The president of the Atlanta, Georgia chapter of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), R.L. White, has serious doubts of disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's guilt on charges of running an illegal dog fighting ring. White says that when Vick's legal troubles are over, he- Vick- should be allowed to be back inside the uniform of the Atlanta Falcons.
I'm sorry, Mr. White, but that's not for you or anyone in the NAACP to decide. Instead, that responsibility lies solely with the Falcons organization and the national Football League (NFL).
Vick is expected to plead guilty on the dog fighting ring charges, and faces up to 60 months- 5 years- in federal prison. The judge in the case is known to be a tough jurist, so I'm saying that Vick will get closer to the 60 months time, if not a harsh censure. Having said this, it's my belief that the NAACP should stay out of the sports business, lest there is known discrimination against black NFL players. I find none in this case, and the fault, in my opinion, lies solely with Mr. Vick and his co-defendants. It's not a racial thing, and the NFL- as far as I know- doesn't make decisions based upon race or even sexual orientation.
So let the NFL do their job, NAACP. If they feel that Mr. Vick needs to be terminated, that's their decision. And if they decide to reinstate him, it must be on the account that they have full faith that Michael Vick has paid his debt to society.
I think that the NFL can make the call- without the help of the NAACP.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander.
All Rights Reserved.
CNN.com
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports Widget
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Queen of Mean's Reign Ends; Vick Pleads on Dogfighting Case
If you want to get any closer to seeing the late, great (that's an exaggeration!) Leona Helmsley, go to this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cjL5C-Hn-o0.
Leona Helmsley ran Hemsley Hotels along with her late husband Harry- who probably lost his testicles upon marrying this bitch. For those of the well-moneyed set who are more familiar with her chain of hotels, she was the congenial sweet lady who grace the covers of the ads the chain did.
For the rest of us, however...well, this statement from a former Helmsley Hotels housekeeper cemented her other claim to fame: We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes. That statement, of course, gave her the (in)famous nom de plume QUEEN OF MEAN!! After all, it's been alleged that she nickle-and-dimed both the executive office workers at the chain's headquarters; the housekeepers; and the contractors who kept the hotels from falling to pieces. And I thought my dad Carl was a skinflint. While the rest of New York- other than Donald Trump- suffered and toiled in the concrete jungles, Queen Bitch...er, Mrs. Helmsley sunned her buns above Central Park at her own Park Lane Hotel- with swimming pool and probably suntan lotion to boot.
Sure, she was a former model. But when I look at her, I see pure ugliness- and I'm not just talking about her snotty attitude, either.
Well, all I can say is Satan may have a run for his money down in that burning inferno- he's already having a bitch of a time with former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott and that so-called Christian soldier named Jerry Falwell. If there's a hell, well, it's about to get more crowded and more torturous as they welcome Leona.
VICK PLEADS GUILTY TO DOG FIGHTING CHARGES: Michael Vick could face 18-36 months in prison for running an illegal dogfighting operation.
Apparently, throwing footballs to Atlanta Falcon teammates, and all of those millions of dinero wasn't enough for him.
Now, as a dog lover, I'm obviously saddened that he would stoop so low. As a fan of the NFL- though not necessarily of the Falcons (I'm a Seahawks; Bengals; Titans; Bears; and- when they're good- Cowboys and Saints fan)- I'm very appalled at the lack of respect Mr. Vick has shown to the game. Character, in the eyes of many, is important, and Michael Vick has shown everyone that his character is anything except honorable. He goes to federal court in Richmond, Virginia next week to enter his plea. And from what I've read on the judge, it will be no picnic at Club Fed when Vick is sentenced.
Of course, some may wish that Vick got the death penalty for mistreating those beautiful pit bulls. If I were the judge in the case, and imposed death, I suppose I'd sentence him to death by mauling- from pit bulls, no doubt.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Leona Helmsley ran Hemsley Hotels along with her late husband Harry- who probably lost his testicles upon marrying this bitch. For those of the well-moneyed set who are more familiar with her chain of hotels, she was the congenial sweet lady who grace the covers of the ads the chain did.
For the rest of us, however...well, this statement from a former Helmsley Hotels housekeeper cemented her other claim to fame: We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes. That statement, of course, gave her the (in)famous nom de plume QUEEN OF MEAN!! After all, it's been alleged that she nickle-and-dimed both the executive office workers at the chain's headquarters; the housekeepers; and the contractors who kept the hotels from falling to pieces. And I thought my dad Carl was a skinflint. While the rest of New York- other than Donald Trump- suffered and toiled in the concrete jungles, Queen Bitch...er, Mrs. Helmsley sunned her buns above Central Park at her own Park Lane Hotel- with swimming pool and probably suntan lotion to boot.
