eHow

Ken AshfordWeb RecommendationsLeave a Comment

This is a great website: eHow. What’s on it?  Simply this: "Clear Instructions on How To Do (just about) Everything". Cool.

Betty And Barney Hill

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

I was sooo into this story when I was young.  It happened 45 years ago today: On September 19, 1961, Betty and Barney Hill were heading home to Portsmouth when they encountered aliens — or so they believed. Whether true or not, their story catapulted them into national celebrity. *** It was September 19, 1961, and the weather report predicted … Read More

Maybe Not The Best Example

Ken AshfordForeign AffairsLeave a Comment

Bush to the UN at roughly 11:30 EST: We have seen the forces of freedom and moderation transform entire continents. …Asia has seen freedom progress and hundreds of millions of people lifted out of desperate poverty. Halfway around the word, at roughly the same time: BREAKING NEWS: Thailand In Chaos After Coup; Tanks Roll Into Bangkok; Thailand’s Constitution suspended; Thai … Read More

Quote Of The Day

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

Eugene Robinson: "It is not possible for our elected representatives to hold any sort of honorable "debate" over torture. Bush says he is waging a "struggle for civilization," but civilized nations do not debate slavery or genocide, and they don’t debate torture, either. This spectacle insults and dishonors every American."

One Night In Bangkok

Ken AshfordBreaking NewsLeave a Comment

CNN and MSNBC are reporting that there may be a coup attempt in Thailand…. This story is only minutes old — even AP has nothing. UPDATE: 12:10 p.m. – Okay, everyone’s got the story now.  Still, some good blogger coverage at Bangkok Pundit and 2bangkok. I confess.  I have absolutely no knowledge of Thai politics.  I couldn’t even hazard a … Read More

And I Say “A Pox On Both Their Houses”

Ken AshfordGodstuffLeave a Comment

Let’s summarize: The Pope trotted out a 14th-century insult of Islam: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman" He issued one of those fake apologies, where you say you regret that people were upset, instead of saying you were wrong and feel bad about your words or deeds … Read More

Foiled Again

Ken AshfordRandom MusingsLeave a Comment

Another year, another rejection. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll ever win one of these Genius Award grants (each recipient receives $500,000 — with "no strings attached").

Studio 60: A Hasty Review

Ken AshfordPopular Culture2 Comments

Aaron Sorkin’s new show —  Studio 60 at Sunset Strip — debuted last night on NBC. Sorkin is, in my humble estimation, a writing god.  His previous two television shows — Sports Night and The West Wing — are among my top 3 favorite shows of all time.  Like his previous ventures, Sorkin works with director Thomas Schlamme in Studio … Read More

In Bush’s America

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

…it’s okay to kidnap a Canadian citizen (a software engineer), lie to Canada about his whereabouts (Canada is an ally, right?), and ship the poor guy off to Syria (our enemy, right?) for a year or so.  In Syria, he’s tortured and beaten with a metal cable until he confesses that he received training in Afghanistan. As is often the … Read More

Consumer Advice

Ken AshfordCrime2 Comments

This makes sense: Don’t sign the back of your credit card. It’s useless as a deterrent, as anyone who takes your card then has a sample of your signature which they can not only use on any charge slip, but on your checks as well. However, do not leave the white strip blank. In that space, write: "Ask For Picture … Read More

The Gay Scare Of 1957

Ken AshfordLocal Interest, Sex/Morality/Family ValuesLeave a Comment

For many of my friends, I point to this good article in the local paper looking back on 50 years ago, just down the road. On Feb. 4, 1957, a Guilford County grand jury emerged from its closed session and issued a bundle of indictments of a scope unlike any before or since — against 32 men accused of being … Read More