As Suspected

Ken AshfordObama OppositionLeave a Comment

Following up on yesterday's post, it turns out that Jindal wasn't telling the truth after all. For those needing a recap, here's the video of the relevant portion of Jindal's response: Some story, huh?  Turns out, it's not so true. Specifically, when Jindal told the nation that he was in the sheriff's office "during Katrina," he didn't mean "during Katrina." … Read More

Sticks and Stones

Ken AshfordObama OppositionLeave a Comment

Huckabee called Obama a socialist yesterday.  Sen. DeMint (R-S.C.) called Obama a socialist today.  And of course, calling Obama a "socialist" was S.O.P. during the election season. (Both Palin and McCain invoked the phrase). Socialism is, of course, a political theory and economic system in which the collective (i.e., the government) owns industry (the means of production) and capital. Now when Republicans call … Read More

Ex-President Bush Goes Back To School

Ken AshfordBush & Co.Leave a Comment

Pershing Elementary School in Preston Hollow, Texas: The Bushes [George and Laura] were scheduled to visit three classes, but they ended up popping in on any room with an audience. Ducking in one room, Bush asked, "Hey kids, do you know who I am?" Gasps all around, and then someone blurted, "George Washington!" O.K.  That didn't go well.  But a … Read More

An Open Letter To The GOP

Ken AshfordRepublicansLeave a Comment

Stop it.  Stop it now.  It's uncomfortable to look at.  Stop trying to be cool.  Stop trying to be "hip".  Stop with "the Twittering".  Don't try to convince us that the Republican Party is "off the hook".  Don't look at the RNC chairman (an African-American) and shout, "You be da man!".  Don't be sending some "slum love" to Republican governor … Read More

Why The GOP Is Still Lost In The Woods

Ken AshfordRepublicansLeave a Comment

Daniel Larison: It seems to me that conservatives and Republicans have assumed the GOP is the natural governing party, at least regarding the Presidency and to some extent as it relates to Congress since ‘94, which is why so many have continued to insist that America is a “center-right nation” in face of mounting evidence that it is not and … Read More

Writing Your Own Obituary

Ken AshfordBreaking NewsLeave a Comment

It must be weird to be a reporter at The Rocky Mountain News — Colorado's oldest newspaper (150 years old) and winner of 4 Pulitzer Prizes — and have to report the death of The Rocky Mountain News.

Broad-based Sex Education Popular In North Carolina

Ken AshfordEducation, Local Interest, Sex/Morality/Family ValuesLeave a Comment

From Public Policy Polling survey results released earlier this week, the question was asked: A bill being considered in the Legislature would give parents the choice of having their children receive comprehensive sex education or abstinence only sex education. Would you support this proposal? 69% said "yes"; 31% said "no". Even conservatives (58%) and Republicans (54%) supported the bill by a … Read More

And Jindal Lies

Ken AshfordObama OppositionLeave a Comment

From Jindal's reponse speech earlier this week: During Katrina, I visited Sheriff Harry Lee, a Democrat and a good friend of mine. When I walked into his makeshift office I'd never seen him so angry. He was yelling into the phone: 'Well, I'm the Sheriff and if you don't like it you can come and arrest me!' I asked him: … Read More

Best Reaction To Jindel Speech

Ken AshfordEconomy & Jobs & Deficit, Obama OppositionLeave a Comment

And it speaks to both Jindel and Palin: Absent any deep thoughts, the Republicans are going to complain about waste. The high point of Jindal’s address came when he laced into “wasteful spending” in the stimulus bill, and used as an example a $140 million appropriation for keeping an eye on the volcanoes in places like Alaska, where one is … Read More

Broadway To Become More Pedestrian

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

This sounds like a good thing: The city plans to close several blocks of Broadway to vehicle traffic through Times Square and Herald Square, an experiment that would turn swaths of the Great White Way into pedestrian malls and continue Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s effort to reduce traffic congestion in Midtown. Although it seems counterintuitive, officials believe the move will … Read More

Ways To Make Money In A Bad Economy

Ken AshfordEconomy & Jobs & DeficitLeave a Comment

What's up in this down economy?  Gold.  Gold parties are a big big thing.  I've not been invited to one, but I wouldn't go anyway, not having any gold. And here's another way you know we're living in a different world economically.  Gone are the commercials about making a fortune in real estate.  Instead, it's commercials about — yup — … Read More