Funny Story

Ken AshfordEducation, Godstuff1 Comment

So it seems the Creation Research Graduate School wanted to offer a Masters of Science program and have it accredited.   So they decided to set up shop in Texas (moving from California). So the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which approves curricular programs for accreditation, looked at the CRGS Masters of Science program and said, "Uh, this isn't science.  This … Read More

The Other Supreme Court Case

Ken AshfordConstitution, Godstuff, Supreme Court1 Comment

There will be much talk today and in the weeks to come about the Second Amendment case (below). But the Supreme Court handed down an interesting First Amendment case as well today, Christian Legal Society v. Martinez. The case involves discrimination — i.e., one's right to free speech and to freely associate. The facts are simple:  Hastings College of Law … Read More

Here Come The Guns

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Constitution, Gun Control, Supreme Court2 Comments

Minutes ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion which makes the Second Amendment applicable to states and municipalities.  This is big. A quick background.  The U.S. Constitution applies to the federal government (what it can and can't do).  The rights protected by the Bill of Rights (freedom of speech, etc.) don't necessarily apply to states and municipalities unless and until … Read More

The Byrd Has Flown

Ken AshfordElection 2010, In PassingLeave a Comment

It's really hard to mourn the passing of Senator Robert Byrd at age 92 (D-WV).  He's nobody's favorite senator, certainly not among Democrats.  He was the last vestige of conservative southern Democrats opposed to desegregation, and one of the few who didn't migrate to the Republican party after efforts to block desegregation failed.  Born in North Carolina, Byrd was once … Read More

Behind The Scenes

Ken AshfordObama & AdministrationLeave a Comment

There's a very read-able article about the how the Obama White House, and how it handled events the past two weeks.  A very rare inside baseball look at how the forces handled the McChrystal Rolling Stone interview and the Obama speech relating to BP.  Interesting dynamics.

How Republicans Will Govern

Ken AshfordElection 2010Leave a Comment

I don't hold out much hope for the Democrats in the midterm elections this year, but if they want to do well (or, at the very least, mitigate their losses), then they need to get this message out, and repeat it over and over and over again:

Suddenly, FinReg

Ken AshfordCorporate Greed, Economy & Jobs & DeficitLeave a Comment

Seems our lawmakers pulled a late nighter in Washington, and actually came up with a bipartisan bill to address abuses in the financial sector — the kind of abuses that led to the current crash and recession. It looks pretty comprehensive too.  A strong bill — probably the toughest reform since FDR went after Wall Street following the Great Depression.  What's … Read More

The Al Gore Sexual Misconduct Allegation

Ken AshfordSex ScandalsLeave a Comment

I almost hate to give credence to this National Enquirer driven story.  But conservative blogs are all over this, so it need addressing. The first thing to keep in mind is that the incident supposedly happened in October 2006.  And we're only hearing about it now. Secondly, this: The Multnomah County district attorney's office was aware that the woman's attorney … Read More

Complaints Choirs

Ken AshfordPopular Culture, Random MusingsLeave a Comment

What is a "complaints choir"?  It's a community choir that invites people to sing about their complaints in a choir together with fellow complainers. They're springing up all over the place. Here is the Complaints Choir of Chicago: It's a nice way to channel negative energy into something artistic. BONUS:  The cutest picture ever taken