Tom Joyner Booted Off Chicago Radio

I got an e-mail from Tom Joyner- the morning syndicated radio host that plays on many adult urban radio stations across the country (including 98.5 FM WYLD-FM in New Orleans; and Kiss 98.7 in Birmingham, Alabama. For the record, no station here in Portland airs him...this really is one of the whitest cities in the country, but right now, that's neither here, nor there...). after 20 years of airing in Chicago, the Clear Channel station V103 FM, has dropped "The Tom Joyner Show" for "The Steve Harvey Show". Now, I love Steve and he's pretty damn funny, but Tom has been an institution in Chicago for over 25 years- that's a long time. But, as Tom said on his blog, radio is a business, and we have to support the advertisers, who in turn support the stations.

I wrote an e-mail to the PD (program director) today, wondering why he would, at least, seem to alienate his audience, without some input. I guess a better question would be why Clear Channel- who owns V103- would even drop Tom when he has such an almost cultlike following in the Windy City.

Nature of the beast, I guess.

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

Breaking News: Natasha Richardson Dead From Skiing Accident

British- born actress Natasha Richardson, who starred in film and stage, died today from complications from the skiing accident that happened on Tuesday at the Mont Tremblant ski resort in Quebec.

Richardson won a Tony Award in a stage revival of "Cabaret", and starred in a biopic about hostage-turned-bank robber Patricia Hearst in the film "Patty Hearst".

According to WNBC-TV in New York, her husband of nearly 15 years, actor Liam Neeson, and her mother, Vanessa Redgrave, among others are said to be "shocked and devastated."

Richardson was 45. For more details, just click on the title to the NBC New York site.

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

Okay, Joseph, What's Your Fucking Solution to the AIDS Crisis?

Pope Benedict XVI says that using condoms is not the answer to the AIDS crisis that's ravaging the world, particularly in Africa, where it's pandemic. My question to the man born Joseph Ratzinger: what's your solution, fuckface?

During his visit to Yaounde, Cameroon as part of his trip to the African continen, Benedict said that abstinence and "a moral and responsible attitude toward sex would help fight the disease." Okay, Joe, define "moral and responsible". Does that include, say, living a celibate life? Which, by the way, not many of the billions of the Roman Catholics you allegedly lord over do, by the way. does it include those priests teaching young altar boys about the "birds and the bees"?

One thing he's not advocating is the use of the Trojans or the Durexes. Oh, no. They exacerbate the problem, make people want to have sex even more.

This guy is so removed from reality it's fucking ridiculous. If condoms aren't the answer- and admittedly, they're not 100% effective (about 85 to 95 %, but I'll take that over nothing)- then why not advocate something like, say, masturbation. That's 100% effective, as you're only addressing the general or soaking in Palmolive (yes, Madge the manicurist had another way of soaking in her Palmolive). Of course, you can have phone or internet sex. 100% effective against the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus. But does he do that? No, he says keep the pants on until you get married. Sure, he realizes that not many of us are going to heed that advice, so why not promote condom use?

Then again, this guy is 83 years old- about the same age John Paul was when he kicked the bucket- an ex-member of thr Hitler Youth, and no doubt, in the eyes of many, too goddamned old-fashioned. Yeah, my kind of guy.

Pope Benedict XVI. A friend of prudent sex education. Just like his late predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

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

Ron Silver Dead at 62

Actor Ron Silver, who acted in numerous films and stage plays died Sunday at 62. Silver won a Tony award for porteaying a Hollywood producer in "Speed the Plow", and also played a liberal strategist on NBC's "The West Wing".

Silver most notably did a political 180 when he switched from the Democrat to Republican after the september 11, 2001 terrorist attcks. He narrated "Fahernhype 9/11", a concervative response ti liberal filmmaker Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911"






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

Republican Values

The Grand Old Party. Youc an't help but love them. I know that the democrats have an ass for a mascot, but remember, elephant has bigger shit, right?

speaking of which, here's what came from the shit pile:

The pussification of Republican National Chairman Michael Steele: In an online interview with GQ magazine, Steele, when asked about his views on abortion said, "...I think that's an individual choice." Now, he would have my respect for finally saying that women do have the right to choose- except a lot of the people who put him in the GOP chair post threatened to deprive him of it unless he gave some plausilble explanation. It's almost as if those puppet masters- and that's what the folks behind the scenes are in both major parties, puppet masters- decided to take drastic actions.

Bristol Palin Dumps Boyfriend: We knew this would happen sooner or later. Levi Johnston, the boyfriend of Bristol Palin- daughter of former McCain running mate, Alaska governor Sarah Palin- probably reneged on his responsibilities to be the daddy to little Tripp, who was born in December. Sure, I'm sure that Bristol and Levi had a little nasty spat, and either or both told each other to fuck off.
However, I can't help but wonder what this scene would be like if momma Sarah was in the picture.

