I still contend that Ashcroft is less intimidated by the statue than he is aware of the attitudes of the media.
From the article: And she's the one the photographers seek out. The most famous pictures of all were shot when former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese proudly released the final report of his commission on pornography. No one in the Great Hall that day could ever forget the spectacle of the still photographers writhing on the floor, flat on their backs, in order to grab the shot of Meese holding up the porn report with Minnie Lou's breast over his shoulder.
With this kind of high school antics from the media, hanging a blue curtain - which we all know reads better on tv anyway - is simply good PR, whatever the motivation.
To take such action is just validating their juvenile perceptions. It reminds me of the breast-feeding debate, where having to hide it, in a sense, MADE it 'dirty'.