
By Dean Clancy
Budget voters are first chapter in victory over eternal budget deficits
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
When the NBA's MVP results were announced Saturday, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant found himself in a familiar spot: second.

Two questions always dominate men's college basketball as the NCAA tournament approaches the penultimate weekend: Who's going to win the title and who's leaving early for the NBA?
Nate McMillan came to Portland in 2005 with a mission to rebuild the Trail Blazers into a Western Conference contender and repair the once-proud franchise's tattered image with its adoring fan base.
Nate McMillan came to Portland in 2005 with a mission to rebuild the Trail Blazers into a Western Conference contender and repair the once-proud franchise's tattered image with its adoring fan base.
Greg Oden has suffered yet another setback with his troublesome knees.
There appears to be no end in sight for Greg Oden and his troublesome knees.
There appears to be no end in sight for Greg Oden and his troublesome knees.
The NBA's amnesty era is under way.

The NBA's amnesty era is under way.
The NBA's amnesty era is under way.

The best gift from Black Friday didn't involve arising at an ungodly hour, competing with an unruly throng and spending at an unwise pace. But it did arrive in the wee hours, hammered out by contentious groups that were squabbling over money.
The Trail Blazers have offered former No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden an $8.8 million qualifying offer to stay in Portland.
During the summer of 2010, the Portland Trail Blazers took a long look at free agent point guard Raymond Felton before deciding he didn't fit on the roster financially.
The Trail Blazers acquired guard Raymond Felton from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for veteran guard Andre Miller in a trade Thursday night that was part of a flurry of moves that Portland made during the NBA draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers made headlines on draft night last season by firing their general manager.
"I'm obviously disappointed with the setback, but I'm as determined as ever to return to the court," Oden said. "I appreciate the support of the Trail Blazers and our fans and that they continue to stand behind me."