Today, I turn 40. Yes, I'm still alive- though a bit blue from eating all of those blueberries a friend give me. I can still run up stairs, though my left ankle's still crying a bit (I almost twisted it the other night). I still have a slight case of neuroses- had to babysit the group I'm in (I'll explain in due time). Other than that, I'm holding up fine, thank you.
Now that I'm in the beginning stages of middle age, a few realities become inevitable for me:
1. The words of my uncle Jerry return to haunt me: When I was 18, Jerry told me that the next 10 yeasrs of my life would go fast. Of course, I was in twelfth grade and attending Mifflin High at the time. Ten years later, I was living with the woman- a four-foot-ten version of the Marvel comics villain Kingpin who would later become my wife (and subsequently, ex-wife). Now it's time for yet another roller coaster ride as the trip from July 31, 2007 and July 31, 2017 has begun.
2. This skinny frame is about to turn into Jell-O(R): I began to feel this at 38- or was it 36?... anyway...I've been nearly supermodel thin my entire life. It's been both a compliment and a curse (A compliment because I've haven't yet met an early grave. A curse, because I could stand a bit more sculpt and bulk. Which is why I'll soon be hitting the Bowflex(R)).
Well, Big Al, kiss the Cindy Crawford body 'buh-bye'.Sure, I'll still exercise and do a bit more biking. But it's inevitable that soon those chocolate bars and Pepsi(R) colas will hit my gut and my hips. Not that anything's wrong with that. Just keep the food intake under control and keep active, d'Artagnan, and you'll do fine.
3. My sex drive may- or may not- head south: It's a sad reality that strikes a lot of us guys in our 30s and 40s- our testosterone levels start going down, down, down.
Talk about a midlife crisis!
Sure, I'll still be able to make a few babies, but I may need a bit of help from those three ED (erectile dysfunction) pills- Viagra; Levitra; and Cialis. Of course, a bit of exercise helps, too.
4. You're Gonna Stick That Finger Where, Doc?:
(from Family Guy)
haylaah/YouTube/Fox
Inquiry: Is it 40 or 45 that us black guys supposed to get our prostates checked? Anyway, I'm about at the age where I have to- gasp- undergo a few prostate exams. Yes, it may feel like what Peter's doctor has done to Peter (according to Peter, of course. But, I'll have to side with Lois and the doc there, Pete. Sorry, pal...). But it's one of those necessary evils of life. Just like having a cardiologist; insurance agent...it gets creepy, kids. Believe me.
Of course, going back to my eating habits, I'm afraid that it's more roughage in my diet...
smctrixie/YouTube
Those Quaker Oats commercials used to crack me up...less Coke and Pepsi, and less Chee-Tos and Lay's, and more salads, veggies, and fruits (though I still won't touch prunes or prune juice. I Won't! I Won't! I WON'T! I'm still not touching Vienna sausage, either. Hated it as a kid. Still hate it now).
Well, here's to my forties. I look forward to the next ten years, as I undergo changes in my life. Hopefully, it won't be too painful.
Copyright 2007, by Darren w. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
CNN.com
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports Widget
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Turning 40- Chapter One
I can't believe that today's the day where I reach a milestone of sorts. Part of me has looked forward to this day, while another part of me wonders if I need to pray to the great Jehovah/Allah and summon the spirit of H.G. Wells so I can finish that time machine- and turn the clock back 20 years.
Yes, true believers, I turn the BIG 4-0 today. And given the fact that I'm entering my fifth decade on planet Earth, I'm wondering what my next 10 years will be like.
I'll tell you in Chapter Two.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Yes, true believers, I turn the BIG 4-0 today. And given the fact that I'm entering my fifth decade on planet Earth, I'm wondering what my next 10 years will be like.
I'll tell you in Chapter Two.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Appreciations: Bill Walsh; Tom Snyder; and Ingmar Berman
The sports and entertainment worlds are mourning the passings of three very colorful personalities.
