RIP Garry Shandling

Ken AshfordBreaking News, In PassingLeave a Comment

This one hurts.  And it is very sudden.  TMZ: Comedian Garry Shandling died at an L.A. area hospital on Thursday … TMZ has learned. The 66-year-old star was not suffering from any illness … as far as we know … so, it appears this was sudden. A source connected to Shandling says he was healthy and speaking to people on … Read More

Brussels Attacks: Silver Lining Edition

Ken AshfordBreaking News, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

The death toll stands at 31 from yesterday’s coordinated ISIS-terrorist attacks in Brussels. We’re getting some details from the Belgian prosecutor. There were three explosions. Two explosions hit the Zaventem airport in Brussels around 8 am local time (3 am Eastern) in the departure area. One was in the entryway and the other near the American Airlines ticket counter. Both were suicide … Read More

Garland

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Congress, Constitution, Election 2016, Obama & Administration, Obama Opposition, Republicans, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

Is it hard to do cartwheels over President Obama’s choice of Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland today.  Professor Epstein seems to think he’s a good liberal… … but you always have to question the methodology of these things. Merrick Garland is 63 years old and currently serves as chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of … Read More

Breaking: Chris Christie Endorses Trump

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Election 2016Leave a Comment

Guess this explains why Christie (the other bully) never attacked Trump. This is a significant crack in the establishment vs Trump meme.  I can’t look into Christie’s heart and mind, but I can’t help but see this as simply an attempt to grab the vice presidency.  Or attorney-general. Trump/Christie 2016? Aaaaand once again, Trump does something to take the news … Read More

Breaking: Scalia Dead at 79

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Courts/Law, Election 2016, In Passing, Supreme CourtLeave a Comment

Just coming over the news. Found dead at a West Texas “luxury ranch”, whatever that is. UPDATE: Very quick initial thoughts (I will “eulogies” him later.) The political implications of this are huge. For one thing, this Supreme Court term had many important 5-4 issues in front of the Court, or… what would have been 5-4. Immigration, climate change, even … Read More

The Sad Story Of Christine Mumma

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Courts/Law, CrimeLeave a Comment

The North Carolina Bar just ruled that Christine Mumma violated professional conduct rules in her quest to free an innocent man from prison. Mumma is an attorney for the North Carolina Innocence Project (actually, The NC Center on Actual Innocence)  She was trying to free Joseph Sledge, 71, who had spent more than three decades in prison for a double homicide he did … Read More

Armed Terrorists Seize Federal Property

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Constitution, Gun Control, Rightwing Extremism/Violence, War on Terrorism/Torture1 Comment

You would think this would be 24/7 headline news, but it isn’t.  The terrorist takeover began Sunday morning, but the regular news outlets barely covered it.  Only on Twitter was it discussed at any length, thanks to the hashtag #OregonUnderAttack. Now that it is a regular non-holiday workday, the media is starting to report it.  Before then, the only real … Read More

Today’s Mass Shooting: San Bernadino, California

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

Breaking news 2:46 pm EST:  12 reported dead, many injured. Some reports include a second and even third shooter. Related: 2:55 pm: The building where the shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., was reported provides services for developmentally disabled people, according to its website Dozens of civilians being evacuated right now. Hands up… #PD being very cautious and still searching for suspects. … Read More

Breaking: Armed Gunman AT UNC – Chapel Hill [UPDATE: All Clear]

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Gun Control1 Comment

Multiple reports but still unconfirmed: ALERT CAROLINA TIMELY WARNING: Unconfirmed report of armed person near ROTC Building / Venable Hall 12/02/2015, 8:57 a.m. Unconfirmed report of armed person near ROTC Building / Venable Hall ALERT CAROLINA TIMELY WARNING: Unconfirmed report of armed person near ROTC Building / Venable Hall UNC Chapel Hill Police are investigating the report of an armed … Read More

Bad News Coming Out Of Paris

Ken AshfordBreaking News, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Looks like a series of pre-planned coordinated terrorist attacks happening in different places throughout Paris. Also a reported hostage situation at the Paris Bataclan concert hall. 18 killed in central Paris according to another report. A possible response to the killing of Jihadi John by a U.S. drone strike? Two explosions were heard outside the Stade de France stadium north … Read More

Biden Announces He’s Not Running

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Election 2016Leave a Comment

Like I said. You should all listen to me.  Now will you believe me when I say Rubio will be the GOP nominee? UPDATE:  Yup to this…. “With Biden out of race will Elizabeth Warren jump in?” – Beltway journalists begin looking for “sources” to support their new narrative — TBogg (@tbogg) October 21, 2015 But seriously, for the last … Read More

Breaking: Who Is The House Speaker?

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Congress, Republicans, Tea PartyLeave a Comment

As my Twitter feed suggests, something is happening with the GOP House. Kevin McCarthy was expected to voted in as House Speaker.  But the rumor is he is out.  He dropped out. Chaffetz is it. Yup, not a rumor.  McCarthy, who admitted that the Benghazi investigation was politically motivated to get Hillary, dropped out.  Election postponed. Remember, this person comes … Read More

Hurricane Joaquin Probably Not Going To Be A Big Deal

Ken AshfordBreaking News, Local Interest, WeatherLeave a Comment

In spite of some very premature comparisons to Sandy, new projections show Hurricane Joaquin appears to be heading east and may not make landfall in the United States. Different models gaming out the path of the Category-4 storm were initially split on their forecasts, but as the storm has stalled over the Bahamas, the likelihood of it reaching the U.S. … Read More