Ashcroft criticized for book on 9/11 panel

[sabra]

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/state/15773485.htm

Ashcroft criticized for book on 9/11 panel
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has been blasted by fellow Republicans for his new book criticizing the 9/11 Commission's investigation of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

Republicans who served on the commission told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Ashcroft's behavior as a witness and as an author is "underhanded" and "outrageous."

In his book, "Never Again," Ashcroft accuses the commission of "assessing blame and grandstanding" instead of finding the truth and protecting Americans.

He alleges that the hearings "disintegrated into show trials" and that the Republican-chaired panel was "dangerously out of control" and "obsessed" with blaming President Bush for not preventing the terrorist attacks while "absolving" President Clinton's administration.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Cry me a river

Former Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., said Ashcroft was the least interested in helping the panel get at the facts of what had happened before Sept. 11, 2001, so another terrorist attack could be averted.

"John was the least cooperative of all the witnesses we had," Gorton said. "He was the only one who refused to submit his written testimony in advance, he probably came with the largest entourage of any of the people we talked to, and he engaged in a disingenuous and partisan attack" on the committee.

Former Illinois Gov. James Thompson said Ashcroft's behavior as a witness was so bad that Bush privately apologized to commission members.

"Ashcroft tried to put us on trial and it backfired. The president of the United States apologized to us in the Oval Office for his conduct, which is kind of embarrassing," Thompson said.

[Ediacara]

5. Wow, for Gorton to call someone a partisan hack?

He must have been glowing with radioactive partisan hackery!

[tanyev]

2. Tough talk from a man who took inside information and

didn't say anything but made arrangements so that he didn't have to fly commercial.

[SpiralHawk]

3. Whine whine whine, you lying deviant republicon, you

we got your number

[MO_Dem]

7. Kinda funny, ain't it?

The Repiggies have totally given up trying to "stand by their man". It must be such a disappointment to poor John. I believe he thinks he's better than Jesus. I can't hardly wait til King George gets the same treatment from 'em.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Can anyone tell me what exactly did John Ashcroft do on 9-11?

How did he react? Who did he call? Where did he go?

The only thing I know about John Ashcroft on 9-11 is that he took at least one phone call from Ted Olson. Other then that, Mr. Ashcroft has never gone on record to explain his own actions on that day.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

6. he was too busy reviewing the final draft of the patriot act..

[bmbmd]

8. I saw him on Olberman last night.

He looked uncomfortable and guilty-like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.