Legendary NFL coach Bill Walsh died this morning, at 75, after a long battle with leukemia. He is noted for the West Coast Offense, which turned around a moribund San Francisco 49ers team into a five-time Super Bowl champion team. He also coached for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders, and was head coach for Stanford.
OSUISCOOL/YouTube
Talk show host Tom Snyder had dry wit. His shows, Tomorrow, which aired for years on NBC; and The Late, Late Show on CBS (the latter aired after David Letterman's Late Show, with Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants producing).
Synthese78/YouTube/ NBC
Colortinis/YouTube/Worldwide Pants/CBS
Snyder died last night at 71. He had leukemia.
Many movie buffs would place Ingmar Bergman's films among the best that the industry had to offer. The Virgin Spring (1961); Through a Glass Darkly (1962); Fanny and Alexander (1982)- three films that won Academy Awards(R) for Best Foreign Films. Over a 61-year period, Bergman wrote; produced; and/or directed over 40 films, and produced and directed numerous of plays for the stage.
mgarlrinho/YouTube/Sandrew(Sweden)/
A clip from Fanny and Alexander, which won 4 Academy awards in 1984.
Bergman died peacefully this morning at 89 in Faro, Gotland, Sweden.
There is too much to describe about these three legends passed, and time won't permit me write more on them (besides, there's very little anyone doesn't know about them). But, we will all remember them; and each will be sorely missed.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Legendary NFL coach Bill Walsh died this morning, at 75, after a long battle with leukemia. He is noted for the West Coast Offense, which turned around a moribund San Francisco 49ers team into a five-time Super Bowl champion team. He also coached for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders, and was head coach for Stanford.
OSUISCOOL/YouTube
Talk show host Tom Snyder had dry wit. His shows, Tomorrow, which aired for years on NBC; and The Late, Late Show on CBS (the latter aired after David Letterman's Late Show, with Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants producing).
Synthese78/YouTube/ NBC
Colortinis/YouTube/Worldwide Pants/CBS
Snyder died last night at 71. He had leukemia.
Many movie buffs would place Ingmar Bergman's films among the best that the industry had to offer. The Virgin Spring (1961); Through a Glass Darkly (1962); Fanny and Alexander (1982)- three films that won Academy Awards(R) for Best Foreign Films. Over a 61-year period, Bergman wrote; produced; and/or directed over 40 films, and produced and directed numerous of plays for the stage.
mgarlrinho/YouTube/Sandrew(Sweden)/
A clip from Fanny and Alexander, which won 4 Academy awards in 1984.
Bergman died peacefully this morning at 89 in Faro, Gotland, Sweden.
There is too much to describe about these three legends passed, and time won't permit me write more on them (besides, there's very little anyone doesn't know about them). But, we will all remember them; and each will be sorely missed.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I Love Portland (But Why Am I Here Instead of LA?)
The Independent Television Festival take places in Los Angles this weekend. Three days of viewing television series NOT made by the major studios. Sitcoms. Dramatic series (this would include those dramedys such as Desperate Housewives, et al.).
I bring this up because I ask myself this $64,000 question: WHY AM I HERE? Why am I here in Portland, Oregon still? Why am I here instead of Los Angeles? No, I'm not giving up on Portland, but admittedly, I could use the break from good ol' Stumptown.
After all, it's been four years since I've returned (from New Orleans, Louisiana), and there has been times when I wished that I had stayed (and subsequently drowned?) in New Orleans. Hell, when I left New Orleans in June 2003, I almost took a trip to Washington, DC (actually, Arlington, Virginia). Another discussion for another day.
And my first opportunity comes August 1, when I leave the Rose City for the city of Angels on business. Then, in October, I'll be back in LA for Screenwriting Expo 6, and for film making classes in November (or in early 2008).
I have many impressions of LA, not all of them good. But I'll set aside my trepidations to stay and work there. You never know. I may just fall in love in LA yet.
Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander.