Those Republicans. Gotta love 'em.

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

What Made Michael McClendon Shoot His Family (and Parts of GenevaCounty)?

Michael McClendon went on a shooting spree in Geneva County, Alabama yesterday, claiming eleven lives- including his own when he turned the pistol he used to kill the others himself. He was armed with a .38 caliber handgun, an SKS and a Bushmaster taped together in this rampage. Some of the victims were family members- his mother Lisa, whose body was found in the house Mike apparently burned down; uncle Alfred White, who was the city shop supervisor of the city of Samson; White's daughter Tracy, and Dean Wise, who was a student at Samson High. A life taken at only 15. And Mike's grandmother, Virginia White.

Also a sheriff's deputy's wife and his infant daughter were shot, just as the deputy, Josh Myers, was in pursuit and shootout with Mike McClendon. Andrea Myers and 18 month old baby Corinne are dead, the other infant daughter of Deputy Myers, 4 month old Ella Myers, is in Pensacola, Florida hospital. Three innocent bystanders were killed as well. In the end, nine people were dead, and six injured, before Mike McClendon went into the Relaible Products plant in nearby Geneva, and shot himself to death.

Many questions burn in the mind of Alabama law enforcement, and that of the Geneva county residents as well. Anong these questions:

Why did Michael shoot his relatives? Was he going through stress? Was his job at Kelley Foods on the chopping block? Did he even get along with his fellow employees?

Did Mike and his mother Lisa get into an argument, one that obviously went out of control? Right now, I'm under the impression that there was family issues that simmered, but I could be wrong about this. That said, the calm of rural Alabama was shattered on Tuesday- possibly never to return again.

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

Shootout in South Alabama

There has been a shooting in Samson, Alabama. WPMI-TV, the NBC station in Mobile says that 12 people- including the gunman- are dead. CNN has the toll at five, while the CBS station in the Columbus, Georgia-Dothan, Alabama, WRBL News 3, says nine were killed.

Whatever the toll, the shooting took place in Samson, which is 15 miles north of the Alabama-Florida state line, and ended in Geneva, a few miles southeast. Both are located in Geneva County in southeast Alabama.

The story is still developing, and here's what's known thus far: This incident may have stemmed from a domestic violence incident, and some of the victims- according to WDHN in Dothan- were innocent bystanders, and the gunman may have shot himself near the Reliable Products plant in Geneva.

I've provided a link to the WDHN site, where you can get continuing updates. Just click on the title.

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

America Becomes Less Churched

Here's something that's probably giving those evangelical heartburn: america is becoming more unchurched- and the funny thing is that Christianity isn't really losing ground. But it's not exactly gaining any, either.

Not too long ago, Americans considered themselves pretty religious- you know, God and nobody else. You go to church on Sunday (or if you grew up in my Jehovah's Witness family, it was Sunday, Monday and Tuesday or Thursday night- depended on what congregation and Kingdom Hall we went to). But now, even the Bible Belt has become a bit less baptist, and the Rust Belt less Catholic.

All of this according to a new American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) released today. 15 percent of the population now claim no religion, and 40% say that they had no religious initiation- and that includes no bar/bat mitzvahs. The number of "nones" is expected to rise.

On a more personal level, I'm considering giving up Christianity altogether. After all, for 22 years, I've called myself a Christian, and before that, I was raised in a Jehovah's Witness family. I left the JW's when I was sixteen- and admittedly I've flirted with the idea of returning a few times. I was baptized as a Southern Baptist 22 years ago in atlanta- in fact, I attended First Baptist Church of Atlanta, the home of the In Touch Ministries. Charles Stanley is the senior pastor, and I did the Johnny-Good-Fucking-Christian thing- pretend to be pro-life; anti-gay; and conservative. But I've come to my senses, and gave up the gig. So, now, I think that I may call it quits on the whole ball of wax. Now, I'm not questioning the existence of the Deity, or even the Messiah. But seeing the news on scandals involving churches and priests, I'm wondering if it's time to quit the Christian ball game, and just have my own beliefs.

Click on the title for the USA Today story.

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

St. Louis Area Pastor Killed

Why did 27 year old Terry Sedlack go into the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, pull out a .45 semiautomatic pistol, and shoot the senior pastor Fred Winters to death?

Shortly after 8:00 AM central time (6:00 AM Pacific), Sedlack exchanged words with the 45-year-old Winters before shooting Winters in the heart. Winters died before reaching the hospital. But in the midst of this shooting, there are more questions that remain unanswered. what was his mewntal state? Sedlack's family said that he suffered from lyme disease, which is a treatable disease transmitted by ticks. However, if it's left untreated, it could cause brain imflammation; sleep disturbances, and even short term memory loss.

