Leahy's Rout

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/07/2001 | Editorial board

[Pokey78]

The stampede you heard out of Washington yesterday was the sound of Senate Democrats and other liberals abandoning their two-week attack on military tribunals and Attorney General John Ashcroft. There may be some mopping up left, but this debate is over. It's one more sign that the obligation to community is reasserting itself as a core value in American politics.

[JohnHuang2]

If Hill Republicans had any brains, they would try to keep this loser issue for Democrats alive by forcing an up-or-down floor vote on military tribunals....

[nicmarlo]

. . . Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat, has been the sharpest critic of his own colleagues, noting that, "These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death."

Ya know, I do like this maverick. Why is he a democRat?

[davidmoore01]

But a surprising and hopeful thing has happened in the meantime: The American public has resisted the clamor. Poll after poll shows that, by more than two to one, Americans support the use of military commissions to try noncitizen terrorists.

"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." --Mark Twain

[SmartBlonde]

Excellent idea. Got 'em on the run - drive 'em into the ocean. This was a red-letter day for Ashcroft. He was well-prepared and loaded for bear. If the Republicans would do this more often, they would be more successful!!!!

[Pokey78]

Totally agree JH2.

[general_re]

The most dramatic moment came when Mr. Ashcroft, in his opening remarks, held up a copy of the al Qaeda training manual. It's part of the evidence that prosecutors had to make public in an earlier terror trial. And it describes how terrorists have been instructed to use America's civil-rights protections to their own destructive advantage. (Excerpts are on the Justice Department Web site.)

Speaking of which, here it is. (PDF file - 8737K)

[Ironword]

The Dems knew their BS was going to be exposed at the hearing, which is why DiFi and Chuckie S. et al. changed the subject from an oversight hearing on military tribunals to an emotive hearing on gun shows. LOL!! See-through.

Ashcroft was great, because he was 1. right, and 2. forthright. And Hatch finally earned a day's pay.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for this great thread.

Zell Miller said it best, " Zell Miller, the Georgia Democrat, has been the sharpest critic of his own colleagues, noting that, "These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death." "

It is time for Miller and Ashcroft to invade Oregon and take on the Mayors and their butt boy/girl police chiefs in Portland, Eugene and Corvallis. These left wing clymers love the Islamics and will not even question potential terrorists!

[what's up]

Leahy's just jealous of Ashcroft. Leahy always wanted to be Attorney General.

[ladyinred]

These nit-pickers need to find another nit to pick. They need to stop protecting the rights of terrorists. This is about national security. This is about life and death."

At least one RAt finally got it right.

My question is, why question the AG about military tribunes, this is the DOD's baby, not Justice.

[JohnHuang2]

Ashcroft was great, because he was 1. right, and 2. forthright. And Hatch finally earned a day's pay.

Amen

[JohnHuang2]

Re: #5 - I totally agree.

[broomhilda]

Great post. I am printing it out for distribution.

[truth_seeker]

My question is, why question the AG about military tribunes, this is the DOD's baby, not Justice.

Because the AG is the top Legal and Law Enforcement guy, he reports to the President, and he explained the administration's position. Rumsfeld has bigger fish to fry, for now. I expect Justice will advise/cooperate with Defense on the tribunals; use, structure, location, etc.

[truth_seeker]

Excellent article. The admistration's position is completely sound, legally and morally. Bottom line: The legal/civil rights of an enemy force must take a backseat, to our national security. Those few who don't understand that simple concept, pray tell, must not grasp the magnitude of the Sept. 11 attack, the goals and methods of the enemy, and are doing some political grandstanding. Mostly democrats, as would be expected.

[RWG]

I saw part of an exchange with Ashcroft and kennedy. I thought Ashcroft should have analogized the necessity of sealing court records in this war against terrorists with the necessity of sealing court records in the case of drowned secretaries. But once again, I was disappointed.

[kayak]

Read and enjoy ..... :-)

[Nogbad]

Let Ashcroft be Ashcroft.

[stands2reason]

Because Ashcroft is politically the weakest leak in the Bush Administration right now and I would guess has the highest disapproval ratings.