[sarasota]

OK. I didn't miss the point re: the past. May 9 and 10 were two seperate agendas. I don't personally have a problem with that. September 10 still held the same view. Ashcroft clarified things for me during the 9.11 hearings when he said that, had he been convinced that there would be an imminent attack he would have completely supported a strong counter attack. What else do you think he could/should have done? I fail to see how our Monday morning quarterbacking is doing anything but diminishing the current administration. Just my opinion.

[gcruse]

What disturbs me is that he told Congress terrorism was a top priority, which was a lie, as evidenced by him not including it in budget considerations. But his anti-liberty drug war got top billing. Then, when the FBI pleaded for antiterrorism funding, he said no. That was the day before 9/11. Not even too little too late, but rather nothing, too late.

Ashcroft's moralizing agenda continued it force in the weeks after 9/11, as he kept FBI agents in New Orleans investigating whore houses while the nation was in the grip of fearing domestic terrorism. His priorities are those of a zealot.

The cloying praise of Ashcroft that permeates FR is misplaced and sad to behold.

[Stentor]

I read the May 9 and 10 posts on the link but guess I'm missing the point.

Because of the reductionist reasoning required to get the point. Ashcroft had the temerity to attack the concept of unlimited ganja for everyone.