Suspect Arrested in Anchor's Death

KATV-TV/YouTube/GOVNN.com

A suspect has been arrested in the death of KATV-TV morning anchor Anne Pressley. Curtis Lavell Vance, 28, was arrested in Marianna, Arkansas, on charges of rape and burglary for attacking a 32-year-old schoolteacher. He's held without bond at the Pulaski County jail in Little Rock.

Pressley, 26, was found dead October 20 in her home.

(C)2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Why That Dirty Son of a Bitch

And it looks like we'll be fooled a few more times by the outgoing crime boss, George Walker Bush, is in a lame duck session- after all, he's not running for reelection, and he's probably counting down the days- 60 and counting- until he and Lauar are resting at the pasture in Crawford, Texas (and probably near Kennebunkport, Maine, near Daddy Warbucks...um, Daddy Bush), right?

WRONG!

According to today's Yahoo! News blog entry, following the tradition of many predecessors, Bush is pushing some last minute regulations that have the force of law- which means that President-elect Barack Obama will have a hard time changing these laws, if they get published by February 21, 2009. What Bush seeks to change is mostly enviromental laws that basically loosen pollution restrictions (he must love smelling smog in the morning); but also allows truckers to drive longer (better stock up on the No-Doz, guys); and add restrictions on the Family and Medical Leave Act (hey, he's an empty nester. With Jenna en route to eventually bringing George and Laura their first grandchild- and George the elder and Barbara the elder their umpteenth great-grandchild- who needs that stinkin' family leave act anyway?) Oh, maybe he'll have a future in the country music industry...


Naah...

Copyright (C) 2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Amsterdam To Close Marijuana Shops

Looking to light up in Amsterdam? better enjoy it while it lasts, especially if you're in one of the cafes that is near a school.

Probably taking a page from the U.S., Amsterdam's liberal life will soon become a bit less liberal, as the Amsterdam city council decides to close about a fifth of the city's marijuana-selling coffee houses, on the account that those locations are too close to schools. By 2011, 43 must close.

Now as we all know, Amsterdam has a relaxed attitude about drugs, and many tourists come to Amsterdam just to enjoy a joint or two, while drinking a latte (probably from Starbucks...who probably sells some of that ganja in their Netherlands locations. I knew there was something in that latte, but couldn't put my finger on it. But man, do I feel good). But while the smoking of weed is still tolerated in Holland, lawmakers want to discourage it. They call for better rules on the sale and trade of cannabis, and the so-called "back door" business- probably more illicit and black market selling and distribution- is banned.

Still, I get the feeling that- until, at least the end of the Bush dictatorship here in the U.S.- Holland may continue to clamp down on the rights of those who want to have a little weed with their morning joe.

Click on the title for the story from Reuters.

(C) 2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved

Ken Griffey, Jr.: Diplomat

Okay, I'll admit that I had a hard time believing that former Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. will be a diplomat. This is a guy who would wear his cap backward, act like a diva, and skirt the rules (and give dad ken, Sr. migraines).

But, it's true. Griffey has become the newest American Public Diplomacy Envoy, which is basically a fucking public relations gig that the government does to introduce kids around the world what the good ol' U.S. of A. is all about. You know, democracy (ancient Greek style, of course. Just read Thucydides' The Melian Dialogue and learn more about ancient Greek democracy in general); guns; and- if you're reading this in Iraq- occupation (something that may- OR MAY NOT end in 2010 or 2011- unless Bushie decides to do his 'midnight regulations' shenanigans before leaving office on January 20, 2009. Then President-elect Obama may have a hard time getting our troops out. THANKS A FUCKING LOT, MR. BUSH! )

But, hey, at least you'll learn about baseball while you're dodging mines and IEDs, right?

I made a reference about the 'Midnight Regulations' that many presidents use to prevent the next administration from changing laws they, the current administration, put on the books. Go to http://www.thehardcoreedge.wordpress.com to read my thoughts on this.

(C) 2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Woman's Killing Linked to KKK Ritual

Some members of one of America's most racist organizations apparently don't like it when people change their minds.

A local band of the Ku Klux Klan- remember them- apparently killed a woman this weekend in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana after she apparently tried to change her mind. The woman went to Slidell, to meet with a couple members, then she went to a wooded area near the Parish line with Washington parish for initiation.

After that, she asked to return to town, and that's when a fight ensue4d. The leader, Raymond 'Chuck' Foster allegedly shot the woman. He and seven others are in St. Tammany Parish jail.

The KKK and the Mafia. One thing in common: once you check in, you generally don't check out. Of course, some folks came to their senses and left both groups, but as we know, it's never easy.

And both hope that their new recruits- or even the veterans- don't come to their senses.

