Ashcroft: Patriot act tools needed

[sabra]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-liash1201,0,236979.story?coll=ny-linews-headlines

Ashcroft: Patriot act tools needed


Former Attorney General John Ashcroft faced off with young critics Wednesday, defending the USA Patriot Act and the Bush administration's campaign against terrorism in a speech at Columbia University.

"When I went to the Department of Justice ... I said, 'Think outside the box,'" he said at an event hosted by conservative student groups. "Never think outside the Constitution. I believe it was followed in every respect."

During his speech, titled "Law, Liberty and Security," and in the subsequent question-and-answer period, Ashcroft sparked mixed reactions in the audience of 700 students and invited guests. Half gave him a standing ovation. Half jeered when he said the word "patriot."

Ashcroft said he shifted the Justice Department's focus from prosecution to prevention to "defend, enhance and protect liberty."

[punpirate]

1. Well, John, there's nothing like...

... preemptive justice to kick the shit out of that Constitution you self-deludedly thought you were following. What parts of the 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments don't you understand?

Gawd, I thought we were through with this fascist dweeb. Hope he has a relapse of pancreatitis. At least that would keep him otherwise occupied.

[saigon68]

9. PATRIOT ACT TOOLS

[bluestateguy]

2. Democrats could have a lot of fun with the Patriot Act

All they have to do is win in 2008, and the executive branch is under their control again. The Patriot Act would allow a Democratic Administration to do things like:

"Disappearing" conservative columnists and bloggers, declaring the Heriatge Foundation and the AEI as "terrorist organizations" and shutting them down (then we could snoop through their files), spying on fundamentalist Southern Baptist churches, infiltrating anti-abortion and anti-gay groups and wiretapping conservative politicians .

[ShockediSay]

3. Mr Ashcroft, the only thing I can say I admire you for

is stepping aside and letting Pat Fitzgerald investigate our culture of corruption.

Seriously, Mr A, the rest of your stuff wasn't worth a crock, or it was corrupted.

[kurth]

5. Actually, ASScroft had no choice but recuse himself

because the inquiry would focus on White House personnel i.e. possibly ASScroft.

[goforit]

4. Mr. A-croft shredded the constitution with the patriot act!!! Treasonist!!

[indepat]

6. What a sanctimonious, hypocritical prick

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. Think outside the box??

Were you thinking outside the box when you used taxpayer money to cover up a statue's "offensive" breasts?

STFU, ASSCRACK!

[genieroze]

8. He's a big tool and he never goes or "comes" in a box.