All Rights Reserved
I bring this up because I ask myself this $64,000 question: WHY AM I HERE? Why am I here in Portland, Oregon still? Why am I here instead of Los Angeles? No, I'm not giving up on Portland, but admittedly, I could use the break from good ol' Stumptown.
After all, it's been four years since I've returned (from New Orleans, Louisiana), and there has been times when I wished that I had stayed (and subsequently drowned?) in New Orleans. Hell, when I left New Orleans in June 2003, I almost took a trip to Washington, DC (actually, Arlington, Virginia). Another discussion for another day.
And my first opportunity comes August 1, when I leave the Rose City for the city of Angels on business. Then, in October, I'll be back in LA for Screenwriting Expo 6, and for film making classes in November (or in early 2008).
I have many impressions of LA, not all of them good. But I'll set aside my trepidations to stay and work there. You never know. I may just fall in love in LA yet.
Copyright (C) 2007, by Darren W. Alexander.
All Rights Reserved
Monday, July 23, 2007
Horrific Murder-Suicide in Atlanta
Abdul Aziz Ibrahim was known to his neighbors in southeast Atlanta, Georgia as a kind man, who would basically give you the shirt off his back if needed be.
Which is why I find the story I read this morning all the more shocking.
Was it pressure? Was it medication that affected his judgement?
Why did Mr. Ibrahim kill his 28-year-old son Mohmmed; and his nieces Hana Yusef, 26, and Luna Tesfaye, 24, before killing himself?
What would make a man, described as kind, and someone who wouldn't even hurt a fly, do something so horrific?
The questions Atlanta police are asking, as am I.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Which is why I find the story I read this morning all the more shocking.
Was it pressure? Was it medication that affected his judgement?
Why did Mr. Ibrahim kill his 28-year-old son Mohmmed; and his nieces Hana Yusef, 26, and Luna Tesfaye, 24, before killing himself?
What would make a man, described as kind, and someone who wouldn't even hurt a fly, do something so horrific?
The questions Atlanta police are asking, as am I.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Rock-a-Bye, Ikea
From July 23 to 27, people who shop at one of the Ikea stores in Oslo, Norway can shop 'til they drop, then spend the night at the store. Shoppers have the choice between a bridal suite, or a luxury suite, which includes breakfast in bed. Other options include a dormitory, where families can sleep together.
Of course, the shoppers/lodgers/hostelers- Ikea will call this store the Ikea Hostel- do have to get up in the morning (the store opens at 10:00AM, and nothing scares away a shopper faster than a hosteler still snoring at 10 in the morning- especially if such hosteler is sleeping in the nude, no doubt. Of course, there's exceptions in every case...).
Take a look at the story from SAWF.org, by just going to the link. You know the drill.
Now, considering that we here in the Portland/Vancouver/Salem metro will have our own Ikea store come July 25, I can't help but wonder if the Swedish-based furniture retailer will do the same here. Of course, should such a thing happen, shoppers/hostelers will have to put up with jetliner noise from the nearby Portland International Airport (and probably that of the nearby MAX light rail train station, too...).
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Of course, the shoppers/lodgers/hostelers- Ikea will call this store the Ikea Hostel- do have to get up in the morning (the store opens at 10:00AM, and nothing scares away a shopper faster than a hosteler still snoring at 10 in the morning- especially if such hosteler is sleeping in the nude, no doubt. Of course, there's exceptions in every case...).
Take a look at the story from SAWF.org, by just going to the link. You know the drill.
Now, considering that we here in the Portland/Vancouver/Salem metro will have our own Ikea store come July 25, I can't help but wonder if the Swedish-based furniture retailer will do the same here. Of course, should such a thing happen, shoppers/hostelers will have to put up with jetliner noise from the nearby Portland International Airport (and probably that of the nearby MAX light rail train station, too...).
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Buh-Bye, Eddie?- Footnote
Just moments after I had finished the last entry, I've learned that the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office will be moving all murder cases to its' Violent Offender's Unit, and are re-opening the Michael Anderson case. Michael Anderson allegedly gunned down five teens last summer, and the DA's office dropped all charges against him on Tuesday- just less than 24 hours before locating the witness to the killings.
