Who is John Ashcroft, then, and why has he become such a lightning rod?
Original pic found here when they were slamming Ashcroft for the Texas Redistricting of all things!:
Posted on 01/17/2004 8:53:53 PM PST by Pokey78
In a wide-ranging interview, Attorney General John Ashcroft discussed his tenure with U.S. News & World Report Editor Brian Duffy and Senior Writer Chitra Ragavan.
On whether he is a polarizing, controversial figure: "I don't think so. I think the Justice Department is very unified."
On whether he has politicized the department: "That sounds like you're describing a different planet . . . the president relieved me of the responsibility to think politically when I came here. I don't go to fundraisers. I don't get involved in politics. I don't make political speeches. I don't make political comments. I don't endorse candidates. I just don't, because justice is an arena in which we need to have the capacity to serve . . . without regard to politics. And that's why I'm basically out of politics. And I rejoice in that fact in many respects."
On being criticized about expressing his religious faith: "That's sort of like Thomas Jefferson, when he said, `Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights . . . .' Is that what they're talking about? You know, sort of like `In God We Trust' being the national motto, is that what they don't like . . . you know, when I say the pledge, do I say, `One Nation under God,' yeah, with the rest of the audience? At least most of the rest of the audience. And I have never felt like I should not say that because . . . it's the heritage of the country . . . and it's not like the references to God and the Creator in America have ever been exclusive."
On what his critics view as his harsh rhetoric: "I think clarity is one of the most important features in leadership. And if what you're saying is that I haven't sort of obscured in softer, politically acceptable terms what we're really doing . . . you know, the American people are the client of this law firm. And we need to let them know exactly how we're handling things. And I respect the client at the highest level."
On refusing to apologize for the preventive detention of more than 700 illegal aliens and the mishandling of some detainees by prison guards: "I don't apologize for a system that can ensure the security of the United States by detaining individuals who were in violation of the law, pending the outcome of their adjudication. To the extent that anybody is found to have been mistreated we will address that aggressively and have."
On how September 11 changed his priorities: "I think mobility may be the single freedom that people care most about . . . So it became clear that we had to work as a team to protect our capacity for that kind of freedom, for all kinds of freedom in our culture." -Brian Duffy
You are right, though. I do think it's a record!
I am increasingly led to conclude that, as far as Homeland Security is concerned, whether it's AG Ashcroft or a National Guardsman like myself, there will be no thanks from many Americans - only scorn and contempt.
But at least, they're free to say it.
Read the part about how few of those "terrorism" prosecutions were consequential - perhaps NONE, ZERO, ZIP, NADA.
Add to that the Hatfill fiasco.
I don't really care how "good" John Ashcroft is. He's a disasterously bad AG.
But Reno would love to have power to make secret arrests for unlimited time without charges and without constact with a lawyer . Don't you think so?
If he really is supportive of the second amendment for non-fellons, then I think that's strong evidence that he's on the up and up.
The a**holes will soon begin their feeding frenzy.
Not for long. He might be a nice (and misguided) guy, but people who will come after him will love to use these new powers. If RICO laws are being used against pro-life protesters, the new laws will be abused as well.
Who is John Ashcroft, then, and why has he become such a lightning rod?
Original pic found here when they were slamming Ashcroft for the Texas Redistricting of all things!:
Remember that ? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Exactly right. The Patriot Act wasn't thought out and the future ramifications considered. While it was no doubt done with good intentions, we know well and good where that road leads.
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