Sure, she was a former model. But when I look at her, I see pure ugliness- and I'm not just talking about her snotty attitude, either.
Well, all I can say is Satan may have a run for his money down in that burning inferno- he's already having a bitch of a time with former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott and that so-called Christian soldier named Jerry Falwell. If there's a hell, well, it's about to get more crowded and more torturous as they welcome Leona.
VICK PLEADS GUILTY TO DOG FIGHTING CHARGES: Michael Vick could face 18-36 months in prison for running an illegal dogfighting operation.
Apparently, throwing footballs to Atlanta Falcon teammates, and all of those millions of dinero wasn't enough for him.
Now, as a dog lover, I'm obviously saddened that he would stoop so low. As a fan of the NFL- though not necessarily of the Falcons (I'm a Seahawks; Bengals; Titans; Bears; and- when they're good- Cowboys and Saints fan)- I'm very appalled at the lack of respect Mr. Vick has shown to the game. Character, in the eyes of many, is important, and Michael Vick has shown everyone that his character is anything except honorable. He goes to federal court in Richmond, Virginia next week to enter his plea. And from what I've read on the judge, it will be no picnic at Club Fed when Vick is sentenced.
Of course, some may wish that Vick got the death penalty for mistreating those beautiful pit bulls. If I were the judge in the case, and imposed death, I suppose I'd sentence him to death by mauling- from pit bulls, no doubt.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Good Riddance, Mr. Rove
Today, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and senior advisor to President George Walker Bush has done the thing he should have done years ago: HE QUIT!
Sure, we have to put up with his fat ass for another 18 days, but while I count down the days until we're finally rid of this vermin, let us count thee ways he- and for thart matter, Bushie junior, has botched up our country.
First off, Rove was largely responsible for putting the current don of corruption into the White House- in 2000 when Bush- in the eyes of many- stole the election, and again in 2004. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he oversaw the 'damage control' effort- you know, while folks were drowning in New Orleans, Bush and his crime gang, which of course includes Rove, were barbecuing in Texas.
And then, there's the CIA agent leak of (now) former employee Valerie Plame. While I. "Scooter" Lewis Libby was indicted and subsequently convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice, Rove- according to many- got away scot free.
And now the man who basically ran the presidency of George Walker Bush- albeit in the ground (but running it nonetheless)- has decided to spend more time with his family, effective the last day of this month.
Anybody out there believe that?...
kgiag/YouTube
Neither do I.
I learned today, as I looked at Wikipedia in preparation for this, that Rove supported another crook- Richard Nixon- beginning at age nine. He worked for his idol during the 1972 Presidential campaign, as you will see at the 4:10 mark of this clip from CBS News.
backfile/YouTube/CBS News
Scums...er, Rumsfeld. Trash...um, Ashcroft. Now Rove.
The George W. Bush crime syndicate falls apart. One cabinet member and/or administration member at a time.
But, in closing, I can't help but wonder if ol' Rove felt the noose tightening around his neck. The noose of a lot of us finding out the truth about a lot of criminal acts the Dubya administration have committed- and are still committing to this day.
Good riddance, Rove.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Sure, we have to put up with his fat ass for another 18 days, but while I count down the days until we're finally rid of this vermin, let us count thee ways he- and for thart matter, Bushie junior, has botched up our country.
First off, Rove was largely responsible for putting the current don of corruption into the White House- in 2000 when Bush- in the eyes of many- stole the election, and again in 2004. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he oversaw the 'damage control' effort- you know, while folks were drowning in New Orleans, Bush and his crime gang, which of course includes Rove, were barbecuing in Texas.
And then, there's the CIA agent leak of (now) former employee Valerie Plame. While I. "Scooter" Lewis Libby was indicted and subsequently convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice, Rove- according to many- got away scot free.
And now the man who basically ran the presidency of George Walker Bush- albeit in the ground (but running it nonetheless)- has decided to spend more time with his family, effective the last day of this month.
Anybody out there believe that?...
kgiag/YouTube
Neither do I.
I learned today, as I looked at Wikipedia in preparation for this, that Rove supported another crook- Richard Nixon- beginning at age nine. He worked for his idol during the 1972 Presidential campaign, as you will see at the 4:10 mark of this clip from CBS News.
backfile/YouTube/CBS News
Scums...er, Rumsfeld. Trash...um, Ashcroft. Now Rove.
