proved otherwise. Thing is, he founded the Moral Majority in 1979, which brought him to the one thing he had no business stepping into in the first place- the political arena. He- along with his minions of demons- took credit for putting Ronald Wilson Reagan into the White House. He blamed adult entertainment, as well as the aforementioned abortion rights and gay rights movements, for the downfall of America. He even blamed little innocent Tinky-Winky from Teletubbies for 'advancing the gay rights agenda'. Must've been that fabulous Prada purse Tinky was carrying, I don't know.

I could go biographic on you, but I'll leave that to the historians and his butt pirate buddy Pat Robertson to that (of course, almost everything that comes out of ol' Marion Gordon Robertson, Sr's mouth is a lie...'sigh').

The only thing I can say is that almost every gay and lesbian on the planet is holding parties, not unlike the White Party on Fire Island. For them, the pride festivals began a month earlier.

For those Coca-Cola Christians, however, it's almost as if Jesus himself has once again died. Only the Messiah, this time, has died of cardiac arrest.

Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Reverend Jerry Falwell Dead at 73

Reverend Jerry Falwell, the founder of the conservative religious group, Moral Majority, and whose stances on gays and abortion raised many an ire, has died.

Rod Godwin, the executive vice president of Liberty University- founded by Falwell in 1971- said that Falwell was found unconscious at his mansion on the Liberty campus, at around 10:45 AM ET (7:45 AM PT). He was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he was declared dead at 12:40PM ET (9:40 AM PT).

Falwell was also the senior pastor of Lynchburg area megachurch Thomas Road Baptist Church.

I'll talk more on the life of Reverend Falwell later.

Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Young Pussy Beats 91-Year-Old WWII Vet

Last week, in Detroit, Michigan, 91-year-old Leonard Sims was leaving a convenience store, when a young man- in cap and braids followed him, and asked him for a light.

All in a sudden, the young man beat Mr. Sims to the ground and took Mr. Sims' 2005 Chevrolet Impala. The fucked up thing about this is that there were about four or five bystanders, who did absolutely nothing! Fortunately, the store clerk called 911, and Mr. Sims got the medical attention he needed.

Just hours after this horrendous carjacking, Warren, Michigan police arrested 22-year-old Deonte Edward Bradley and charged him with carjacking- which carries life in prison; and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, which has a maximum penalty of ten years.

I know that there's this adage that you're innocent until proven guilty, but I must say that if Mr. Bradley was the man who attacked Mr. Sims, I hope he gets the punishment he rightfully deserves, to the fullest extent of the law.

No matter who did this, your actions were beyond deplorable. I wouldn't even use the word 'cowardly', because it makes cowards look good. You wanton disrepect for a man who fought for this country, so that pussies such as yourself can live freely.

All I can say is I hope that you're proud of yourself. Just feel the scorching heat coming from the rest of us.

Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Mennonite Drug Cartels

Today I was in a book club discussing a book written by a Russian author (It escapes me so I'll have to tell you the title next time...). Afterward, we went into a discussion about religion, mainly about the Jehovah's Witnesses (in which this author was once a part of), and other groups. My friend CJ, who is a fledging playwright here in Portland mentioned something about the Mennonite faith, and the thing that had me flabbergasted, if you will, is that some of their members run drug cartels.

Yes, you heard right. Some Mennonites are into drug trafficking, and are struggling with drugs- just like the rest of us.

Click on the title for the article I found from Canada's Saturday Night Magazine.

Copyright 2007 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Today Is NOT Our Happy 10th Anniversary...

On this date in 1997, I made the dumbass mistake of tying the knot. I talked about it in the very first blog entry, so I won't waste anymore time on this.

Moving on, I've been pretty busy lately, working at Lewis & Clark College here in Portland, working in this cafe called Bon Appetit. I thought I was supposed to return today, but they (BA) have given the temp agency I work with the runaround, so unless I find out more, last night was my final night there. At any rate, I go to another work site on Wednesday. Even as it rains (hey, this is fecking Portland!).

I've stooped down and got one of those AT&T/Cingular GO Phone- I'm afraid that I need the contact. Besides, I control the cost and the calls. And it'll be (eventually) a back up phone (I'm looking at going with Cricket Communications pretty soon...).

A lot of changes are happening to me. I'm getting new Apple iMac and MacBook Pro soon, and Final Cut Studio 2 (and in July, Adobe Production Studio for Mac). And I'm getting the Bowflex SelectTech 1090 dumbbell set- gotta bulk up. So those are only two of many.

Aaah! Life IS GOOD!

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.