(C) 2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

California Passes Proposition 8- What Were The Voters Thinking?

California. The state of dreams, and of beautiful people. Only now, there's ugliness under that beauty (as if there wasn't any ugliness beneath the silicone looks in the first place), and 18,000 same sex couples are paying the price. All because some paranoid groups feared that two men- or two women- marrying each other would destroy the institution of marriage.

Proposition 8 passed by a margin of 52.5% to 47.5%. Both groups supporting and opposing this measure poured millions of dollars into this fight.

What I don't understand is why the very matter of two people marrying each other can bring out the worst in people? Yes, these bozos who voted in this ban have gay, transgender, lesbian, and bisexual family members. So I must ask this: can you who, one, have LGBT relatives, and two, voted for Prop 8 explain to those LGBT relatives- some of you who say that they love their gay or lesbian relatives- why you chose to vote for this divisive measure? Can any of you people- in good conscience- stand proud after saying to that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender relative (or those LGBT relatives) that basically, "We love you, but we feel that marriage is too sacred for two people of the same sex to muck up?

I don't understand why, one, in the year of 2008, voters in one of the most liberal states in the Union decided to draw the line in what- yes- is a sacred decision. Why?

Preserving Marriage/YouTube

None of what these jackals say in this clip support the argument about why same sex marriage should be thrown in the fire. Let me tell you why:
Their Argument (in bold print): Churches that rent out their facilities could be forced to perform same sex marriages
WRONG! The church will have that right NOT to perform same sex marriages if they feel that it conflicts with their faith and/or beliefs. No government entity can tell a private church what to do, and I doubt very seriously if the California politicians would have forced the rule of performing same sex marriages on a faith institution.

Legal decisions based on faith are less likely to succeed.
Oh, really? Care to explain this? Because just like the church DOESN'T HAVE to perform same sex marriages on their church grounds, the same sex couple doesn't have to get married at that church. They can change churches any time they like if the couple- or even gay or lesbian individual- feels uncomfortable. after all, I've been to churches where I've seen open hostilities toward gays and lesbians.

If Prop 8 fails, religious adoption agencies may be forced to place children in same sex marriages, or discontinue providing adoption services forever.
Hmm-kay. Before I go on, isn't religion- excuse moi, faith institutions- trying to butt in the business of government? Just asking.

Anyway, that bit about religious adoption agencies being forced to place children in homes with same sex couples? Horse shit! If that faith-based organization doesn't want to provide adoption to same sex couples, it doesn't have to. Faith-based organizations are businesses, right? They set their own rules, right? They're not subject to rules that it feels is contrary to their beliefs? If they feel that providing adoption to same sex couples is contrary to their sets of values, I believe the state will respect this. If not, they can fight the state.

I looked at a story on Catholic.net about Catholic Charities of Massachusetts stopping adoptions, all because the Commonwealth "insisted that every adoption agency...must allow same sex couples to adopt".(click here for story: http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=dedstaca&id=493&category=News%20&20Media~News )

I doubt that Massachusetts, even as it's a heavily Catholic state, would ram this rule down Catholic Charities' throat. I believe there would have been exceptions made. (Besides, I don't believe any group that protects child rapos anyway...)

Based on past experiences, those who oppose same sex marriage on religious grounds will be labelled as 'intolerant' and increasingly subject to legal penalties and social ridicule.

Excuse me...
fmlai/YouTube

Whassamatta? Can't handle disagreements? Okay, so you'll lose some friends because you stood up for your beliefs. SO FUCKING WHAT! If they don't support the fact that you're for- or against- same sex marriage, okay. Fine. You and the other party (or parties) have the option to end the friendship. As for getting fired just because you stood up for your beliefs, that's discrimination- that I'll hand to these jackals.

Nearly all schools teach health and sex...age appropiate lessons, people. Obviously, you can't show graphic pictures of naked folks in kindergarten class. High school, that's a gray area, I think (but that's just me).

...and that schools will be required to teach marriage as 'party A' and 'party B'...
Okay, does this apply to private schools as well? Just asking.

There are some conservative school districts that aren't comfortable about teaching sex ed in any of the schools, and that's all fine and dandy. Meaning that this bullshit about schools being forced to teach that same sex marriage is equal to 'traditional' marriage is just that. Bullshit.

And finally, this 'gaining control' and being forced to give up free speech if you disagree with same sex marriage...where are these folks going with this? Who said anything about 'gaining control'? If you don't like it, tell me. I'll respect you, but I expect that same respect in return when I tell you my beliefs. You don't have to agree with me. I'm okay with that. Am I for same sex marriage? Yes. some of you in the audience will side with me. Some of you won't. Either way, I respect that.

(C) 2008 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.