Two For the Price Of One

The economy is in the loo. But that doesn't mean that cheatin' spouses aren't cheating less- it's just that the economy is forcing unhappily married couples to stay together.

Those cheating couples are getting more public in showing their hanky panky- why spend $30 for a four-hour room at one of those "no-tell" roach motels, when they can rock the truck (or car), or even make out at the park? Me? I'm thinking "menage a trois"- you know, I sleep with both my wife and the woman I'm cheating with. Who knows? Perhaps my wife could explore- or even relive those- girl on girl sex. Either way, I have my fun, my wife has a new BFF- and it could even possibly save my marriage, because I can experiment on my affair partner, then try out the positions and motions on the wife later. An in-house sex therapist, come to think of it.

Of course, for you husbands with cheating wives, the same rule applies. Just substitute "wife's boyfriend" for "girlfriend" (unless, of course, the wife is having a lesbian affair, or the husband is having a gay affair...still, could work out if you do it right).

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Darren, you're out of your rabbit ass bitch mind. If my spouse ever so much peeks at another person, I'm gouging her/his eyes out (and probably deprive said spouse of genitalia)." But, come on, you can't dump the bum/bitch because you'll spend much more moo-freaky than you want to on Divorce Court. Then, there's the child support- and a lot of men (and a good number of you female readers as well)- know how that is. And don't forget alimony, and you're talking major financial sodomy (OUCH!).

Sure, it's cheaper to keep her (or him). But if you're very miserable with your spouse, perhaps we could petition for a ballot measure to allow italian-style divorces (at least, private cremation is free, right?), if not just telling the bum/bitch to hit the road.

Just a couple suggestions.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

James Dobson Steps Down- Yeah, Right!

The ingrown hair in the ass of humanity has stepped down as chairman of the organization known for its love for the LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/questioning), pro-choice; and minority communities. Of course, if you believe the part about that organization loving the above groups, I'll sell you the entire fucking continent of Europe- and I'll throw in Africa for good measure.

James Dobson, that man whose misnamed name has brought fear to many, and lies to others, has stepped down as Chairman of said misnamed group Focus on the Family. Only, that asshole isn't leaving the organization, as he'll stay on to make sure his fucking puppets do what's told.

why don't he just go away- and stay away? He stepped down six years ago as president and CEO, and now that he's stepped down as chairman, perhaps his influence will continue to diminish. Yes, he'll continue to host his radio program, but hopefully his 1.5 million listeners will learn the truth about his message of hate- disguised as Christian advice. Of course, I'd love to see his Arbitron ratings take a nosedive and it gets taken off the air. Either that, or the Focus of the Family organization gets a really "Extreme Makeover"- as in bringing in preachers who support the LGBTQ community; and offer support for employees' domestic partners.

But what the chances of that happening?




CedarFox/YouTube

I didn't think so.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Ed McMahon in Intensive Care

Entertaiment Tonight has confirmed that longtime entertainer Ed McMahon is in intensive care at an undisclosed Los Angeles area hospital.

The 85 year-old, who was the late Johnny Carson's sidekick for thirty years on NBC's The Tonight Show,has been in the hospital for about a month, and is being treated for pneimonia, and was recently diagnosed with systemic bone cancer- which is oftentimes fatal. His wife, Pam, is at his side.

Stay tuned for further reports. My thoughts and prayers are with McMahon's family as they face an extremely difficult time.

(C) 2009, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Jimmy Crum- An Appreciation

I've learned yesterday that the longtime Columbus, Ohio sportscaster Jimmy Crum had passed away.

For 41 years, Crum gave the nightly sports report on WCMH-TV- he started at the station in 1953, when the station's call letters were WLWC (which was part of the Crosley Broadcasting group when it hit air in 1949). He was also the voice of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball, and- believe it or not- the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. During his career, and after it as well, he's supported charities such as Easter Seals; Recreation Unlimited, and several others.