The George W. Bush crime syndicate falls apart. One cabinet member and/or administration member at a time.
But, in closing, I can't help but wonder if ol' Rove felt the noose tightening around his neck. The noose of a lot of us finding out the truth about a lot of criminal acts the Dubya administration have committed- and are still committing to this day.
Good riddance, Rove.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
Monday, August 06, 2007
JIm Cramer's Rant; NFL Hall of Fame
peace0be/YouTube/CNBC
Admittedly, I don't watch Jim Cramer on CNBC as much as I should, but when I heard about this rant- or as a host on KXL here in Portland, Oregon said yesterday, 'became 'unglued- I just had to watch this. See what the fuss was all about.
Basically, Cramer told the current Fed (Federal Reserve) chairman Ben Bernanke, to get off his ass and cut the interest rates. Only, he got a little too carried away.
But that's typical Cramer, right?
LET'S GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!: Saturday, in Canton, Ohio, five NFL players were enshrined into the Pro Football Half of Fame. Michael Irvin , who led the league with 1,523 yards on 93 catches in 1991; selected to five straight Pro Bowls; and had 750 career receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns during his 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Thurman Thomas, 12,074 yards rushing; NFL's MVP in 1991. Rushed for 1,00 yards in eight consecutive seasons. Gene Hickerson was voted to six straight Pro Bowls, all_NFL for five consecutive seasons, from 1966 to 1970.
Bruce Matthews played his entire career with the Houston Oilers, on through their move to Nashville to become the Tennessee Oilers, and subsequently, Titans. Named to record-tying 14 consecutive Pro Bowls (9 at guard, 5 at center). All-Pro 9 times, and all-AFC 12. Charlie Sanders had that ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound...okay, so I'm exaggerating. But Sanders had that ability to elude tacklers and was the Detroit Lions' all-time reception leader by the time he retired in 1977. Roger Wehrli amassed 40 career interceptions and recovered a record-tying 19 fumbles. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls.
In last night's Hall of Fame game, Pittsburgh beat New Orleans 20-7.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander.
All Rights Reserved.
CNBC footage, (C) 2007, NBC Universal.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Crisis of Conscience- Questions that Perplex Me
I have recently read a book called Crisis of Conscience, by Raymond Franz. He is a former member of the Watch Tower Bible And Tract Society's Governing Body, the ruling body of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith.
The things I've read in the book about his trials and tribulations as he faced tribunals from (then) fellow Governing Body members, and the Gadsden, Alabama congregation were troubling. Troubling because, in the past, I've found myself partially defending the Witnesses, even during the 'Silent Lambs' debacle (such that still exists to this day). This debacle is like the more major one that the Roman Catholics faced earlier this decade (2001-02), but what's more troubling is that some of the alleged molesters are still in congregations of JWs even to this day. I know you should forgive, but who separates the perpetrators from the victims? This is another discussion for another day.
But going back to the book, the excommunication- or disfellowshipping of Mr. Franz over some action that was nothing more than petty. It wasn't even that. Mr. Franz was in the company of a friend- and employer- Peter Gregerson, who ran a grocery chain in Alabama. Now this was before an issue of the faith's Bible journal
The Watchtower (Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom) was released. The edition in question was the September 15, 1981 issue. In that issue, the Governing Body decided to bring back a pre-1974 policy on dealing with 'publishers', as the Witnesses call their members, who were disfellowshipped and disassociated. From 1974 to 1981, the JWs took a moderate stand, whereas a person could be disassociated from the congregation if such person decided to take up military service or run for public elective office. Or if the person disassociated himself voluntarily, they could still fellowship among the congregation. As for the disfellowshipped, if such person was a family member of active Witnesses, such family members could still communicate with that person, but not the rest of the congregation. This more restrictive policy that the Governing Body decided to bring back treated disassociated persons- be it those, like Peter Gregerson, who disassociated themselves voluntarily, or involuntarily, again if said publisher decided to pursue military service or elective office- the same way as disfellowshipped persons. To be shunned from congregation, and even family members and longtime friends. No doubt, friendships have been lost, and families have been torn apart over such actions.
Raymond Franz was disfellowshipped over being with Peter Gregerson, even though this action that caused Franz's expulsion happened prior to the release of the September 15, 1981 Watchtower.