You can go to the link by clicking on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
You can go to the link by clicking on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Buh-Bye, Eddie?
Eddie Jordan, the current District Attorney of Orleans Parish, Louisiana- which includes the city of New Orleans- has had a pretty tough tenure since replacing his longtime predecessor, Harry Connick, Sr. (father of singer-actor Harry Connick, Jr) in 2003. There's the buddy-buddy relationship he has with the embattled Democrat representative of the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana, William Jefferson. Then, months before Hurricane Katrina struck, he was found liable for racial discrimination for the firing of 43 white employees immediately after he took office. The $2.4 million judgment is being appealed. Then just this last December, seven New Orleans Policve officers were indicted on first-degree murder charges for the death of two men on the Danzinger Bridge (just off Chef Menteur Highway- Chef Highway, to the locals- in New Orleans East) shortly after Katrina.
Now a New Orleans city council woman, Shelley Midura, who represents District A of the city- which covers most of the Garden District and Mid-City, including Aubudon Park and Zoo, and City Park; and parts of Lakeview is calling for Jordan's head for dropping charges against an alleged quintuple murderer. About a year ago, Michael Anderson allegedly gunned down five teens in the Central City district, south of the city center. Tuesday, Jordan dropped all charges against Anderson. However, less than 24 hours later, Police Superintendent Warren Riley mentioned that the witness was found.
Now, many are calling for Jordan's resignation. Mayor Nagin is questioning Jordan's leadership when it comes to prosecuting violent crimes, though he stops short of calling for Jordan to step down. Louisiana Attorney General, former Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Charles Foti, Jr. is investigating the DA's office.
I'll keep atop of this continuing story. In the meantime, you can click on the title and read Councilwoman Midura's letter (special thanks to WDSU-TV).
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Now a New Orleans city council woman, Shelley Midura, who represents District A of the city- which covers most of the Garden District and Mid-City, including Aubudon Park and Zoo, and City Park; and parts of Lakeview is calling for Jordan's head for dropping charges against an alleged quintuple murderer. About a year ago, Michael Anderson allegedly gunned down five teens in the Central City district, south of the city center. Tuesday, Jordan dropped all charges against Anderson. However, less than 24 hours later, Police Superintendent Warren Riley mentioned that the witness was found.
Now, many are calling for Jordan's resignation. Mayor Nagin is questioning Jordan's leadership when it comes to prosecuting violent crimes, though he stops short of calling for Jordan to step down. Louisiana Attorney General, former Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff Charles Foti, Jr. is investigating the DA's office.
I'll keep atop of this continuing story. In the meantime, you can click on the title and read Councilwoman Midura's letter (special thanks to WDSU-TV).
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Is New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin Running for Governor?
Clarence Ray Nagin, Jr., the current mayor of New Orleans, who's serving his second term, cannot run for mayor again- those pesky things we call term limits prevent that. Which raises the question on whether he may be seeking high offices, such as Louisiana governor (if I'm correct, current governor Kathleen Blanco isn't seeking reelection); or even the seat currently held by embattled US House representative William Jefferson, D-2nd Congressional District of Louisiana. Jefferson is currently under indictment on public corruption charges (perhaps Jefferson should have put that $90,0000 in cash in a Swiss bank account instead...another story, another day...).
Nagin, thus far, is denying all of this- isn't this like politicians (and many celebrities, for that matter) to do this?- saying that he's remains committed to the people of New Orleans. But during the annual Essence Music Festival, he's been quoted as mentioning that he'll "keep the options open," which may mean that he is at least exploring political possibilities once his term as mayor ends in 2010.
If Nagin does decide to run for higher office, the thing that will no doubt be under the microscope is his handling of the city- particularly during Hurricane Katrina. Sure, he was a political rookie during that time, but many ask whether he could have done a better job keeping order during that chaotic period. And then, there were his "chocolate city" comments
kavorka/YouTube/Comedy Central-Comedy Partners
Some may say that such comments may smack of- dare I say this- racism. True, before Katrina blew her winds of destruction, New Orleans' black population was around 65 percent (now, it's around 45-50 percent), but such actions and comments may put the Louisiana white voting community on edge.
