The Ultimate “Lost” Spoiler

Ken AshfordPopular CultureLeave a Comment

Looks like six pages of the final episode script have been leaked, and unlike other leaks, some believe this one to be the real McCoy. I won't spoil it for anyone, expect to say that I am gratified that bit charactors Bernard and Rose play a significant factor.

Faisal Shahzad’s Online Personality

Ken AshfordSocial Media & Networking, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

From NRO A YouTube video claiming  credit for a “successful” bombing in Times Square was uploaded just hours after the failed attempt, to a web site created the day before. The video was uploaded in Connecticut, where Faisal Shahzad, arrested last night at JFK International, calls home. Like seemingly every modern-day terrorist, Shahzad has a Facebook page (I won’t link … Read More

Sense of Justice Anyone?

Ken AshfordConstitution, War on Terrorism/TortureLeave a Comment

As you probably know, federal authorities nabbed the guy who they believe was responsible for the attempted Times Square car-bombing.  His name is Faisal Shahzad, a naturalized American citizen, born in Pakistan.  The investigation will, of course, continue, given that the suspected terrorist likely had accomplices. Of particular significance are questions about Shahzad's overseas contacts, and yesterday, control of the … Read More

Tony Award Nominees Announced

Ken AshfordTheatreLeave a Comment

My predictions (and really, they're just guesses) are in yellow….. Thoughts:  Seems like there is a trend developing on Broadway in which the line between a "play" and a "musical" is getting blurred.  Take, for example, the Best Original Score category — traditionally a category for musicals.  And yet, two of the four nominees are for productions which the Tony committee deems … Read More

Kent State, 40 Years Ago

Ken AshfordHistoryLeave a Comment

The following is a re-post from a post I posted last year, which focussed on Mary Ann Vecchio, the girl in the iconic photo below.  For other things Kent State-related, you might want to view this interview with Devo (yes, the two founding members of Devo were present at the shootings), or better still, a recent editorial by Elaine Holstein, mother … Read More

Times Square Car Bomb Attempt Apparently Involves “International” Plot

Ken AshfordWar on Terrorism/Torture1 Comment

So much for my lone wingnut theory: The failed car bombing in Times Square increasingly appears to have been coordinated by several people in a plot with international links, Obama administration officials said Tuesday. The disclosure, while tentative, came as the White House intensified its focus on the Saturday incident in New York City, in which explosives inside a Nissan … Read More

Quote Of The Day

Ken AshfordDisasters, Environment & Global Warming & Energy, Obama OppositionLeave a Comment

Former Bush White House Press Secretary Dana Perino on the oil rigger explosion that led to the massive Gulf oil spill: “I'm not trying to introduce a conspiracy theory, but was this deliberate?  You have to wonder if there was sabotage involved” Actually, Dana, it's pretty clear you are trying to introduce a conspiracy theory, one right up there with "Obama was … Read More

Supreme Court Rules On Whether To Close The Front Door

Ken AshfordSupreme CourtLeave a Comment

No, that's not a headline from The Onion. The United States Supreme Court issued a ruling this morning on whether the main entrance to the Supreme Court Building (at the top of the marble steps) should remain open to the public.  They decided "no" in a 7-2 decision, citing security concerns, so the public entrance will be closed starting tomorrow. The Court’s … Read More

Obama At The Correspondents’ Dinner

Ken AshfordObama & AdministrationLeave a Comment

He was pretty funny (38 minutes long): The Chicago Sun-Times has the full transcript.  A few zingers: On speaking ahead of hired entertainer Jay Leno:  "I'm also glad that I'm speaking first, because we've all seen what happens when somebody takes the time slot after Leno's." On his low approval ratings: "It doesn't bother me. Beside I happen to know … Read More

The Oil Rig Explosion That Started It All

Ken AshfordDisasters, Energy and Conservation, Environment & Global Warming & EnergyLeave a Comment

Look for stairs to get a sense of scale: The latest — President Obama visited Louisiana yesterday afternoon to observe the response effort to the BP oil spill, which he called a “potentially unprecedented environmental disaster.” “Your government will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to stop this crisis,” he pledged. But Obama said taxpayers would … Read More

Arizona Explained With Crayons

Ken AshfordImmigration and XenophobiaLeave a Comment

By the way, the right wingnuts in the Airzona legislature aren't through with the crazy.  Now they are taking on human-animal hybrids: The Arizona state Senate on Thursday passed a bill making it illegal for a person to “intentionally or knowingly creating a human-animal hybrid.” The bill, which passed 16 to 12, would prohibit anyone in the state from “creating … Read More