I clicked on the link and found myself scrolling through announcements of a soldier from Bend dying in Iraq and a soldier from Portland dying in Afghanistan. It contrasted greatly with the latest news about a young millionaire playing for the Blazers.

Sorry. The new "improvement" from OregonLive is that webpages for "updates" change all the time. I'll stop linking to them. What a worthless pile of junk.

In a way, it worked. It amplified how pointless and aggravating this Blazer behavior has been, when you think about young people paying the ultimate price for us overseas.

We're arresting here so we don't have to arrest them over there.

Send the Blazers to Iraq!

Send Zach and Darius to Iraq!

No, no Blazers can go to Iraq. The Vietnam parallels are already scary. We don't need to increase them by tripling troop dope consumption overnight.

And let's get Paul Allen an exit strategy.

Sounds a little fishy... Women doesn't even report the incident to Police or get treatment at the ER for 3 days following the incident.

Btw, why the heck does Randolph have a room at Hotel Vintage Plaza 'to entertain'? Doesn't he have a house?

The Fan was reporting this morning that Canzano (I think) says it was a live sex show gone bad.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when the hotel wait staff is interviewed by police. Remember Zach was staying there the night he was caught racing up Broadway, so he's been a regular. The hotel folks have probably seen a thing or two over the summer. I wonder what Steve Patterson is thinking this morning.

If you want to link to Blazer news, may I recommend O-Live's excellent Blazers Blog. It will all eventually show up in there.

The private sex show, while sleezy, is perfectly legal... if there was abuse, it's another story.

The irony is all the joe-sixpacks who frequent our many strip clubs will be calling for Zach's head. Double standard for black guys, I guess.

The irony is all the joe-sixpacks who frequent our many strip clubs will be calling for Zach's head. Double standard for black guys, I guess.

I think there's a difference between an evening at The Acropolis and bringing the girls back to your place for a "private party". Ask Mike Price.

Great ad for the hotel, too, BTW.

If he is conviceted does that allow them to void the rest of his contract?

If so can we set up a sting operation for Darius Miles?

Geesh, TKrueg, why'd you have to throw the "double standard for black guys" comment in there?

Speaking for myself and also assuming that most feel the same way, the disgust comes from the fact that certain characters on this team cannot stay outta trouble. Whether he broke a law or not, people want to root for athletes that are decent people (not perfect, but decent), and inviting girls to a hotel room for a live sex act doesn't meet that standard.

I don't think race enters the picture here.

I think the race question applies to the general feeling you get listening to hosts/callers on KFXX, reading blogs and comments, and sensationalism in the local media over the past few years. Here is what I've concluded based on the arguments and the people making them:

Guns: Black people with a conceiled weapons permit and a handgun are suspicious 'and should know better'. White people with a conceiled weapons permit and a handgun are "excercising their 2nd Ammendment right".

Strippers: Over the years, media/fans have frowned on Blazer players frequenting our MANY strip clubs. These clubs host private and legal sex acts in addition to the pole dancing. Legal escort services provide the same thing... yes, they make hotel calls.

Success vs 'bling': A white, suburban family living in a McMansion with ATVs, basketbal court, jetskis, and an Escalade in the driveway is considered 'successful'. A black athlete with all the same trappings (don't forget the Escalade) is considered excessive, thuggish, and scary.

Marajuana: Let's face it, the NW is home to many law-abiding people who happen to light up once in awhile (or often). If a white person is caught, it's considered a minor infraction. If a black Trail Blazer is caught, it's like we've got a Colombian cartel on our hands.

I'm so sorry the very mention of 'race' in this circumstance is so unpleasant for you. To me, I'm offended by the injustice of it. It's not OK to bring these guys into our fishbowl and judge them without a hint of irony. They're here to play basketball. (and no, I'm not OK with it if it turns out he raped someone)

[Posted as indicated; restored later.]