But the man I've watched as a child and younger adult wore tacky jackets on air, but he also reported with integrity and honesty. He wasn't afraid to be tough on sports figures when need be. The station often times called him the "Dean of Central Ohio Sports", and I'm very sure that he was the dean of the hearts of Central Ohioans as well.

Jimmy Crum died on January 5, 2009, apparently of natural causes. He was 80.

Click on the title for the link to WCMH-TV's story on this remarkable man.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Jindal Bombs in Republican Response

He was supposed to be the Republican version of Barack Obama- young, minority, and vibrant. Instead, he stank. And the Democrats aren't the only people saying this.

To be sure, Louisiana governor Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal is 37, and seems to be an effective governor. But if he were to decide to run for president- after all, he is American-born (and if a black man like Obama could do it, why not a American of Punjabi Indian descent?)- he'd surely lose. Just look at him when he gave the Republican response to last night's State of the Union address.


Now take a look at the Bobby Jindal who did the Sunday talk shows. He's confident, at ease, and in command of the world.

speakmymind02/YouTube/NBC News




What happened? did Republicans put Jindal- like fellow Republican Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska on a pedestal so high that expectations were just so, if not even more? Yes, he's young, but he's not what one would call inexperienced- he was a US representative before he became governor, and proved to be a formidable opponent against Democrat Kathleen Blanco during the 2003 gubernatorial campaign, and beat two prominent Democrats in 2007. he was even considered for the prestigious running mate position in John McCain's 2008 presidential run (Sarah Palin, John?).

But this Bobby Jindal seemed ill at ease, like he's at rehearsal for...say, governor of Louisiana? I have to wonder if he's going to run for president in 2012. If so, you may want to keep him away from teleprompters.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

81st Academy Award Winners

Tonight, at the 81st Academy Awards, a few surprises took place.

Hugh Jackman was no Billy Crystal or Bob Hope, but he didn't do too badly. The hilarious song he did with Best Actress nominee Anne Hathaway- who did her best Richard Nixon- was pretty snappy.

The odds-on favorite, Slumdog Millionaire, a film about a poverty-raised teaboy who goes on a game show to find his lost love, took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Directing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It took home several other Oscars as well.

Kate Winslet took home the Best Actress in a Leading Oscar for her role as a thirty-something German woman whose teenage lover is unaware of her dark past in The Reader.

Sean Penn upset the odds-on favorite Mickey Rourke, to take home the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the late San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk in Milk. Rourke had won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for the drama The Wrestler. Penn, ever the activist, admonished those who voted for the California Proposition 8 last November, and praised President Barack Obama and fellow (Best Actor) nominee Rourke in his acceptance speech.

The late Heath Ledger won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Ledger, who died a year ago, becomes the second posthumous winner (after Peter Finch, who won the Best
Actor Oscar for Network). Ledger's family accepted in his honor and memory.

Penelope Cruz captured best supporting actress honors for her role in Vicki Cristina Barcelona. In the screenplay categories, the biopic on the latest San Francisco city supervisor Harvey Milk, titled appropriately enough, Milk, won the best original screenplay Oscar. Dustin Lance Black, who wrote the script said in an impassioned speech to the gay, lesbian bisexual, and questioning population that "you are beautiful, wonderful...and I promise you, you will have equal rights...across this great nation of ours."

WALL-E captured the Oscar for best animated feature, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button wins for Art Direction.

For the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Departures, out of Japan took home the honor.

Other winners include:
Achievement in Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Live Action Short: Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Achievement in Costume: The Duchess
Best Animated Short: Le Maison en Petit Cubes
Documentary Short: Smile Pinki
Documentary Feature: Man on a Wire
Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Achievement in Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Achievement in Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Achievement in Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman, composer
Best Original Song: " Jai Ho", Slumdog Millionaire


Jerry Lewis received an honorary Oscar- the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award- for his comedic contributions to the film world and his work for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Monday, in The Trash Bash, I'll look at the highlights- and low blows- of Oscar night.