This, however, doesn't change the fact that he's now charged with two counts first-degree murder and aggravated battery.

A church is supposed to be a a sanctuary from the seemingly cruel world. Many see it as a place where they find the Messiah many call Jesus, and the Deity- called God by many, but with this shooting, and the ones that happened last year in New Life church- formerly pastored by defrocked pastor Ted Haggard- and the shooting at the Unitarian Universal Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, churches may no longer be the shelters from the storms of the world. Of course, scandals involving churches, priests, and pastors may not help things, and one has to wonder if Sedlack felt left out by the church parishioners or even leadership when he may- or may not- have asked for help. None of the church's members say that they recognized Sedlack, but I can't help but wonder if he felt ignored by the church- or Christianity in general.

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

Chris Brown, the Fucking Mysognist

Chris Brown has got to be the biggest fucking pussy on the planet right now. Hope you're proud, kid. You have two charges against you.

Brown, 19, is charged with assault and making criminal threats against his 21-year-old girlfriend, Robyn Fenty, known to the world as the singer Rihanna (her real middle name). Both crimes are felonies, and Brown will be arraigned on April 6 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. If convicted, he faces anywhere from probation to 56 months in state prison.

Brown apparently got upset with Rihanna when she reportedly discovered another woman's phone number on his cell phone. Soon thereafter, Brown allegedly shoved Rihanna's head against the passenger side window, and punched her- all while driving (what a feat, Chris! Punching your girlfriend while driving 80 on the 405...my fucking hero!).

What's more fucked up about this is that rumors- if not outright reports- that Brown and Rihanna are back together.

Talk about reconciliation from fucking hell, people! I mean, why would she go back to this loser? is it the money? Is it the sex- come on, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, that has to be it, isn't it? Look, women- and men, too- who are victims of domestic violence are afraid to leave their mates because that asswipe or cunt controls every goddamn thing (finanaces, sex, etc), and has a grip on the mate. Now this could be the case with Rihanna, or perhaps she likes the sadomasochistic nature of her romance. I don't know. All I know is that if she doesn't come to her senses- and/or if Chris Brown doesn't get his act together- this Cinderella story could have a tragic ending.

Of course, if Brown is convicted, and placed in the general prison population, that tragfic ending could happen a bit sooner. But don't expect me to shed any tears on his passing. If anything, it'll probably serve him right.

To see the compliant, just click on the title.

Produced in association with "The Trash Bash"
(C) 2009 by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.

Judge vs. Defendant

In my neck of the woods, a judge got into a shouting match with a defendant he's just sentenced. Watch it by clicking on the title, where you'll be connected to the KGW NewsChannel 8 link.

Clark County, Washington Superior judge John P. Wulle had just sentenced Matthew H. Hastings on four counts of attempted murder and two of second-degree assualt. Hastings was convicted last month of a 2007 shooting of a Vancouver SWAT officer, who was wounded, but has since returned to duty. The prosecution wanted to give Hastings 120 years, defense sought for a more lenient sentence of 90 years, but Hastings later became enraged and got into a shouting match- which is not what one want to do with a judge.

Hastings got the max, which means that if he lives long enough, he'll be 150 when he's released.

Judge Wulle said "Bye-bye" to Hastings. Serves that little pussy right.

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

Paul Harvey- An Appreciation 1918-2009

For over 75 years, Paul Harvey had mesmerized his audiences with folksy reporting of the news on his "Paul Harvey News and Comment", and his biographical history daily radio show, "The Rest of the Story".

Harvey was best known for delivering news with deliberate delvery and pregnant pauses. Plus he intertwined his news reports with advertisments in his radio shows, which began back in 1933. At the time of his passing Saturday, his show was heard on over 1200 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces networks. Over the years, Harvey won over 40 awards- including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by then-President George W. Bush in 2005, and a Peabody in 1994. He also won an unprecedented four Marconi awards in 1989, 1991, 1996, and 1998. Harvey, despite having ailments over the last several years- including a vocal cord virus that temporarily sidelined him in 2001- never retired from the mike.

For much of his career, he did his shows from Chicago.

In his own words, he said on CNN's "Larry King Live", "Since I was fourteen, that voice has been my vocation, my advocation.

For twenty years, he also had a syndicated television program,

Bush, said in a statement, "Paul was a friendly and familiar voice in the lives of millions of Americans."

ABC Radio Networks president Jim Robinson said in a written statement, "As he delivered the news each day with his own unique style and commentary, his voice became a trusted friend in American households.

He was married to Lynne Harvey- whom he affectionaltely called "Angel". He was so smitten with the former Lynne Cooper that he proposed to her on their first date. It was a union that lasted 68 years, until Lynne's passing- at 92- last year.
.
The voice and the man born Paul Harvey Aurandt died Saturday at 90, in Phoenix, where he kept a winter home.

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