Why did the Governing Body see fit to, in this author's opinion, spy on Mr. Franz? No doubt in my mind, it had to have been Mr. Franz's communication with his friend and employer, Mr. Gregerson, that caused them- the Governing Body- to bring back what is basically a totalitarian policy. Why did the Governing Body accuse Mr. Franz- and 1500 others- of apostasy against the Society, when evidence of such was nonexistent? The source of the trouble- a female publisher of a New York congregation- later recanted her story.
Why did Wesley Benner, the Circuit Overseer at the time, go in such a frenzied rush to disafellowship Ray Franz, without allowing fellow Witnesses who knew Mr. Franz intimately, to defend himself? Why did Benner want to use an ex-in-law of Peter Gregerson on the Appeal Committee, that ex-in-law likely still having feeling of animosity toward Peter Gregerson? Why did Peter's youngest brother Dan decide to use this meeting at a restaurant, in which he himself was present, against Ray Franz?
I suggest that you read the book (you can get it at your bookstore, or via amazon.com or any bookseller). You'll no doubt find things very interesting.
If you're a Jehovah's Witness, or are considering becoming one, I know that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is strongly advising against reading this book. But unless you know the truth of what happened to Mr. Franz, and the inner workings of the Governing Body from someone who was once a member, you may never know what you may have gotten yourselves into.
You read, and decide.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
The things I've read in the book about his trials and tribulations as he faced tribunals from (then) fellow Governing Body members, and the Gadsden, Alabama congregation were troubling. Troubling because, in the past, I've found myself partially defending the Witnesses, even during the 'Silent Lambs' debacle (such that still exists to this day). This debacle is like the more major one that the Roman Catholics faced earlier this decade (2001-02), but what's more troubling is that some of the alleged molesters are still in congregations of JWs even to this day. I know you should forgive, but who separates the perpetrators from the victims? This is another discussion for another day.
But going back to the book, the excommunication- or disfellowshipping of Mr. Franz over some action that was nothing more than petty. It wasn't even that. Mr. Franz was in the company of a friend- and employer- Peter Gregerson, who ran a grocery chain in Alabama. Now this was before an issue of the faith's Bible journal
The Watchtower (Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom) was released. The edition in question was the September 15, 1981 issue. In that issue, the Governing Body decided to bring back a pre-1974 policy on dealing with 'publishers', as the Witnesses call their members, who were disfellowshipped and disassociated. From 1974 to 1981, the JWs took a moderate stand, whereas a person could be disassociated from the congregation if such person decided to take up military service or run for public elective office. Or if the person disassociated himself voluntarily, they could still fellowship among the congregation. As for the disfellowshipped, if such person was a family member of active Witnesses, such family members could still communicate with that person, but not the rest of the congregation. This more restrictive policy that the Governing Body decided to bring back treated disassociated persons- be it those, like Peter Gregerson, who disassociated themselves voluntarily, or involuntarily, again if said publisher decided to pursue military service or elective office- the same way as disfellowshipped persons. To be shunned from congregation, and even family members and longtime friends. No doubt, friendships have been lost, and families have been torn apart over such actions.
Raymond Franz was disfellowshipped over being with Peter Gregerson, even though this action that caused Franz's expulsion happened prior to the release of the September 15, 1981 Watchtower.
Why did the Governing Body see fit to, in this author's opinion, spy on Mr. Franz? No doubt in my mind, it had to have been Mr. Franz's communication with his friend and employer, Mr. Gregerson, that caused them- the Governing Body- to bring back what is basically a totalitarian policy. Why did the Governing Body accuse Mr. Franz- and 1500 others- of apostasy against the Society, when evidence of such was nonexistent? The source of the trouble- a female publisher of a New York congregation- later recanted her story.
Why did Wesley Benner, the Circuit Overseer at the time, go in such a frenzied rush to disafellowship Ray Franz, without allowing fellow Witnesses who knew Mr. Franz intimately, to defend himself? Why did Benner want to use an ex-in-law of Peter Gregerson on the Appeal Committee, that ex-in-law likely still having feeling of animosity toward Peter Gregerson? Why did Peter's youngest brother Dan decide to use this meeting at a restaurant, in which he himself was present, against Ray Franz?
I suggest that you read the book (you can get it at your bookstore, or via amazon.com or any bookseller). You'll no doubt find things very interesting.
If you're a Jehovah's Witness, or are considering becoming one, I know that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is strongly advising against reading this book. But unless you know the truth of what happened to Mr. Franz, and the inner workings of the Governing Body from someone who was once a member, you may never know what you may have gotten yourselves into.
You read, and decide.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander
All Rights Reserved.
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