Produced in Association with The Trash Bash
Copyright (C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved. Academy Awards and Oscar are the registered trademarks, and Copyright (C) 2009 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Chris Brown, You Have Some Explaining to Do! (and So Do You, TMZ!)

TMZ has placed on their website the photo of pop and R&B star Rihanna's battered face (which you can see by just clicking on the title. I must, however, warn you that if you go to this link after press time- the time this entry has been published- the photo may not be there...read on for reason why...). You can see that it's not very glamorous- and to be honest, I don't know why TMZ would even do this. If it's for entertainment shock value, it's not very funny. However, I don't think they would stoop this low, but still, considering that both the website and daily TV series often times pokes fun at celebrities and their high (and low) jinks, I have to take that under consideration.

That said, TMZ itself may have to do some explaining as to how they got the photo in the first place- to the Los Angeles Police Department. In a statement, which you can read here by clicking here to http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents_021909_lapd_statement_1.pdf , the department says that it "takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence." The LAPD is conducting an internal investigation as to the photo being leaked, and the person- or persons- that released this may be charged with serious misconduct, face penalties up to, and including, termination.

Chris Brown, on Monday, released a statement apologizing for his actions (http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/15/chris-brown-finally-releases-statement/ , but apparently, this wasn't the first time the 19 year old R&B star brutalized his 21 year old girlfriend. Apparently, he made threats to her before, and that over time-according to police reports- the relationship has been an "ongoing and escalating abusive relationship. And the parents are recommending that Rihanna- real name Robin Fenty- stay away from Brown. Understandably, they're angry over the leaked photos.

I am too. And if it weren't for the LAPD investigation over the leaked photo, I would have never placed the link to the TMZ piece. Rihanna deserves her privacy and our respect. My prayers go out to both her and to Chris Brown, the latter needing help in this.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Chicago Bus Fight Incident

Chicago Copwatch/YouTube

Last month, in the Bay Area, a young man was killed by a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit District) police officer. That officer has since been fired and is facing criminal charges.

Several days ago, a seemiongly unruly passenger got into a scuffle with a Chicago police office. Like the Bay Area incident, this one was taped.

(Warning: This video contains strong language, so if you're offended by such language- the type I generally use in this blog anyway- you may want to cover the ears).


The bus is the Line #70/Division, of the Chicago Transit Authority. The passenger, African-American, appears to be intoxicated in the video. The officer, whose badge number is 10677, subdues the passenger. But it appears that the officer is being rough with the man, Lorenzo Wiley, 49, of Chicago. Wiley was charged with theft of services by refusing to pay a fare, a misdemeanor.

Now, the group Chicago Copwatch has complained that the officer, and the Chicago Police Department and the Independent Police Review Authority are reviewing the incident after this video was posted on YouTube. According to the Copwatch group, the officer was not supposed to touch the offender until backup arrived. Others say that the officer did the right thing by being rough, after all, Mr. Wiley could have had a weapon.

I'll dissect this:
:52 (52 seconds into video): Wiley put his right hand into his pants pocket. It stays in less than a second.
:58: Officer slams Wiley's head on window.
1:02: Wiley stands up. Was he preparing to get off the bus, or was he getting into the officer's face? at about 1:05, the officer asks repeatedly "Do you want to fight me?"
1:09 (approximate time): Officer slams Wiley back into seat and slams Wiley against the window. Between 1:15 and 1:23, it appeared that wiley has his hand balled into a fist.
1:21: Officer 10677 calls for backup, tells Wiley that he's going to jail.
1:29: Officer 10677 punches Wiley in the face.
1:37: Other officers arrive on bus to assist 10677.
1:47: 10677 and other officers take Wiley off the bus.

From what I've seen, what the officer should have done was handcuff Mr. Wiley instead of getting into a scuffle with him. He should have picked Mr. Wiley up and had him turn around, either by force or if Wiley had cooperated. I don't think that the punches and slamming Wiley's head on the window were necessary. Now, officer 10677 may face a lawsuit from Mr. Wiley. As far as I know, this officer is still patrolling the streets of Chicago. I'll continue to watch this case.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

How's That Abstinence Thing Working, Bristol and Sarah?

