Ashcroft's Watch: A Record of Success

National Review.com ^ | 11-10-04 | Shannen W. Coffin

[Moconservative]

Ashcroft is a great man and I am one Missourian who is proud of his accomplishments. He was a whipping boy for the left and I can see why he would want to leave. He did the heavy lifting and now it is time for someone else to take up the mantel. A job well done!

[chairs]

Ashfcroft was sleeping at the switch prior before and on 9/11.

[Paul Ross]

Ashcroft had been a Senator, and Governor, and was still getting his sea-legs at the Justice Dept., which is a HUGE agency. He should not be blamed for 9-11, although a case can be made for the culpability of the Clinton-carryovers which were allowed to stay on...those like FBI Dir. Louis Freeh and CIA Dir. George Tenet. And it didn't help to keep Norman Minetta on, and put him into the DOT, which oversees the FAA. These were the most visible of the weak links in our domestic security.

[twigs]

My dem husband fell for all the negative expression of grief when Ashcroft was nominated to become AG. But he has slowly changed his mind and now credits him, above any other person, for keeping this country safe. My better half really, really admires this man and hates to see him leave. I concur.

[Moconservative]

To blame Ashcroft for 9/11 is ridiculous. No one could have forseen the events that took place. Yes there were signs but putting the dots together with the lack of information sharing between agencies made it almost impossible. That is what Ashcroft accomplished taking the lessons we learned and applying them to today's needs in regards to law enforcement.

[trustandobey]

Thank you Attorney General Ashcroft for a job well done!
Hope Janet Reno was watching you, she might have learned something.

[jammer]

Many think him a great man, but what of these statements:

Ashcroft had overseen the enforcement of our nation's laws during one of the most demanding times in our history. He had done so at great cost to his own health, having been hospitalized last year for an extended period of time with severe and painful pancreatitis.

Is there a relationship between demanding times and pancreatitis, as the clause, "he had done so at great cost..." says? I didn't know there was any cause-effect relationship.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> Ashfcroft was sleeping at the switch prior before and on 9/11.

What are you, a DU troll? He had barely enough time to get his business cards printed before 9/11 hit.

[dbehsman]

"Is there a relationship between demanding times and pancreatitis, as the clause, "he had done so at great cost..." says? I didn't know there was any cause-effect relationship."

I don't know if there is a "cause-effect relationship" in this instance, but I will say that job stress can take a tremendous toll on a human body. A person should never underestimate the debilitating effects of stress.

[chairs]

To blame Ashcroft for 9/11 is ridiculous. No one could have for(e)seen the events that took place.

See DOD memo: Wolfowitz to Runmsfeld 9/15/04 "Were We Asleep?"

[dbehsman]

"Ashfcroft was sleeping at the switch prior before and on 9/11."

Well, at least your not generalizing. Not like those goof ball trolls from D/U. Right? ; )

[jammer]

No argument with that, but this article drew a direct connection, which may or may not be true, thereby classifying the rest of the opinions an overblown paean.

[stands2reason]

Ashfcroft was sleeping at the switch prior before and on 9/11.

Please welcome our new poster, fellas.

[Not A Snowbird]

Hi, new poster! Welcome to FR!

Care to comment on what the former incumbent of the Attorney General's chair was doing prior to 9/11?

[nopardons]

Hello.............TROLL;prepare to meet thy doom!

[MEG33]

PIFFLE

[Asphalt]

Ahem.

[OSHA]

LOL

Gone before I could welcome it.

[grellis]

Already gone!

sigh