Now, whether or not he decides to run for higher office or no, that's his choice of course. All I can say is that when Marc Morial- son of the late Ernest 'Dutch' Morial, the city's first black mayor- ran the city, life was better. Crime was cut in half- with Superintendent Richard Pennington wiping out corruption in the New Orleans Police Department. When Nagin became mayor, Pennington left for Atlanta (imagine if Pennington were elected mayor- he ran against Nagin in 2002- I believe that the city would still be ran on an even keel today, even amidst the destruction). Pennington's replacement, Edwin 'Eddie' Compass (who commanded the NOPD's 1st District) basically stood shitless as the murder rate went back up, then when Katrina struck, he- along with one-third of the force- pussied out.
And Nagin's considering running for higher office? With all of this shit happening under his watch (including the Orleans Parish District Attorney, Eddie Jordan's head being sought...see next article). I think it would've been better if New Orleans voters had voted to let Marc Morial run for and serve a third term. At least the Big Easy wouldn't feeling Big Queasy today.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Nagin, thus far, is denying all of this- isn't this like politicians (and many celebrities, for that matter) to do this?- saying that he's remains committed to the people of New Orleans. But during the annual Essence Music Festival, he's been quoted as mentioning that he'll "keep the options open," which may mean that he is at least exploring political possibilities once his term as mayor ends in 2010.
If Nagin does decide to run for higher office, the thing that will no doubt be under the microscope is his handling of the city- particularly during Hurricane Katrina. Sure, he was a political rookie during that time, but many ask whether he could have done a better job keeping order during that chaotic period. And then, there were his "chocolate city" comments
kavorka/YouTube/Comedy Central-Comedy Partners
Some may say that such comments may smack of- dare I say this- racism. True, before Katrina blew her winds of destruction, New Orleans' black population was around 65 percent (now, it's around 45-50 percent), but such actions and comments may put the Louisiana white voting community on edge.
Now, whether or not he decides to run for higher office or no, that's his choice of course. All I can say is that when Marc Morial- son of the late Ernest 'Dutch' Morial, the city's first black mayor- ran the city, life was better. Crime was cut in half- with Superintendent Richard Pennington wiping out corruption in the New Orleans Police Department. When Nagin became mayor, Pennington left for Atlanta (imagine if Pennington were elected mayor- he ran against Nagin in 2002- I believe that the city would still be ran on an even keel today, even amidst the destruction). Pennington's replacement, Edwin 'Eddie' Compass (who commanded the NOPD's 1st District) basically stood shitless as the murder rate went back up, then when Katrina struck, he- along with one-third of the force- pussied out.
And Nagin's considering running for higher office? With all of this shit happening under his watch (including the Orleans Parish District Attorney, Eddie Jordan's head being sought...see next article). I think it would've been better if New Orleans voters had voted to let Marc Morial run for and serve a third term. At least the Big Easy wouldn't feeling Big Queasy today.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Lady Bird Johnson 1912-2007
She was the woman behind the husband who was senator; a soldier; and later president. She had a thing for making America beautiful.
Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson has died at 94, in Austin, Texas today.
The full story is at the KEYE, CBS 42, website, in which I have a link to. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Claudia 'Lady Bird' Johnson has died at 94, in Austin, Texas today.
The full story is at the KEYE, CBS 42, website, in which I have a link to. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
War Protester to (Perhaps) Take On Nancy Pelosi
Could war protester Cindy Sheehan be the next Speaker of the House (of Representatives)?
Okay, perhaps it's a pipe dream, but the news that Sheehan wants to knock current Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the office of Representative for the 8th Congressional District of California isn't.