Bristol Palin knows a lot more about this abstinence thing more than her mother, Republican Alaska governor Sarah Louise Heath Palin.


She admits that having a baby at 18 is not at all glamourous, and that she's lucky to have such parents- Todd and Sarah- that help out with the little guy she gave birth to in December. While she advocates that teens wait, she says that this abstinence talk isn't realistic.




Mom knows best, eh? You see, had Sarah Palin not cut off funding for contraception and birth control in the 49th State of the Union, Bristol and her boyfriend Levi wouldn't be in this mess in the first place, would they? I just love how Republicans- and particularly Mrs. Palin- just expect teens to keep their pants zipped up. But when it hits home, boy does it kick them in the balls. Sure, I would've preferred that Bristol wait until she was good and ready, but if she and Levi were to do the nasty, at least wear a Durex or Trojan. But mama Palin won't allow condoms to be handed out to teens.



Sarah Palin. The face of Planned Parenthood. In a parallel universe, maybe.
Click on the title for the full Fox News interview.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

No, Silly, I'm The Baby Daddy

KissTelly/YouTube/The London Sun/StrayAC.com
Uh-oh, somebody else came forward to say that he's the father of a baby born to a 15-year-old girl.

Earlier this week, a 13-year-old boy, Alfie Patten came forward to say that he was the father of a baby goirl, Maisie Roxanne Steadman, born to Chantelle Steadman, 15. Now, 16-year-old Richard Goodsell says that "eh-eh, I'm the baby daddy."

"My friends tell me that baby has my eyes- evn my mum thinks so."

Somebody please call Maury Povich!

papidonvilla/NBC Universal/YouTube




One thing's for certain, there's outrage on the other side of the pond.

British Conservative party leader David Cameron says that these yougn whippersnappers have no business being parents at such young ages. The British group Marie Stopes International say that children need better sex education. And the news has caused various of reactions from around the world:

One CNN respondent says that it's "pretty sad" that babies are having babies.

Usually, young guys- at least here in the good ol' U.S. of A. would try to shirk from such responsibility. Raising a child for 18 to 22 years does take a toll (multiply that by the number of children boorn in the family, and the expenses can add up. Lucky we have these things called ' tax deductions '.) I could say that young Aflie is being responsible by staying in school (and that he's lucky that he's dated an older girl...but that's another subject for another day...I think...). Admittedly, I think it would be better if he had waited another five to six years (if not three, for the sweet 16). But, who knows? I'm just expressing opinion here. In other words, I'm not exactly thrilled that he (or Richie) and Chantelle have become parents while still in school, but I'm not going to condemn them either. After all, I was sexually curious when I was thirteen, too.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Last week, Chris Brown couldn't make it to the Grammy (R) Awards- because he was in jail for allegedly beating up girlfriend Rihanna. He allegedly made criminal threats to her. Couldn't they just fought while performing live on the Grammy telecast?

Brown, 19, and Rihanna, 20, have dated...oh, let's just say less than a year. I can't say that it's all lovey-dovey, but I suppose they had a decent relationship. That is, if you call fighting and beating up your lover "decent". At ant=y rate, Brown has apologized, but that doesn't change the fact that he's still facing criminal charges stemming from a street fight with Rihanna. He's due in court March 5.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Perhaps He Was Trying To Burn the Child Porn

According to this blog's news partner, CNN, Victoria, Australia state police has arrested a man in connection with one of the bush fires that's responsible for the deaths of at least 181 people. The unnamed suspect was charged with arson causing death, intentionally or recklessly lighting a bush fire, and possessing child pornography.

Last Saturday, the Churchill fire, guided by fierce winds raged through rural parts of southeast Australia, some 50 miles northeast of Melbourne. The majority of the dead were found in Marysville.

