Sometimes it’s embarrassing to be a Portlander. Like when the popular weblog boingboing.net laughs at the ridiculous Bibleman (In this latest installment of the popular Bibleman video and DVD series, we find that villain Luxor Spawndroth has finally made his last mistake. But just when you think it might be safe to venture out-we are introduced to an even more sinister, more evil villain: Primordius Drool, Intergalactic Desperado and Despot of Evil.), and you laugh right along with your internet friends until you see that Bibleman is owned by Pamplin Entertainment.

“Wait a second!” you exclaim, highlighting Pamplin Entertainment and copy and pasting it into Google, “Isn’t Pamplin that rich guy in Portland?”

Pamplin Entertainment Corporation is a subsidiary of Pamplin Communication Corporation (other subsidiaries include Pamplin Music Corporation, Pamplin Broadcasting, Inc. and the Christian Supply Center, all are based here in Portland). The interesting thing about Pamplin Communication Corporation is that they don’t seem to have a website. All the Pamplin enterprises seem to live at pamplin.org, virtual home of the surprising dapper Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr.

It’s a surprisingly nice website, letting us know that Pamplin Communications consists of Bibleman, KPAM (local home of Sean Hannity), and the Portland Tribune. The Pamplin companies and philantrophy are definitely household names in Portland (Ross Island Sand and Gravel) but Pamplin is something of an enigma. He does a lot but he says very little, making it very hard to tell what his true agenda is. I am impressed with his work preserving the ghost town of Shaniko, Oregon and the Self Enhancement, Inc. center in North Portland, and I personally know several people who were members of the Pamplin Society. On the flip-side I find his super-christian endeavors make me nervous and the concept of a religious crime-fighter to be laughably ridiculous (though to be fair, it seems that “former teen heartthrob” Willie Aames is the creator, writer, producer, director, editor, and star of “the most popular live-action stage show on the children’s ministry circuit”).

In the end, I’m left unable to lump Pamplin into any easy catagory. He is, as his website says, a businessman, philanthropist, farmer, minister and author.

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4. Three Lives
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