The White House has tapped Alberto Gonzales to replace John Ashcroft as Attorney General. Gonzales had been considered for a seat on the Supreme Court, but this seems to be a better match for him. Gonzales can be counted upon to continue to aggressively combat terrorism and other crimes, but will make a better public image than Ashcroft did.
I was never a fan of Ashcroft to begin with, for the reason that he comes off as a publicity hound, but not an effective one. Yet the vitriolic criticisms of him have been way over the top. The PATRIOT Act, as bad as parts of it may be, are far less onerous on American civil rights than the massive erosion of rights under Janet Reno. From anti-abortion groups being prosecuted under RICO to “sneak-and-peek” warrants, to Waco and Ruby Ridge (not to mention Elian) – Reno has to be one of the worst AGs since Palmer.
The attacks against Ashcroft were usually based on a reflexive sense of hatred mixed with anti-Christian bias that distorted his record and practically demonized him to much of the American public.
However, thanks to Ashcroft, there has not been another 9/11-style attack in the United States. After two political conventions, Super Bowls, World Series, holidays, and other high-profile places to attack, the terrorists have failed to execute another mass murder. That will be the legacy of John Ashcroft, not the hysterical cries of his critics.
Jay, you nail it with Ashcroft. His biggest flaws were ones of image, and many of those were created by the political left; they made him one of their whipping boys.
Just as in business, when it comes to security results are what matters most, and there Ashcroft delivered bigtime; surely he shares in the success of preventing another terrorist attack on our soil since 9-11, when no one expected that to be possible.
I sincerely hope Ashcroft enjoys his life after AG…he has served this country faithfully and well.
Jay, let me get this straight. You are suggesting that Janet Reno was wrong to return a six-year-old boy to his father instead of pandering to Cuban Americans by allowing his Miami relatives to kidnap him?
Ashcroft belongs to a southern Baptist sect so strict that it deems dancing immoral and thus forbids it. With that in mind, AT is unwittingly sentencing Ashcroft to eternal damnation by hoping Ashcroft “enjoys life” after leaving the Attorney General’s office. Good grief, man, the guy is trying to get to heaven here! There’s no room for “enjoyment”! Perhaps you should amend your original sentiment and instead wish for Ashcroft to have a bland, joyless retirement bereft of pleasure, in keeping with his faith and that of his neighbors.
Mark: I hope your above comments are tongue in cheek.
While I don’t agree with the idea that dancing is immoral, that doesn’t mean that Southern Baptists who hold to that are bereft of pleasure and joy in life (and of course, not all Southern Baptists believe that).
It amazes me how liberals love to be narrowminded in their attitudes towards Christians. Would you criticize an hacidic Jew for their strict religious practices, or a strict Buddhist who lives a life of austerity and self discipline?
The fact that so many in the secular mindset cannot understand those who are religious, and don’t even want to understand, is one reason why the Dem party keeps losing elections.
AT- to blame the current losses of the Democratic Party on narrow-mindedness is a case of massive over simplification. There are several reasons that the Democrats were not successful and we all own up to that.
That being said, I think that it is also laughable for a conservative to be ranting about liberal narrow-mindedness; considering the liberals are far more accepting to all people despite the labels that a hegemonic and patriarchal society slap on them. Religion is one facet of life, but it is not the only facet, or even the most important facet to some people. Mark was bringing to light an interesting point, that Mr. Ashcroft is a strict traditionalist in his faith, and the public has not overly scrutinized that stance. I wonder if that would have been the case with a Hasidic Jew or a strict Buddhist or even a more liberal Muslim in the same position, I think not. Rather, I know that they would have never even been considered on the short list of candidates for Attorney General of the United States, bases on concerns about their faith interfering with their work.
So, I too wish John Ashcroft a peaceful retirement, and thank him for his service to our country. I can sleep better at night knowing that the terrorists won’t get us, that gay men and women will never be allowed to get married because they are immoral and a danger the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, and soon, very soon, I will have no rights to what happens in my uterus.
Kari, I wouldn’t agonize too much about your uteral rights. If the Republican Party proceeds with criminalizing abortion, a bunch of ugly things will happen to them….like mandatory tax and spending increases to cover the cost of enforcing a prohibition and the cost of health care and education for many at-risk infants who would have otherwise been aborted. Furthermore, the softer elements of the anti-abortion movement, particularly the rural working poor, will no longer have a reason to continue voting Republican if Roe vs. Wade is overturned. Earlier this week, I suggested how tricky the GOP’s state of affairs is currently…trying to balance the demands of their evangelical constituency with the devastating political consequences of actually meeting those demands. It’ll be interesting to see who wins the tug of war.
Jay, you mentioned sneak and peak warrents. But those are in specifically in the USAPATRIOT Act. REFERENCE: http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/hr3162.html
Section 213