The fatality toll is still expected to rise to at least 300.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Buffalo Plane Crash Victims

Yesterday's plane crash in Clarence, New York killed about 50 people. Among the victims was one of the widows of the 9/11/01 terrorist attack; and two members od the jazz musician Chuck Magione's band, Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett.

Continental Connection Flight 3407 was en route to Buffalo from Newark Liberty airport when it crashed about 10:20 PM ET last night. All 48 on board, and two on the ground perished.

Click on the title for updated footage from WGRZ-TV.

(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Finally! I Got WinJournal and Blogger Getting Along!

After ten forevers and a year...or something like that...I finally got WinJournal and Blogger working together!

The last entry you've read- the one on Sam; Barack; and the Austrailian bush fires- was written on WinJournal. The thing is, however, is that I needed to make the background color black- the same as that used for this blog- and use white coloring.

Right now, I'm experimenting with font schemes, so as I'm doing that, I'll get you up to speed on what's been going on.

New Hampshire Republican senator Judd Gregg becomes the third Obama cabinet nomineee to withdraw from consideration (after South Dakota Democrat Tom Daschle; and former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson. Daschle forgot to pay his taxes...I think...Richardson's under federal investigation). Gregg was considered for the Secretary of Commerce, which means that he would have been responsible for NOAA; and the Census Bureau, basically.




The Australian bush fire death toll is now over 180 people, with more expected to be found. Over a thousand destroyed thus far. The fires began last week, and while most fires were started by lightning, others were intentionally set.

Hopefully, you'll see this typing.

Copyright (C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Sam, Barack, and the Australian Bushfires

So far, President Barack Obama seems to be doing okay during this 'honeymoon' period of his presidency. Yes, he screwed up on that Tom Daschle bit, but at least he has the conjones to admit such mistakes- which is more than I can say for the predecessor, I must add. That stimulus package bit could be a bitch, but Congress has passed it. Hopefully, the 'Joe the Plumbers' of the world will be happy.

Meanwhile, here in Portland, Oregon- the city of rain, roses, and meth fiends, our mayor, Sam Adams, is walking a very thin tightrope as he resumes business at 1221 SW 4th Avenue (location of City Hall). The Beau Breedlove scandal still looms over his head, but it's pretty much faded news by now. This could be a good sign for Sam, but if he's ever going to get through the next six months, he's going to have to do it without creating more scandal- and he'll have to get more legislation passed through and make us constituents believe in him again.

(...and, uh...unless he's running for governor (which, right now, I don't highly recommend), stay out of Salem. And stay away from Beau, will 'ya?)

The bushfires down in western Australia have taken- thus far- over 175 lives, and destroyed scores of homes. My hopes and prayers continue to be with those folks struggling down there.

A Programming Note: Remember when I said that NFTHE was going to be a Blogger-only blog? Well, I kind of, like, told, a half-truth. Well, kind of.

After some thinking, the NFTHE site at Wordpress has a new life. I decided to call the site Notes From the Hardcore Edge: The Local. NFTHE: The Local will deal with local news and issues from Portland (and whatever city I move to or even visit next). It'll be fun, and hopefully, it may bring readers to put fire under the feet of their leaders. I think I'll enjoy this. The NFTHE Wordpress website remains http://www.thehardcoreedge.wordpress.com.

Copyright � 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Clever Ad by Go Daddy.com

A break from the politics as usual bullshit to have a bit of fun, as we learn some important lessons about web surfing. Special thanks to Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy.com for this video.


Bob Parsons, the CEO of GoDaddy.com- you know, the ads with Indy Car racer Danica Patrick- is a clever guy. The video you see here is advice for our new president- though, I doubt that he'll fall for the 'big breasted nude girls' tricks. He loves Michelle too much (and more important, he loves his life even more...smart man, that Barack...).

Perhaps I need to put a domain on GoDaddy. Seems pretty nice.

Okay, in closing, hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl XLIII game and festivities. Bruce rocked the house, and the Cardinals proved that they were no pushovers, even as they lost by 4 points. They still deserve props.

See you back here soon.

Copyright (C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.