For Ashcroft, GOP Criticism

[kskiska]

More in Party Wish to Curb Anti-Terrorism Policies

Friday, August 29, 2003; Page A01

BOISE, Idaho -- Even here, in a bedrock Republican state in the heart of the conservative Mountain West, a lot of people think Attorney General John D. Ashcroft has gone too far.

One of this state's most prominent politicians, Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R), is leading an effort in Congress to curtail the centerpiece of Ashcroft's anti-terrorism strategy, the USA Patriot Act. Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), who used to croon alongside Ashcroft in a senatorial quartet, said this month that Congress may have to consider scaling back parts of the law. And in a state with an all-GOP congressional delegation, several city councils and the legislature are considering resolutions condemning Ashcroft's tactics in the war on terrorism.

"Ashcroft wants more power," said state Rep. Charles Eberle (R-Post Falls), who has drafted a resolution critical of the Patriot Act. "What a lot of us in Idaho are saying is, 'Let's not get rid of the checks and balances.' . . . People out here in the West are used to taking care of themselves. We don't like the government intruding on our constitutional rights."

Ashcroft has always been one of the Bush administration's most controversial figures, particularly among liberals and Democrats who fiercely opposed his nomination. But now the attorney general finds himself at odds with some fellow Republicans from Idaho to Capitol Hill who are troubled by the extent of his anti-terrorism tactics and angered by his unwillingness to compromise.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61836-2003Aug28.html

[ThorsteinVeblen]

1. That Bastard is trying to Destroy our Freedoms

Americans don't like it when Facists Fuck with our Freedoms.

Ashcroft must resign.

[InkAddict]

3. Try on this scenario - Guided by the Spirit

Americans were first divided by hate into "natural" separate groups, and those of "certain racial, ethnic, marital, sexual, genetic, and economic backgrounds were isolated by criteria of their productivity and/or(non)employment, handedness, chronic disability, and non-conformity into ghettos, the prisons already being full. Silently trusting in their elected representatives' lip service and the plausible deniability afforded easy citizenship on menued voting scrrens, a true wonder of techology serving the needs of mankind, these citizens of acquired shame were then duly "offed" into the colliseums of the land to the greater glory of corporate goals that were no longer covertly outlined in mission statements: to amass the fortunes of the world through fear, re-education, and masked slavery.

So, what evil deviation from the norm sets you apart?

Now, after the good Attorneys General' legal purging from every SOTU, upheld by the justices of the land, the National harmony was restored, and AmeriKa was ever more empowered to wage the battle against lusty sinners with the "wrong" vision around the globe. Indeed, every individual of ANY evil intent was eliminated from the land of the living while some were identified as "persons of interest."

Why am I having this nightmare? That's easy! Life (without healthcare), (where is the)liberty, and (how can I pursue any)happiness, when chased by these demons! John Asscroft's Patriot Act I and II and Congress's failures to thwart the unconstitutional treasonous behavior of individuals et. al. in the other branches and agencies of govermnment have usurped and re-routed the power from the people of this land.

[ixion]

2. I'm glad to hear those in the GOP speak out...

they're usually so 'tow the line' that all they do is respew talking points. The unPATRIOTic act needs to go.

[rocktivity]

4. Croon? Well, that's one way of putting it

Sen. Larry E. Craig (R-Idaho), who used to croon alongside Ashcroft in a senatorial quartet, said this month that Congress may have to consider scaling back parts of the law.

CAUTION: this Web page contains material that may not be suitable to music lovers.


rocknation

[PennyLane]

6. OMG!

That music video just caused me to lose my supper! YUCK!

[Best_man23]

10. Damn

Just when all that counseling I've been receiving had started to work, you go and repost this, this.....horror.

(reaches for an ice pick to jab forcefully into his ears)

[PennyLane]

5. ASHCROFT = MCCARTHY

John Ashcroft is a freak of nature........a reincarnation of Joseph McCarthy! He is scary. x(

[WindRavenX]

7. Ashcroft could defeat Bush

Ashcroft is, even GOP strategists admit, a weakness to the Bush 2004 campaign. If used correctly by the Democratic Canidate, then Ashcroft could very well bring Bush down.

[primavera]

11. "If used correctly" being the operative phrase

I think you're absolutely right: Asswipe not only outrages Dems, he offends even die-hard Repukes; he could become a wound in the Repuke side which bleeds, and bleeds, and bleeds. If only we could find among the Vichy Dems someone with the courage to point it out. Well, hopefully Dean has begun to show the way and others will begin to follow suit, well... except of course for Lieberpuke, who's a totally lost cause, thank God.

[jamesinca]

8. I think these two paragraphs speak volumes

I am glad that Howard Dean is the source of one of them, BTW where are the other Dem voices?
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"Ashcroft wants more power," said state Rep. Charles Eberle (R-Post Falls), who has drafted a resolution critical of the Patriot Act. "What a lot of us in Idaho are saying is, 'Let's not get rid of the checks and balances.' . . . People out here in the West are used to taking care of themselves. We don't like the government intruding on our constitutional rights."

<SNIP>

During a campaign stop in New Hampshire last week, former Vermont governor Howard Dean went so far as to summon the ghosts of Watergate, calling Ashcroft perhaps the worst attorney general in history -- worse, he said, than President Richard M. Nixon's attorney general, John N. Mitchell.

"And he was a criminal," Dean told supporters.

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He has compared them to the Taliban and the Nixom adminstration crooks. Playing on fears and stigmas, that works in America you know. I think Dean has figured something out here. He has studied the enemy and he knows how they have won and why. He is using this against them.

[oasis]

9. Put that in your pipe and smoke it--Asscrack

:bounce: