Constance Baker Motley, 1921-2005

Ken AshfordCourts/LawLeave a Comment

From the NY Times: Constance Baker Motley, a civil rights lawyer who fought nearly every important civil rights case for two decades and then became the first black woman to serve as a federal judge, died yesterday at NYU Downtown Hospital in Manhattan. She was 84. The cause was congestive heart failure, said Isolde Motley, her daughter-in-law. Judge Motley was … Read More

Pardon Me

Ken AshfordBush & Co., CrimeLeave a Comment

Here are 14 people that Bush pardoned yesterday — the day when Delay got indicted.  They include 4 drug dealers. Probably not the best timing. Speaking of crime, Bill Bennett posed an interesting solution: But I do know that it’s true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could — if that were your sole purpose, you could abort … Read More

Freedom Haters Succeed In Yanking Plans For Freedom Museum

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/Torture1 Comment

The hysterical moonbats won one: Governor George Pataki said today he will direct development officials to drop plans for a museum of freedom at the World Trade Center site, saying it has stirred “too much opposition, too much controversy.” The International Freedom Center would have been put in a cultural center adjacent to a memorial for the Sept. 11 victims, … Read More

Delay Indicted

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Congress, RepublicansLeave a Comment

This just in… WASHINGTON – A Texas grand jury on Wednesday charged Rep. Tom DeLay and two political associates with conspiracy in a campaign finance scheme, forcing the House majority leader to temporarily relinquish his post. DeLay attorney Steve Brittain said DeLay was accused of a criminal conspiracy along with two associates, John Colyandro, former executive director of a Texas … Read More

The “Most Challenged Books” Meme

Ken AshfordPopular Culture2 Comments

Via Majikthise:  "How many of the American Library Association’s top 100 most frequently challenged books have you read?" Mmmmm…. 3.  I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 5.  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 6.  Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 13.  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 18.  The Color Purple … Read More

Don’t Dream It, See It

Ken AshfordPopular Culture5 Comments

I generally don’t write about local events, but my weblog stat counter thingee informs me that I am averaging a couple hundred hits a day now, and many of you are from the Triad region.   So to anyone within driving distance of Winston-Salem, have I got a show for you to see. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the … Read More

Republicans Screw The Pooch

Ken AshfordDemocrats, Election 2006, RepublicansLeave a Comment

This news as huge ramifications for the upcoming elections.  From Political Wire: As the 2006 midterm election season approaches, Political Wire has seen a copy of a new Winston Group (R) poll that shows Americans turning away from the Republican party. (There’s no link yet on the firm’s website.) Those surveyed had less confidence in Republicans to handle a wide … Read More

Post Of The Day

Ken AshfordBush & Co., DisastersLeave a Comment

From The Talent Show: I gotta say, the federal, state, and local authorities did a fantastic job in responding to Hurricane Rita. It’s almost as if they were trying to make up for something. It’s funny how a "trial run" like the complete destruction of a major American city can motivate people. I just wish every major disaster was immediately … Read More

Eye On Dover

Ken AshfordEducation, GodstuffLeave a Comment

Intelligent Design in schools comes to the courtroom.  Keep an eye on this case.  The New York Times sets the stage: DOVER, Pa., Sept. 23 – Sheree Hied, a mother of five who believes that God created the earth and its creatures, was grateful when her school board here voted last year to require high school biology classes to hear … Read More

Monday Morning Fast Facts

Ken AshfordBush & Co., War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

* Number attending this weekend’s anti-war rally in Washington D.C.:  150,000 estimated (Photo at right from Bradblog) * Number attending this weekend’s pro-war counter rally in Washington, D.C.:  400 (although wingers were expecting 20,000) * Recommended reading: Time Magazine’s "How Many More Mike Browns Are Out There?": A TIME inquiry finds that at top positions in some vital government agencies, … Read More

Desert Fox

Ken AshfordRight Wing and Inept MediaLeave a Comment

Remember this story? Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday the city would not accept a $10 million donation for disaster relief from Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal after the prince suggested U.S. policies in the Middle East contributed to the September 11 attacks. "I entirely reject that statement," Giuliani said. "There is no moral equivalent for this [terrorist] act. There is … Read More

NotKatrina Ruins Bush Photo-op

Ken AshfordDisastersLeave a Comment

Bush was hoping to show the nation that he learned something from his pathetic non-response to Katrina.  So he was all set to go to Texas.  One problem, though.  The weather was too nice. President Bush was supposed to land here on Friday afternoon on the first stop of a tour intended to make clear that he was personally overseeing … Read More