Sheehan- who turns 50 today- apparently is upset that Congress isn't drawing up papers for the impeachment of President Bush, so if Speaker Pelosi doesn't get on the impeachment deal, Ms. Sheehan will- upon winning the office as an Independent- do so. She says that Bush should be impeached because it is her belief that Bush misled the public about the reasons for going to war- remember, her son Casey was killed in April 2004 in the line of duty in Iraq; violated the Geneva Convention by torturing detainees; and giving convicted former vice presidential aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby a break by commuting Libby's sentence for lying and obstructing justice in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case.
Some may argue that it's mourning gone beyond 'way too far', while others believe that no amount of mourning is enough. Whatever one believes, if Ms. Sheehan does indeed run, this could make for one interesting catfight.
The claws are indeed sharpening.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Okay, perhaps it's a pipe dream, but the news that Sheehan wants to knock current Speaker Nancy Pelosi out of the office of Representative for the 8th Congressional District of California isn't.
Sheehan- who turns 50 today- apparently is upset that Congress isn't drawing up papers for the impeachment of President Bush, so if Speaker Pelosi doesn't get on the impeachment deal, Ms. Sheehan will- upon winning the office as an Independent- do so. She says that Bush should be impeached because it is her belief that Bush misled the public about the reasons for going to war- remember, her son Casey was killed in April 2004 in the line of duty in Iraq; violated the Geneva Convention by torturing detainees; and giving convicted former vice presidential aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby a break by commuting Libby's sentence for lying and obstructing justice in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case.
Some may argue that it's mourning gone beyond 'way too far', while others believe that no amount of mourning is enough. Whatever one believes, if Ms. Sheehan does indeed run, this could make for one interesting catfight.
The claws are indeed sharpening.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Tree Robs Bank
In Manchester, New Hampshire, a man decided- as he drank coffee at a park by Lake Massabesic- that he would rob a bank.
So, he got some duct tape; a few branches; and went to a Manchester area bank and robbed it.
A guy disguised as a tree robbing a bank. One, when I looked at the video, his disguise obviously wasn't a very good one. Plus, if I were this joker robbing that bank, I would've at least used a mask (apparently his eyesight's not that good...).
49-year-old James Coldwell was arrested Saturday night and was held on $10,000 bail.
Next time, Jimbo, use a mask.
I have the link to the story from Manchester's ABC station, WMUR News 9. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
So, he got some duct tape; a few branches; and went to a Manchester area bank and robbed it.
A guy disguised as a tree robbing a bank. One, when I looked at the video, his disguise obviously wasn't a very good one. Plus, if I were this joker robbing that bank, I would've at least used a mask (apparently his eyesight's not that good...).
49-year-old James Coldwell was arrested Saturday night and was held on $10,000 bail.
Next time, Jimbo, use a mask.
I have the link to the story from Manchester's ABC station, WMUR News 9. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Crisis of Conscience/Six Screens of the Watchtower
I'm reading a book entitled Crisis of Conscience, by Raymond Franz. Franz is a former member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. His uncle, the late Fred Franz was president of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York; Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society of Pennsylvania; and International Bible Students Association (the corporate arms of the JWs) from 1977 to his death in 1992. The book, in many respects is pretty disturbing for those who may be or former are JWs, for it details the inner workings of the Watchtower organization from someone who's been in the trenches. I highly recommend it.
Now, of course, I have a dog in this. I was raised in the faith, and my mother, two of my sisters, and young brother is still in the faith (myself and my baby sister are the only hold outs). Now, I still have some love for the group, for there were great memories from the fellowship I enjoyed. But, there were- and still are- many things I did not (and still do not) like about them. Their stand on joining the military and doing civil service (in Crisis of Conscience, there is a chapter called Double Standards that contrasted the happenings in the African nation of Malawi and those of Mexico in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s). Of course, the Witnesses do not vote; salute the flag (form of idol worship in their eyes); or celebrate holidays (pagan rituals). Of course, you won't see the Christian cross at their Kingdom Halls (they link the cross to the pagan god Tammuz, who is linked to sexuality, if I'm correct...).
