Do We Have A Contender For Michelle Bachman’s Replacement?

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Right Wing Punditry/Idiocy1 Comment

Nevada Republican assemblywoman Michelle Fiore made a bit of name for herself when she was quoted in the New York Times saying that “hot little girls” on campus need guns to protect themselves against rapists.  She did not say what ugly large girls should carry.  This was all in connection with a bill she sponsored that would allow firearms onto … Read More

Oscar Time 2015

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

Hello?  Is this thing on?  This is my first post using a cellphone app. So bear with me. Well, I had hoped for really good and interesting Oscar coverage this year, having seen most of the big nominated movies.  But more important family matters have arisen. Even if I had the time or inclination to do an Oscar post, I … Read More

I’m Jes A Girl Who Cain’t Say ‘No’…. Rape Culture and “Yes Means Yes”

Ken AshfordWomen's Issues4 Comments

Last September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a new law mandating that California universities take certain steps regarding their sexual assault policies.  Many of the changes are common-sensical, i.e., a student who is intoxicated or asleep cannot be said to have “consented” to sex.  (This might seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people wonder about … Read More

The Muslim Terrorist Victims?

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Crime, Godstuff, Gun Control, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

So here’s what happened: CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Three people were shot to death at a quiet condominium complex near the University of North Carolina, and the suspect was scheduled for a court appearance Wednesday — though police had not yet released a motive or given details of the crime. Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, was arrested and has been … Read More

Williams Out

Ken AshfordRight Wing and Inept MediaLeave a Comment

It sucks right now to be NBC’s Brian Williams.  And this news story about the news just demonstrates how stupid the news has become. The NBC newsman was suspended Tuesday night for six months amid charges that he misremembered or conflated wartime incidents he reported on from Iraq and Israel. He has also come under scrutiny for possible conflations in reporting … Read More

Stewart Out

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

There will be time for eulogies and retrospectives, especially since his departure date is still unknown.  But the news that Jon Stewart is leaving the helm of The Daily Show after 17 years comes as a shock, even if it is to be expected (he clearly has been restless this past year).  Stewart made The Daily Show.  It will go on, but … Read More

No, She’s Not Hiding

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

So, this happened this morning: FROM: RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer TO: Interested Parties RE: Hillary’s Hiding We’ve noticed it. You’ve noticed it: Hillary Clinton is hiding. Potential Republican presidential candidates are out in public, speaking to voters, and sharing their ideas. But Hillary Clinton is nowhere to be found. Well, we do know she tweeted. Hillary’s only public appearances in 2015 have … Read More

Alabama and Gay Marriage

Ken AshfordGay Marriage, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

Well, you know we’ve crossed over when Alabama starts with the gay marriage thing.  An order from a federal judge allowing gay marriage was to take effect this morning. But what’s that?  It’s Chief Judge Roy Moore (a state, not federal, judge) to the rescue.  If you don’t remember, Judge Moore is often known as the “Ten Commandments Judge.” When Moore, a devout … Read More

Better Call Saul: A Mid-Pilot Review

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

It’s probably not fair to review a new series based on half of the pilot episode, but AMC saw fit to split the pilot episode into two days, so they have nobody to blame but themselves.  Plus, it is pretty clear what Better Call Saul will be like just from Part One of the two-part pilot. Better Call Saul has been billed … Read More

Be Careful What You Wish For….

Ken AshfordCongress, RepublicansLeave a Comment

Republicans seemed bitter that the State of the Union Address wasn’t some kowtow by Obama, crying in his cups about the Republican Party’s success in the midterm elections.  But now that they control Congress, they don’t seem to know what to do.  This is a party that gets its energy from the rage machine, not from leadership. .At the Plum Line, … Read More

Bad Cop

Ken AshfordCourts/Law, CrimeLeave a Comment

This is a long post, but it warrants it. It is an of just how bad our police are, even in a liberal city like Seattle.  Many of these examples appear to involve racism, white cops misusing their authority over African-Americans. Examples are often dismissed by police supporters over some ambiguity or another. What makes the following example so compelling … Read More

Lyndon Johnson Was Prescient

Ken AshfordHistory, Right Wing Punditry/IdiocyLeave a Comment

Long ago, President Lyndon Johnson explained how this conservative schtick works: If you can convince the lowest white man that he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll even empty his pockets for you. The Fox News business model, ladies and gentlemen.

Scary Dashcam of Taiwan TransAsia ATR-72 Plane Crash

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Disasters1 Comment

The wing clips the car in front, then goes into Taipei River.  Incredibly, 15 have survived.  28 dead; 18 still missing. This isn’t the one making the rounds.  This is actually a more rare (but clearer) dashcam video taken from the car BEHIND the car whose dashcam video is making the rounds. UPDATE: The Guardian is reporting that the taxi driver … Read More

To Kill A Mockingbird II

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

I’m sadly not much of a reader, but I’ve been around for a long time and I have managed to read a lot during that time.  And by far, my favorite book is the one that everybody loves as their favorite…. To Kill A Mockingbird.  So it is nothing short of awesome that, after a 55 year-long silence, Harper Lee is publishing a … Read More