Rudy Loses His Conservative Cred

Ken AshfordElection 20081 Comment

I think this is the beginning of the end for Guiliani.  He’s lost the conservative vote now: Giuliani gave to Planned Parenthood Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in his campaign appearances this year has stated that he personally abhors abortion, even though he supports keeping a legal right to choose. But records show that in the ’90s he contributed money … Read More

The Fort Dix “Terrorists” In A Nutshell

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

CNN: WASHINGTON (CNN) — The federal government charged five alleged Islamic radicals with plotting to kill U.S. soldiers at Fort Dix in New Jersey. A sixth was charged with aiding and abetting the illegal possession of firearms by three of the others. "The philosophy that supports and encourages jihad around the world against Americans came to live here in New … Read More

Kool-Aid Pickles? Seriously?

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

Never heard of them before, but apparently they have a cult following down in the bayou: Those pickles were once mere dills. They were once green. Their exteriors remain pebbly, a reminder that long ago they began their lives on a farm, on the ground, as cucumbers. But they now have an arresting color that combines green and garnet, and … Read More

A Mini-Blogswarm: Amy and Joe

Ken AshfordSex/Morality/Family ValuesLeave a Comment

I was surprised to see that several hundred people have visited my site in the past hour — I couldn’t understand why.  And they were visiting this page, of all places. Then I figured it out.  Amy Fisher, the "Long Island Lolita" — back in 1992 — shot the wife of her lover (Joey Buttafuoco) in the face.  After serving … Read More

Disaster Preparedness Is A Disaster

Ken AshfordDisasters, IraqLeave a Comment

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was complaining about the lack of Kansas National Guard people at home long before her state was struck by an F5 tornado last week: "The Guard cannot train on equipment they do not have," Sebelius continued. "The more resources that are left behind, the less able our guardsmen are to prepare here at home. And in … Read More

“Lost” To End In 2009-2010 Season

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

Now that the producers have worked out a deal with ABC to end the series (two more seasons, with 16 shows per season), they can map out the rest of the increasingly-confusing plot. They’ve left themselves a trail of confusing plot threads, which they will have to tie up pretty soon — including: What the hell is that smoke monster … Read More

About High Heels

Ken AshfordWomen's IssuesLeave a Comment

Here’s the effect on your body, ladies, courtesy of the Washington Post (click to enlarge): Chock full of information.  For example, experts say the pressure on the front of your foot increases by 76% when you wear a three-inch heel. They also throw the spine and hips out of alignment. Not that I don’t appreciate you wearing them, but why … Read More

Rating The Nielsen Ratings

Ken AshfordPopular Culture1 Comment

I’m a member of the Nielsen family. Yup, they called and asked me to monitor my TV habits for one week, recording everything I watch in a diary that they sent. Glad to help, I said. What a pain in the ass. First of all, they send this big ass booklet.  Paper and pencil — how quaint.  How 20th century.  … Read More

As It Happened

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Just discovered the 9/11 Television Archives, which has the actual unedited TV broadcasts of the attack on the WTC, starting around 8:30ish that morning. Kind of odd to watch Charles Gibson talk with Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, knowing that in less than 20 minutes, the world would change.

Asthma Flags — An Idea Whose Time Has Come

Ken AshfordHealth CareLeave a Comment

Someone’s got their thinking cap on: Those with asthma or allergies can now look to the nearest flagpole to find out how aggravating the outdoors will be for the day. Color-coded flags will fly at seven middle schools and several businesses around the county to alert residents on the state of the air, thanks to the Alamance Child Asthma Coalition. … Read More

The Seven Year Itch

Ken AshfordElection 2008Leave a Comment

GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to graduating students at Regent University (Pat Robertson’s school, from which many future convicts, including Monica Goodling, have graduated): "It seems that Europe leads Americans in this way of thinking," Romney told the crowd of more than 5,000. "In France, for instance, I’m told that marriage is now frequently contracted in seven-year terms where either … Read More

Bush Commits Another Royal Faux Pas

Ken AshfordBush & Co.1 Comment

Apparently, he didn’t read my post on How To Act Around The Queen. Seriously, this guy is an embarrassment.  Here’s what the London tabloids are reporting: When you’ve just made it sound like the Queen is more than 200 years old, there may be a few ways of recovering from the gaffe. But turning to her and giving her a … Read More

Theatre News Bites

Ken AshfordPopular Culture1 Comment

(1) The New York Drama Critic’s Awards were announced last night.  The winners were somewhat predictable: Best Play: The Coast of Utopia, by Tom StoppardBest American Play: Radio Golf, by August WilsonBest Musical: Spring Awakening, by Duncan Sheik and Steven SaterSpecial Citation: The Broadway revival of Journey’s End (2) The trend of turning movies into stage musicals continues at an … Read More

What Does $456 Billion Buy?

Ken AshfordIraqLeave a Comment

That’s the price tag — so far — of the Iraq War. The Boston Globe is running a slideshow of what that money — $456 billion — could have bought had it been spent elsewhere.  Check it out. My faves: free gas for all Americans for 1.2 years, or a 52,615 year contract for Dice-K. Most sobering? The $456 billion … Read More