There is this website, the Six Screens of the Watchtower, created by a former JW, that explains the contradictions of this controversial group. It's a pretty interesting site, so take a look.
Of course, if you want hear what they have to say on matters on Christianity; family life; etc., there's the nearest Kingdom Hall, or all around the country- including here in Portland (at Memorial Coliseum), there is the 2007 convention,
Follow the Christ, going on in numerous locations in the US- including here in Portland- and Canada, and other parts of the world, as I write this. Make up your own mind on how you want to deal with it. Some join and convert- by Bible study; then baptism. Some say it's hogwash. You decide, if you so choose to go to one of these conventions or Kingdom Hall meetings.
(Your humble correspondent, this blog's author, sneaked in on a talk a week ago. I only stayed until they did the song- called The Bread of Heaven, one of the JW songs I sang in my youth. I couldn't get out of there fast enough...).
I know that after reading Crisis of Conscience, I never look at the JWs, or the Watchtower organization the same again.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Now, of course, I have a dog in this. I was raised in the faith, and my mother, two of my sisters, and young brother is still in the faith (myself and my baby sister are the only hold outs). Now, I still have some love for the group, for there were great memories from the fellowship I enjoyed. But, there were- and still are- many things I did not (and still do not) like about them. Their stand on joining the military and doing civil service (in Crisis of Conscience, there is a chapter called Double Standards that contrasted the happenings in the African nation of Malawi and those of Mexico in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s). Of course, the Witnesses do not vote; salute the flag (form of idol worship in their eyes); or celebrate holidays (pagan rituals). Of course, you won't see the Christian cross at their Kingdom Halls (they link the cross to the pagan god Tammuz, who is linked to sexuality, if I'm correct...).
There is this website, the Six Screens of the Watchtower, created by a former JW, that explains the contradictions of this controversial group. It's a pretty interesting site, so take a look.
Of course, if you want hear what they have to say on matters on Christianity; family life; etc., there's the nearest Kingdom Hall, or all around the country- including here in Portland (at Memorial Coliseum), there is the 2007 convention,
Follow the Christ, going on in numerous locations in the US- including here in Portland- and Canada, and other parts of the world, as I write this. Make up your own mind on how you want to deal with it. Some join and convert- by Bible study; then baptism. Some say it's hogwash. You decide, if you so choose to go to one of these conventions or Kingdom Hall meetings.
(Your humble correspondent, this blog's author, sneaked in on a talk a week ago. I only stayed until they did the song- called The Bread of Heaven, one of the JW songs I sang in my youth. I couldn't get out of there fast enough...).
I know that after reading Crisis of Conscience, I never look at the JWs, or the Watchtower organization the same again.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
President Bush's Job Outsourced
I went to First Congregational church this morning, here in Portland, and had read this story sent to another person via e-mail. I decided to take a look at this.
I couldn't believe my eyes! Our President- our beloved President of the United States, George Walker Bush, is- as of today- no longer our president.
Why? Why this travesty?
Well, the story I read today is that the job of President of the United States has been OUTSOURCED! Outsourced, I say!
Where is the humanity in this nation? The office of President is a sacred one, and one that must NOT- under any circumstances be tampered with! The new president, Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices in Mumbai, India, has taken over as the 44th President of the United States. Only, all American policies from this point forward, will be created in Mumbai, not Washington.
No word on whether the House of Representatives and/or the US Senate will be outsourced, too.
I'll keep you abreast here.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
I couldn't believe my eyes! Our President- our beloved President of the United States, George Walker Bush, is- as of today- no longer our president.
Why? Why this travesty?
Well, the story I read today is that the job of President of the United States has been OUTSOURCED! Outsourced, I say!
Where is the humanity in this nation? The office of President is a sacred one, and one that must NOT- under any circumstances be tampered with! The new president, Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices in Mumbai, India, has taken over as the 44th President of the United States. Only, all American policies from this point forward, will be created in Mumbai, not Washington.
No word on whether the House of Representatives and/or the US Senate will be outsourced, too.
I'll keep you abreast here.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
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