Author
Tale of an Ak-Sar-Ben Knight on Veterans Day
Editor’s note: Brad Ashford, a former Nebraska legislator and member of Congress, wrote several columns for the Nebraska Examiner before his death in April of this year. His widow, Ann Ashford, continues to share some of Brad’s essays with the Nebraska Examiner. Here is a note she sent us ahead of Veterans Day. Brad wrote […]
Lawyers in private practice, the Legislature and the responsibility of citizens
Editor’s note: This is the second of two columns about the profession of law in Nebraska. I have been blessed to know so many attorneys in private practice who devote countless volunteer hours to unrecognized public service. Attorneys like my longtime mentor and partner, Woody Bradford. Woody taught me to view the law as a […]
Nebraska is a state of innovators in the law
Editor’s note: This is the first of two columns about the profession of law in Nebraska. The law, as complex as it may seem, is quite simply the moral code we all share. It is our society codified with structures that may be used to uplift or burden those who live by it and under […]
What is a Nebraskan?
Who are we? Who are we who call ourselves Nebraskans? As I contemplate this, my mind takes me to a place far away from Nebraska. When I was a student at Colgate University in upstate New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Professor Jonathan Kistler taught English and welcomed all his students into […]
Faith in politics
There is a common piece of wisdom passed down through generations that, while in polite company, one should not discuss religion or politics. It’s a shame that ever became a cultural norm here in America. When we are open to one another and let ourselves be known, we build trusting relationships. We come to understand […]
Brad Ashford: A little humor, trust and relationships
A message from Ann Ashford: Brad originally drafted this in March 2021. On Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, we were given the preliminary results of a biopsy of a brain mass that told us Brad has brain cancer. Our world turned upside down in that moment. After a beat of silence, Brad calmly asked how we […]
Brad Ashford: The time is right for Nebraska prison reform
For the better part of my legislative career, I have focused on the justice system, including chairing the Judiciary Committee and working to reform juvenile justice. Lately I have been reflecting on the opportunity this session to address prison reform, a critical element to our state’s success. Constructing a new facility without accompanying programs would be […]
Brad Ashford: My four-year personal health journey
Recently a friend asked me to record my personal health journey. I was hesitant to do so until I realized it might help others seek the medical help they need. I have always tried to be healthy — watched my weight, participated in sports like basketball and rugby from high school on, never smoked, and […]